Patent GB-190001903-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Type-casting and Composing, and Apparatus for that Purpose.
Inventor: GILBERT-STRINGER HENRY JAMES S
Filed: 1900-01-30
Granted: 1901-04-30
Abstract: 1903. Gilbert- Stringer, H. J. S. Jan. 30. Monotype and like machines.-Single types are cast and composed in justified lines by assembling a line of matrices and space-bars generally similar to those of the Mergenthaler machine, wedging-out or spacing the line by means of the space-bars, and then casting single types from the matrices separately and spaces from the spacebars, the position of the movable wedge part of the space-bar relatively to the other part regulating the size of the space cast. Fig. 1 shows in front elevation an arrangement of machine, and Figs. 24 and 25 show, respectively, a matrix and space-bar. The matrix, Fig. 24, is generally similar to the linotype matrix, but has the character depression on its face instead of on one edge, and all thin matrices are thickened by plates a of equal thickness. A notch f in one side of the matrix determines the thickness of the type cast from it. The fixed part e of the space-bars, Fig. 25, has a notch f, and the side of the movable part c is tapered or inclined to adjust the size of the mould according to the distance the parts c are pushed up when wedging out the line of matrices. The magazine, releasing and assembling mechanisms, and the distributing- mechanism are substantially the same as those of the Mergenthaler linotype machine, (Specification No. 14,582, A:D. 1890). In the machine shown, the matrices and space-bars are released by operating the keys b, and are delivered in proper order in an assembly block g. The keys representing the thickened matrices are each provided with means for operating an arrangement which moves a register rod by which a sliding jaw u of the vice is set to allow for the increased space occupied by the thickened matrices. After the line is assembled the block g is moved opposite to the vice, and the jaws u, y of the vice are then swung in so as to embrace the line of matrices. The vice is mounted to slide upon a rock shaft 22, and after being swung into the box g it is moved along its shaft 22 by a rack 31 and pinion 30, to carry the matrices to the left along a raceway to the justifying-apparatus. The wedges are pushed up for justification of the line by a bar 40 which is the top member of a frame 39 having a rod 38 frictionally connected to a lever operated by a cam. The bar 40 supports the wedges of the space-bars until the spaces have been cast from them. After the justification the jaws of the vice are swung out of the raceway and the vice returned to the right for a new line. The line is next subjected to the pressure of a slide 48, moving on a guidebar 49, which pushes the matrices to the left until the front one engages a stop. The matrices are then pushed, by a reciprocating bar, to the rear, one by one, into position opposite the mould against which they are pressed during the cast by a plunger. The slide 48 is moved to the left by a cord 54 and weight 55 and during its movement a plate 57 is down in engagement with the line of matrices. The slide 48 is moved to the right, as the vice moves from right to left, by a cord wound on a drum on the shaft of the pinion 30, and the plate 57 is lifted to clear the matrices. The mould consists of a vertically-movable block and a horizontally-movable block. When the matrix or space-bar reaches the mould, the horizontally-movable block moves until stopped by the notch f in the matrix or the inclined edge of the wedge c in the notch f of the space-bar, thus adjusting the mould to cast a type or space of the proper size. After the cast the matrix is withdrawn from the mould, and the type is pushed to the rear by the horizontally-movable block after the other block has been raised. The types push each other along a channel in which the tang or sprue is cut off and the nick cut in the feet, the line being finally pressed down into a galley. The matrices, after the cast, are pushed along rearwards by the succeeding matrices, and are finally pushed by a plunger into a lift by which they are carried up into the distributing-mechanism. When a line is composed, the operator moves a lever z which engages a clutch, and a shaft carrying cams and gearing which operate the block g, the vice, the slide 48, and the elevating-mechanism &c., is driven through one revolution. When the revolution of this shaft is nearly completed, a cam upon it releases the clutch frame operated by lever z, whereupon the frame is moved by a spring to stop this shaft, and start another shaft carrying cams for operating the casting-mechanism and the parts by which the matrices &c. are carried to and from it. The last-named shaft is stopped when the last matrix is moved to the rear by means of a ball fixed on the cord 54 which moves the slide 48 to the left. The ball operates through suitable mechanism to move the lever z and clutch frame into an intermediate position in which neither of the clutches are engaged.