Patent GB-982366-A (GB)
Title: Type composing machine
IPC: B41B25/00
Filed: 1961-02-24
Abstract: 982,366. Strip - perforating machines. LANSTON INDUSTRIES Inc. Feb. 24, 1961 [Feb. 25, 1960], No. 6944/61. Drawings to Specification. Heading B6W. A strip-perforating machine for controlling a type-casting machine comprises a keyboard mechanism arranged to control a pneumatic system for producing character identification and character width signals in a tape; the keyboard includes shift keys which produce signals for change of font and at the same time alter the width signals produced by any particular character key. In the construction described, the matrix case in a single-type casting machine comprises 18 columns and 18 rows of matrices and is divided into four quadrants, each of 9 columns and 9 rows, one quadrant for each type font. Four shift keys, designated o, i, I and iI are provided to cause the movement of the matrix case so as to render the selected quadrant operable. Any one character key corresponds to the same position in each of the quadrants, but since the width assigned to the key can vary as the shift keys are actuated, it is not necessary for characters of the same width to be located in the four corresponding matrix positions. A key may correspond to the same character in all the fonts (i.e. in Roman, Roman Italics &c. for example), or to a different character in some of the fonts. Keyboard mechanism.-The keyboard includes the character keys, shift keys, spacer bar, and special keys for justification and quadding. The character keys when depressed each actuate a key bar which is linked to two of a series of positioning valve bars, each actuating a valve to control a positioning punch, and which is also linked to two of a series of ten sizing valve bars, each actuating a valve to control a sizing (character width) punch. The two positioning punches selected represent the two matrix case movement co-ordinates. The sizing punches are designated 0 and 1 to 9, and the arrangement is such that the two punches selected include the 0 or the 9 punch or both. The combination 0, 9 corresponds to 4 width units, 0 with 1-8 corresponds to 5-12 units, and 9 with 1-8 corresponds to 13-20 units, so that 17 widths can be signalled, i.e. 4-20. The key bars are linked to the sizing valve bars by means of a flat perforated sizing plate having pins projecting therefrom in selected positions. The sizing plate is movable between four positions by the operation of the shift keys, so that each character key may be linked to four different combinations of sizing valve bars. Furthermore, to allow control of various casting-machines and matrix cases, the pins are inserted in the sizing plate so that for any one of the four given positions of the sizing plate, the bars selected will correspond to the matrix widths being used. Shift mechanism.-The sizing plate is inserted in a flat sizing plate frame provided on its lower surface with a short rack normally engaging a stationary short rack to prevent movement to and from front to rear. The rear of the plate is supported on a rear piston which when raised disengages the racks. The front of the plate is pivoted to the vertical arm of a bell-crank, beneath the horizontal arm of which are three front pistons of different length. When the racks are disengaged, a spring urges the plate forwardly to a position defined by whether one of the front pistons is raised, and if so, which piston. The key bars of the shift keys are associated with a system of shift levers, shift locks and shift latches whereby when a shift key is depressed, the valve controlling the rear piston is opened, and in the case of the shift keys i, I and iI, a valve controlling one of the front pistons is also opened. The plate thus assumes one of its four positions, into which it is locked by re-engagement of the racks. At the same time, the i and I keys open a valve i or I respectively, controlling punches which correspond to the two coordinates of matrix case movement for quadrant positioning, the key iI opens both valves, while the key 0 opens neither, in which last case the matrix case is positioned in the 0 quadrant by stops in the casting-machine. Paper feed mechanism.-The tape is fed intermittently over an arcuate perforating die, having a transverse row of perforations to receive the punches, by means of a pawl-andratchet mechanism, the pawl being actuated by a pneumatic piston. Within the die there is provided a nozzle from which passes compressed air to remove the paper chips. Justification indicating mechanism.-There is provided a circular EM scale mounted on a shaft and settable according to the desired line length by a disc rotatable on the shaft and operatively connected to the EM scale by a pneumatically inflated flexible tube. Before composition is started, the EM scale is set, the tube is deflated by manually closing a reset valve, the disc is rotated to its zero position defined by a lug thereon engaging a stationary lug, and the tube is re-inflated, the zero position of the disc now corresponding to the pre-set position of the EM scale. A width units wheel is geared to the EM scale shaft, and the latter is geared to a rack on a horizontal drive cylinder, said rack being normally urged to the right pneumatically, so as to urge the EM scale clockwise and the units wheel counter-clockwise. The drive pressure is released for setting the EM scale by manually closing a second reset valve. The drive movement of the EM scale and units wheel is normally prevented by a pawl engaging teeth on the units wheel. When a character lug on the space bar is depressed, a pneumatic cylinder acts on the end of a unit escapement lever, which acts to release the pawl and at the same time move a units rack upwards into engagement with teeth on the units wheel. The units wheel is thus driven counter-clockwise by the drive cylinder (and the EM scale clockwise) and moves the units rack to the right. The units rack cooperates with one of nine stop bars designated S1-S9 in such a way that its movement, and therefore the movement of the EM scale, is limited according to which stop bar is projected and by how far. Each stop bar is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder, and a further cylinder controls a stop bar shift bar which controls the amount of projection. The arrangement is such that the units rack allows movement corresponding to from 4 to 20 width units. A cylindrical justification scale is provided, co-operating with a reading pointer which is normally moved to the left by a pneumatic piston when the space bar is depressed to produce a 4-unit justified space. Four EMS before the end of the line, a vertical rack is pneumatically raised to tend to rotate the justification scale, and a pin carried on a gear rotated by said scale is projected pneumatically into the path of a lug on the units wheel, so that the justification scale can be rotated only according to the rotation of the units wheel, the lug being in front of the pin and acting as a movable stop therefor. A signal lamp is also lighted 4 ems before the end of the line. The justification pointer shows two numerical readings on the justification scale. Justification.-The keyboard includes two justification keys, designated " j " and " jJ," and a series of numbered justification keys. In justifying, the key " j " is depressed, together with the numbered key corresponding to the first reading, to actuate a " j " punch and also to produce a positioning signal. The key " jJ " is then depressed with the key for the second reading, actuating " j " and " J " punches, producing a positioning signal, initiating a restoring operation, and actuating a line counter. Spacer bar.-The spacer bar is manually movable lengthwise between two positions. In one position, it actuates sizing punches " 0 " and " 9 " and positioning punches " L " and " S," to provide 4-unit justified spacing. In the other position, it actuates sizing punches " 0 " and " 2 " and positioning punch " L," giving 6-unit fixed spacing. Letter spacing justification.-A letter spacing valve when set manually to " letter spacing " position causes every character key to actuate the " S " punch and the justification pointer. Restoring operation.-Depression of the " jJ " and number keys actuate a restoring valve, whereupon a pneumatic position acts on a linkage in such a way that subsequent release of the units wheel pawl also acts to release the justification pointer, which is returned by a spring to normal position; the piston operating the vertical justification scale rack is vented and the scale returned to normal position by a spring; and the rack in the horizontal drive cylinder is urged to the left, restoring the EM scale and units rack to normal (i.e. pre-set) position. High quad.-High quad key actuates the " i " and " I " punches and cuts off air from the positioning valves. A regular key is also depressed and actuates the sizing valves. Low quad.-Low quad key actuates the " L " valve. A regular key is also depressed and actuates the sizing valves. The positioning punch holes have no effect on the casting- machine. Pneumatic system.-A timing valve is opened whenever the " 0 " or " 9 " valves are opened. The positioning valves are arranged in a block divided into three pneumatically-separated compartments; one for valves " i," " iI," " I " and " 0 " is permanently supplied with air; one for the regular punch valves, namely a-h, A-H and L, is supplied from the timing valve when a special normally-open valve (closed only when the high quad key is depressed) is open; and one for the special valves " j," " J," " i," " I," " X " and " S " is supplied from the timing valves. The sizing valves are arranged in a block divided into two compartments; one for the valves " 0 " and " 9 " is permanently supplied ; one from the valves 1-8 is supplied from the timing valve. The timing valve also supplies air to the paper feed pawl piston, the paper chip removing nozzle, the unit escapement lever cy