COPYING PRESSES."
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Mitchell at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1881.
JOSEPH MITCHELL, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
COPYING PRESSES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention relates to portable copying pressos as used for the same purpose
as an ordinary scrow copying press.
The object of this Invention is to produce a strong and light apparatus by
which letters can be copied by pressure, and which can be transported from placo
to place with case,
This Invention consists of a case made of thin metallic sheet steel or other
suitable material made in the form of the cover of a book, and having a hinge or
hinges at the back edge, and a clasp fastening (or fastenings) at the front edge
thereof. Inside the front or back cover (or inside both the covers) is a plate, and
between the plate and the cover is a series of conical springs, for instance, five, one
large one in the centre, and one weaker one at or towards each of the four corners
thereof; or instead of conical springs india rubber washers, or washers of other
suitable elastic substance, or other suitably formed springs, the said springs or
washers being retained in position by guide pins, guide tubes, screw bolts, or
otherwise.
As a modification and instead of the springs above specified, the employment in
combination with tho metallic case or cover aforesaid of a "zig zag "Z or V shaped
plate spring, the upper part thereof being secured to the case, and the lower part
or plate being free to press ou the cover of the copy letter book.
In using this portable press the copy letter book is damped in the ordinary
manner, and the letter inserted therein, and the book is placed in the case, the
front edges of the metallic case or cover are then fastened together, and tho
action of the springs or elastic packing produces the required pressure to copy the
letter.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patont filed by
the said Joseph Mitchell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th December
1881.
JOSEPH MITCHELL, of Sheffield, in the County of York.
COPYING PRESSES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
This Invention relates chiefly to portable copying presses as used for the same
purpose as ordinary screw copying presses.
The object of this Invention is chiefly to produce a strong and light apparatus
by which letters can be copied by pressure, and which can be transported from
place to place with case.
This Invention consists of a case made of thin metallic sheet steel or other
suitable material made in the form of a cover of a book, and having a hinge or
hinges at the back edge, and a clasp fastening (or fastenings) at the front edge
thereof. Inside the front or back cover (or inside both the covers) is a plate (or
plates), and between the plate (or plates) and the cover is a series of conical springs,
for instance, five, one large one in the centre, and one weaker one at or towards
each of the four corners thereof, or, by preference, six springs of equal size are
used; or instead of conical springs indin rubber washers, or washers of other
suitable elastic substance, the said springs or washers being retained in position
by guide pins, guide tubes, screw bolts, or otherwise.
As a modification, and instead of the springs above specified can be employed in
combination with the metallic caso or cover aforesaid a "zig zag " Z or V shaped
plate spring, the upper part thereof being secured to the case, and the lower part
or plate being free to press on the cover of the copy letter book.
In using this portable press the copy letter book is damped in the ordinary
manner, and the letter inserted therein, and the book is placed in the case, tho
case, the front edges of the metallic case or cover are then fastened by the clasp, or
equivalent appliance, and the action of the springs or elastic packing produces the
required pressure to copy the letter.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 shows, firstly, an end view in elevation
of the outer case open with the springs at rest; secondly, an end view of the end
of the connecting pin; and thirdly, an end view of the inner plate.
Figure 2 shows, firstly, a plan of the outer case with six springs in position;
secondly, a plan of the connecting pin; and thirdly, a plan of the inside face of the
inner plate.
Figure 3 shows an end view in elevation of all the parts fitted together and the
copying book in position.
Figure 4 is a front view in elevation of the complete copying press closed, with
the copying book in position as it appears when the copy is being made.
A is the front cover having four strengthening corrugations, and A' is the back
cover; B is the hinge; C and C' are the clasps; D and D¹ are loops or staples;
E, E¹, E², E³, E', E', are six conical springs which are retained in position by small
pin guides or studs in the centre thereof secured to the back plate or back cover;
F is the connecting pin; G is the inner plate having two loops or staples H and H¹
corresponding to the two loops D and D' on the plate A'; J is an ordinary copy
letter book.
My above described Invention can be carried into effect in a stationary and fixed
apparatus as well as in a light portable apparatus.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and shown the manner in which the same is or may be constructed,
used, or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to

page_text: be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
hercin before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The construction of a copying press of book form (or other convenient
form), in which, the pressure necessary to copy a letter is obtained from and by a
spring or springs (metallic, india rubber, and the like), fixed or fitted therein acting
on the copy book through the medium of a plate or plates, and as herein before
specified.
Secondly. The construction of a copying apparatus, as shown in the accom-
panying Drawings, and as herein before described in reference thereto.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Mitchell, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.