Patent GB-190110217-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Machines for the Production of Type-bars.
Filed: 1901-05-16
Granted: 1902-05-16
Abstract: 10,217. Wise, W. L., [Composite Type Bar Co.]. May 16. Type; type, setting; linotype machines.-Relates to a machine in which type is cast simultaneously in moulds and supplied to magazines which are automatically kept full, the type being assembled into lines from the magazines by the operation of a keyboard, and the assembled lines finally transformed into type - bars. Temporary spacers or justifiers are used in the assembled line, and are removed after the transformation into a bar has taken place. Fig. 177 shows one of the type cast by, and used in, the machine. It is of less than the normal typeheight, and is formed with recesses 21, 20, and a lower reduced portion 22. The recesses 21 are engaged by a rib which assists in aligning the assembled line of types while they are being transformed into a typebar. Fig. 180 shows one of the temporary justifiers or spacers, which are wedge-shaped throughout the greater part of their length, but have parallel faces at the end 10. In assembling the line the spacers are supported so that they lie transversely of the line, the ends 10 projecting between the type close up to the type shoulders 2<a>, so as to separate the words. Gaps are thus left between the types for the greater part of their height. The assembled line, with the temporary spacers, is transferred to a " bar-block " or mould, in which the line is expanded and justified by pushing in the spacers so that the wedge portions separate the type. Molten metal is then introduced around and between the shanks of the types so as to fill up the space-gaps or recesses and produce a bar of the proper type-height. Fig. 178 shows such a bar in end elevation, the reference numeral 5 denoting that part of the bar formed by the influx of molten metal. Fig. 184 shows the face of the finished bar as viewed from the left-hand side of Fig. 178. The recesses 21 still remain, and also the deep recesses 50 due to the presence of the transverse wedges or justifiers, but otherwise all vacant spaces in the mould are filled up so as to produce a bar with parallel plane surfaces. The types are firmly locked together by the solidified metal, which partly unites with the shanks by fusion. The machine is shown in vertical section from front to rear in Fig. 10, and in elevation from the lefthand side in Fig. 119. The machine is operated by means of cams, clutches, and toothed gearing from the main driving- shaft A, Fig. 10. Type - casting mechanism. The melting pot is stationary, and comprises jacketed chambers c', c<2> heated by burners c<3>, c<4>. A pump c<20> feeds the auxiliary chamber c<2>, and a pump c<16> forces the metal from the latter chamber into the moulds through apertures or nozzles formed in the mouth or cover-plate c<9>. The moulds, of which there is one for each character to be cast in the machine, are all supported in a reciprocating carrier D, which moves to and fro between the casting-point and the magazine. Immediately after the injection of metal into the moulds, the mould-carrier is given a quick wiping movement on the mouth c<9>, this movement being independent of the main reciprocatory movement, which takes place less rapidly. A presser-plate D<8> holds the moulds firmly down on the mouth c<9> while the metal is being injected. Fig. 14 shows one of the moulds in the act of discharging the cast type 2 into one of the channels H<1> of the magazine. Fig. 19 shows the movable part of the mould detached. Of the four sides of the mould two are fixed, one of them being fitted with the fixed shank-block d<20>, and the other two are formed by the wings or flanges of a sliding. block D<5>, Fig. 19. The matrix d<18> which forms the type face is fixed about midway of the block D<5>, the type being cast in the mould-space d<17>. The block is formed with a hook d<15> at the top. After the mould-carrier has transferred the moulds from the casting-point to a position immediately over the channels H<1> of the magazine, the hooks d<15> are engaged by the downwardly-extending hooks of a mould-operator or selector F<5>, Figs. 10 and 14, carried by vertically-reciprocating slides F<1>, Fig. 119. The mould-operator then rises, drawing upwards the blocks D<5>clear of the cast types, as shown in Fig. 14. In their upward movement the blocks D<5> actuate slides D<6> provided with cam slots d<22>, which force inwards buttons and pins d<23>, and free the types from the shank-blocks. Spring-pressed guide-shells D' guide the released types into the channels H'. In a modified form of mould, the shank blocks themselves move outwards to free the types. The automatic devices for stopping the casting of any particular character, as soon as the corresponding magazine channel is full, are of the following character :-While the mould-carrier is at the casting-point the mould operator F<5> descends to a point considerably lower than that at which it engages the moulds. With each of its lifting- hooks is associated a selection feeler or finger which enters the upper end of the corresponding channel H<1>. If any channel is full of type, the feeler is forced upwards relatively to the mould operator, and causes the lifting-hook to be thrown aside. The mould operator then rises until the feelers are clear of the path of the mould-carrier, which moves forward until the moulds register with the channels H<1>. The mould operator then descends, the feelers entering the spaces d<3> in the upper parts of the blocks D<5>, and the lifting- hooks which have not been put out of action engaging with the hooks d<15>. The discharge of the types takes place as described above, but, in those cases in which the blocks D<5> are not lifted, the cast types remain in the moulds or return with them to the casting-point. No further type will be cast in these moulds until there is a demand for them in the magazine. Magazine and escapement - mechanism. The channels of the magazine are formed by covering a grooved plate with a plain plate. The four rows of channels H<1> at the mouth of the magazine converge to form two closely-placed rows having a staggered relation to one another, so that a single row of closely-packed escapement detents having alternately longer or shorter fingers may control the whole series of channels. Fig. 67 shows a channel of the front row in section. The types 2 stand vertically one upon another. The fingers k<1>, k<2> of the escapement-detent k control the issue of the types from the channel, advantage being taken of the recesses 20, Fig. 177. The detents k are rocked by means of verticallysliding bars K<2> actuated through intermediate bars from the rear ends of the key levers k<6>. A separate escapement is provided for the justifiers, which pass from the justifier magazine through a distinct shoot to the assembly-point. The type released by the detents k pass through suitable guiding-channels in the lower part H<4> of the magazine, and issue, still in a vertical position, at the assembly point. Gravity alone is sufficient for this purpose, but a forcible feed into the typechannel may be effected by means of oppositelyrotating spring-pressed friction-wheels. Composing-block. The types issuing from the magazine shoot arrive at the assembly-point in the vertical position, but they are immediately tilted so as to throw the type faces forward towards the operator, and in that position they enter the channel in which the line is assembled. A rotating wedge sector crowds the type forward in the channel, against a resistant consisting of a spring-pressed finger. Fig. 78 shows the composing-block in cross-section. The types 2 advancing along the inclined type-channel are held down by a spring-pressed bar L'. The spacers or justifiers rest on the table L<2> with their ends 10, Fig. 180, separating the types as described above. N<7> is the resistant finger which is pushed forward by the advancing line. The table L<2> is capable of adjustment in position to vary the width of the type-channel. This is effected by turning a polygonal stop-block L<6>, the spring l<9> holding the table in the position determined by the adjustment of the block. When the assembled line approximates in length to that fixed by the adjustment of the line gauge, an alarm bell is sounded. The operator then completes the line, and depresses a lever which causes its rapid transfer for a short distance to the left, where it may be examined if required. If the alarm bell is disregarded, an automatic transfer of the line takes place after a few more types have been composed, overcharging of the line being thus prevented. Devices are provided for preventing a short or incomplete line from being forwarded by the operator. Transfer-carriage. The aforesaid limited movement of the line towards the left is followed by a leftward movement of the transfer-carriage, which constitutes the first step in a series of poweractuated movements resulting in the transformation of the assembled line into a type-bar. Carried by an arm P<3>, Fig. 119, at the left-hand side of the machine is the "bar-block" or line mould R<1>. In its lowest position, shown in Fig. 119, the barblock provides an open channel r<1>, Fig. 134, in exact alignment with, and forming an extension of, the type-channel of the composing-block. The transfer-carriage N<6>, Fig. 78, carries the spring- pressed finger N<7> at the leading or left-hand end of the line, and also a second finger which closes down behind the last type in the line as soon as the carriage commences to move. The line is swept out of the composing-block by the aforesaid fingers as the transfer-carriage moves towards the left, and the line is carried into the bar-block R', from which the fingers at once withdraw by a backward rocking movement, leaving the type supported by the engagement of a rib r<11>, Fig. 134, with the recesses 21, Fig. 177. The transfercarriage immediately returns to the right in readiness for the composition o