Patent GB-190307475-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Typographic Machines.
Inventor: BOULT ALFRED JULIUS
Filed: 1903-03-31
Granted: 1904-03-31
Abstract: 7475. Boult, A. J., [Ott. Mergenthaler Co.]. March 31. Type, setting ; type ; inotype and like machines; monotype and like machines stereotype matrix machines.-Relates to machines for producing justified lines of types, logotypes or impressions, or linotypes. The machine described is for casting justified lines of logotypes, but parts thereof are stated to be applicable to machines for composing types or dies, and to machines for casting types or linotypes. A line of logotypes cast by the machine described is shown in Fig. 132. Each logotype z, except the last one z<1>, is cast with a justifying-space 771 on one side, while the last one z<1> is cast with a final or correcting justifying- space 772 on its inner side, the thickness of which space is determined by mechanism which measures the total space occupied by the previously cast logotypes z, and sets the mould accordingly. Fig. 7 shows a sectional elevation of the machine, Fig. 20 shows a matrix, Fig. 97 a word separator, and Fig. 105 a section through the mould &c. The matrix m is formed with a character-casting cavity 207 in one end, notches 205 in one edge for separating the matrices into the fonts, and determining the magazines they are to be distributed into, and with notches 206 in its opposite edge by which they are distributed into the various compartments of the magazines. The undercut notch 116 is used for hanging and guiding the matrices through parts of the machine. After each logotype is cast in the mould 547, Fig. 105, the matrices are raised until their notches 116 are in line with the rib 575, and they are then pushed on to this rib by a pusher bar 576. After the casting of every three logotypes, the matrices are pushed off the rib 575 and on to an elevator on an arm pivoted to swing in a vertical plane. The arm is operated so as to move the elevator alternately down to the rail 575 and up to the distributing - mechanism. The elevator is pivoted on the arm, and, as it swings up, it is operated to turn the matrices on to their side edges with the font distributing- notches 205 downwards. While the elevator is in its uppermost position, the matrices are pushed from it into a horizontal channel, in which they are engaged by a pair of pawls and moved up to an abutment at the end of the channel. The pawls are on a slide operated by a spring and returned by gearing &c. The matrices are removed from the end of the line in the channel by a pusher, and the pressure of the pawls is relieved as the pusher moves the end matrix. The matrices are moved step by step succesively past the font separators, which consist of sets of feelers to which the notches 205 are presented. When the notches correspond with feelers, the matrices pass into a shoot, by which they are guided to the magazine distributing-mechanism. Matrices which do not pass the font separators pass on and are delivered to a shoot leading to a pi receptacle. The font-separating mechanism is mounted on a pivoted frame, which may be swung up to expose the lower ends of the shoots. From the fontshoots (of which there are four in the machine shown) the matrices drop into matrix-carriers k, each provided with a number of rows of compartments equal to the number of fonts. There are two magazines M for each font, one for upper case, and the other for lower case, characters. The magazines are in two groups of four, and the matrices pass from the carriers through guide tubes 807 leading to the magazines. The carriers k are moved step by step over the front set of four magazines, are then moved rearwardly and returned, step by step over the other, or rear, set. During each interval of rest, the upper edges of the matrices are subjected to the action of feelers in a set of bars or frames n, under which the carriers k move. When a set of feelers corresponds with the nicks 206 in a matrix, the part carrying the feelers descends sufficiently far to operate a pair of pivoted pawls, by which the matrix is sustained in the carrier. The matrix is thus freed and drops into the corresponding tube 807 and magazine. There is a pair of sustaining pawls in each compartment of the carriers. The carriers k move in a rectangular path and follow each other closely. The distributing - mechanism and the tubes 807 are supported on a frame x carried by arms 803 pivoted at 804, and counterbalanced by a spring 805 connected to the arm 806. The distributer frame may be raised for inspection of the magazine channels &c., and when the frame is thus raised, the distributing-mechanism is automatically thrown out of operation. This is effected by a clutch-disengaging mechanism operated from an arm 813, which is raised by a spring when the frame x is lifted. A means is also provided for stopping the distributing - mechanism when a matrix sticks in the mouth of any of the magazine channels. A series of bars is reciprocated transversely across the mouths of the magazines by bars 815 connected, at one end, to arms 820 on a common rock-shaft, and, at the other end, to arms 816, on a shaft rocked by a cam. If a matrix sticks, it stops the bars 815, and the cam is prevented from turning and stops the distributing- mechanism. The magazines M are each constructed with a number of channels sufficient to hold the upper or lower case characters of a font. Each magazine is independently removable and is provided with a pivoted matrix-retainer 309, which supports the matrices in all the channels when the magazine is removed, and those of all the magazines that are not in operative connection with the composing - mechanism. Any magazine is put into operation by means of a sliding cambar operating to open any of the matrix retainers 309. This sliding cam-bar is operated by lever and cam &c. mechanism under the control of a hand-lever 323 near the keyboard 400. The magazines are all locked in place in the machine by means of a locking-bar which may be operated by a hand-lever. Under the magazines, is a series of fixed channels 355, through which the matrices pass, when released by the escapements. In the channels 355, the matrices are turned through a quarter turn, Fig. 77, so that their character recesses 207 are downwards, by rods 356, with which the corners of the matrices engage as they fall. Below the channels 355 is a pivoted guide funnel p, preferably having two branches or sections, one for registering with the upper case, and the other with the lower case, magazines. The guide channels of each section of the funnel are closed by hinged covers 363. The funnel is moved on its pivot, so as to register with the proper row of channels 355, by a connection with the mechanism which puts the magazines into and out of operation. Beneath the magazines m are a series of escapement bars q provided with alternate openings for the passage of the matrices and solid portions 369, Fig. 77. When a bar q is moved endways by its lever 373, the matrix of the corresponding channel of the operative magazine, which rests in the opening of the bar and is retained by the part 355<a> at the side of the corresponding channel 355, is moved into register with the channel 355, and falls through it, the remainder of the column of matrices being supported by the shoulder 371 of the bar q. The levers 373 are operated by rods 394, in the lower ends of which are journalled cams adapted to be engaged, at each depression of the corresponding keys 400, with constantly-driven rollers 376, 377. The cams are normally held from rotation by stop arms resting on bars, which are raised by the depression of the key levers 400. When a key lever is depressed, the cam, which is unequally weighted, commences to revolve, until it engages the roller 376 or 377, when it is rapidly rotated, and is finally stopped by its stop arm, after operating its escapement rod 394 &c. The released matrices pass down a tube 408, Fig. 7, and the separators rare fed along a rail 406, Fig. 105, by a spring-pressed slide, up to the side of this tube 408, and when the space key is operated, the forward separator is lifted and pressed through a lateral opening in the tube 408 for assembling in the line. The matrices and separators as they drop at the assembling point are moved forward in line against a yielding abutment, by a pusher having a reciprocating and also an up-and-down motion, so that, as it returns, it may clear the following-matrix. The yielding abutment is carried by a slide, movable along a fixed rail 434, Fig. 105, and when the line of matrices is completed, the abutment is withdrawn to release the matrices, so that they may be then moved along the rail 434, by a forwarding-slide, to the casting-mechanism. In assembling the line, the device for controlling the justification of the line is adjusted each time a word separator is introduced. This device comprises a pivoted bar, the angular position of which is varied according to the number of separators in the line. When it has been adjusted angularly, the bar is moved bodily to measure the line, such bodily movement being in proportion to the quotient of the shortage of the line divided by the number of word spaces. This bodily movement of the bar is utilized to set the mould for casting the justifying-spaces 771, Fig. 132, and for this purpose the movement is communicated through gearing &c. to a sliding rack 516, Fig. 105, in gear with a pinion 517 on a slide 518 movable on a sliding carriage 519 guided in the fixed framing. The slide 518 carries a plunger 520, which is screw-threaded to engage an internal thread in the pinion 517, the movement of the plunger 520 being thus proportional to the movement of the justifying-bar. In addition to this setting, the mould must also have a constant adjustment, for all linotypes except the last one. This is effected by a movement of the slide 518 by means of a screw and toothed sectors 526, 527, operated from the slide which moves the line of matrices to the mould.