Patent GB-304401-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in typographical assembling and distributing machines
IPC: B41B11/18
Filed: 1927-11-03
Abstract: 304,401. Marlatt, G. E. Nov. 3, 1927. Distributing matrices; magazines; escapements; keyboards.-The guiding-means for the matrices as they fall from the distributor are modified so that the width of the upper end of the magazine can be reduced, and a magazine of rectangular form employed, together with modified escapement and keyboard mechanism. (1) The wide partitioned channels in the magazine entrance, which were necessary because the falling matrices could not clear the lower distributor-screw, are dispensed with, and are re. placed by opposed-groove channels similar to those of the magazine. The distributing-combinations of the distributor-bar 4, Figs. 3 and 4, are terminated with reference to matrices of the thickest fount, and the thinner matrices, when released from the bar, are supported by their upper lugs on rails 7, 8, until they reach opposed grooves in the rails, through which they fall. The grooves 8a in the outer rail 8 are continuous with those in the magazines entrance 9 and the magazine 10, but the grooves 7a of the inner rail 7 are interrupted by the lower distributor-screw 3. The angle of the outer grooves is such that the lower outer lugs of the matrices will clear the ribs which separate the grooves, while the matrices are on the distributor-bar 4. The inner grooves 7a are parallel to the grooves 8a, but are of receding depth. The groove of the lower screw 3 is made steeper than usual, so that the upper inner lugs of the matrices do not enter it. Below the screw 3, the opposed grooves 9a of the entrance 9 approach each other, so as to engage both of the lower lugs when a matrix falls. Only one matrix lug at a time thus remains out of engagement with its groove, and the matrix is guided by the other three. The outer grooved rail 8 is carried by pivoted brackets 11, to give access to the parts. In a modification, Fig. 5, the magazine entrance is dispensed with, and the distributor-bar 4a is arranged in an inclined position. The grooves in the rails 7, 8 may be curved, in order to co-operate better with those of the magazine entrance. The upper magazine shown in Fig. 5 is reversible end for end, for dealing with matrices having characters in opposite edges. (2) In order that magazines having different numbers of channels may cooperate with the grooved rails 7, 8, some of the channels of magazines having a smaller number of channels are slightly bent or inclined at their upper ends, so as to align with the grooves of tho rails. (3) To provide for the reception of special or wrong-fount matrices, a movable section of the distributor-bar is adapted to be raised by the tilting of a pivoted fount-distinguisher. The matrices thereupon fall into a short leading to a special receptacle or to an extra magazine channel, according to the position of a handadjusted switch. (4) The escapement-mechanism comprises recesses or perforations 15, Fig. 3, formed in the discharge end of the magazine or in the edge of the assembler entrance 16, in which the forward lugs of the leading matrices rest. The lugs can be lifted out of the recesses, to permit the matrices to escape., by the action of escapement-reeds 17. A locking-bar 19 for the matrices is carried by pivoted arms 21, and can be held in or out of action by a removable, rod 20. In a modified form of escapement, the matrices are retained and released by pawls 23, Fig. 8, pivoted in the assembler-entrance, and operated by levers 24 and reeds 17a. Where the magazine channels are crowded together or arranged in pairs for the accommodation of two founts, thin pivoted escapement elements 27, Fig. 5, may be used. These have staggered contact-points 27a, and the escapement-reeds, which may be forked and offset at their upper ends, are movable from one to the other. (5) In order that both the types of escapement, shown in Fig. 5, may be used in the same machine, the keyboard is arranged to be raised and lowered, to bring the reeds into operative position. The keyboard has studs 30, Fig. 6, resting on levers 31, which are pivoted to a slide 32 mounted on a stationary support 28. Links 33 are pivoted to the support 28 and to the levers 31. The slide 32 is operated by rack-mechanism controlled by a handle 37, a latch 38 holding the keyboard in raised position. Cams 40, operated by a handle 41, serve to tilt the keyboard, in order to bring the reeds beneath one or other of the sets of escapements 27. The keyboard may be replaced by another having a different number of keys.