IMPROVEMENTS IN DATE AND OTHER STAMPS HAVING MOVEABLE TYPE, IN THE MODE OF SECURING OR FASTENING THE FACE TO THE BODY OF THE STAMP WHEN CLOSED, AND TO THE HANDLES THEREOF
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Edward Massey, of 17, Chadwell Street,
Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent
Logs and Sounding Machines, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN DATE AND OTHER STAMPS HAVING MOVEABLE TYPE, IN THE MODE OF
SECURING OR FASTENING THE FACE TO THE BODY OF THE STAMP WHEN CLOSED,
AND TO THE HANDLES THEREOF."
Sealed the 26th November 1875, and dated the 28th May 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Edward Massey
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 28th May 1875.
I, JOHN EDWARD MASSEY, of 17, Chadwell Street, Clerkenwell, in the
County of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent Logs and Sounding
Machines, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN DATE AND OTHER STAMPS HAVING MOVEABLE TYPE, IN THE MODE OF
SECURING OR FASTENING THE FACE TO THE BODY OF THE STAMP WHEN CLOSED, AND
TO THE HANDLES THEREOF," to be as follows:-
Firstly. The usual hinge stamp, which is composed of two plates of
metal, one of which being the face suitably constructed, pierced for

page_text: reception of moveable type, and engraved for marking and impressing,
and the other piece or plate being the body to which the first-mentioned
plate or face is attached by means of a hinge joint to admit of the
face being thrown or turned back to permit the required removal
and change of type. In substitution of the mode hitherto adopted
and applied for holding and securing the parts or plates together when
closed and required for use I apply my improvements as follows:-
The edge of the face opposite to the hinge is formed of extra thick-
ness, so as to cause an elevation or projection of metal above the back
or outside of the body plate. In this projection is cut or sunk a
semicircular channel, groove, or recess, so that the bed or lower inner
surface of the channel, groove, or recess will form a perfectly flat level
surface corresponding with the back or outside of the body plate of the
stamp when closed. The body of the stamp is provided with a shaft or
tang, on which is cut a screw thread. This is brought into connection
with a circular disc of metal having in its center a similar screw thread.
Portions of the edge of the disc are removed, and the remainder is
turned to correspond and fill up the channel, groove, or recess sunk in
the edge of the face plate, and so perfectly that when it is screwed
home, viz., truc against the body plate, no shake, motion, or separation
of the plates can take place. To admit of the plates being opened, on
the disc being moved backwards, describing a half circle, the portion.
of the disc misses the channel, groove, or recess, and so sets the face
plate free, and allows it to be thrown or turned back. The outer
edge of the disc is continued backwards forming a hollow cylinder,
by means of which it is screwed or fastened to the handle. In the
cylinder is cut a perpendicular slot, in which works a bar or sliding
locking fitted into a circular collar moving up and down on the outside
of the cylinder. When the screw shaft or tang of the stamp is run into
the disc a nut is fixed on its extreme end to prevent its withdrawal.
The nut and shaft or tang is cut or split in the part that corresponds
with the perpendicular slot in the cylinder, so that the bar or sliding
locking working on its outside can fall into the cut or split in the nut
and shaft or tang, thus preventing any further motion of the parts.
Secondly. I also apply my improvements to the aforesaid hinge stamp
as follows:-On the outer edge of the stamp, viz., the face and body, is
sunk a suitable groove or ledge, and on the underneath of the stamp is
planted a slide, catch, or lever, which connects the two pieces or plates.

page_text: The body of the stamp is also provided with a shaft or tang, on which is
cut a screw thread. This is brought into connection with a circular dise
of metal having in its center a similar screw thread. The face of the disc
is sunk so as to correspond with the groove or ledge on the outer edge of
the stamp, and deep enough to embrace the said groove or ledge and slide,
catch, or lever. The outer edge of the disc is continued backwards, so
as to form a hollow cylinder, by means of which it is screwed or fastened
to the handle for use. When the screw shaft or tang of the stamp is run
into the disc a small nut or other suitable means is fixed on the extremo
end to prevent its withdrawal.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Edward Massey in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 27th November 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, Jonn
EDWARD MASSEY, of No. 17, Chadwell Street, Clerkenwell, in the
County of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent Logs and Sounding
Machines, sond greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
cighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Edward Massey, Her special
licence that I, the said John Edward Massey, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Edward'
Massey, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DATE AND OTHER STAMPS HAVING MOVEABLE
TYPE, IN THE MODE OF SECURING OR FASTENING THE FACE TO THE BODY OF THE
STAMP WHEN CLOSED, AND TO THE HANDLES THEREOF,' upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Edward Massey, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
"
:

page_text: one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Edward Massey, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, and the Drawings therein referred to
(that is to say) :—
My Invention relates to certain improvements in date and other
stamps having moveable type employed for general purposes of stamping
letters, documents, or otherwise in the mode of securing and fastening
the face to the body of the stamp when closed, and to the haudles
thereof by the formation and combination of certain mechanical con-
trivances or parts for holding together and more effectually securing
and fastening the face and body plates of the stamps when closed, as
also the stamps to the handles, thus obviating the objections to the
means hitherto employed for those purposes, increasing the strength and
durability, and affording additional facility in the operation of the
removal and change of type when required for the alteration of the date
or otherwise. The usual hinge stamp, which is composed of two pieces
or plates of metal, one of which being the face, suitably constructed,
pierced for reception of moveable type, and engraved for marking and
impressing, and the other piece or plate being the body to which the
first-mentioned plate or face is attached by means of a hinge joint to
admit of the face being thrown or turned back, and permit the required
removal and change of type. In substitution of the mode hitherto
adopted and applied for holding and securing the parts or plates together
when closed and required for use I apply my improvements as follows :-
The edge of the face plate opposite to the hinge is formed of extra
thickness, so as to cause an elevation or projection of metal above the
back or outside of the body plate. In this projection is cut or sunk a
semicircular channel, groove, or recess, so that the bed or lower inner
surface of the channel, groove, or recess will form a perfectly flat level
surface corresponding with the back or outside of the body plate of the
stamp when closed. The body of the stamp is provided with a shaft or

page_text: tang, on which is cut a screw thread. This is brought into connection
with a circular disc of metal having in its centre a similar screw thread.
Portions of the edge of the disc are removed, forming a gap, and the
prescribed limit of the disc's motion (as shewn in Figure 4 on the accom-
panying Drawings), and the remainder of the disc is turned, so that the
required part thereof corresponds and fills up the channel, groove, or
recess sunk in the edge of face plate, and so perfectly that when it is
screwed home, videlicet, true against the body plate, no shake, motion,
or separation of the plates can take place. To admit of the plates being
opened, on the disc being moved backwards, describing a half circle, the
portion of the edge misses the channel, groove, or recess, and so sets the
face plate free and allows it to be thrown or turned back and the stamp
to be opened to admit of the moveable type being changed when so
required. A stud pin to act as a stop is inserted in the back of the
body plate (as shown in Figures 1, 5, 6, 10, and 12 on the accompanying
Drawings) which controls the disc, and prevents its withdrawal from
the shaft or tang. The outer edge of the disc is continued backwards,
forming a hollow cylinder, by means of which it is screwed or fastened
to the handle instead of by the means hitherto used for attaching and
securing the stamps to the handles. In the cylinder is cut a perpendi-
cular slot, in which works a bar or sliding locking with piston-shaped
head fitted into a circular collar moving up and down on the outside of
the cylinder. The end of the shaft or tang is cut or split in the part that
corresponds with the perpendicular slot in the cylinder, so that the bar
or sliding locking working on the cylinder can enter or fall into the
cut or split in the shaft or tang when the cut or split is brought into the
fitting position through being coincident with the perpendicular slot in
the cylinder (as shewn in Figure 3 on the accompanying Drawings),
thus preventing any motion of the parts.
The action of the bar or sliding locking may be improved by inserting
a small wire spiral spring in the cylinder between such bar or sliding
locking and the end of the handle of stamp.
My above-mentioned improvements may be used cither with or
without the said bar or sliding locking. I prefer using it, as affording
additional security. Or the face plate may be dispensed with on the
body plate being suitably constructed, pierced for reception of type, and
engraved for marking and impressing, and then the hinge is not required

page_text: (as shown in Figures 9 and 10 on the accompanying Drawings; or the
body plate may be dispensed with, the face plate being provided with
the shaft or tang, as shown on Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying
Drawings; or instead of being so provided it may be connected with
the disc, so as to allow it to swing or turn partly round horizontally
by means of a stud screw or pivot passing through the disc and face
plate opposite to the edge of such plate having the above-mentioned
thickness, elevation, or projection with the semicircular channel, groove,
or recess cut or sunk therein, and then the bar or sliding locking with
piston-shaped head is continued through the disc into a recess or hole in
the face plate, as shown in Figures 13 and 14 on the accompanying
Drawings.
And it may be necessary to note that my said improvements may be
employed in connection with the double or obliterating mark used for
postal purposes, and that the face plate may be constructed and fashioned
to any required shape or design.
I also apply my improvements to the aforesaid hinge stamp as follows:
-On the outer edge of the stamp, viz., the face and body, is sunk a
suitable groove or ledge, and on the underneath part of the stamp is
planted a slide, catch, or lever, which connects the two pieces or plates.
The body of the stamp is also provided with a shaft or tang, on which is
cut a screw thread. This is brought into connection with a circular disc
of metal having in its centre a similar screw thread. The face of the
disc is sunk, so as to correspond with the groove or ledge on the outer
edge of the stamp, and deep enough to embrace the said groove or ledge,
and slide, catch, or lever. The outer edge of the disc is continued back-
wards, so as to form a hollow cylinder, by means of which it is screwed
or fastened to the handle for use. When the screw, shaft, or tang of
the stamp is ran into the disc, a small nut, screw, or other suitable means
is fixed on the extreme end to prevent its withdrawal. Such last-men-
tioned application of my said improvements to the aforesaid hinge stamp
arc shewn in Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 on the accompanying
Drawings; and the same may be used either with or without the slide,
catch, or lever.
In order that my said Invention may be more fully understood and
readily carried into effect, I have hereunto attached a Sheet of Drawings
as examples of the arrangements and application of my said Invention
to date stamps, referonco being had to the letters and figures thereon

page_text: marked, such letters of reference being marked on corresponding parts of
all the figures alike.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1, 7, and 8 represent side views of my improved date stamp.
The two Figures 1 and 7 show such stamp when closed ready for use, and
the Figure 8 the stamp when open; Figure 2, a sectional view thereof;
Figure 3, a sectional view cut at right angles to Figure 2.
Figure 4, an end view of the cylinder, disc, and collar.
Figure 5, an end view of my improved stamp when closed.
Figure 6, an end view of such stamp with the plates separated or
open.
Figure 9, a side view of my said improved stamp when the face plate.
is dispensed with; Figure 10, a horizontal section of same.
Figure 11, a vertical sectional view of my improved stamp when the
body plate is dispensed with; Figure 12, a horizontal section of same
shewing the perforations for type.
Figure 13, a vertical sectional view of my improved stamp when the
body plate and shaft or tang are dispensed with; Figure 14, a horizontal
section of same on line 1, 1, Figure 13.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 are side views of my said improved stamp
having a groove or ledge on the outer edge thereof, and slide, catch, or
lever, the Figures 16 and 17 showing the disc in elevation; Figures 18
and 19 are plans of same, the Figure 18 showing the slide, catch, or lover
closed, and the Figure 19 with it open.
In the whole of the above Figures a represents the face plate; b, the
body plate; c, the shaft or tang; d, the disc; e, the channel, groove, or
recess; f, the cylinder; g, the handle; h, the perpendicular slot; j, the
bar or sliding locking; k, the circular collar; 1, the cut or split in the
shaft or tang; m, the spiral spring; n, the hinge joint; o, the thickness,
projection, or elevation of face plate; p, the disc with portions thereof
removed; q, the stud, pin, or stop; r, the outer groove or ledge; s, the
slide, catch, or lever; t, the sunk groove in disc; u, the nut screw; v,
the perforations for moveable type; w, the screw, stud, or pivot; x, the
recess or hole.
The dotted lines on the disc, in Figure 1, represent the turned circular
part of the disc, which, entering into the channel, groove, or recess

page_text: formed in the face plate, prevents the face plate separating from the
body plate.
The dotted lines on the semicircular channel, groove, or recess formed
in the thickness, projection, or elevation of the edge of the face plate, in
Figure 5, indicate the depth of such channel, groove, or recess.
Having described the nature of my said Invention, together with the
method of carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it clearly
understood I do not claim the exclusive use of the several parts herein-
before mentioned and referred to, except when the same are employed for
the purposes of my said Invention; and I would remark in conclusion
that although I have shewn various applications of my Invention to date
stamps I do not wish to confine myself to the precise and exact mode
herein shewn and described, as the same may be varied to meet different
arrangements and constructions of date stamps, with or without the hinge,
without departing from the essential features of the Invention, but what
it is my desire to claim and secure is, the arrangement, combination, and
construction of parts herein-before described and set forth in connection
with date and other stamps having moveable type, and particularly tho
combination of the circular disc and hollow cylinder in connection with
or unconnected with the shaft or tang, as well also the sliding locking
for more effectually securing and fastening the face and body plates of
the stamp when closed, and also the stamps to the handles thereof,
whereby the objections to the means hitherto employed for the purposes
are obviated, and the other before-mentioned objects, viz., increased
strength and durability are acquired, and additional facility in the
operation of the removal and change of type when required also
afforded.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Edward Massey, have here-
unto set my hand and scal, this Twenty-third day of November,
in the wear of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
Witness,
J. H. ADAMS.
JOHN EDW³. MASSEY. (L.S.)