Patent GB-190318180-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Linotype Machines.
Inventor: THOMPSON WILLIAM PHILLIPS
Filed: 1903-08-22
Granted: 1903-12-10
Abstract: 18,180. Thompson, W. P., [Rogers, J. R.]. Aug. 22. Linotype machines.- The matrices, which are similar to those described i n Specification No. 14,582, A.D. 1890, are held in a fixed vertical magazine B, Fig. 1, which consists of two parallel plates having in their opposing faces upright grooves which engage and guide the ears of the matrices, the latter being introduced at the top, and descending by gravity. The matrices aro released singly from the magazine by escapement mechanisms operated by depressing the finger-keys D, the escapements being restored by springs to their normal positions when the keys are released. At the upper end of the magazine is a mouthpiece hinged to the front of the magazine ; and standing under the distributer box X, from which the matrices fall. The mouthpiece is divided by a series of vertical transverse partition plates b<2>, which guide the matrices to the magazine channels. The partitions extend forwards beyond the magazine, forming pockets, so that should a matrix lodge in the mouthpiece, the latter may be tipped forwards, causing the matrix to fall into the pocket, from whence it may be readily removed. The matrices, on leaving the magazine, fall upon an inclined, constantly-running belt E, and are carried to a stationary assembler F. As each matrix approaches the end of the assembler, it comes within the path of a revolving star-wheel or cam, whereby it is pushed forwards horizontally, into the assembler and into the grasp of the usual retaining-dogs. An elastic finger is mounted over the lower end of the belt to prevent any matrix from being projected over those already in the line. During the composition, the spacing-wedges Z, Fig. 21, which are similar to those described in Specification No. 9115, A.D. 1886, are released one at a time, from their magazine J, Fig. 1, by mechanism similar to that used in the present Mergenthaler machines. As the line of matrices and spacers elongates, its advance is opposed, and the series of matrices held in compact order, by an upright resisting- finger H, Fig. 12, carried by a horizontal slide h mounted in the main frame. In order that the finger may be removed from the path of the matrices when the line is completed, it is connected to the slide h by a vertical pivot, and held normally in its operative position by an upright spring-actuated latch h<2>, Figs. 12 and 17, pivoted to the slide. When the slide is moved to an extreme position on the left, a stationary pin h' disengages the latch from the finger, and allows the latter to swing back, so that the composed line may be carried out of the assembler. As the assembler returns to its original position, the finger is swung round to its operative position by a fixed surface h<7>, Fig. 12, and locked by the latch h<2>. The line is transferred by a slide I, Fig. 1, having at one end two upright fingers which act behind the matrix line, the slide being actuated by a lever i' which is moved by hand. A spring latch under the rear side of the slide I engages the lower end of the dog or the finger H, and ensures the return movement of the resistant to the right end of the assembler, as the slide I moves back, should the spring h<6>, Fig. 12, fail to act. As the matrix line moves out of the assembler, it is received in an elevator K, Figs. 1 and 12. The elevator is pivotally suspended by links k, Fig. 1, in a carrier k<1> which slides vertically on guides k<2>. The vertical movement of the elevator is effected by lifting-chains which pass over guide-pulleys to a winding drum k<5>, the shaft of which carries a pinion. The pinion is driven from a sector-rack on the end of a lever, which is acted on at the middle by a cam k<11> on the main shaft. The mould in which the linotypes are cast is on a lower level than the assembler, and is preferably built up of a base-piece and a cap, with intermediate spacing-pieces which determine the dimensions of the linotype. The justification is effected while the line of matrices stand in front of the mould. The confinement of the line is effected by abutments between which the line is lowered from the assembling level. One abutment is fixed, but the other is retracted slightly as the line is lowered, and again after the casting to release the matrix line. The abutments are closed to their proper extent during the casting. The elevator is forced against the mould, and the mould against the casting-pot by a frame Q, Fig. 9, which swings on a horizontal axis l<14> at the bottom, and has at the top one or more screws q to act against the elevator when the latter is in its lower position. The frame is oscillated by a roller q' which works in a cam groove q<2> in the side of a cam on the main shaft M. The mould is mounted to slide horizontally in a guide frame, and is actuated by racks, which are operated by levers from cams on the main shaft, so that, after the casting operation, the mould slides to the left to a position in front of the ejector. The ejector blade is guided in grooved arms rigidly attached to the mould guiding frame, so that the blade is always in alignment with the mould. The blade is detachably connected to a carrier attached by a link to the upper part of a lever which works on a horizontal axis, and is operated by a cam on the main shaft. The linotype is driven out of the mould, and between adjustable knives having parallel edges adapted to trim the side faces of the linotype in its passage between them. The stationary melting-pot O is constructed with a delivery throat having a perforated face o against which the mould is forced. The plunger o<1> is actuated by levers and rods from a cam o' on the main shaft. After the casting operation, the matrices are withdrawn from the face of the mould by the backward movement of the elevator. The elevator then rises, through the agency of the cam k<11>, Fig. 1, and chain k<3> to the level of the distributing- mechanism, which consists of a horizontal longitudinally-toothed bar which forms a continuation of a toothed-bar in the elevator. These bars engage the teeth in the upper ends of the matrices, so that, as the matrix line is pushed forwards, the matrices hang in suspension from the bar. The ears of the spacers, projecting beyond the matrices, are guided by grooves so that the spacers are lowered gradually and successively out of the line into a guide tube leading to the magazine. The matrices, continuing their movement, are lifted, one at a time, by a dog V, Fig. 1, between three horizontal feed screws x, and are carried along the distributer bar X. This bar is toothed longitudinally and the teeth varied in number and arrangement at different points in its length, the teeth in the matrices being correspondingly varied, so that the matrices are released over their proper channels in the magazine B, as described in Specification No. 10,525, A.D. 1886. The matrix carrier U is actuated, through rods and levers u<6>, u<7>, u<8>, u<9> from a cam u<10> and spring u<11>. The main shaft M is actuated intermittently from the constantly-rotating pulley m<3>, Fig. 29, by means of the clutch mechanism shown, which is operated by a lever connected to the lever m<11>. The clutchcontrolling lever is operated automatically at the end of each revolution of the main shaft through a link connected to an angular lever m<13>, pivoted to the frame at m<14> and actuated by a pivoted stop-dog m<15>, lying in the side of the gear-wheel m. A spring m<17> holds the end of the stop-dog inwards towards the wheel, so that as the wheel completes its revolution, the end of the dog strikes the lever m<13>, causing it to operate the clutch lever m<11>, and so disengage the clutch. The dog also acts as a positive stop to arrest the wheel m. The dog is released, so that the clutch may engage under the influence of its spring m<9>, by a latch m<20> connected to the starting-lever i<4>. When the lever i<4> is thrown to the left to transfer the composed line, the latch engages the dog, and when the lever is returned to its original position, the dog is pulled clear of the lever m<13>, allowing the clutch to engage, and the shaft to make one revolution The shaft may be arrested at any point in its revolution by an emergency stop consisting of an arm m<23> which acts against the upper end of the lever m<13> when the upright shaft m<21> carrying the arm is rotated by the handle m<22>. The assembling and distributing devices are continuously driven by belts from the pulley m<3>. The justifying-bar lying beneath the. spacers, when they are in operative position, is carried by vertical guide-rods in a swinging-frame, and is actuated by a link connected to a lever actuated by a lifting-spring and a depressing-cam on the main shaft.