US3675618A

US3675618A - Fingerprinting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3675618A
Application number: US181101*[A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jay R Lezak
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-01-20
Filing date: 1972-01-20
Publication date: 1972-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-07-11

Abstract

Finger printing apparatus includes a square block has two holes, one of which goes completely through the block, the other hole only part way. A metal rod, which is inserted into the center back edge of a fingerprint card-holder. The block is affixed to a table top used for fingerprinting. When the card-holder, with the rod is placed into the short hole in the block, it permits the card-holder to rotate. This rotation then allows the card-holder to roll around the finger in the taking of fingerprints, instead of rolling the finger in a half circle to get a complete set of prints. The other hole in the block allows the card-holder to be used in a fixed position without any rotation, if desired.

Description

[451 July 11, 1972 [541 FINGERPRINTING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Jay R. beak, 29l49 Emery Road,

Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022 [22] Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 [2|] Appl.No.: l8l,l0l

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 228.953 5/l960 Australia .248" 17.7

Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan [57] ABSTRACT Finger printing apparatus includes a square block has two holes, one of which goes completely through the block, the other hole only part way. A metal rod. which is inserted into the center back edge of a fingerprint card-holder. The block is afiixed to a table top used for fingerprinting. When the cardholder. with the rod is placed into the short hole in the block. it permits the card-holder to rotate. This rotation then allows the card-holder to roll around the finger in the taking of fingerprints, instead of rolling the finger in a half circle to get a complete set of prints. The other hole in the block allows the card-holder to be used in a fixed position without any rotation, if desired.

lClalmADrawingFigures P'A TEN'TEDJuL 11 1972 3,675,618

sum

2 or 2 luvemoa Wm Q $1 4k FINGERPRINTING APPARATUS My invention has relation to a fingerprinting apparatus, more particularly an object of my invention is to provide a device which is a great improvement and help in the taking of inked impressions of fingers for identification of persons, criminal or civilian, either of whom have some deformity or stiff fingers, arm or wrist which prevents the rotation of the fingers, an absolute requirement in getting a true, distinct and complete pattern of all the fingers, necessary for classification.

To get a complete pattern, it is necessary to roll each finger on an inked surface, either glass or pad, then again roll the inked finger, from one side to the other in a half circle, onto a record card in spaces provided for each finger on a standard card. If any one finer is smudged or incomplete, classification cannot be made properly.

A certain percentage of people are afflicted with some defonnity, injury or arthritic condition, which prevents their fingers or arm from being turned or twisted in a half circle. As a result it is difficult, or even impossible to get a complete set of prints in the normal fashion.

My invention provides a fingerprint card-holder assembly so designed that in such difficult cases the card-holder can be rotated around the fingers.

Presently, all standard fingerprint card-holders are permanently fastened to a table or other work surface, and are in no way movable or portable. My invention makes it possible to use the card-holder in the same stationary way, but, when necessary, can be readily changed to the rotating position. It may also be removed from the table and used to print a cadaver. Heretofore, to print a dead person it was necessary to cut a fingerprint card into individual squares, place each square into an apparatus known as the dead-mans-spoon, print the subject, then paste each square back onto another card. Any mixup in the sequence of fingers would pose another problem in classification.

To these ends, my invention resides in a multiple tool of great assistance to those who must take fingerprints. These im provements and advantages are hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the appended drawings, in which;

FIG. l is an angle view showing the block, fastened to the table, which accepts a metal rod extending from the backcenter of the card-holder, permitting the rotation of the cardholder.

FIG. 2 is an angle view showing the card-holder with the rod placed in the other hole, which then makes the assembly stationary, and allows it to be used as heretofore, without any movement.

FIG. 3 is an end view, showing the rotation executed with the card-holder in the rotating position.

FIG. 4 is an end view showing the use of another hole in the card-holder, which allows any finger to be printed using a hole which is the axis for that particular finger. This reduces the arc of the card-holder, thereby reducing the rotation to a very small movement.

My invention makes no claim on the manner in which the record card is held in the card-holder; there are many varied ways this is done presently.

My invention consists of a block (B) in FIG. 1, (plastic in this case, but could be any substantial material) measuring approximately 295 X 2% X %inches, with two holes measuring approximately 54 inch in diameter, spaced about W inches apart. One hole goes completely through the block, FIG. 1, hole 1; the other hole 2, which goes only part way. Block B is permanendy fastened to the table(T) by two screws (8) one inch from the edge. The secondary part of my invention is a metal rod (R in FIG. 1) which is approximately 7 inches long and inches in diameter. All the holes in the block (B) and card-holder (C) are so machined as to accept the rod (R) in a snug manner.

Referring to FIG. 1, card-holder (C) shows the individual squares for each assigned finger. To use the rotating technique, the operator would insert the rod (R) into the hole (2) in the block (B) which would then allow the card-holder to be turned or rotated on the rod extending from the center hole (3) in the card-holder. To print a finger, the operator would then tip the card-holder to the desired angle to receive one side of the inked finger. With experienced knowledge of proper pressure, the operator would then rotate the cardholder around the finger while holding the finger relatively level, but moving it to follow the paper, and until the rotation completed the half circle, or the other end of the finger.

Referring to FIG. 2. In this position, the assembly is the same as presently used as standard and accepted procedure, that is, immovable and stationary. To use in the ordinary manner the card-holder is held firmly against the table by inserting the rod (R) into the hole which goes completely through the block, hole No. l; the rod remains in the center hole of the card-holder. The card-holder is pushed firmly against the block (8) and over the table (T). The versatility of this card-holder is that, in seconds, it can be converted from one use to another.

This versatility of my invention will be a boon to the fingerprint expert, or novice, in that the degree of deformity of the subject will determine the technique to be used. He can start out fingerprinting a subject with the card-holder as in FIG. 2, stationary; then if it appears that he will have some difficulty, he can move to the rotating position, as FIG. 1. If he has still more difficulty, he can then move to the position as in FIG. 4. using the small axis of any finger which shows a problem; then back to any desired position, as necessary. This all in seconds.

Another added feature of my invention is in the occasional necessity of fingerprinting cadavers. Presently the standard procedure is to cut apart a record card into squares of each finger space. These squares are now placed into a spoon-like apparatus and pressed onto the inked finger of the subject. The squares then are pasted back onto a blank card in proper sequence. With my invention, the card-holder (C in FIG. I) may be removed from the assembly, and the rod (R) removed from the cardholder. The operator then, with only the cardholder in his hand (with a complete card in it) can rotate the card-holder around the inked fingers of the subject.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is covered by the folling:

1. Apparatus for taking fingerprint impressions comprising:

A horizontally disposed planar base;

a block element supported on the planar surface of said base and set in from a generally straight edge thereof;

said block element having, in the vertical forward face thereof, at least two, horizontally aligned bores which are of equal diameter, of unequal extent and normal to said forward face;

a planar member adapted to hold a plurality of finger print receiving cards;

a separate bore associated with each card support area and adapted to be aligned with each of said two bores;

a rod element of a size conforming to all aforerecited bores and of a length whereby said planar member may be fixedly supported on said base and against said forward face when the rod is associated with the longer of said two bores and any of said separate bores and whereby a print receiving card may be rotated about a finger member when the rod is associated with the shorter of said two bores and the said separate bore associated with the card to be rotated.

Claims

1. Apparatus for taking fingerprint impressions comprising: A horizontally disposed planar base; a block element supported on the planar surface of said base and set in from a generally straight edge thereof; said block element having, in the vertical forward face thereoF, at least two, horizontally aligned bores which are of equal diameter, of unequal extent and normal to said forward face; a planar member adapted to hold a plurality of finger print receiving cards; a separate bore associated with each card support area and adapted to be aligned with each of said two bores; a rod element of a size conforming to all aforerecited bores and of a length whereby said planar member may be fixedly supported on said base and against said forward face when the rod is associated with the longer of said two bores and any of said separate bores and whereby a print receiving card may be rotated about a finger member when the rod is associated with the shorter of said two bores and the said separate bore associated with the card to be rotated.