Improvements in Letters for Signs, Advertisements, and analogous uses.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 7th Aug., 1894-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Letters for Signs, Advertisements, and analogous
uses.
I, ERNEST BÖHM of. 5 Boxworth Grove, Richmond Road, Barnsbury, in the-
Administrative County of London, Chemical and Experimental Glass Blower, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in letters for signs, advertisements and
analogous uses and relates more particularly to those which may be affixed to either-
the inner or outer side of a glass window and which can be seen legibly by
individuals passing the window in either of two directions.
In carrying the invention into effect the letter or sign is made of clear glass and
with its limbs semi-circular in cross section, such letter being cast and pressed in a
suitable hinged mould, thereby insuring an equal section throughout.
Either side is painted with liquid gold, silver or other brilliant metal which is
then burnt into the glass.
If the letter is to be fixed to the inside of the window, the concave side receives.
the metal above mentioned. If, on the other hand, it is to be fixed on the outside.
of the window the convex side is treated.
I do not confine myself to the exact section of the limb of a letter or sign. It:
may be more or less than a semi-circle, preferably more.
But in either case, the
limb will present a noticeable width to the eyes of an individual approaching it
from either direction.
It is obvious that letters of the section described may be made according to my
invention of opaque or enamelled glass.
Dated this 7th day of November 1893.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Letters for Signs, Advertisements, and analogous
uses.
I, ERNEST BÖHM of No. 5 Boxworth Grove, Richmond Road, Barnsbury, in
the Administrative County of London, Chemical and Experimental Glass Blower,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to improvements in letters and similar characters for signs,.
advertisements and analogous uses, and more particularly to that class of letters
which are made so that they can be fixed to either the outside or the inside of a.
glass window.
The object of this invention is to manufacture letters of the kind above described
in such a manner that they will present a very attractive appearance and will not.
readily tarnish or become dull, and when fixed in position will be equally brilliant.
or attractive whether seen from the outside or from the inside of the window or-
glass to which they are fixed and at the same time will be cheaper to produce than
similar letters as heretofore made.
Referring to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of this.
Specification and read therewith,

page_text: Figure 1 is an elevation from the outside, of part of a window having a letter
made according to the present invention fixed upon the outside thereof.
Figure 2 is a section upon the line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an elevation from the outside, of part of a window having a letter
made according to the present invention, fixed upon the inside thereof.
Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.
The letter is made of clear glass and is, preferably, semicircular in cross section.
These two features are of importance as they form the basis of the practical
advantages of the invention.
The letter receives the above mentioned semicircular section by any suitable
process. I prefer using a hinged mould for the purpose, for by so doing the letter
is made of an equal section through the limbs a, a.
My invention does not limit me to making the limbs of the letters exactly semi-
circular in cross section. They may be rather more or rather less, as may be
preferred in either case the limb will present a noticeable area to an individual
coming towards the letter.
:
The inside or concave face of the letter made as above described, is painted with
gold, silver, or any other paint possessing a brilliant or attractive colour and
capable of being burnt into the material of the letter. Such letter is afterwards
placed in a kiln and the paint or colour burnt into the glass so as to produce a
glass letter the concave face of which is painted and fired. When finished the
letter is fixed by its edges upon the outside 6 or upon the inside b₁ of the window,
by any suitable cement or other adhesive. The letter is made of such thickness
that its edges provide a sufficiently large surface to enable the cement or adhesive
to hold the letter by its edges firmly against the window to which it is fixed. As
the paint or colour is burnt into the letter, it is not necessary that the latter should
be fixed air-tight to the window as the firing will protect the paint or colour from
atmospheric influences. The colour of the paint on the inside or concave face of
the letter will be seen through the transparent glass of which the letter is made, so
that both the concave and the convex sides of the letter will be equally brilliant
and attractive. In the manufacture of what are known as gilt letters, it has
heretofore been the practice to gild the letters with gold leaf which rendered them
very expensive. But according to my invention I can produce a much less
expensive letter, as in place of the comparatively costly gold leaf, I use gold paint
which is subsequently burnt into the glass as above described and which burning
produces a more brilliant surface than leaf gilding and subsequent burnishing can
produce. The difference in the cost of producing my improved letter as against
one gilded with gold leaf is as 10 to 1 in favour of the former, at the present price
of the respective materials-leaf and paint.
I wish it to be distinctly understood that my invention relates only to letters
made of glass and differs from all kinds of letters in which sheet metal is used as a
backing, for it is evident that the temperature necessary to burn the paint into the
glass, such burning or firing being an essential feature of my process-would
result in the fusion of the metal and the destruction of the letter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The herein before described improved letter made of clear glass, semicircular,
more or less, in cross section and painted on the concave side, the said paint being
subsequently burnt into the glass.
Dated this 7th day of August 1894
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No.. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W,C.,
Agents for the Applicant.