GB1603708A - Pottery decorators wheels - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO POTTERY DECORATORS'WHEELS (71) WE J.W. RATCLIFFE & SONS (ENGINEERS) LIMITED a British Company of Rope Street, off Shelton New Road, Stokeon-Trent, Staffordshire do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to decorating wheels used in the production of pottery articles.

Many pottery articles are decorated by hand, a process which can involve many hours of careful work. A steady hand is required to achieve the best results and some means is also necessary to enable movement of the article so that the operator can readily gain access to different parts of the article during decorating.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple form of decorator's wheel incorporating attachments to facilitate the decorating operation.

The invention provides a decorator's wheel comprising a base, a horizontal wheel or turntable freely rotatably mounted on the base about a vertical axis and adapted in use to support an article to be decorated, a centring device adjustably mounted on the base adjacent the wheel so as to be moveable into a position in which it may contact and centre an article supported on the wheel, and a hard rest adjustably mounted on the base adjacent the wheel whereby a decorator may rest his hand on the hand rest while decorating an article supported on the wheel.

Preferably, said hand rest is pivotally supported on a vertical pillar mounted on said base adjacent to said wheel, whereby the hand rest is movable relative to the wheel in an arcuate manner. Preferably also said hand rest is vertically adjustable on said pillar.

The centring device may comprise a rodlike member extending across said wheel and movable relative to the wheel in horizontal and vertical directions.

Preferably the centring rod is carried by said hand rest for movement therewith. For this purpose the centring rod may be mounted on a horizontal bar carried and movable with said hand rest, the centring rod being pivotally movable about the axis of said bar and adjustable axially thereof.

Advantageously, the centring rod is provided with means at its free end enabling it to be used for marking or scribing purposes.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of decorator's wheel according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the wheel shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an end view in the direction of arrow III in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the decorator's wheel comprises a base 5 on which a horizontal turntable or wheel 6 is freely rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 7. A vertical pillar 8 is mounted on the base 5 adjacent to the wheel 6 and a hand rest 9 is pivotally and slidably mounted on the pillar.

A collar 10 surrounds the pillar beneath the hand rest and may be clamped to the pillar in different vertical positions by means of a set screw 11 whereby to alter the height of the hand rest relative to the wheel. A set screw 12 is also fitted to the hand rest to enable it to be clamped against pivotal movement about the axis of the pillar 8 when desired. As best seen in Fig. 3 a pin 13A projects downwardly from the hand rest 9 and engages with a pin 13B on the collar 10 to limit the extent of swinging movement of the hand rest about the pillar 8. This enables the hand rest and the parts which move with it to be swung clear of the wheel and subsequently moved back to precisely the same position. The hand rest is provided with a pad 14 of rubber or other suitable material on which the user may rest his hand while decorating a workpiece supported on wheel 6.

A horizontal bar 15 is rotatably mounted in a socket in the hand rest and may be clamped in different angular positions by means of a set screw 1 so. The bar 15 carries a clamp member 16 in which a centring rod 17 is mounted. The clamp member may be adjusted lengthwise of the bar 15 by means of a lock nut 18 and the centring rod may be adjusted relative to the clamp member in the direction of the axis of the rod so that it projects to different extents across the surface of the wheel 6. The centring rod may also be rotated about its longitudinal axis and clamped in any desired adjusted position. The free end 17A of the centring rod is inclined relative to the main body of the rod and provided with a point 17B which may be used for marking or scribing purposes.

In use of the apparatus, an article to be decorated is placed on the wheel 6. If the article is in the nature of an ornamental piece it does not require to be centred, but in the case of flatware or hollow ware articles such as plates, cups or the like, the centring rod 17 is pivoted downwardly into a position in contact with the periphery of the article and wheel 6 is rotated. The point 17B of the centring rod remains at a fixed distance from the centre of the wheel during rotation and by adjustment of the rod radially of the wheel the article may be precisely centred on the wheel. Thereafter the point 17B of the centring rod may be used for for marking or scribing purposes if required and the article can then be decorated, access to different areas being readily affected by rotating the wheel.

While decorating the artist supports his hand on the hand rest 9 which may either be fixed or angularly movable relative to the article about the pillar 8 during application of the decoration. The height of the hand rest is initially adjusted to suit the article concerned and may be varied at different times during decoration of the same article if required. During decorating the centring rod 17 is pivoted about the horizontal bar 15 into an out-of use position clear of the wheel 6.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus is of extremely simple construction but provides the craft potter with a means of decorating articles which combines a centring facility with an ability to rotate the article during decoration and means on which he may rest his hand during decoration.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the manner in which the various adjustements of the hand rest and the centring rod are effected may be altered and it is not necessary that the centring rod should be carried by the hand rest. The centring rod may also be provided with a pencil or other fitment enabling markings to be effected on the article to assist decoration. If desired means may be provided for holding the article in its centred position during application of decoration thereto.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A decorator'a wheel comprising a base, a horizontal wheel or turntable freely rotatably mounted on the base about a vertical axis and adapted in use to support an article to be decorated, a centring device adjustably mounted on the base adjacent the wheel so as to be moveable into a position in which it may contact and centre an article supported on the wheel, and a hand rest adjustably mounted on the base adjacent the wheel whereby a decorator may rest his hand on the hand rest while decorating an article supported on the wheel.

2. A decorator's wheel according to claim I wherein said hand rest is pivotally supported on a vertical pillar mounted on said base adjacent to said wheel, whereby the hand rest is movable relative to the wheel in an arcuate manner.

3. A decorator's wheel according to claim 2 wherein said hand rest is vertically adjustable on said pillar.

4. A decorator's wheel according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said centring device comprises a rod-like member extending across said wheel and movable relative to the wheel in horizontal and vertical directions.

5. A decorator's wheel according to claim 4 wherein said centring rod is carried by said hand rest for movement therewith.

6. A decorator's wheel according to claim 5 wherein said centring rod is mounted on a horizontal bar carried by and movable with said hand rest and is pivotally movable about the axis of the bar.

7. A decorator's wheel according to claim 6 wherein said centring rod is adjustable axially of said bar.

8. A decorator's wheel according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said centring rod is adjustable relative to said bar in the direction of the axis of the centring rod.

9. A decorator's wheel according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein said centring rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and clamped in any desired adjusted position.

10. A decorator's wheel according to any of claims 4 to 9 wherein said centring rod is provided with means at its free end to enable it to be used for marking or scribing purposes.

11. A decorator's wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. in a socket in the hand rest and may be clamped in different angular positions by means of a set screw 1 so. The bar 15 carries a clamp member 16 in which a centring rod 17 is mounted. The clamp member may be adjusted lengthwise of the bar 15 by means of a lock nut 18 and the centring rod may be adjusted relative to the clamp member in the direction of the axis of the rod so that it projects to different extents across the surface of the wheel 6. The centring rod may also be rotated about its longitudinal axis and clamped in any desired adjusted position. The free end 17A of the centring rod is inclined relative to the main body of the rod and provided with a point 17B which may be used for marking or scribing purposes. In use of the apparatus, an article to be decorated is placed on the wheel 6. If the article is in the nature of an ornamental piece it does not require to be centred, but in the case of flatware or hollow ware articles such as plates, cups or the like, the centring rod 17 is pivoted downwardly into a position in contact with the periphery of the article and wheel 6 is rotated. The point 17B of the centring rod remains at a fixed distance from the centre of the wheel during rotation and by adjustment of the rod radially of the wheel the article may be precisely centred on the wheel. Thereafter the point 17B of the centring rod may be used for for marking or scribing purposes if required and the article can then be decorated, access to different areas being readily affected by rotating the wheel. While decorating the artist supports his hand on the hand rest 9 which may either be fixed or angularly movable relative to the article about the pillar 8 during application of the decoration. The height of the hand rest is initially adjusted to suit the article concerned and may be varied at different times during decoration of the same article if required. During decorating the centring rod 17 is pivoted about the horizontal bar 15 into an out-of use position clear of the wheel 6. It will be appreciated that the apparatus is of extremely simple construction but provides the craft potter with a means of decorating articles which combines a centring facility with an ability to rotate the article during decoration and means on which he may rest his hand during decoration. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the manner in which the various adjustements of the hand rest and the centring rod are effected may be altered and it is not necessary that the centring rod should be carried by the hand rest. The centring rod may also be provided with a pencil or other fitment enabling markings to be effected on the article to assist decoration. If desired means may be provided for holding the article in its centred position during application of decoration thereto. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A decorator'a wheel comprising a base, a horizontal wheel or turntable freely rotatably mounted on the base about a vertical axis and adapted in use to support an article to be decorated, a centring device adjustably mounted on the base adjacent the wheel so as to be moveable into a position in which it may contact and centre an article supported on the wheel, and a hand rest adjustably mounted on the base adjacent the wheel whereby a decorator may rest his hand on the hand rest while decorating an article supported on the wheel.

2. A decorator's wheel according to claim I wherein said hand rest is pivotally supported on a vertical pillar mounted on said base adjacent to said wheel, whereby the hand rest is movable relative to the wheel in an arcuate manner.

3. A decorator's wheel according to claim 2 wherein said hand rest is vertically adjustable on said pillar.

4. A decorator's wheel according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said centring device comprises a rod-like member extending across said wheel and movable relative to the wheel in horizontal and vertical directions.

5. A decorator's wheel according to claim 4 wherein said centring rod is carried by said hand rest for movement therewith.

6. A decorator's wheel according to claim 5 wherein said centring rod is mounted on a horizontal bar carried by and movable with said hand rest and is pivotally movable about the axis of the bar.

7. A decorator's wheel according to claim 6 wherein said centring rod is adjustable axially of said bar.

8. A decorator's wheel according to claim 6 or 7 wherein said centring rod is adjustable relative to said bar in the direction of the axis of the centring rod.

9. A decorator's wheel according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein said centring rod may be rotated about its longitudinal axis and clamped in any desired adjusted position.

10. A decorator's wheel according to any of claims 4 to 9 wherein said centring rod is provided with means at its free end to enable it to be used for marking or scribing purposes.

11. A decorator's wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.