Patent GB-189824624-A (GB)
Title: Mechanism for Effecting the Distribution of Type.
Filed: 1898-11-22
Granted: 1899-11-18
Abstract: 24,624. Linotype Co., [Thorne Type Setting Machine Co.]. Nov. 22. Type, distributing.- Relates to mechanism for effecting the distribution of type from a line or column into channels in which the type is stored ready for subsequent composition. The invention is shown as applied to a machine of the " Thorne " type. An upper cylinder 10, Fig. 2, is adapted to rotate upon an axis concentric with that of a fixed lower cylinder 10<a>, and both cylinders are provided with type channels 11, 11<a>. The type are nicked and are delivered into the channels 11, the lower cylinder being formed with selection wards so that the types nicked in coincidence with its wards may enter from the channels of the upper cylinder. The cylinder 10 is provided with an index plate 13 upon which are mounted studs 14, made integral with the plate or formed as rollers, and is adapted to be driven by the cam 15 driven from a pulley 22. The cam 15 has a rib 19 which engages the studs 14 and is so shaped that each of the channels in turn may be brought to the required position, one revolution of the cam bringing two or more channels into position. The column of type to be distributed is contained in a galley 27, Fig. 7, which is inserted in a receiver 28 loosely mounted upon a stud 29 fixed to the framework. The stud is provided with keys 30, 31 and the receiver with a keyway so arranged that the receiver may be turned and secured in two positions at right-angles, or a single key may be used and a wide keyway formed in the receiver which is held in the required position by a set-screw. The device for separating the succeeding lines of the galley column and for pushing them into the feed-channel is shown in Figs. 7 and 11. The bottom line of types rests upon a portion of the framing, recessed to the level of the feed-channel, and upon the forward ends of a cut-off slide 50, and is pushed into alignment with the feed-channel 40 by means of this slide. A line-pusher 41 forces the types through the feed-channel, and is operated in a forward direction by a spring 44. The cut-off slide is operated from the eccentric 54 through connecting-rod, an levers. The eccentric is loosely mounted on the shaft 25, and has a flanged portion 54<a> upon which is pivoted a spring controlled pawl 55, the longer end of which may engage a rotating carrier 56 fixed to the shaft 25. The pawl is normally held out of engagement with the carrier by the detent 58, and the eccentric 54 and slide 50 are held in the position shown in Fig. 11. The spring 57 tends to cause a backward movement of the eccentric, which movement is prevented by a detent 64 engaging a notch in the eccentric. The detent 58 is pivoted upon a stud 59, and is provided with an arm 60 resting in the plane of the lever 65. The arm 60 is locked by a pawl 61 during the operation of the line-pusher 41. The pusher near the end of its stroke releases the pawl 61 and the mechanism locked thereby, and permits the eccentric to make one revolution, which in turn operates the slide 50. During this revolution the line-pusher is moved back by means of the lever 65 and link 66. When the eccentric is stationary, the lever 65 engages a recess 67 in the flange 54<a>, and when the eccentric moves the side of the recess acts as a cam to operate the lever. A presserfoot keeps the unsupported types in place when the line-pusher is withdrawn for the addition of a new line. The types are pushed along the feed-channel 40, which is curved upwards near the end, and against a stop finger 75, and the uppermost type is then pushed aside by the separator 76, which is bifurcated to pass the finger 75. The separator slides in a hub 77, and receives its motion from a groove in the cam 78. A guard finger 92, sliding in the framing, is used to prevent the type from being forced too violently against the stop finger. The operation of the separator brings the type in front of the injector plunger 80, by which it is pushed into one of the channels 11 of the distributing-cylinder 10. The plunger 80 receives its motion, through a connecting-slide and links, from a groove 82 in the cam 78. A resilient buffer 95 prevents the type from being turned over while being pushed into the channels. In a modified form, the separator is arched over the type and the buffer dispensed with. The type channels 11 are provided with followers 85, 86 adjacent to a lifter 87 operated by a cam 88, which lifter is raised to allow the types to enter the channels. The preferred form of follower is a piece of metal substantially of H-shape with projections extending beyond the channel 11 adapted to be engaged by the lifter 87. The follower is controlled by a spring. In a modified form, one of the members of the H-shaped piece is omitted, and the lower portion extended to form a shoulder for the engagement of the lifter. A stop is provided for the follower so that, when the channels 11 are emptied of types, the wards &c. on the lower cylinder 10<a> may not be worn. The cut-off slide 50 is provided with pawls 101 to engage perforations in the spacing-lead when resting on the slide. Upon the withdrawal of the slide the lead is drawn out and falls through an aperture in the framing. When the machine is used for distributing solid matter, the pawls 101 are depressed below the surface of the slide 50 by means of a #-shaped lever 102.