Patent GB-924266-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to photographic type composing machines
IPC: B41B17/20
Filed: 1959-11-10
Abstract: 924,266. Photographic type - composing apparatus; magazine slide changers. MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE CO. Nov. 10, 1959 [Dec. 3, 1958], No. 38046/59. Classes 97 (1) and 98 (1). A photocomposing machine including a light source and an associated optical system is provided with a font plate magazine comprising a movable storage member accommodating a plurality of font plates, and first means for moving the storage member as desired to bring any selected one of the stored font plates into a position in which a second means can transfer the selected font plate from the storage member accurately to locate it in a position operatively related with the light source and optical system and subsequently restore the font plate to its place in the storage member. As shown in a tape-controlled photographic type-composing machine of the kind disclosed in Specification 801,481, the font-plate bearing disc rotatable about an axis parallel to the machine axis is replaced by a turret or turntable 23 rotatable on a vertical axis perpendicular to that of the machine and carrying radial vertical font-plate storage slots 27 in which the font-plates are retained between a conical hub 31 and pins 30. Fig. 4 shows a font-plate 17 in operative position pressed against locating bosses 21 on a fixed plate 19 by a slinger arm device 51, 52 and clamped by a presser plate 77 pivoted at 86 to the limbs 80a of a U-shaped member pivoted on the machine body, a pair of connecting limbs 84, 85 joining one of the said limbs 80a to a rotary solenoid 81, and the turret is locked by a pivoted catch 40 engaging a downward extension 37 of one of the pins 30. By means of a relay circuit, Fig. 9 (not shown), " change font " signals on the control tape cause energization of the solenoid 81 to withdraw the presser plate 77, movement of the link 85 causing a detent 91 to close a switch 90 energizing a reversible motor 53 which through a torsion clutch, cam 60, and gear segment 62 rotates the slinger arm device anticlockwise to lower the font-plate into the waiting slot 27, and energizes a solenoid 44 to withdraw the catch 40. When the slinger arm reaches its lowermost position, it operates switches to energize a reversible motor 32 driving the turret so that this moves through the minimum distance necessary to bring the required font-plate into line with the projection gate and is then locked by the catch 40 due to de-energization of the solenoid 44, there being a separate tape code and control circuit for each font-plate position in the magazine. When the catch 40 has reengaged and so closed a switch 48, the slinger arm motor 53 is reversed and raises the selected font-plate into the projection gate where it is clamped by the plate 77 when the slinger arm in its upper position causes de-energization of the rotary solenoid 81. If a font plate not contained in the magazine is to be used, the control tape is perforated with a " stop machine " code and the instructions written on the tape. When the " stop machine " order is decoded, the operator presses a push-button 38 which causes release of the font-plate in use and its return to the magazine. The required font-plate is then inserted in place of one already in the magazine and the turret is rotated by hand to bring it into alignment with the space 20. Operation of push-button 39 causes the slinger arm device to move the fontplate into the projection position and the clamping of the plate there. Tape-controlled operation is then re-started by operating a " start machine " button.