Patent GB-190711140-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Type-casting and Composing Machine.
Inventor: ELLIOTT RICHARD CORNELIUS
Filed: 1907-05-13
Granted: 1908-04-02
Abstract: 11,140. Elliott, R. C. May 13. Monotype and like machines.-The characters are represented by selectors 1, Fig. 5, having different combinations of holes 66,67. The selectors. are stored in a magazine, from which they are released singly by the depression of keys. A line of selectors having been assembled, each is caused in succession to actuate mechanism which selects one of a number of pivoted die-bars bearing type-matrices. The selected die-bar swings down on to a common mould in which the type is cast, the selector being then returned to the magazine. Justification is effected by adjustment of the mould by means of a wedge, which is set by hand in accordance with the reading of a unit-counting mechanism, and is brought into operation by the die-bar which represents spaces. The selectors, when released from the magazine, descend shoots 2, Fig. 1, on to a travelling band 3 which delivers them to an assembly trough 5 in which they are advanced by a reciprocating pusher 4. The selectors are supported by a spring-retracted finger 6 which engages and carries with it a second spring-retracted finger 7. When a line has been assembled, the trough 5 is raised opposite to a second trough 9 into which the line is pushed by a finger 10, its front end being supported by the finger 7. The finger 10 is actuated by an air-cylinder 17 the valve of which is actuated by the rise of the trough 5. The finger 7 is withdrawn by a cam-slot 28, and the selectors are moved one at a time by a pusher 30 opposite to a block 32, Fig. 18, against which they are clamped by a plate 34. The plate 34 contains air passages corresponding to all the holes 66, 67 which occur in the selectors, and communicating with either of two chambers 51, 52 to which compressed air is successively admitted by a valve 64. Corresponding air passages in the block 32 are connected with cylinders having pistons which actuate two groups of. selecting-bars 71, 72, Fig. 23, sliding in two directions at right-angles. The two holes in each selector thus cause the actuation of one of each set of bars 71, 72, whereby an arm 79 is caused to rock one of a series of rods 74 which pass through keyhole slots in a reciprocating plate 76. Each rod 74 carries a collar 77 which normally passes through the slot in the plate 76 but which, when the rod is inclined, is engaged and lifted by the plate. The rods 74 are pivoted to-levers 81 which act through rods 86 on levers 87 connected to bars 73 which carry die-blocks 119. The blocks are mounted in holder,; 121, Fig. 27, which are secured to the bars by sockets and spring latches 148. The bars 73 have restoring-springs 91 and their motion is cushioned by springs 93 which are engaged by collars on the rods 86. The selection of the diebars 73 may be effected mechanically or electromagnetically by means of spring-pressed pins on the plate 34. In order, to repeat a character, the selector may. be permanently held against the block 32, or the corresponding rod 74 may be looked in engagement with the plate 76. After the selection of the die-bar, each selector is pushed aside by the following one, and is engaged by the lowest of a series of vertically-reciprocating lifting- slides by which it is raised in successive stages to the level of any suitable distributing-mechanism. The mould is formed by a slot 112, Fig. 33, in a block 113 in which slides an adjustable blade 118, the other side of the mould being formed by a reciprocating cross-slide 114. The cast type is ejected by the blade 118 into a channel in the slide 114, which normally is partly closed by a spring but is automatically opened to receive the type. The type is supported in the channel by fingers which are retracted to permit the type to be pushed into a galley. The die-block is adjusted against an abutment 122 which is retracted prior to the descent of the die-bar and is then advanced to a position which can be varied by means of eccentrics 138. The advance of the blade 118 to determine the size of the mould is arrested by a block 123 having a spring buffer 124 which clamps the die-block against the abutment 122. The die-block 119, Fig. 27, can slide to a limited extent in its bolder 121 and is provided with notches 153 which are engaged by an alining-knife when the die-block is seated on the mould. The alining- knife is carried by an arm which is first rotated about a vertical axis and is then depressed to aline the matrix. The cross-slide 114 is provided with a jet-forming channel so that the jet is broken off when the slide advances and is ejected into the melting-pot or other receptacle. The adjustment of the mould for casting justifying-spaces is effected by means of a wedge 126, which is normally raised out of operative position but is depressed by the space die-bar into the path of a projection on the blade 118. The wedge is adjusted, by means of a screw and hand-wheel, its movement being indicated on a dial. The adjustment required is shown by a suitable unit-counting mechanism which is operated by the keys through universal bars common to all keys having the same unit value. Each die carries several matrices of different founts any one of which is brought into use by adjustment of a sliding carriage 85, Fig. 23, on which are mounted the die-bars 73. The adjustment of the carriage may be effected by notches 182, 183 in the selectors which are adapted to engage ribs in the troughs 5, 9 whereby the selectors may be supported at different levels. The level of any selector is determine,d by the position of the trough 5 which can be moved vertically by means of a cam and hand-lever. On reaching the end of the trough 9, a selector which has been raised above the normal level acts on one or more spring-pressed pins whereby the carriage 85 is moved, for example, by the introduction of wedges 189, 190 in the path of a pusher 179. Alternatively, the carriage may be shifted by means of special selectors having holes which cause a rod similar to the rods 74 to be rocked into engagement with the plate 76. A wedge is thereby caused to move the carriage which is returned to normal position when desired by the use of a second special selector. The key-levers 194, Fig. 4, actuate sliding bars 197 which act through a universal bar 200 on a valve 201 which admits compressed air to a cylinder 202. The bars 197 impart endlong movement to levers 205 having sliding pivots 210, whereby projections on the levers are brought into the path of a universal bar 204 actuated by the piston of the cylinder 202. The levers 205 act through rods 206 on escapements 207 which release the selectors from the magazine. Compressed air is obtained from a pump operated by the main shaft or other part of the driving-mechanism of the machine.