An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Making Stencils for use in the Production of Manifold Copies of Writings, Drawings, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left. 25th Mar., 1892-Accepted, 30th Aor., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Making Stencils for use
in the Production of Manifold Copies of Writings, Drawings, and
the like.
I, EUGENIO DE ZUCCATO, of 15 Charterhouse Street, in the County of London,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the manufacture of stencils for use in the production of
manifold copies of writings, drawings and the like by the well-known method of
pressing ink or colour through small openings or perforations in the stencil, and
depositing the ink or colour thus forced through such perforations upon paper or
other suitable material supported beneath the stencil.
My said invention comprises an improved method of making the said stencils by
taking a sheet of paper or other suitable material, such, for instance, as is ordinarily
used for making stencils of this kind or class, and forming perforations in the said
sheet by means of pointed wires or needles packed closely together parallel to each
other and held in such a manner that they can be moved longitudinally through a
short distance independently of each other. The holder containing these pointed
wires or needles is placed next the sheet to be perforated so that the points of the
needles are in contact with or in close proximity to the said sheet. Some of the
needles are then forcibly driven into the said sheet by means of an embossed letter
or figure, a type or the like, the raised portions of which will act upon certain of
the said needles, and only those needles which are in contact with such raised
portions will be forced through the sheet, which will thus be perforated with a
series or group of holes, corresponding in form to the letter or figure on the type or
similar device. When one letter or figure has thus been formed, the holder
containing the needles or perforators is removed from the sheet, and may be
applied to another part thereof so that the needles will serve for the perforation of
the sheet with another letter or figure, and so on.
I find it advantageous to arrange the needles or perforators closely together and
parallel to each other in a box, frame or casing, the ends or the top and bottom of
which are open.
The said needles or perforators are held or retained in the said
box or casing in any convenient manner so that they can be moved endwise
relatively to each other without undue friction. The said needles should all be of
the same length and very thin so that a great number of them may be packed in a
small space. They are preferably pointed at both ends. The sides of the box,
frame or holder should be somewhat shorter than the needles, so that the latter will
protrude a short distance from the said box, frame or holder.
For the purpose of retaining the needles in the box, frame or holder, whilst
permitting their movement therein independently of each other, 1. sometimes form
the said needles with elongated eyes, which may be about midway between their
ends, and thread or string the said needles upon fine wires, which are then
secured in any convenient manner in the box or holder, for instance by soldering,
or by means of clamping-plates. The said wires not only retain the needles in the
box or holder, but also prevent their getting out of their proper relative position.
The eyes being elongated, permit the required independent endwise movement of
cach of the said needles. I do not, however, confine myself to this arrangement for
retaining the needles in place, whilst preventing endwise movement thereof for the
purpose of my invention.
By my said invention, I am enabled to conveniently and advantageously make
stencils of the kind or class above referred to, by the aid of a type-writing machine.

page_text: For this purpose, I arrange the box, frame or holder containing the needles in such
a manner that cach type, when operated, will act upon some of the said needles and
drive the points of the same through the sheet to be perforated, which is suitably
supported to permit such perforation. A spring or other suitable device is
provided whereby, after each operation of perforating the sheet, the box, frame or
holder containing the needles will be automatically moved away from the said
sheet, to permit the feeding forward of the latter relatively to the said box, frame
or holder.
I do not limit myself to this mode of carrying my said invention into practice,
although I consider it to be one of the most practicable methods.
It will be seen from the foregoing description, that the characteristic feature of
my said invention is the employment of a "surface" composed of a large number
of independently movable points any of which can, by means of the raised portion
of a type or similar device, be forced into the sheet to be perforated.
Dated this 25th day of June 1891.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampion Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Making Stencils for use
in the Production of Manifold Copies of Writings, Drawings, and
the like.
I, EUGENIO DE ZUCCATO, of 15 Charterhouse Street, in the County of London,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this mvention 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 stencils. The said stencils are
adapted for use in the production of manifold copies of writings, drawings, and the
like by the well-known method of pressing ink or colour through small openings or
perforations in the stencil and depositing the ink or colour thus forced through
such perforations upon paper, or other suitable material, supported beneath the
stencil.
My said invention comprises an improved method of, and apparatus for, making
the said stencils. To carry my said invention into practice I take a sheet of paper
or other suitable material, such, for instance, as is ordinarily used for making
stencils of this kind or class, and form perforations in the said sheet by means of
pointed wires or needles packed closely together, parallel to each other, and held
in such a manner that they can be moved longitudinally through a short distance
independently of each other. The holder containing these pointed wires or needles
is placed next the sheet to be perforated so that the points of the needles are in
contact with or in close proximity to the said sheet. Some of the needles are then
forcibly driven into the said sheet by means of an embossed letter or figure, a type,
or the like, the raised portions of which will act upon certain of the said needles,
and only those needles which are in contact with such raised portions will be forced
through the sheet, which will thus be perforated with a series or group of holes
corresponding in form to the letter or figure on the type or similar device or
character in relief. When one letter or figure has thus been formed, the holder
containing the needles or perforators is automatically removed from the sheet, and
may be applied to another part thereof, so that the needles will serve for the
perforation of the sheet with another letter or figure.
By my said invention I am enabled to conveniently and advantageously make
stencils of the kind or class above referred to, by the aid of a type-writing machine.
For this purpose I arrange the box, frame or holder containing the needles, in such
a manner that each type, when operated, will act upon some of the said needles and

page_text: drive the points of the same through the sheet to be perforated, which is suitably
supported to permit such perforation. A spring or other suitable device is provided
whereby, after each operation of perforating the sheet, the box, frame or holder
containing the needles will be automatically moved away from the said sheet and
the needles will be pulled out of the paper, to permit the feeding forward of the
latter relatively to the said box, frame or holder.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view, enlarged to several times the actual size, of a box
or holder containing pointed wires or needles, arranged as herein described, and of
the arm or bracket by which it is retained in place upon a type-writing machine, of
say the Victor" type for example.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the said box or holder to a larger scale with its
end plate removed and one row only of needles in place within it.
Figure 3 is a diagram drawn to a still larger scale showing a portion of a row of
needles, with flat wires or bands which are hereinafter more particularly referred
to, in proper position relatively thereto, to retain the needles in rows and to keep
separate the needles of adjacent rows.
Figure 4 is a cross-section through a type-writer of the "Victor" class, and
shows for example, apparatus constructed according to this invention applied
thereto.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the type-wheel of the type-writer
and will be hereinafter more particularly referred to, and
Figure 6 is a plan view of the main frame of the said type-writer showing incans
whereby the part of the frame by which the paper is supported may be adjusted
towards or away from the perforating device.
Figure 7 is a perspective diagram to a greatly enlarged scale of an alternative
form of needle which may be secured in the box or holder in a manner slightly
differing from that employed to secure the needles illustrated in Figure 3.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts in all these figures.
With reference first to Figures 1 to 6:---
a is the box or holder the ends of which are open. bare the pointed wires or
needles, which are held or retained in the said box or holder in such a manner that
they are prevented from falling out of the box or holder and can move endwise
relatively to each other without undue friction. The said needles are all of the
same length and should preferably be very thin and have flattened sides so that a
great number of them may be packed into a small space. They are preferably
pointed at both ends and of greater length than the sides of the box or holder a so
that they protrude at each end thereof. Each needle is formed with an elongated
slot or eye at about the centre of its length. c are supporting wires or bands
one of which is passed through elongated slots or eyes of each wire or needle in
a row of the said wires or needles. The slots are elongated so that each needle
may move in the direction of its length whilst retained upon the supporting wire
or band, the width of which is less than the length of the slot to permit of such
endwise movement. The supporting wires or bands on which the needles are
threaded are secured in place in the box frame or holder a by placing the ends of
the said supporting wires in the grooves u. ee are flat bands or wires for
separating the rows of pointed wires or needles. They are preferably arranged
between each series of needles as shown, on each side of the enlargements wherein
the eyes of the needles are formed and they are retained in position by having
their ends placed in grooves a² of the box, frame or holder. The arrangement of
supporting wires and separating wires or bands e prevents the needles from getting
out of their relative positions, and the said separating wires compensate for the
space made between the rows of needles by the enlargements of the needles at the
places where their eyes are formed. is the end plate or cover plate of the box,
frame, or holder, which is placed over the end of the said box or frame as indicated
in dotted lines in Figure 2, and is secured in place by screws. The said plate holds,

page_text: the contents of the box, case or frame a together and also prevents the wires ccee
from rising out of the grooves a a². Or the said wires ce may be retained in the
holder by soldering or in any other suitable manner.
In certain cases it might be desirable to employ needles of such a degree of
fineness that the provision of an eye thereon would be practically inconvenient. In
such cases may secure eyeless needles in the box or holder by any means which
will permit then to have freedom to move endwise within certain limits. For
example I may make a recess or recesses in one side or in both sides of the needle,
to receive the supporting wires, or I may adopt the kind of needle illustrated in
Figure 7 in which the eye is abandoned and a projection 2 is formed on one side
of the needle. Where such needles are employed the supporting wire and the
grooves al in the case are not needed, as the needles are retained in the box by the
separating-wires e alene which lie in the path of the projections so that the end-
wise movement of the needles in the box or holder is determined by the difference
between the length of the projection and the distance between the separating
wires e.
In Figure 7 a needle of this kind is shown in full lines at one extreme of its
A. needle of
travel, and in dotted lines at the opposite extremity of its travel.
this kind may have a projection upon each side of it arranged as may be most
suitable.
Needles of this kind may be fine enough to fulfil every requirement, and are
packed closely together preferably as illustrated in Figure 7 the depth of the
The said wires
projections being nearly equal to the thickness of the wires e.
are secured in the box or holder in the manner hereinbefore described, or in any
other suitable manner.
Projections or ridges are formed in the outer walls of the box, frame or case a
as shown which enter guides i formed in a bracket, so that the said box or the
like is supported and is free to move in a direction parallel to the pointed wires or
needles by sliding upon the said guides i.
kis a spring secured at one end to the bracket and with its other end inserted
in a hole or secured to a projection from the side of the box, frame, or case a, so
that the said box a if moved at any time in the direction of the arrow (Figure 1)
may always be returned by the said spring to the position in which it is shown in
that figure upon the removal of the cause of its displacement.
With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6 the bracket is screwed or otherwise
firmly fixed to a vertical standard projecting, from the portion of the type-
writer bed so that the box, frame, or holder a is held between the face of the
wheel which carries the type and a soft surface n of india-rubber or cloth or
other suitable material provided upon the face of a bar a' carried by the portion
of the said bed against which soft surface rests the sheet of paper to be perforated
as indicated at a. The said soft surface is provided in order that the needles
may pass completely through the paper, without bringing their points into contact
with material which is likely to seriously affect their sharpness.
The bracket is provided with an extension which is slightly elastic and
hooked at its free end for a purpose hereinafter explained.
Upon the portion of the frame of the type-writing machine which supports
the bar a bar is hinged at its opposite ends and when turned upon its hinges
into the position in which it is shown in Figure 4 is prevented from moving nearer
When in
to the box a and forms a guide for the sheet which is operated upon.
the said position the bar engages with the hooked end of the extension ¹ so
that the bracket. j is firmly held and the end thereof which supports the box or
holder is prevented from vibrating unduly when in use.
secured to the bracket j by means of the screw which
the extension in order that when the two portions
relatively to each other as hereinafter described the said
adjusted so as always to engage properly with the bar n³.
The said two portions are connected by means of the frame see Figure 6
"
The said extension is
passes through a slot in
of the bed are adjusted
extension may also be

page_text: which is firmly attached to the part and extends over the part as shown. Two
clamping screws pass through slots in the said frame into the part and a
screw with a disc head is screwed horizontally into the frame so that one edge
of the said disc head engages with a notch or recess formed in a rib upon the
portion of the bed.
or its
The
The type wheel consists of a disc m which is free to rotate upon a pin m' fixed to
the main frame of the machine. The said disc is provided with a series of radial
projections m at its circumference, between which are recesses in which types m
A notch "
may move parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel m.
equivalent is provided in each type, and into these notches enter the ends of the
radial extensions o of a disc o' of sheet metal which is secured to the wheel m by a
retaining ring o². The said extensions constitute springs to retain each type in
the position in which two types m' are shown in the cross-section Figure 4.
type may move from that position towards the box frame or case a when propelled
in that direction by the projection p from the arm p' which has a weighted end p
and is oscillated upon an axis at g, by a lever which is moved by the finger of the
operator. Any type moving as described is returned to its normal position by one
of the spring extensions o. The types are prevented from moving radially out of
position by a band which is passed round the circumference of the wheel outside
the types, and is secured to the said circumference, between the type-grooves m³, by
screws or by soldering or any other convenient means.
Any type caused to impinge upon the rear ends of the needles b will first move
the whole of the said needles forward with the box or case a in the guides i, and
when the said box or case has completed its forward movement some of the needles
will be forcibly driven further forward by the type and will enter and pass through
the paper into the surface behind it. As soon as the pressure of the type is.
removed from the needles the box a will be caused to return to its normal position
by the action of the spring k upon the projection a³ and the return of the said box
in the manner described will withdraw the needles from the paper, in readiness for
further operation.
The end wise movement of the box enables the needles to be brought into contact
with the paper and removed therefrom without any endwise movement of the
needles relatively to the box, so that the end wise movement of each needle need
only be sufficient to enable it to pass through the paper.
s is a bevel wheel secured to the type wheel mand gearing with a bevel
segment which turns on the pivot a secured to the main frame or bed of the
machine. is an arm secured to the bei el segment and 2 is a segmental plate or
tablet upon which numerals, alphabetical characters, or other indications are
inscribed in such a manner that if the end of the arm be brought over any
indication or character the type wheel is rotated to bring a type with a like
character opposite to the projection p. The projections m² are pointed or bevelled
upon the side which faces the projection p, so that if the operator should fail to
stop the type-wheel with a type exactly in alignment with the projection p, the said
projection, when operated, will strike the bevelled edge of one or other of the
projections and will give the type-wheel a small movement sufficient to bring the
type and projection p into line.
A screw is screwed into the bracket j to bear lightly upon the face of the type-
wheel to take up any slackness which might tend to allow the said wheel to shake
or move endwise in its bearings. Or for a like purpose a spring secured to the
bracket and bearing upon the wheel might be employed, or an arm the point of
which could engage with a groove formed in the band or in any suitable portion
of the wheel.
It is obvious that if a device such as that shown in the drawing is applied to a
sheet of paper or similar material so that the points of the needles are in contact
therewith or in close proximity thereto, and a type or similar device he pressed or
caused to impinge against the butt ends of the said needles the points of such of the

page_text: needles as are acted upon by the raised portions of the type or similar device will
be driven into the said sheet, whilst the other needles will be inoperative.
The protrusion of any of the needles after one letter or figure has been
perforated, causes no inconvenience, as when they are next brought into contact
with the material to be perforated they will not perforate it unless they are forced'
into it by the embossed letter or the like which next acts upon the rear ends. By
slacking up the clamping screws and rotating the screw by means of its disc
head the frame 3 and the portion of the bed to which it is attached, will be moved
relatively to the portion for, as the screw cannot move longitudinally relatively
to the part, the rotation of the said screw will effect the movement of the frame as
described, so that the distance between the face of the bar and the type-wheel
may be varied as may be desired. The said bracket may be readily removed at
any moment, the usual inking apparatus substituted therefor, and the apparatus used
as a type-writer in the ordinary manner.
The wires or needles should be as short and as numerous as practicable, the
number of the needles and their fineness increasing in proportion to the fineness of
the type employed. Needles of the form hereinbefore described may be made by
practical needle makers from flat wire about one hundredth of an inch in thickness
or thereabouts. The number of needles employed in the box or holder need not be
greater than will suffice to prevent a needle-end "surface" slightly larger in area
than the end of the type to be employed thereupon..
I do not limit myself to the above described mode of carrying my said invention
into practice, although I consider it to be one of the most practical methods nor do
I confine myself to the employment of the particular kinds of needles herein before
described.
It will be seen from the foregoing description, that one characteristic feature of
my said invention is the employment of a "surface" composed of a large number of
independently movable points any of which can, by means of the raised portion of a
type or similar device or character in relief be forced into the sheet to be
perforated.
Another characteristic feature of my invention is the provision of a perforating
device for use as described which may be readily fitted to and as readily removed
from a suitable type-writer. The method of applying it to the "Victor" type-
writer as herein set forth is given by way of example and is not intended to limit
the application of the apparatus to that particular type of machine.
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 1
claim is :-
First. For the manufacture of stencils the employment of a large number of
closely packed independently movable needles any of which can by means of the
raised portion of a type or similar device or character in relief, be forced into the
sheet to be perforated, said needles having clongated slots or eyes through which
are threaded supporting wires, or having suitable projections or suitable recesses
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Second. The combination with a box, frame, or holder, of pointed wires or
needles having elongated slots or eyes and supporting wires extending through such
slots or eyes each needle being capable of endwise movement on the supporting
wires or bands independently of the other needles substantially as, and for the
purpose, above specified.
Third. The combination with the needles, of wires or bands placed between the
said needles to maintain them in separate rows and to maintain the said rows
parallel with each other, and in certain cases, to serve in addition to limit the end-
wise movement of the needles substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fourth. The combination with a type-writing machine of a stencil-forming
device such as that herein described for the purpose specified.

page_text: Fifth. The combination with the box, frame or holder of a bracket in which the
said holder is adapted to slide, with or without a retracting spring substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 25th day of March 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southamptou Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.