Patent GB-190907924-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Typecasting and Composing and like Machines.
Inventor: GRANT JOHN CAMERON
IPC: B41B7/04
Filed: 1909-04-02
Granted: 1910-04-04
Abstract: 7924. Grant, J. C. April 2. [Cognate Application, 25,031/09.] Single-type composing and casting machines; matrices.-Relates to machines for casting a line of individual type from aline of previously assembled matrices and consists in producing the type at one operation or pouring using character and space matrices having one or more integral mould walls. Fig. 1 shows a character matrix a employed in the machine in which the cavity is impressed upon a prominence 2, and a projection 3 equal in length to the height of the type to be produced is provided upon an attached separate thickness of metal and is employed to act as a wall of the mould cavity. The two parts of the matrix may be constructed of different materials. The shape of the matrix lugs prevents the prominence 2 from being damaged. Two-letter matrices of the type shown in Fig. 1 with a fount-discriminating notch for use with a double magazine, and multiple-letter matrices, all provided with the projections 3, are described, the prominences 2 being sometimes omitted. A single character may extend over adjacent matrices in the same or successive lines ; lines in bordered or tabular matter may similarly be produced. Assembly, justification, casting, and distribution are effected as described below. Assembling matrices.-The matrices are released from magazine channels for de'ivery into the assembly-box, by a key-operated power-relay escapement-mechanism as in the Mergenthaler machine. The escapement-dogs coact with the lugs 5 of the matrices. Fig. 2U shows the assembly box g in its normal positon with the matrices assembled on ledges 212, 221, 213 and with a matrix-arresting lug 210 and star-wheel z<1>. The ledge 221 is supported on pivoted arms 220, which may be thrown forward for providing access to the box. When a line of matrices has been assembled, the box is swung upon the shaft 211 through a right-angle. The matrices are then supported on ledges 213, 214, the ledge 214 being movable by means of a lever 215, and are swept onwards along raceways towards the casting position. Clamping and justifying matrices; spacers; justifying type.-Fig. 3 shows a wedge space-matrix b comprising two parts which are movable apart by a wedge 26, a prominence 22 on one part co-operating with a recess 23 in the other. According to the Provisional Specification, the wedges may move in the direction of the length of the cast type. Ordinary space or quad matrices, similar to the character matrices but with higher prominences 2, are also employed. Four separate methods of line-justification are described. According to the first three methods, as the width of the type is not dependent upon the thickness of the matrix, each matrix is made double or proportionately greater in set-width than it normally would be, and all the wedge space-matrices, unlike the character matrices, have a constant additional width. In the fourth method however, the additional width of character and wedge space-matrices alike is a single constant. This constant is the entire width of the projection 3, which is not the case in the other methods. Figs. 22 and 23 show the mechanism employed for the first method of justification. The wedge space-matrices are released from a magazine 104 by the operation of a key which simultaneously actuates an anchor escapement i and allows a screw j<1> to move a jaw 107 through a distance equal to the constant upon each wedge space-matrix. The parts are hereinafter described in connexion with matrices which are double their normal width, and so the jaw 107 is initially set for a line double the length of the line of type to be cast. When the assembled line nearly attains the proper measure, a special bell-ringing gear h is actuated, and on its completion, the operator moves a starting-handle which rotates the box g to its upper position, as shown in Fig. 22, and actuates the various parts of the machine. The matrices are swept from the box g along raceways 109 over a table k<1>, and the box returns to normal position for the composition of the next line. The motion of the gear j<1> in moving the jaw 107 from its zero position is communicated by a gear j<2> to a measuring vice-jaw 110, but, when the box g returns to normal position, the gear j<1> also returns the jaw 107 without returning the jaw 110. The line of matrices is held between the jaws 110, 111, which are movable transversely into the raceway, and the table k<1> is moved upwards to expand the wedge space-matrices by means of screw-mechanism 251, 253 as shown. A similar table x<1> for justifying the matrices at the mould is simultaneously moved upwards to half the extent of the table k<1>. The wedges of the space-matrices are next pushed down to their normal position by means of a pusher 112, the table k<1> having first been moved down, and the matrices are further swept along between the transversely-movable mould end jaws 115, 116. During this movement, the wedges are moved up by a lever to the level of the table x<1>, upon which they then come to rest. A screw 70, driven through an adjustable connexion 87, 88, is next rotated to close the jaw 116 upon the line of matrices, which are then held in position to cast a line of separate correctly justified type. The jaws 107, 110 can be set for various lengths of line. The jaw 110 returns to a position corresponding to that to which the jaw 107 has moved in the composition of the succeeding line. In the second method of justification, not only the measuring- jaw 110 but the left-hand mould jaw 116 are moved by gearing from the assembly-jaw 107. The right-hand jaws 111, 115 are movable towards the left by means of a wedge action produced by a rising table, the movement of the jaw 115 being half that of the jaw 111. The wedges of the space-matrices are not pushed up to justify the line when it has been moved from the assemblybox, but the line is clamped by the movement of the jaw 111. The line being afterwards conveyed between the mould-jaws 115, 116 which have been set as described, the wedges of the space-matrices are pushed up to produce the correct justification for the casting operation. In the third method of justification, mechanism for which is shown in Fig. 49, the assembly-jaw 160 is fed by a screw 164 and escapement i from its zero position at each release of a wedge space-matrix through a distance equal to the space-matrix constant, the mould-jaw 169 being geared to move through the same distance. When the line is complete, actuation of the starting-handle raises an abutment 162 into the delivery end of the box g, the abutment being either narrow or forked to coact with a double or narrow star-wheel z<2>, and the screws 164, 165 are locked against rotation by a stop 172 engaging a coupling 173, 174. Rotation of a shaft 178 next causes gearing to rotate pinions 58, 59, which operate nuts in the jaws 160, 169 so as to move these jaws, the jaw 169 moving half as far as the jaw 160. The jaw 160 clamps the line of matrices against the abutment 162, and, the assembly-box being then rotated, the coupling 173, 174 is released, the screw 164 moved back to its zero position for a fresh line, the abutment 162 returned, and the completed line swept in front of the mould. The jaws 160, 169 may be moved by means of wedges. The wedges of the spacematrices are then pushed up by the table x<3> to expand the line between the jaws 169, 170 ready for the casting operation. The screw 164 is returned to its zero position by means of gearing 187 from a sector 186 which records the addendum of the space constants. After the cast, the jaw 169 is slackened by means of gearing from a sector 189, and is then allowed to return to a position determined by the sector 186, which corresponds to an addendum of wedge space-matrix constants in the new line being composed. The jaws 160, 169 are now moved to the left through the distance which they were closed to the right during the justification of the preceding line. This brings the jaws themselves to what would be their zero position had they not been moved during the composition of the new line, and is accomplished by re-coupling the parts 173, 174 and rotating the shaft 178 back to its original position. Back-spacing gear zy for the jaws 169, 160, used for example when a wedge space-matrix is removed from the line, may also be employed in the first and second methods of justification. The escapement i is arranged so that it may be driven backwards. A pointer-and-scale device shows the length of the line in the assembly-box. In the fourth method of justification, each key depression, whether for character or space-matrix, causes a movement of the jaw in the assembly-box. When the line is complete it is moved opposite the mould, and the wedges of the space-matrices are elevated to clamp the line between the mould-jaws, the left-hand one of which has been moved simultaneously with the assembly-jaw by a ratchet escapement. In the meantime, the assembly-jaw has been returned to zero position for the new line, and, after the cast, the mould-jaw is returned by special means to a position determined by that of the assembly-jaw. In this method of justification, tLe movable mould-jaw is wide enough to cover that part of the tang orifice which in some cases may not be occupied by matrices. The escapement of the various justification mechanisms is driven through a friction clutch which may be disengaged to allow backward rotition of the escapement. Moulds.-Fig. 26 shows the upper and lower vertically movable mould blocks 113, 114 between which the projections on the matrices and the mould end vice-jaws extend to divide the mould into as many divisions as there are matrices. The foot of the type is formed by vertically movable tang-pieces 117, 118 against which bears the mouth of the metal pot. Trimming type.-After the cast, the metal pot is retired, the mould-block 113 is lifted, the mould end jaws are slackened