Brunel's writing machine was first patented in the USA and UK in 1799: Brunel Patent "Polygraph" Circa 1803

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It was manufactured and sold by J. H. Farthing, Cornhill, London.

XXIX. Specification of the Patent granted to Mr. MARC ISAMBARD BRUNEL, of Canterbury.-Place, in the Parish of St. Mary, Lambeth in the County of Surrey, Gentleman ; for his Invention of a certain new and useful Writing and Drawing Machine, by which two or more Writings or Drawings, resembling each other may be made by the fame Person at the same Time. Dated April 11, 1799

WITH A PLATE.

TO all to whom these presents shall come, &c. Now KNOW YE, that in compliance with, and obedience to, the said proviso, I the said Marc Isambard Brunel do, by this instrument in writing, under my hand and seal, and which I shall forthwith cause to be inrolled in his Majesty's High Court of Chancery, declare, that my said invention is particularly delineated, described, and ascertained, by the drawings and sections thereof hereunto annexed, and by the letters and figures thereon respectively marked, and the description thereof following; that is to say:

Fig. I, (Plate VIII.) represents the machine as intended for making two writings or drawings, by the same person, at the same time, in any situation where it can be placed at a proper and convenient height for the person using it. Under which figure, the letter A denotes a desk with folding hinges, which, when the parts fixed upon it are removed, may be folded together like a common portable writing-desk. B denotes a sliding board, divided in the middle, so as to ad-

VOL. XIII. X mit

154 Patent for a Writing

mit its folding, and covered with rough leather or cloth, to prevent the papers placed thereon, for writing or drawing on, from being too easily moved from their places. Upon which leather or cloth, the lines, as shewn in this figure, are drawn, that the paper for drawing or writing on may be placed with greater facility, so as to correspond properly with the situations of the pens intended to write upon them. The intent of the sliding board is for the moving of both papers written or drawn upon at the same time, and in an equal proportion, as the person writing or drawing upon them wishes. Underneath the sliding board is a hollow space, where the machinery above, when folded up, may be placed, and the whole, when the desk is folded, locked up and secured. C, C, denote two ink bottles, about an inch and a half deep, let into the desk in such manner as to slide up and down in proportion to the height at which the pens are required to be used according to the thickness of the books or papers intended to be written or drawn on. b, b, represent, the one a book, and the other a paper, to be written or drawn on, D D, an oblong square frame, fixed with hinges to, and supported upon, two uprights E, E, which rest upon the desk, and have two pins or tenons preceding from the bottom of each, and let into the desk, to render them steady, but admitting of their being taken off and put on at pleasure. F, denotes a thin brass plate, sunk edgewise into one of the upper sides of the frame, and even with the surface thereof for the wheels 1 and 2 to run on the upper edge of the said plate; there being a groove made in the frame, on each side thereof, to admit of their running upon the edge of the

said

and Drawing Machine 155

said plate without touching the frame. G, G, represent two stoppers, which turn, and, when elevated, prevent that part of the machine which runs on the frame from running too far, and falling off. That part of the machine which runs on the frame, and is called the autograph, consists of the following parts, which are denoted as follows; namely J denotes an oblong exterior frame, to which are fixed four metal wheels 1, 2,3, 4, (see also Fig, 2,) the edges of 1 and 2 being grooved like the sheaves of pullies, and running on the edges of the brass plate F, which makes the autograph move in the same right line when drawn from one end of the frame D to the other; 3 and 4, run on the opposite side of the frame. K, denotes an oblong interior frame, fixed within the exterior one J, by two pivots (for which pivots see L, L, Fig. 2.) at the end thereof, upon which pivots the interior frame librates freely. M M, M M, denote two metal pieces, called beams, as the motion of each, in some degree, resembles that of a beam for scales : that said the beams are fixed within, and to the inner part of the interior frame K by four pivots a, a_,and two others opposite to them, (see also Fig. 2,) upon which they move or librates freely : the inner ends of the said beam are connected together by a pin N passing through them; the one having a tongue, and the other a slit to receive it, are put the one into the other. The hole made to the tongue, and through which the pin N passes, should be oblong, in order to admit a free motion when the beams librate. O, O, denote two metal pieces depending from the interior side; and near the outer ends, of the- beams M M,M M, and fixed thereto as seen in Fig. 2,

X 2. at

156 Patent for a Writing

At e e e e, by pivots or screws, upon which they
swing freely in some measure like a pendulum.
P, P, represent two flat metal sliding bars, with two metal racks f, f, screwed to the outer sides thereof. g, g, denote two cocks, screwed to the pins O, O, serving to keep the pieces P, P, close to the pieces O, O, and supporting two pinions, (see also S, S, Fig. 2,) by which, by turning two milled heads R_, R_, fixed to them, the racks are moved up and down. b, b_, two metal clamps, fixed to the lower extremity of the pieces O, O, and enclosing part of the sliding bars P, P, on each side to keep them close to the pieces O, O. Q, Q, denote two metal springs, fixed to the outer side of the pieces O, O, pressing against the bars P, P, to stiffen their motion as they slide up and down. These springs extend in length a little below and within the upper edge of the clamps b, b, to a little above and within the lower edge of the cocks g, g; the piece O, O, having their exterior sides cut in sufficiently to receive the said springs Q, O. T1, and T2, represent two sockets having projecting parts, with a slit in each, to receive the lower end of the racks; which arc fixed therein, with a screw passing through, upon which they turn stiffly, in order to set the pens or pencils at any inclination required, U, U, denote two pen-cases, into which the pens, pencils, or any other instruments for drawing or writing, are put tight, The cases slide up and down freely in the sockets, and have a small pin near the head, which is received into a slit in each socket at the top thereof, to prevent their turning round, and falling through, when the sockets are raised. V, a rod, from one of the sockets to the other,

and

and Drawing Machine. 157

and fixed with pins to the above-mentioned projecting parts of the sockets, on which pins the rods have 3 free motion. M m, m m, (see also it m m, Fig. 2) denote two metal rests, fixed by their vertical sides to the inner sides of the interior frame K, to support the springs W, W, which are screwed upon the horizontal sides of the rests under the beams M M, M M. These springs support, by their extremities the ends of the beams. Their power is just sufficient to counteract the weight of the apparatus depending from the exterior end of each beam, and prevent the hand which holds the handle X from feeling any part, or at least but a very small part, of such weight, when making the various movements with the handle, which are requisite in writing or drawing with the machine- x, x, x, x, in Fig. 2, denote small wheels, which cannot be seen in Fig.1, near the extremity of the beams, the ends of the springs bearing upon the edge of these wheels, move with much less friction when set in motion. To the under-part of the socket T1, is screwed a small brass arm k, (represented of its full size in Fig, 8,)-in which the lower end of the handle X, which terminates in a ball, is inserted, and forms with it a ball in a socket so as to enable it to play freely in all directions; the intent of which is to give greater freedom to the hand that holds the handle X. Z, a wooden rod, fixed to the exterior frame J, of the autograph, in order to move it from one end to the other of the frame D D, as the person writing or drawing proceeds from one side of his paper to the other. In case the machine should be made use of on a table without a desk, and not

require

158 Patent for a Writing

require to be taken often off; then, instead of using of the rod Z to move it from one end of the frame to the other ; D, D, two strings fastened to the sides of the exterior frame J, and passing from thence upon pullies, fixed near to the stoppers G, G, and in the direction of the dotted lines y, y, corresponding with, and being fastened to, a pedal or treader under the table, which pedal or treader is put in motion by the foot of the person using the machine, will communicate to the autograph the same motion as the rod Z. The second figure represents the upright EE, and the autograph as folded up, in order to be put into the desk; the springs W, W, being shortened, in order to show parts of the machine, which they would otherwise have concealed. In this figure, the letters, which are all to be sound in Fig. 1, denote corresponding parts.

Fig. 3. represents in what manner the auto-graph might be used for writing or drawing with-out the assistance of the handle X; the person making use of it holding the case U, instead of the handle X. O O, P P, ff, Q Q, h h, denote similar parts with those denoted by the corresponding letters in Fig. 1. a a, semi-circular pieces of metal (see also a, Fig. 5,) fixed to the lower part of the rack in the same manner as the projecting parts of the sockets T 1, and T 2, Fig. 1, The pen-case, U 1, moves freely within the semi-circular piece a 1, upon two pivots b,b, (see also Fig 4.) The second case U 2, is fixed in a socket k k, (see also k k_, Fig. 4,) which moves very freely within the semi-circular piece a 2, upon two pivots denoted by b1 and b 2, in

Fig.

and Drawing Machine. 159

Fig. 5, V, a rod, extending from the piece a 1 to the piece a 2, and fixed to one of the outer sides of each piece by a pivot, as seen at b1, Fig. 5, upon which it turns freely. g, denotes a second rod, extending from the right side of the pen-cafe U 1 to the right side of the socket k k, of the second pen-case U 2. One end of this rod is fixed by a pin to the pen-cafe U 1 and the other end to a screw or pin fixed into the side of the socket k k, (see also d Fig. 4) The pen-case U2 slides freely up and down in the socket k k, and has a similar pin near the head, and for the same purpose as mentioned in describing the pen-cafe UU, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4, represents the front part of the socket kk, together with the case U 2.

Fig. 5, represents one of the semi-circular pieces b 1 and b 2, and the manner in which the rod V is fixed to them. The other parts in the figures 4 and 5 corresponding with those exhibited in Fig. 3, are denominated by corresponding letters.

Fig. 6/ represents as much of the autograph as is necessary to shew what alterations and additions are made to it when more than two pens, or other instruments for writing or drawing, are fixed to it; and in what manner they are applied — the letters which correspond with those in Fig. 1, denoting corresponding parts. For this purpose, the rod V is fixed near the lower end of the pieces O, O, in the same manner as it is fixed to the projecting parts of the sockets T 1 and T 2, Fig. 1. Then a second rod q is fixed in the fame manner as the one V, and above it, near the middle of the pieces O, O. O 3, denotes a metal piece, of
the

16o Patent for a Writing

the size, length, and form, of that part of either of the pieces O, O, which extends from the lower end thereof to the upper side of the second rod q; which piece O 3, is fixed on the the two rods V and q, by means of sliding sockets t_, t_, one of which is exhibited in its full size in Fig. 7.

The rods V and q pass through the sockets, which slide stiffly on them in order to set the third pin to such a situation as may be most convenient for drawing or writing with it. The piece O 3 has fixed to it a sliding bar P, and rack f, like those denoted in Fig. 1, with a third socket and pen-case, like those denoted by T2, and U, U, Fig. 1; and is itself fixed to the sockets t_, t_, by pins passing through it, and one side of each socket, so as to admit of its truly turning upon such pins. A third ink-bottle, of the same form as those described at C, C, is set in a situation corresponding with the third pen, in the same manner as the two before mentioned. If a greater number of pens or instruments for writing or drawing at the same time, are required; an apparatus, similar to that described in figure 6, is fixed to the rods V and q for each.

Fig. 9, represents a stand, independent of a table or desk, in order to make use of the auto-graph on any table or desk to which there is no sliding board. The uprights E, E, which supports the frame D, and with it constitute a stand for the autograph, are fixed, the one upon a wheel, and the other on a board which contains the ink- bottles C, C; under which board are fixed two other wheels; and, by means of these three wheels the whole is moved backward and forward, as required. The uprights E, E, are kept

steady

and Drawing   Machine.                  161

steady a at their upper part, to the frame D, either by pins or screws, admitting, however, their being taken out at pleasure.    In order to raise the machine, the person who is to write or draw with it should first fix the pens or other instruments he intends to write or draw with, tight in the pen cases U, U, see Fig. 1.    Then, place the books or papers he means to write or draw on as flat as possible upon the sliding board B, by the assistance of the lines drawn thereon, so as to make the parts of each, which are intended to be written or drawn on, correspond with the pens or instruments, so fixed as above mentioned, which are meant to write or draw upon them.    He should then by turning the milled heads, belonging to the pinions R. R, raise or lower such   instruments according to the thickness of such books or papers respectively, so as to make each press moderately upon the book or paper under it, The ink-bottles, having insufficient quantity of ink in them, should be next raised and lowered to the height of the pens opposite to them or moved to the distance   required, to correspond with the situation of the pens. so as to enable them conveniently write or draw should then take the handle X, Fig. 1, in his hand, in the same manner as a common writing-pen, and direct with it the pen or instrument next to him, writings or drawings, as he thinks fit; when the other or others will make similar movements at the same time, and execute similar writings or drawings, as, on moving one of them in any direction, the other or others will move in similar directions; and when ink is taken with one, or others will

VOL. XIII.       Y                      likewise

Patent for

likewise take ink at the same time. In proportion as the person writing or drawing proceeds from one side to the other of his paper or book; he slides along the autograph upon the frame DD, by gently touching as often as he finds it requisite, the rod Z, which moves all the pens or instruments equally; and he proceeds from the top of his paper to the bottom. He slides from him the sliding-board B (or draws to him the stand, if the machine is used as described in Fig. 9.) as often as he finds it expedient: the sliding board carries all the papers equally along with it. If the ma-chine is fixed to a table, there should of course be a sliding board in such table. When the ma-chine is meant to be folded up, and put into the desk; the rods V and Z are taken off, and the sliding bar P 1, Fig. 1, with the apparatus fixed to it, is taken from the piece O, to which it belongs; and the remainder of the autograph being taken from the Frame DD, is folded up, as seen in Fig. 2. The uprights E, E. are then taken from the desk, and folded, by means of a hinge to each,—one of which is denoted by V, Fig. 2; and the autograph placed within it as represented in the same figure. After which, the whole may be put into the desk, which folds, and is locked like a common portable writing-desk. It witness whereof, &c.

XXX.

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Antique Rare Brunel's Patent Polygraph box by I H Farthing Number 129 Circa 1803

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