Patent GB-396045-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in typographical line-casting machines
IPC: B41B11/52
Filed: 1932-01-25
Abstract: 396,045. Type-bar-making machines. HART, H., 9, Kingsway, London.-(Mergenthaler Linotype Co. ; 29, Ryerson Street, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.) Jan. 25, 1932, No. 2222. [Class 100 (iii).] Assembling, clamping, and aligning matrices ; moulds.-A machine for producing type-bars having characters ranging in size from 5¢ point to 144-point is adapted to use, in addition to the regular matrix founts, matrices of special form for the larger characters, one set of such matrices ranging up to 72-point, and the other from 72 to 144 point, the matrix lines being composed by hand. Matrices. The regular matrices Y, Fig. 40, have the usual projecting ears, and have either a single character, in the case of the larger or head-letter matrices, or two superposed characters. The special matrices X, Fig. 39, of one set are of plain rectangular form without projecting ears, and are longer than the regular matrices, to allow for characters of greater size. The characters are arranged on the matrix bodies with reference to a datum line which passes through the bases of the characters, and is at a constant distance from the lower ends x<1> of the matrices, which serve as aligning-surfaces. Characters of different sizes can therefore be composed in the same line, which is not the case with the regular founts, owing to the head alignment of their characters. At their upper ends, the matrices have reduced extensions x<3>, to form upper aligning-surfaces x<4>, x<5>. Blank matrices X<1>, Fig. 41, without casting recesses, are used for word-spacing. The second set of special matrices Z, Fig. 35, bearing characters from 72 to 144 point, are of similar form to the matrices X, and are adapted for use therewith. They are of greater length than the matrices X, and have their lower aligning-surfaces formed in notches z<3>, instead of at their lower ends. Blank matrices Z<1> are used for word-spacing. Both sets of special matrices have deeper routing-notches than usual, to permit typebars with overhanging faces to be cast. Mould-disc and moulds. The mould-disc A, Fig. 31, carries four moulds, two L<1>, L<2> of which are of normal form to co-operate with the regular matrices, and to produce either plain or ribbed slugs. The moulds L3, L<4> are of slightly less than normal height, to co-operate with the special matrices X, Z in the production either of L-shaped slugs Q, Fig. 38, or slugs Q<2>, Fig. 37, having face portions supported by ribs Q<4>. Ribbed slugs with overhanging portions may also be produced. The lower casting-faces of all the moulds are equidistant from the centre of the disc, and the size of the moulds is varied by means of exchangeable liners. The special moulds L<3>, L<4> are formed with plain front faces and without aligning-grooves. Presenting matrices to mould. The assembled matrix line is delivered by a manually operated carriage to a vertically movable transporter or elevator B, Fig. 7, which carries it down to the mould. The transporter has a supporting-ledge b, on which the matrices X, Y rest, and which engages the notches z<3> in the matrices Z. Shoulders b<1> are adapted to engage the upper aligning-surfaces x<4>, x<5> of the matrices X and those of the matrices Z. A removable back-plate, which can slide on to a rib B<8>, is provided for engaging the upper ears of the regular matrices Y, in order to hold them in position. An additional ledge is provided above the ledge b for supporting two-character regular matrices in the upper position. Lines containing the special matrices X are presented to the mould at one of a number of different levels, according to the size of the matrices, by arresting the transporter at different points in its descent. When L-shaped slugs Q, Fig. 38, are to be cast in a plain mould, the matrix line is supported at one of a number of slightly different levels, as shown in Fig. 9, determined by the lengths of the descenders of the lower-case characters. When ribbed slugs Q<2>, Fig. 37, are to be cast, lines of different founts are arrested at one of a series of higher levels, Fig. 8, determined by the heights of the upper-case characters. Lines containing the larger special matrices Z are always arrested at the highest or 72-point level irrespective of fount. The transporter is seated on the vice-frame by a cam acting through a spring, and its casting level is determined by a pair of stepped banking- blocks D<4>, D5, Fig. 19, which are carried by a hand-operated slide, and co-operate with banking-screws B<10> on the transporter. An additional stepped block D<8>, co-operating with a screw B<11> on the transporter, serves to actuate the usual vice automatic control-rod J. In casting from the regular matrices, the transporter is arrested by the highest steps of the banking-blocks, and an additional pair of steps d<2> is provided for arresting the transporter when two-character matrices are assembled at the higher level. Safety-devices. Means are provided for stopping the machine through the vice automatic control-rod if a mould is wrongly selected, or if the transporter is arrested at a wrong level owing to incorrect adjustment of the stepped banking-blocks D<4>, D<5>. Such means comprise stop-members, which are under the control of the removable back-plate which is applied to the transporter when regular matrices are in use. The stop-members co-operate with safety-members L<8>, L9, Fig. 31, on the moulds to arrest the transporter before the automatic control-rod J is depressed. An additional stop-member, operated by the matrices themselves, serves to arrest the transporter when two-character regular matrices are assembled at the upper level and the banking-blocks are incorrectly adjusted. Line-clamping and mould-locating means. The left-hand vice-jaw C<1>, Fig. 18, is forced to the right against the pressure of a spring C<6> by a wedge-bar M, in order to clamp the line. The movement of the wedge-bar is limited, so that the jaw always moves through a definite distance. The right-hand jaw C<2> yields against the pressure of a spring C<7>, and its movement is limited by a fixed stop D<14> . The movement of the jaw C<2> actuates the pump-stop lever in the usual manner. Studs a<1>, a2, Fig. 31, on the mould-disc are adapted to enter sockets in the vice-frame, in order to locate the mould accurately during casting and ejecting. Metal-pumps.-The pivot-rod of the pumplever is extended, and is provided with an outboard bearing, to permit the actuating- spring to be located close to the pump-lever. Trimming type-bars.-The right-hand knife G<2>, Fig. 24, is carried by a sliding block, which is movable towards the opposing knife against spring pressure by a rotatable disc G<6> having a spiral-shaped edge and operated by a handle. A detent engages holes g<3> in the disc, so as to give capacity for adjustment from 6-point to 72-point. The disc engages the knife-block by means of hardened studs or set-screws. The left-hand knife G<1> is carried by a sliding block G<14>, which is held up against stops by a cam G<17> acting through a rod G<16>. Upon rotation of the cam by means of a handle G<20>, the knife-block is retracted by a spring, so as to permit of ejection of slugs of the overhanging type without trimming. Galley-mechanism.-The slugs ejected from the mould drop endwise into a vertical shoot H, Fig. 3, being supported at the front by a pivoted spring-pressed plate H<1>. The slugs enter an elevator H<2>, which is carried by the transporter, and registers with the shoot H when the transporter is in an intermediate position. At the highest position of the transporter, the elevator registers with a galley S, into which the slugs are moved by a lever 0, operated by a spring and controlled by a cam-plate on the transporter.