CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TIME TEACHERS AND BOXES, SHOW CARDS, OR HOLDERS FOR MATCHES, PENS, PINS, NEEDLES, AND OTHER ARTICLES, AND IN THE MODE OR MODES OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
SOUTHWOOD STOCKER, late of No. 10, York Place, City Road, in the County of
Middlesex, but now of the Brass Battery Works, New Wharf Road,
Caledonian Road, King's Cross, in the same County, Gentleman, send
5 greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Fourth day of May, in the
eleventh year of Her reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Alexander
Southwood Stocker, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Alexander Southwood
Stocker, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Southwood Stocker, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN TIME TEACHERS AND
BOXES, SHOW CARDS, OR HOLDERS FOR MATCHES, PENS, PINS, NEEDLES, AND OTHER
ARTICLES, AND IN THE MODE OR MODES OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME," within that
part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
called England, Her Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed; in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso requiring
that I, the said Alexander Southwood Stocker, should particularly describe

page_text: and ascertain 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, and
cause the same to be enrolled 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 reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that, in compliance with the said proviso," I, the said
Alexander Southwood Stocker, 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 this present statement and
Specification thereof, reference being had to the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings hereunto belonging and forming part hereof, and to the figures,
letters, or other characters marked thereon for the convenience of such
reference, that is to say:―
Firstly, my improvements in time teachers (by which I mean articles in-
tended for the purpose of teaching children to read and understand the time
indicated on the dial of a clock or watch) consists in making such articles in
metal, in order that the same may be more durable than heretofore; also.in
constructing them with elastic hands of steel or other material, in such.
manner that their elasticity may serve to keep them in any required position.
say,
.
Secondly, my improvements in boxes have reference to boxes composed of
metal, and consist, (I.) in constructing such of these articles as have a body
and lid in two-pieces (one piece for each respectively) as follows, that is. to
with the body or bottom made with its edge or edges, or portions of its
edge or edges, bent so as to form grooves, or with supplemental portions or
edges bent so as to form grooves within or against which the corresponding
edges of the lid or top may slide. (II.) in constructing such boxes with a lid
or top made with its edge or edges, or portions of its edge or edges,
bent so as to form grooves; or with supplemental portions or edges bent
so as to form grooves, within or against which the corresponding, edges of
the body or bottom may slide. (III.). in, constructing boxes composed
of metal, with body and lid, or top and bottom, both in one piece, as
follows, that is to say, bent or doubled in such manner that, the part
where they are so bent or doubled forms a substitute for a hinge between
body and lid, or top and bottom. (IV.) in constructing metal boxes with
body and lid, or top and bottom, in separate entire pieces, but connected
together by projecting tongues or strips (which tongues or strips are produced
or left on
in the manufacture) on one or both thereof, or by separate pieces or
strips, for forming a substitute for a hinge (not so produced or left on in the

page_text: manufacture) between body. and: lid, or top .and: bottom; the essential feature
in either of these cases being,; that the tongues or strips be bent to form a
substitute for a hinge. And:(V.) in constructing inetal boxes with a piece
or pieces, which may be bent. 'and actias clips for keeping the box closed,
and may be bent back again at will when the box is required to be opened,"
such piece or pieces being either all in one with body and lid, or top and
bottom, or in cone with body or bottom, or in one with the lid or top,
or a supplemental piece or pieces attached to body or bottom, or to lid
or top.
'
+
Thirdly, my improvement in show cards or holders consists in making the
same of metal punched with holes or formed with recesses for the.reception of
the points or other portions of the various articles which may be required to be
affixed thereto, -in such manner 'that by 'inserting the said points or other
portions into the said hole or recesses, the articles may become so affixed to
the show card or holder, instead of fastening or 'tacking them by threads, &c.
to show cards, in the manner hitherto ordinarily practised:
Fourthly, my improvement in the mode of manufacturing (I.) timé
teachers consists in forming the plate' or 'dial portion 'thereof by stamping or
pressing between dies, and in rivetting or otherwise attaching suitably pre-
pared hands thereto. (II.) My 'improvement in the mode of manufacturing
boxes has reference to the bodies or bottoms of boxes, and consists in stamping:
or pressing such portions between dies, so as to produce the required form,
either at one operation (that is to say, by passing through only one pair of dies),:
or at two or more operations (that is to say, by passing through two or more
series of dies, in accordance with the process ordinarily known as "raising").
(III.) My improvements in the mode of manufacturing show cards or 'holders"
for various articles has reference to those composed of stamped or pressed
metal, and consists in punching or forming holes or recesses for the reception
of the points or other portions of the various articles required to be affixed
thereto.
The nature of my said Invention being thus set, I will 'now detail 'the'
manner in which I carry the same into practical effect.
:
In order to construct my improved time teachers I take a piece of sheet
brass of any convenient size and guage, or thickness, according to the required
size and strength of time teacher intended to be made, and I submit this to
pressure between.dies having engraved, sunk, or produced therein or thereon,
figures and lines, divisions, &c. corresponding with the figures and lines;i
divisions, &c. of the face of an ordinary clock or watch, the dies also having:
the necessary male and female portions to produce two circular ridges or pro-:

page_text: jections, on which it is intended that the outer extremities of the bands may
rest. The dies may be used in an ordinary fly press or in any other convenient
manner. When the sheet of metal has assumed the form given to it by the
dies, I further operate upon it by a pair of cutting-out tools (which may also
be used in a fly press or otherwise), and thus clip away or remove all the
superfluous metal, and give a clean edge to the article. This being done, I
rivet thereto and at the centre of the dial a pair of hands made of elastic steel,
slightly curved or bent, so that the hands may turn independently of each other
upon the rivet, and that their outer extremities may press upon the circular
desired
ridges or projections with a force sufficient to keep them steady in apy
position. In consequence of the simplicity of construction I have considered
it unnecessary here to refer to any Drawings of my improved time teacher.
I will now, with the aid of certain of the Figures of the accompanying
Drawing, explain how I construct my improved boxes:—
.
(I.) According to the first subdivision of this head of my Invention, I
stamp or press out of a piece of sheet brass, as represented in plan at A 1 on
the Drawing, the lid or top of the box, in the same manner as described with
reference to the time teachers. The plan view A 2 represents the metal as
delivered from the dies. I then cut or clip the edges by a pair of cutting tools,
as before described, which will produce the lid complete, as represented in plan
at A 3. I also stamp or "raise" out of a piece of sheet brass, as represented
in perspective at B1 on the Drawing, the body or bottom of the box which
as delivered from the dies in represented in perspective at B 2. I then
operate upon it by a pair of cutting tools as before, but these tools must be so
shaped as to leave the "stays" and portions m (see Fig. B 3), required to
be bent to form the grooves. B 3 is a perspective view of the body or bottom
as delivered from the cutting tools. I then bend up the parts h, m, into the
position shewn in the perspective view B 4. This may be effected by a pair
of tools in an ordinary fly press in accordance with the process ordinarily
known as "drawing through." This completes what is required to be done to
the body or bottom of the box previous to putting on the lid or top. I then
place the lid or top upon the body or bottom, and bend or press the parts h, m,
over and upon the two sides or extreme edges of lid or top, which will then be
in grooves formed by the binding over of these parts, and may be slided in
The
these grooves according as it is desired to open or close the box.
Figure A 4 represents the box complete. n, n, are stops or projections raised
in the lid or top by the dies at the time of its being stamped. In sliding
the lid or top, these stops, being suitably placed thereon, come against the
stays on the body or bottom, and prevent the lid or top moving farther

page_text: than is necessary, and prevent the two parts of the box from coming
asunder. Instead of the cutting out tools being so formed as to produce the
parts h, m, as at the Figure B 3, they may be formed to cut the edges
without such portions, and supplemental edges or portions corresponding with
h, m, may be rivetted or otherwise fastened to the body or bottom, and be
bent over and upon the lid or top, as before described. I consider, however,
that the former method will be cheaper, and will generally be preferred. I
would here remark that I have represented in the Figures of the Drawing
above referred to, one of my improved time teachers, as formed on the lid
or top of the box, as I consider this an useful application of the time teacher.
The lid or top may, of course, however, be made without such application
thereto.
(II.) The manner in which I construct my improved boxes according to the
second subdivision of this head of my Invention will be evident from the
foregoing description, as it is only necessary to make this difference, vizt; to
have the portions h, m, made on or attached to the lid or top of the box,
instead of on the body or bottom, and to have the body or bottom made
without such portions.
(III.) According to the third subdivision of this head of my Invention I
"raise," stamp, or press out of one piece of sheet brass, as represented on the
Drawing, in perspective, at C 1, both the body or bottom, and top or lid;.
the dies for effecting this being also shaped to form a line or indentation, as
at s, 8, in the perspective view, Figure C 2, which represents the box as it'
is delivered from the dies. I then operate upon it by a pair of cutting tools
as before, and clip away the superfluous metal, when it will assume the form.
represented at the perspective view, Figure C 3. In order to complete this
box I fold over or bend it at the line or indentation s, s, from the form last
described into that shewn at the perspective view, Figure C 4, and compress.
the bended portion between a pair of flattening tools fixed in a fly press,.
which operation will give a more sightly appearance to the hinge or substitute
for a hinge thus formed, and produce a better action thereof in opening or
closing the box. If it be desired that the hinge or substitute for a hinge.
thus formed should not be so stiff as if constructed in the manner described,
portions of metal may be entirely cut away across the line or indentations, s,
leaving only so much at that part as will render the hinge or substitute for a
hinge of the required degree of rigidity.
(IV.) According to the fourth subdivision of this head of my Invention I
construct boxes with body or bottom, and lid or top, separately formed,.
but connected together by a hinge or substitute for a hinged formed.

page_text: .
similar to that lastly above described, by "raising," stamping, or press-
ing, and afterwards cutting either the body..or bottom, or the lid or top,
leaving either with tongues or strips thereon, and I connect the two
portions by rivetting or otherwise fixing such tongues or strips to the
portion on which: they are not formed. These tongues or strips should be.
formed with lines or indentations similar to 8, s (in Figure C 2), and the
bending at these parts. be "completed, as above described. Figure C 5 is a
plan view, shewing portions of the body or bottom, and of the top or lid of a
box thus connected. As a modification of this plan I sometimes employ
separate tongues or strips, and rivet or otherwise fix them to both the body or
bottom and the lid or top.
:
(V.) According to the fifth subdivision of this head of my Invention I form
the clips for keeping the box closed, when desired,' by the cutting-out tools
before alluded to at the same time with the trimming of the edges of either
the body or bottom, or of the lid or top of the box. The Figure C 3 shews
these clips so formed on the body or bottom, and the Figure C 4 shews them
as in use. In both these Figures the clips are marked p. It is evident that'
they may be formed out of separate pieces, rivetted or otherwise fixed to either
lid or top or to body' or bottom. In order to construct my improved show
cards or holders, I stamp or press them in dies, and form projections thereon,
as represented at E, E, in the face view and section of a show card or holder
adapted for steel pens, represented at the Figures D 1 'and D 2 respectively.
The. slanting surfaces f from the párt F to the parts E, E, are perforated with
holes, by piercing in the ordinary manner with a pair of tools fixed in a fly
press, and after that the metal has been pressed or struck into the required
form. I propose to have steel pens manufactured for these show cards or
holders with' tail pieces, as at G, and to insert the pens as represented. I
have not considered it necessary to enter into' minute details, as the process
generally accords with what has been already described in referénce to the
stamping, cutting,' &c., for time teachers and boxes.", I would, however,
remark, that for very many articles the improved 'show cards or holders will
not require that the articles be expressly manufactured for them, but of coursé
the perforations or recesses must be made to suit the various articles. I'con-
sider that my show cards or holders will be particularly applicable to pens,
though I do not. limit my Invention to this application alone. Before
stating what I claim I would also generally remark, that in stamping or
pressing the various articles manufactured under this Patent, it will be found
advisable to form ridges, corrugations, or mouldings, &c., which will tend
materially to strengthen them.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be distinctly understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details herein described, so long as the
peculiar character of any of the several parts of my Invention be retained.
But I claim the improvements in time teachers and boxes, show cards, or
holders herein-before respectively set forth and described, and the mode or
modes of manufacturing the same, and the mode or modes of combining boxes,
as herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Southwood Stocker, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fourth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
ALEX S. (L.B.) STOCKER.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourth day of November, in
the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid Alexander Southwood Stocker camo
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.