IMPROVEMENTS IN BOOKBINDING;
Year: 1850

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
STARR, of New York, in the United States of America, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Third day of July,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty, in the fourteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Charles Starr, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, Her especial license,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles Starr, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Starr, my
exors, admors, 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 expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN BOOKBINDING;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said Charles Starr, shall cause a particular description of the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.

page_text: Charles Starr, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manuer the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the following description thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say :-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A.
Figure 1 is a front elevation. Figure 2 is a side elevation. Figure 3 is
a section through the centre, taken from back to front. Figure 4 is a back
view. Figure 5 is a detached view, showing a section of the roller head taken
throught the middle of one of the bearings. Figure 6 represents the inside
of one of the clamps. Figure 7 is an edge view of one of the clamps. Figure 8
is an inside or face view of one of the keys which holds the clamps. Figure 9
is an edge view of the same. Figure 10 is a section of one of the clamp
supporters. Figure 11 is a front view of one of the suspenders. Figure 12
is a horizontal section of the same through the eye or hole which receives
the tightening screws. A represents a frame consisting of iron or other
strong material, having two upright sides or posts twenty-three inches high, more
or less, at which point they turn back at an angle of thirty-four degrees, more
or less, extending in that direction ten in hes, more or less, where they are
connected and held together by a cross piece or head, made crowning at the
top, and straight on the lower or inner edge. The lower ends of the upright
side posts have a flange through which the frame is bolted down to the top
of the table B. On the inner side of the posts adjoining the top cross piece
are two projecting tongues of suitable size and length to enter corresponding
grooves cut in the two projecting ends of the roller head C to keep it steady
and in its place. There is also a projection of about one and a half inches
on the inner side of the frame, eighteen and twenty inches above the table,
where the frame is perforated nineteen inches above the table for the
journals of the suspenders; and another one each side, immediately under
these and opposite the lower part of the suspenders where the frame is
perforated for the stoppers. B represents the table on which the frame stands,
made of iron or other material. This table is two feet two inches high, two
feet six inches long, and two feet broad, more or less. C represents the
roller head composed of iron or brass, or other suitable material, and is
attached to the frame A by two screw bolts, Figure 1, passing down through
the frame as the top, and into the roller head. This is lowered or raised by
means of these screws, and the introducing or withdrawing of flat keys or

page_text: lifts, Figure 2. A metal box or sliding holder Figure 8 is introduced between
the jaws Figure 4, at each end of the roller head. They are kept in their
places by dovetails or tongues and grooves; a hole is drilled through each of
these boxes of suitable size to admit the shaft, Figure 5. This shaft is round,
and serves as a journal on which the roller Figure 6 turns when it is pressed
down on the back of the book. This roller is two inches more or less in
diameter, and is drilled through its entire length to allow the shaft Figure 5
to pass through it. Its length is equal to the distance between the two jaws
of the roller head. When it is required to back raised band books there must
be a roller used with grooves turned round the same, corresponding in size
and distance with the bands on the back of the book. A hole is cut through
the left-hand side post of the frame A, through which the shaft or journal
is introduced into the roller. The roller head is morticed through near each
end, and near the top. These mortices are half an inch thick, and an inch
and half more or less in length, vertically. Above the mortices a dove-
tailed groove is cut across the top of the roller head, into which are driven the
two knuckles Figure 7, turning downwards in front, and covering the mortices
and hiding them from view. Two levers, Figure 8, half an inch thick, an
inch wide, and two feet six inches long, more or less, pass through thick
mortices and between the two branches of the knuckles, a bolt passing
through both to form a joint or fulcrum for the levers. The centre of these
joints is two inches more or less from the centre of the roller head, where the
levers rest upon the top of the pins attached to the boxes Figure 3, and force
down the roller upon the back of the book. The roller head is two inches
and a half thick, and seven and a half inches wide, more or less. Weights,
Figure 9, are placed upon the levers and rest in notches made upon the upper
end, their positions being changed to produce the desired amount of pressure.
A hole is drilled between the jaws of the roller head, and extends upwards
within one inch of the mortices above described, of three fourths of an inch
caliber. From this point it is drilled three eighths of an inch caliber into
the mortice, thus a shoulder is formed in the hole near the top, a pin or bolt
Figure 10 (see Figure 5 in Drawing) is introduced into these holes or
openings, three eighths of an inch diameter, with a collar three fourths of an
inch diameter, the length of the pin being one and a half inches long above
the collar, and extending downwards about three eighths of an inch below the
roller head and enter into the boxes, and are connected to them by means of a
small groove turned round the bolts near the end where a small pin rests, being
introduced into the boxes through holes made for that purpose. Spiral springs,
corresponding in size and length with the bolts and the holes in the roller head,

page_text: are introduced, the upper end resting against the collars just referred to, and
the lower end resting on pins introduced into the ends of the roller head, just
above the jaws holding the boxes. By this means, when the levers are raised,
the springs lift the roller from the back of the book that has been operated
on. D represents a carriage designed to control the action of the levers,
raising them with the foot, and gently letting them down to produce the
desired effect on the back of the book technically called "backing;" a shaft,
Figure 11, with each end resting in a box let into the table frame four inches
above the floor, and raised or lowered by screws, is the fulcrum on which the
levers, Figure 12, rest, and are turned. At the further end of these levers
there are two connecting rods, Figure 13, extending upwards, and are
connected with the levers Figure 8 by a pin passing through them eighteen
inches, more or less, from the ends of the levers. The two levers, Figure 12,
are connected in front by one treadle, that by one pressure of the foot both
levers Figure 8 may be raised at the same time. The treadle has a mortice
through it, and through this opening an upright stopper, Figure 14, is
extended up to and is connected with the table by a hinge, a spring being
placed behind it to throw it forward, that the notch cut near the lower end
may catch on the top of the treadle, and hold it down. The stopper is
disengaged from the treadlo by pressing the ball of the foot lightly upon
a small lever that rises above the other end, pressing against the end of the
stopper underneath the trendle. E represents a pair of clamps, designed
for holding fast the book while acted upon by the backing roller, and
are made of iron, faced on the upper edge with steel. They are of various
lengths and breadths, that they may be adapted to the size of the books to be
backed, and are three-fourths of an inch thick, more or less. A semicircle is
cut out of the lower side of the clamps, leaving one and a half inches on cach
end. This is done to allow the free use of the band while inserting and
regulating the book between the clamps. They are rabbited on the inner
side at each end about the width of one inch, and for about one third their
thickness. This is done to allow the clamps to close so near as to hold fast
the thinner books, as this would otherwise be prevented by the suspenders
which come between them at this point. Two flat keys, Figure 15, three
quarters of an inch thick, and one and a half inch wide, more or less, with
half round tongues on the inner side, are connected with the two clamps, a
groove being cut their entire length on the outer side within about two and a
half inches of the upper edge, the tongues being made to fit the grove. The
connection is effected by jointed bolts screwed into the clamps, and fastened to
the bars by nuts on the outer side; a spring, the upper edge of which bears

page_text: against the clamps, is screwed fast to these bars back and front, for the
purpose of throwing the lower edge of the clamps outward when they are at
rest, for the greater facility of inserting the book. These bars extend a half-
inch or thereabouts beyond the ends of the clamps. The ends have projectors
extending inwards, increasing the thickness at this point to furnish sufficient
strength for the screws, and are about one and a half inches diameter. These
ends of the bars are drilled and tapped to receive the screws. Two screws,
Figure 16, of an inch diameter, left blank in the centre for about one inch,
are cut with right and left hand thread, and are varied in length as circum-
stances require, from two inches to three inches on each end. From the
thread outward on the front end, a shaft is formed of sufficient length to allow
two additional bars, a pinion, a brace herein-after described, and a nut or pin,
to keep them in their place. On the other end of the screws a shaft is also
left to admit the brace and nut or pin, as above mentioned. The blank part
of the screws rests in the centre of the suspenders through which they are
passed, and are kept in their proper place by grooves cut round them, and
corresponding tongues inserted in the suspenders, so as to allow their being
moved up and down for about half an inch. The clamps and the screws are
connected with the frame A by two suspenders, Figure 17, the part passing
through the frame being round, one inch in diameter, more or less, and the
part extending downwards between the clamps square or flat, as far as one
inch below the edge of the clamps, from which point they are rounded to the
end, having a thread cut upon them here for a nut, to be made use of in
raising and lowering the clamps, and all connected with them, to change the
relative position of the upper edge of the clamps, and the centre of the
suspender journals. Between the square portion of the suspenders and the
nuts a supporter, Figure 18, is placed upon each, having a hole of suitable
size drilled through the centre for that purpose. These supporters are one
inch thick, two inches wide, and six inches long, more or less. Between the
ends and the hole in the centre these supporters are excavated, forming on
each end a box open at the top; stops, Figure 19, with a shoulder rising above
the top of the supporters, and the other part flush, are dropped into them
between the centre and the ends of the clamps, the clamps resting against
these shoulders. The object is to prevent the closing of the clamps too near,
that the principal pressure may be secured to the upper edge; small lifts are
dropped in behind these stops to bring them so far out as may be necessary.
Screws are introduced into the ends of the supporters, to hold the stoppers
firm in their place. The clamps should be raised for a thick book, and
lowered for a thin one, by micans of the nuts on the ends of the suspenders,

page_text: This crank is used to
always bringing the centre of the segment of the circle formed by the back of
the book a little below the centre of the suspender journals. Whenever it
becomes necessary to raise or lower the clamps, the roller head must be
changed in the same direction, and about twice the distance. The perpen-
dicular or square part of the suspenders is drilled and cut through, so as to
allow the screws, Figure 16, to pass through them, and the holes are
elongated to allow the clamps and screws to be raised and lowered. To admit
of this, the suspenders are a half inch wider at this point than at the other
portion. Two pinions, Figure 20, are placed upon the shafts of the screws,
Figure 16, and one, two, or three other pinions are placed between them.
They are kept in their places and traverse together by means of two bars
corresponding in size with those made fast to the clamps placed one on each
side of the pinions and on the shafts of the screws. A stud or short shaft
passes through the central pinions and the two bars, the centre one of
all having a crank, Figure 21, made fast upon it.
turn the pinions, and thus press the book close between the clamps to
receive the roller. When the clamps are brought as near together as the
book will allow, the crank should hang perpendicular. If it stop in any
other position, the nuts on the front ends of the screws should be moved
with the front bar, and the centre pinion brought forward and so changed in
its gearing as to effect the desired object. Four braces, Figure 22, are placed
on the ends of the screw, Figure 16, back of the bars and pinions or near
the screws, the lower ends being so fitted as to slip over the ends of the sup-
porters, Figure 18, where they are held by screws; these steady the clamps and
prevent either from falling below the other. A steady pin, Figure 23, passes
through each cheek or post of the frame, and into the suspenders near the lower
end, to keep them and the clamps in an upright position while introducing
and regulating the book between the clamps. These steady pins are remotely
connected with a lever at the back of the machine by which they are moved.
Two slides, Figure 24, are inserted in the frame A, near the top of the upright
post directly over a line drawn midway between the two clamps, and are also
moved to and fro by the lever just referred to. A nut, Figure 25, is placed
upon the end of each of these slides, just outside the frame A, and is held in its
position by a set screw. Guides, Figure 26, are placed upon the inner ends of
the slides, having their lower ends made to fit the shape that the back of the
book should be made to assume previous to its being "backed." These
guides are just long enough to stop the book, when forced upwards, just where
it should be held for "backing," and answers for a regulator in giving the
proper round to the back, preparatory to the backing operation. When the

page_text: book is held fast by the closing of the clamps, these guides are thrown back
against the cheeks of the frame by the lever referred to. Immediately over
the slides, Figure 24, are two bars, Figure 27, made fast to the frame, and so
placed as to form inclined planes, the highest point being at the ends made
fast to the frame. A mortice is cut through the top of the guides just large
enough to allow them to slide upon the planes. The holes made in these
guides to admit the end of the slides, Figure 24, are elongated to allow the
inclined plane to raise them as they slide back towards the frame to clear the
top of the suspenders, when the clamps are dropped so low as to require the
guide to be of such a length as to be thus obstructed. A tube, Figure 28,
corresponding in length with the entire width of the frame of the machine, is
firmly attached to the back of the frame, about midway of that part of the frame
that leans back. Projections are cast upon the frame, and these are drilled, and
the tube passes through the holes. A conductor, Figure 29, is inserted in each
end of the tubes and made to slide back and forth with ease. A stem, Fiure 30,
is drilled and slid on to the centre of the tube, having a projection extending
outward an inch for a fulcrum on which the lever is turned. This lever,
Figure 31, extends upwards above the top of the frame A and downwards
below the fulcrum, on which it turns five inches, more or less. From the
lower end of the lever an arm, Figure 32, is extended to one end of the tube,
and from a point on the lever, the same distance above the fulcrum, another
arm is extended to the other end of the tube; here they are connected with
four arms, Figure 33, which reach the nuts on the slides, Figure 24, and
embrace them between their two fingers or branches. The arms, Figure 32,
are drilled through near their connection with the fore arms to receive the ends
of the conductors, Figure 29, the two being held together by a nut on the
end of the conductor. From the nuts Figure 25, levers Figure 34 extend
down the sides of the frame A, about three inches below the steady pins,
Figure 23, where they are attached to a small projection on the frame
morticed through to receive them, a pin passing through the two. These
levers are drilled through opposite the steady pins for receiving the ends of
these pins, which are held in their places by small bolts; thus, by a motion of
the lever Figure 31 the steady pins Figure 28, and the slides Figure 24, are
controlled and thrown backwards and forwards at pleasure. F represents the
crank on the left-hand suspender, and is used to turn the clamps, and conse-
quently the book with the roller pressing upon it to form the grooves, the
object of backing. Before the roller is allowed to press upon the back of the
book, the lever Figure 31 must be used to throw back the steady pins and
the slides, and the clamps must be brought up so as to present the centre of

page_text: the book immediately opposite the centre of the roller. The pressure will bo
regulated by the foot allowing the roller to press but lightly upon the centre of
the book, increasing the pressure as it proceeds to the outer edge. It should
be tightened up while returning again toward the centre, and then again the
pressure should be increased while rolling down the other side. This process
may be repeated at the pleasure of the operator, each operation rendering the
work more perfect.
Having now described the first part of my Invention, I will proceed to state
what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. I do not claim
to be the inventor of "backing" books by means of a roller, as rollers having
a concave peripheries have been used, which were passed longitudinally over
the back; nor do I claim the construction of the clamps or jaws between
which the book is held. But what I do claim is,―
First, the use of a roller 6 of the whole length, or part of the length, of
the back of the book, either plain for a plain back book or grooved for a raised
banded book, which rolls over the back of the book from side to side, or from
the centre to the sides, and has a yielding pressure applied to it by weighted
levers or their equivalents in the manner substantially as described.
Second, the swinging clamps or book-holder E, E, for the purpose of
holding the book for "backing," hung upon pivots or journals, and capable of
swinging back and forth so as to cause the back of the book to describe an
arc of a circle and present every part to the face of the roller substantially in
the manner herein set forth.
Third, the guages 26, 26, sliding upon inclined bars 27, 27, that they may
be set to form guides for placing both ends of the back of the book at an
equal or nearly equal elevation in the clamps, so as to cause each part to
receive an uniform pressure, and may be drawn back from the book without
dragging or nibbing the surface of the back, in the manner substantially as
herein shown.

page_text: clamp being removed; Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the suspen-
ders; Figure 8 is a transverse section of the same; Figure 9 is a perspective
view of one of the gilding tools or rollers; Figure 10 is a transverse section
of the same. A represents a frame, consisting of iron or other strong material,
having two upright sides or posts connected and held together by a cross-piece
or head at the top, and the lower ends made fast by bolts to the top of the
table, the top of the frame being arched upon its upper edge. On the inner
side of each post there is a tongue or projection of suitable size and length
to enter corresponding grooves cut in the two ends and at the upper edge
of the roller head B to steady the latter and keep it in its place. The frame is
attached to a table made of iron or other material by means of screw bolts
passing through the top of the table and the flanges on the lower end of the
frame. B represents the roller head or heater, composed in part of iron
and part of brass, or wholly of either or of other suitable metal, and is
attached to the frame A by two screw bolts, Figure 1, passing down through
the top of the frame and into the roller head. This is raised or lowered by
means of these screws, and the introduction or withdrawing of flat keys or
lifts, Figure 2. A metal box or sliding holder, Figure 3, is introduced
between each of the two pair of jaws, Figure 4, at the ends of the roller
head, and are kept in proper position by dovetails or tongues and grooves. A
hole is drilled through each of these boxes of suitable size to admit the shaft
or mandril, Figure 5. This shaft extends at each end beyond the boxes
sufficiently to allow the washers, Figure 6, with set screws to be placed
upon them. The shaft is in the form of a hexagon, or an octagon, to prevent
the turning of the tool upon it, or it may be made round, with a tongue or
groove to fit a corresponding tongue or groove in the interior of the embossing
or gilding tool. The tools, Figure 7, for embossing or gilding the backs of
books are made of brass or other metal of any length required by the book
to be finished, and are two inches more or less in diameter. The shaft,
Figure 5, passes through the centre of the tools, a hole being cut through
the frame on one side to introduce it, and on one end of the shaft the washer
has a groove turned round the outer edge, and a small bolt with an eye
inserted in the groove. A cord or chain is made fast to this bolt, and passes
in this groove and up near the top of the heater on the back side, and over
a small pulley, Figure 8. A weight is attached to the end of the cord or
chain which operates to turn the tool back to its former position after the
impression shall have been made. There is another pin inserted in this
washer as a set screw, which falls upon a small arm made fast to the box
to stop the tool when it has been turned back to its proper position. The

page_text: A
roller head is morticed through near each end, and near the top. These
mortices are half an inch more or less in thickness, and an inch and a half at
the front, and two inches and a half, more or less, at the back in length
vertically. Over these mortices a dovetailed groove is cut across the top of
the roller bead, into which are driven the two knuckles, Figure 9, turning
down in front, and covering the mortices. Two levers, Figure 10, half an
inch thick, and an inch wide, and two feet six inches long, more or less,
pass through the two mortices, and are connected by bolts with the knuckles
in front. The centres of these joints is two inches, more or less, from the
centre of the roller head, where the levers rest upon the top of the pins
attached to the boxes, and force down the tools to make the impression.
The roller heads are two and a half inches thick, and seven and a half inches
wide, more or less. Weights are placed upon the levers, and rest in notches
on the upper edge, their positions being changed to produce the required
amount of pressure. A hole is drilled near each end of the roller head
between the jaws, and extending upwards within one inch of the mortice.
above described. This hole is three fourths of an inch in diameter, more or
less, and is continued up to the mortice of the size of three eighths of an inch
more or less. A shoulder is thus formed in the opening near the top.
pin or bolt, Figure 11, is introduced into each of these holes or openings,
three eighths of an inch diameter, more or less, with a collar of the size of
the hole within an inch and a half of the top, so that the collar may be
met by the shoulder in the opening and leave the bolt extending upwards
half an inch into the mortices. The lower ends of the bolts extend below
the holes in the roller head, and into the top of the boxes three-eighths of an
inch more or less, and are connected therewith by means of a small groove
turned in the pins or bolts near the ends; small holes are drilled through the
boxes, and the pins are inserted entering into the grooves in the bolts. Spiral
springs corresponding in size and length with the bolts and the holes in the
roller head are introduced, the upper end resting against the collars on the
bolts, and the lower ends resting on pins inserted near the bottom of the
holes in the roller head. By this means, when the levers are raised, the
tools are lifted into the cavity in the lower edge of the roller head, where
it is held in contact with the heated metal. This cavity corresponds in size
and shape to one half of the tool cut horizontally, and is lined with lead or
other soft metal, extending in length from one jaw of the roller head to the
other. There is a cavity in the centre of the roller head as large as the case
will admit for a steam chamber. A steam pipe is introduced into this chamber
on the back side and near the upper edge to introduce the steam, and another

page_text: pipe is attached near the lower edge to discharge the exhausted steam or
water; where steam is not available, an opening is made into the roller head
in the place of the steam chamber, and an iron heated is introduced to effect
the same object as the steam. C represents a carriage designed or intended
to control the action of the levers, raising them with the foot and gently letting
them down to produce the impression. A shaft, Figure 12, with each end
resting in boxes suspended by screw bolts in the frame of the table below, is
the fulcrum on which two levers, Figure 18, rest. and turn. At the farther
end of these levers are two connecting rods, Fig. 14, extending up to and
are connected with the levers, Figure 10, by a pin passing through both,
eighteen inches, more or less, from the ends of the levers Figure 10. The
two levers, Figure 13, are connected in front by one treadle, that by one
pressure of the foot both levers, Figure 10, may be raised. The treadle has a
mortice cut through it, twelve inches, more or less, from the end that comes in
contact with the heel of the foot, and an upright stopper Figure 15, connected
by a hinge to the table, with a spring to throw it forward, passes down through
the mortice in the treadle. A notch cut into the front side of this stopper
near the lower end catches on the upper side of the treadle, and holds it
down. It is disengaged by a touch of the toe as the foot is placed upon the
treadle to let the pressure down upon the book. When the impression has
been made, the foot is placed on the treadle, and the tool is restored to
its place in the cavity of the heater. D represents the box or bookholder
composed of iron or other strong material, having a bottom, two ends, and
the front side in one piece, and the back side as a follower in a separate piece.
This box is designed for holding the book fast and well pressed together
while the impression is made on the back; the upper edge of the two sides are
bevelled off to prevent their coming in contact with the tools. This box is
connected with the frame A by two suspenders, Figure 16, the posts passing
through the frame being round, and in diameter one inch more or less, and the
parts hanging down at the ends of the box square or flat, as far as the bottom
or lower edge of the box, and below that round with a screw thread cut for
nuts to raise or lower the box. Between these nuts, Figure 17, and the box,
is a flat bar, Figure 18, half an inch thick and two inches wide, more or less.
The nuts are turned up or down for the purpose of raising or lowering the
box as may be required, so as to change the relative position of the suspenders
and the book, always bringing the centre of that part of the suspenders which
passes through the frame in a line with the centre of the curve formed by the
back of the book, the thicker book requiring the box to be raised and the
thinner to be lowered. Whenever it becomes necessary to raise or lower the

page_text: box, the roller head must be moved in the same direction, and to double the
extent by means of the screws at the top of the frame, and the flat keys or
lifts between the frame and the heater. The perpendicular parts of the sus-
penders are pierced from front to back a little higher up than the centre of the
box, the holes being one inch by one and a half inches, more or less, with
stops or keys, made lengthwise with the holes in the sides of the hangers,
inserted so deep as to enter into corresponding grooves cut in the centre of the
screws, designed for pressing the two sides of the book together, and holding
the book fast. Two flat bars, Figure 19, three quarters of an inch thick and
one and a half inch wide, more or less, are made fast to the front and back
plates of the box a little above the centre, and extend an inch and a half
beyond the ends of the box, where they increase in thickness. These bars at
the ends projecting beyond the box, are drilled and tapped to admit the screws
and serve as screw boxes or female screws. Two screws (without thread to
the extent of about one inch in the middle, Figure 20, about one inch in
diameter, and varying in length to suit different size machines, and having
right-hand threads on one end and left-hand threads on the other, pass through
the two ends of the bars on the front and back sides of the box, and through
the holes in the suspenders, being confined to one position in the suspenders by
the keys which enter the grooves in the centre of the screws. A shaft is left
on the front end of each of the screws, two inches long, more or less, and a
pinion, Figure 21, is made fast on each shaft; a centre pinion, with or without
intermediate pinions, Figure 22, is attached to a shaft in the centre between
Figure 21, and is turned by a crank, Figure 23, made fast to the central
shaft. Two more plates, three eighths of an inch thick, and an inch and a
half wide, are placed upon the screw shafts, one above and the other below
the pinions, and a nut on each shaft keeps them in their place. The shafts of
all the pinions pass through these plates or bars. By turning the crank,
Figure 23, the two sides of the box are brought together, and the book is
held fast. Near the bottom of the box, and on the front side, a bar, two
inches longer than the box and somewhat smaller than the bars above, is
secured fast to it, and a set screw is inserted in each end. These screws are
set up against the suspenders when the book is screwed fast, and remain so
to prevent the box from moving under the influence of the pressure. A bar
and screws, similar in all respects to the one just described, is attached to the
back plate or follower, the ends of the box being cut away to allow it to close
upon a thin book. The screws must be set to suit the thickness of the book
to be embossed. When the book is screwed fast the crank must be made to
hang down by removing the nuts on the screw shafts, and changing the gearing

page_text: or by changing the crank ou the shaft. When it is desirable to emboss or
gild books of less size than the capacity of the box, it is necessary to introducc
adjusters at the bottom and at one end of the box, which operate to dimi-
nish the interior of the box. These are made in two parts, and in the form of
an elbow at right angles, the head and bottoin piece being in one. The two
must not exceed in thickness the book to be finished, and must be kept apart
by springs between them, so as to secure the resting of the squares of the
book upon them. On the upper side of one of these adjusters a piece of
wood or other substance should be made fast, corresponding in shape to the
round of the book, that the front edges of the book may rest upon it for
support. E represents a ball or weight attached to the right suspender,
designed to counterbalance the weight of the box, that it may be held in the
right position for inserting the book in the box, and taking it out. F repre-
sents the crank on the left suspender, and is used to turn the box when the
tool has been let down upon the look to give the impression. The box being
thus turned upon a centre with the book so placed as to present all parts of
the book at about the same point when turned, and the tool being pressed
upon the book, the friction caused by the contact causes the tool to roll over
the book and give an uniform pressure on all parts of the back of the book.
Figures 24, 24, represent two arms, on which the weight E and crank F rest,
regulating the extent of motion to be given to the box in turning cither way.
They are attached to the frame by screw bolts passing through clongated
mortices in the arms by means of which they can be varied in length as
required for thicker or thinner books, the former requiring them to be length-
ened and the latter shortened. For gilding, a tool is prepared of brass or
other metal, similar in size to the one for embossing, either for the wholo.
length of the book or for any portion; or by having roller prepared of
less diameter than the embossing tools, and of any length, with a hole of
suitable size to allow its being put upon the shaft, a case is then
made to slide upon the roller, and just thick enough to increase its size
to that of the embossing rollers. A part of this case or shell may be
cut away on one side, leaving an opening to the inner roller. Around
this opening any figure may be cut upon the case as a border for a
panel, and the opening may be filled up with small tools, glued or otherwise
made fast to the roller. These small tools must be cut from metal first pre-
pared in the shape of the case referred to, and of the same thickness. Thus
prepared the whole is placed upon the shaft, and the gilding is effected in the
same way as the embossing. The lettering is done in the same way by rollers
of the usual size, having the titles of the books cut or engraved on them.

page_text: The gilding tool, when prepared for only a portion of the book, is removed
from one part of the shaft to another by means of a traversing arm, Figure 25.
This is attached to a bar, Figure 26, made fast to the roller head by bolts and
extending across the entire front. The bar serves as a tongue on which the
arni slides, this being morticed through to receive the bar. At the lower end of
the arm are two fingers turning inwards so as to embrace between them the tool
to be moved, and a handle or knob is fixed on the front to be used in making
the necessary movement. Figure 27 represent weights placed upon the bars
to give the impression.
Having now described the second part of my Invention, I will proceed to
state what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. I do not
claim to be the Inventor of circular engraved tools or rollers for embossing
books, such tools being used; but I claim,―
First, the use of one or more circular engraved rollers 7, of the whole or
part of the length of the book, working across the back of the book, and
having their pressure upon the book graduated by weighted levers or their
equivalents, in the manner described, for the purpose of embossing or gilding,
or, what is technically termed, finishing the backs of books.
Second, I claim clamping or holding the book in a swinging bookholder D,
which hangs on pivots or journals 16, 16, and is capable of being swung back
and forth, so as to cause the back of the book held in it to describe an arc of
a circle, and bring each part of the back to the finishing roller, so that it shall
receive an equal pressure all over its surface, substantially as herein set forth.
Third, forming circular gilding tools, of any required pattern, for gilding
books, by having a case or hollow metal cylinder, Figs. 9 and 10, fitting on a
roller, and having an opening cut in it of the required form of the panel or
outer edge of the pattern; the part of the periphery of the roller within the
opening in the case having any required number of small tools, of any suitable
form or pattern, secured to the periphery of the roller, and the surfaces of the
said tools standing up even with the outer surface of the hollow cylinder,
substantially in the manner herein described.
DESCRIPTION of a Machine for the purpose of Preparing Sheets of Books
printed, for the use of the Blind, with Raised Letters, and the Manner
of inserting Thick Marginal Papers between the two halves of the sheet
along the margins, to equalize the thickness of the printed page and the
margins.
Description of the Drawing C.-Figure 1 is a side elevation. Figure 2
is a transverse section, taken through the frame and table, the working parts

page_text: being shewn entire. Figure 3 is a horizontal section. Figure 4 represents
one of the printed sheets, having the margin strips laid on, but not folded.
A represents a table, six feet in length and two feet in width, with a pair of
ribs running lengthwise over the top or upper surface, on which the bed is
moved to different parts of the table. B represents a frame, the section of
which runs lengthwise under the table, the top of the latter resting upon it,
the two upright sections extending upwards about two feet six inches to
support the upper section, corresponding with the lower one in length and
size, and holding the two to prevent their spreading apart by the pressure
herein-after described. C represents a moveable bed, somewhat larger than
the half of the sheets to be operated upon, which is placed upon the ribs, and
is moved by hand over the entire length of the table, being placed in the
centre to receive the paper, and removed to one extreme under the suspended
protectors, where the paste is applied to the margin of the sheet, the printed
page being protected as herein-after described; and the strips of thick margin
paper ff (see Figure 4), are inserted, and to the other end where the
pressure is applied to cause the pasted parts or margins to adhere. This bed
has upon its surface slightly raised framework, corresponding with the margin
of two of the printed pages, the openings being about three eighths of an inch
wider, and half an inch longer, than the printed page, making half the dis-
tances on the sides and ends without pressure. This bed and framework so
constructed is covered over with a sheet of india rubber of suitable thickness,
on which the printed sheet is laid, so as to have the printed pages of one half
the sheet fall in the centre of the framework just above described. Two pins
are inserted in the bed, about two and a half inches from the foot of the
printed page, and near the two extreme sides, as guides for laying upon the
paper a flat brass gauge of the length of the platten, and three inches wide,
with two points extending from the edge, about half an inch, to the two
extreme lower corners of the printed page. This gauge being laid on the lower
end of the sheet, as guided by the pins, the sheet is moved so as to bring the
corners of the printed page to the points of the guide, by which means the
sheet is placed in its proper position. This gauge remains in this condition
until the bed is moved under the suspended protectors, when it is removed.
Two holdfasts (a, a), in the form of an L, are then placed, the longer and
thinner parts on the paper, the two ends pointing inwards towards each other,
the thicker and shorter parts in a groove upon the edge of the bed, and are
held in this position by buttons b, b, turned over the parts turned downwards
on the outer edges of the bed. These holdfasts serve to hold the paper in its
proper position, and the one edge being exactly in the centre of the head

page_text: margin to govern the folding, as the unpasted half of the sheet is brought
down upon the pasted part. In placing the sheet upon the bed, the part that
is not intended to be pasted is laid upon a bank G, made fast to a portion of
a frame projecting over the platten, and is placed in a position not varying
materially from an elevation of forty-five degrees from a level, the lower edge
being sufficiently raised to allow the bed to pass under it without obstruction.
D represents the platten, suspended at one end of the frame B, just high
enough to admit the bed to pass under it, and is a counterpart of the bed
with the frame therein described, and covered with a sheet of india rubber, the
two faces being brought together with the pasted sheet between them for the
purpose of causing the parts to adhere. Two holes, of about two inches dia-
meter, are bored through the platten immediately over the centres of the
pages, and plugs are inserted for the purpose of disengaging the sheet when-
ever it adheres to the platten. E represents two suspended protectors
at the other end of the machine, about one fourth of an inch wider,
and three eighths of an inch longer, than the printed page with small
projections, say, two or more on every side, of about one eighth of an
inch from the straight edge, to serve as guides for placing the thick
margin paper a little distance from the edge of the pasting to allow the
margins between the inserted strips and the print to be stuck together. The
edges of these protectors project below the centre part, or that which covers
the print, to cause the principal pressure to be upon the margin, and none or
very little on the print. There is a third protector E' suspended across the
head of the pages, or over the centre of the sheet, about three inches wide, the
whole length corresponding to the width of the sheet, and distant from the other
two about equal to the head margin when the sheet is folded from the operation
of the paste brush, and are sufficiently raised to allow the bed to pass freely
under them. F represents a shaft nearly the length of the table, and is placed
immediately under the lower section of the frame, the two boxes in which its
journals are turned being made fast to the same near to the two ends of the
bar. About one foot from the ends of the table, or immediately under the
centre of the sheet of paper when at either end, there is a small cam c upon
the shaft, over which, with a pulley on the lower end of each, there is an
upright shaft d, having a flat surface e at the top, six or eight inches diameter,
the surface falling, when down, just below the upper edge of the ribs. Near
the centre of the bar F, a treadle H is so placed that by the application of the
foot the bar is turned, and the upright shafts are forced upwards by the cams
against the under side of the bed, forcing it either against the protectors or the
platten, according as its position may be for the operation of printing or

page_text: pressing. A swinging or suspended catch, hung over the treadle, holds it down
while the pasting operation is being performed. After the operation has been
performed on a number of sheets by this machine, as above described, they are
put in bulk in a "standing press," and left fifteen or twenty minutes to render
the adhesion of the pasted parts more perfect, and then a folder is passed round
the grooves formed by the thick margin paper, to make the shoulder more
prominent and perfect.
I claim the exclusive right to the improvement in books for the use of the
blind by inserting thick strips of paper in the margins of the sheets between
the two leaves, the indented parts of the sheet being brought together, leaving
a space in the back for a joint, and for admitting the twine in sewing, by which
means the edges of the books become solid, without pressure upon the
raised letters, like the leaves of the book when finished, appearing as if printed
on both sides.
I also claim the exclusive right to the construction, arrangement, and use
of the machine as set forth in the Specification, for the purpose of effecting the
object above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Starr, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty.

page_text: of the Specification hereunto annexed, and marked with the letter A, and
dated the Twelfth day of October now last past, and purporting to be executed
and acknowledged by Charles Starr, of New York aforesaid, before the
said Robert Bunch, on the said Twelfth day of October, is of the proper
hand-writing of the said Robert Bunch.