Patent GB-166466-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to typecasting and composing machines
IPC: B41B7/04
Filed: 1920-08-24
Abstract: 166,466. Lanston Monotype Corporation, Ltd., (Lanston Monotype Machine Co.). Aug. 24, 1920. Single - type composing and casting machines ; justifying type.-Relates to machines of the kind described in Specification 8633/99, and consists in the provision of (1) a single mould-dimensioning mechanism for both normal and justification type bodies which is responsive to lineshortage and space-number signals in the record strip and automatically apporticns the line deficiency among the spaces, (2) a secondary dimensioning- mechanism or means for producing justified composition of different setsizes under the control of the same record strip, and (3) a pneumatic control mechanism whereby the number of signals required to control the machine may be reduced, or additional functions may be controlled. (1) The primary dimensioning- mechanism comprises a series of wedges or members, one or more of which are moved a normal distance for dimensioning type, bodies, and a fractional part of the normal strode for justification bodies. The taper for the wedges increases in the ratio 1, 2, 4, 8, &c. so that type bodies of any number of units from one to the maximum may be dimensicned. By giving to selected wedges, representing the line deficiency, a movement inversely .proportional to the number of spaces, the deficiency may be divided equally among the spaces in the line and the mould adjusted accordingly. In the embodiment described, seven wedges 32, Fig. 8, are mounted to slide longitudinally in a frame between a fixed abutment and a movable abutment 43, the movement of which is communicated to the mould-blade. The wedges are separated by space-blocks having the same taper, and are mounted in carriages 32a which slide on ways in the frame. The full movement of the wedges is arrested by stops 45, 46, Fig. 9, there being interposed between the wedges and the stop 46 a movable intermediate stop-bar 47 which, when adjusted, serves to arrest the wedges after a fractional part of their stroke. When adjusted, the wedge carriages are clamped by a pin 50 operated by a lever. The wedges are each moved by a pair of jaws 53<a>, 54a carried by tong-levers 53, 54, which are yieldingly connected at their lewer ends by rods 56 and interposed springs. The levers 53 are pivoted by links 59 to the machine frame, and the levers 54 by links 61 to arms on a rock-shaft 64 which is oscillated by a cam to cause the jaws 53<a>, 54<a> to approach and and recede from one another alternately. The jaws 53<a> are normally prevented from moving by sliding latches 53b which engage the intermediate stop-bar 47 which is normally held in the position shown. To dimension the mould for a character type, the proper selection of wedges is moved a full stroke to the left by the jaws 54<a>, the jaws corresponding to wedges not required being held stationary by levers 70, the ends 72 of which are tilted into the path of the jaws. The levers 70 are tilted by levers 74<a>, the pivots of which are supported by arms on a rock-shaft 81 which is oscillated by a cam. The levers 74a carry pins 76 co-operating with apertures in a drum 78 which is geared to the matrix-case positioning-mechanism and thereby effects the selection of the required wedges. Previously advanced wedges which are not required are returned to initial position by the jaws 53<a>, the latches of which are depressed by the levers 70. The selection of the wedges for casting justifying-spaces is effected 'by a series of levers 92 which act on the levers 70 and are actuated by the levers 84<a> which are shifted into position to engage them by the action of each justifying- space signal in the strip. The levers 92 have a sliding engagement with their pivots, and those corresponding to wedges not required are retracted from operative position by levers 97 and a series of pistons 99 controlled by the line-shortage signal in the strip. The fractional movement of the wedges corresponding to the number of spaces in the line: is effected by a stepped stop which is interposed in the path of the stop-bar 47 by the action of the space-number signal in the strip. The stop-bar 47 is moved up to the stepped stop to serve as an abutment for the wedges by the action of each justifying-space signal in the line, and is returned to normal position before the dimensioning of the next character. The stepped stop is positioned by means of mechanism of the kind described in Specification 2950/05 and embodying gauging-members of different capacities whereby fifteen positions of adjustment may be obtained by means of four perforations in the record-strip. (2) A secondary dimen. sioning-mechanism is interposed between the primary dimensioning-mechanism and the mould for the purpose of varying the set-size of the type proportionally to the normal size. The device comprises a lever 205, Fig. 13, having its pivot and the points of application of the power and load formed by three segmental bearings 209, 211, 212. The lever is actuated by the movable abutment 43 which is positioned by the primary dimensioning-mechanism, and operates a slide 210 the movement of which is transmitted to the mouldblade. The abutment 43 and the pivot segment 212 are mounted to slide longitudinally of the lever so that the motion of the abutment may be reduced in any desired proportion. The abutment and pivot are shifted automatically to change from one set-size to another by mechanism controlled by an aperture in the drum 78. Fig. 9, which is operated by the matrix-case positioning-mechanism. A screw adjustment is also provided to enable the relation of the two setsizes to be varied. A second lever arrangement may be introduced to increase the effect of the primary dimensioning-mechanism. The movement of the slide 210 is transmitted to the mould. blade through a pair of wedges 237, 238 on bars 239, 240 having at their other ends a similar pair of wedges 241, 242, Fig. 8, which act on the mould-blade. The wedges 237, 238 are mounted relatively to each other to absorb the space between the slide 210 and a fixed abutment 44a. To eliminate inaccuracy due to the varying momentum of the parts, the wedge 237 is first seated against the wedge 238 which is then retracted, the wedge 237 being caused to follow it a.t uniform speed by a weight and spring. The wedges 241, 242 slide between the mould-blade 3 and an abutment 343, the blade being yieldingly drawn back against the wedges after their adjustment. A stepped stop 244 rotated by hand is interposed between the mould-blade and the wedges to vary the set-width of the mould. (3) The ducts leading from the ports controlled by the record strip are branched, one set of branches leading to the pistons of the matrix.case positioning-mechanism, and the other set leading to a valve-mechanism by which they may be opened and closed. A perforation in the same location in the strip may thus perform either of two func. tions according to the position of the valve which is itself controlled by a simultaneously-acting perforation. In the embodiment described, some of the branches controlled by the valve are ernployed to set the mechanism for dimensioning the mould for justifying-spaces during the preliminary revolution of the machine, the pump being at this time locked out of action. The operations so performed are the selection of the wedges required for space-casting and the positioning of the stepped stop which limits the movement of the wedges. Specifications 22374/08 and 5946/09 are referred to.