Patent GB-717724-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to patrix composing, printing and distributing machines
IPC: B41B7/16
Filed: 1952-06-16
Abstract: 717,724. Type-setting machines; typewriters. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE CO. June 16, 1952 [June 19, 1951], No. 15083/52. Classes 100 (2), 100 (3) and 100 (4). Relates to a patrix composing, printing and distributing machine of the type wherein the patrices are selectively released from a magazine by means of a keyboard and composed with collapsable spacers in a line in a horizontal guide by an assembler device, being located by an end stop and justified and inked for the printing operation, and thereafter shifted along the guide by a shifter member during a power-operated machine cycle into engagement with an elevator bar which carries the line to a higher level where the patrices and spacers are transferred therefrom and returned to their appropriate magazine channels. The shifter member operates in two stages, the first comprising a movement by a hand control to justify the line against the end stop ready for printing, and the second comprising a movement by a power-driven operating member to shift the patrices from printing position to distribution position, the drive to the operating member being through a coupling under a control device that is actuated to cause engagement of the coupling for transfer of the line when the shifter member has been brought by the hand control to a position for proper justification. Types.-The patrices x, Fig. 4, comprise upper and lower projecting ears x<SP>1</SP>, x<SP>2</SP>, of the same width as the body. The characters are carried in relief on the rear upper ears, the thickness of the patrices varying according to the character. The length of the characterbearing ears may be varied to accommodate different styles of type. The patrices have' apertures x<SP>5</SP>, x<SP>6</SP> to accommodate aligning pins on adjacent spacers. Spacers.-The spacers each comprise two side members y<SP>1</SP>, y<SP>2</SP>, Fig. 24, and a leaf-spring y<SP>3</SP> riveted to the member y<SP>2</SP>. When justification is effected, the side members are forced together against the spring. Pins y<SP>4</SP> projecting from the member y2 project through apertures y<SP>5</SP> in the member y<SP>1</SP>, separation of the side members being limited by head portions of the pins. On justification of a line of patrices and spacers, the pins project into apertures in the adjacent patrix. Magazines.-The patrix and spacer magazine A, Fig. 17, is arranged vertically, and comprises two offset vertical sections A<SP>1</SP>, A<SP>2</SP> joined by a horizontal section A<SP>3</SP>, to break the fall of the patrices. Patrices are transferred from the section A<SP>1</SP> to the section A<SP>2</SP> by slides B actuated by a cam C<SP>1</SP>. The slide mechanism is held in position by a locking pawl B<SP>8</SP>, and for removal and replacement of magazines, the pawl B<SP>8</SP> is unlocked, the slide mechanism is swung down, and the magazine swung rearwardly, being mounted on a bail member D pivoted on shaft C. Escapements.-Patrices and spacers are released from the magazine by the withdrawal of selected pawls A<SP>4</SP>, Fig. 4, actuated by thrust elements F<SP>5</SP>. Solenoids F, Figs. 3 and 4, energized from the keyboard, cause levers F<SP>1</SP> to move the levers F<SP>4</SP> into operative engagement with the elements F<SP>5</SP>. The elements F<SP>5</SP> are arranged in groups of eight, each actuated by one of the solenoids F, which are arranged in pairs around a shaft f. A solenoid F<SP>6</SP> is then energized to cause the elements F<SP>5</SP> in the group to move rearwardly and release the selected pawls. Keyboards.-Keys E<SP>1</SP>, E<SP>2</SP>, Fig. 3, actuate tiltable mercury switches G to establish a circuit to the selected solenoids F, F<SP>6</SP> through a rotating pulsator H and normally closed switch H<SP>4</SP>, a solenoid H<SP>3</SP> acting as a circuit-breaker to open the switch H<SP>4</SP>. The arrangement is such that the solenoids F, F<SP>6</SP> act in succession, and then the circuit is momentarily broken. If a key is depressed too long, the circuit remains broken, to prevent the escape of several patrices. Assembling - apparatus ; justifying - apparatus.-Patrices and spacers pass from channels 15, Fig. 5, to a conveyer belt 16 and are then delivered in turn by a star-wheel I into a receiving channel 17, where they are assembled against the upstanding finger J<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 20, of a slide-block J. They are then advanced by a pusher-bar P to the printing position, when the block J is arrested by a stop element K<SP>4</SP> of a stop device K, which is longitudinally adjustable along a slot in a bracket 20, with reference to a scale on the bracket, according to the desired length of line. On depressing a hand lever O, the following actions take place:- (1) Through a lever S<SP>2</SP>, a pawl S is caused to release the pusher-bar P, hitherto held in retracted position. (2) Through a rocker arm O<SP>1</SP>, the star wheel I is retracted out of the path of the bar P, thus allowing the pivoted head P<SP>1</SP> thereof to swing in behind the composed line. (3) Through the head O<SP>3</SP> of the lever O<SP>1</SP>, the bar P advances the line to printing position, and when the element K' arrests the slide J, the pressure of the bar P collapses the spacers to justify the line. (4) A stud o<SP>1</SP> closes a switch 41 to start a cycle of operation of the machine, rotating the main cam-shaft M. If the line is too long to justify, a roller o causes a finger 37 to open a switch 40 and prevent the starting of the cycle. As the line is advanced, a pin j<SP>4</SP> actuates a first switch to momentarily light a red lamp Ll and then a second switch to light a green lamp L<SP>2</SP>. If the line is too short, only the red lamp is lit. (5) Inking and printing operations are performed on and from the line. (6) Through a cam Q<SP>1</SP> and lever arm Q, the bar P advances the line further, into engagement with an elevator bar R<SP>1</SP>, a cam M<SP>1</SP> having caused a plate K<SP>1</SP> to be lifted to release the block J from the element K<SP>4</SP>. The block J is arrested by a pin 31, and a roller drops, bringing down the finger J<SP>1</SP>. A spring S<SP>3</SP> then returns the pusherbar P, the roller passes up a rail 30 to raise again the finger J<SP>1</SP>, a spring returns the starwheel I to its active position, and the pawl S re-engages the bar P. A hook P<SP>3</SP> on the bar P retracts the slide block J, and is then released from the block by a set-screw 26. Inking-arrangements.-Ink is supplied from ink supply rollers T, T<SP>1</SP>, T2, Figs. 5 and 21, to an inking roller T<SP>6</SP>, which during each machine cycle is reciprocated in a slot t, by means of a cam on the shaft M, link T' and levers T', T<SP>8</SP>, so as to move against the assembled line x and then back into contact with the roller T<SP>6</SP>. Platen-impression. arrangements.-A cam U<SP>4</SP>, Fig. 21, acts through a lever U<SP>2</SP> during each machine cycle to rock an impression cylinder U, round which is stretched a paper or other suitable sheet u to be printed on, into contact with the inked line x. Distributing-apparatus.-The line x, Fig. 20, after printing therefrom, is advanced by the bar P into engagement with the bar R<SP>8</SP> of an elevator R, Figs. 13 and 20. The elevator R is lowered by a cam R<SP>5</SP> and raised by a weight 66 travelling in a guide post 63, the cam acting on a lever R' secured to a strap R<SP>8</SP> attached to a pulley R<SP>9</SP> keyed to a pulley 69, to which is connected a strap 67 secured to the weight. In the upper position of the elevator, the line is shifted horizontally into a position for return to the magazine by means of the finger V<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 14, of a shifter slide V supported on a bar V<SP>3</SP>. The active stroke of the slide V is effected by means of a weight 71, and the return stroke by a cam on the shaft M, the cam acting through a lever on a strap 76 secured to a pulley 75a attached to a pulley 75 to which is connected a strap 73 secured to the slide V and to the weight 71. When it is desired to retract the slide V manually so as to push patrices on to the elevator bar, a handle 80 is swung downwardly, whereupon the bar V<SP>3</SP>, which is pivoted at v<SP>3</SP>, swings down by gravity to the position shown in interrupted lines. Driving-mechanism.-On closing the switch 41, Fig. 6, a solenoid releases a lever, whereupon a spring causes a main clutch to close. After the completion of the cycle, a cam on the shaft M acts on the same lever to open the clutch.