Patent GB-604302-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to typographical composing and distributing machines
IPC: B41B11/18
Filed: 1945-08-02
Abstract: 604,302. Type-bar-making machines. LINOTYPE & MACHINERY, Ltd. (Mergenthaler Linotype Co.). Aug. 2, 1945, No. 19 874. [Class 100(iii)] Distributing - matrices: In typographical composing and distributing machines including a distributor box to which the matrices are transferred in line, then detached singly and delivered according to their form to -one or other of two distributors (a) transporting means distinct from the detaching means carry the detached matrices to the appropriate distributor; (b) form-distinguishing elements independent of the detaching means and unaffected by matrices intended for one distributor are moved by matrices intended for the other distributor to institute their delivery thereto and (c) the distributors are arranged side - byside and a reciprocating pusher has elements for advancing a detached matrix to a relay station located midway between the distributors and other elements for simultaneously advancing a previously detached matrix to the appropriate distributor. After the casting operation, a composed line of matrices is transferred to a distributor box B, Fig. 11, by a reciprocating pusher. From the box, the matrices are taken one at a time and moved laterally into line with one or other of two screw distributors A<1> A<2> Fig. 4; according to the form of the matrices as indicated by distinguishing notches in their lower edges. The ears of the matrices are supported by upper and lower rails B<3>, B' Fig. 26 in the box and the line is pushed against vertical shoulders b. A verticallyreciprocating finger B<2>, operated by a lever B‹ from a cam A<14> on one of the screw shafts lifts the foremost matrix on to an upper short section b<1> of the ,rails;B't where it is held by spring fingers (Q, Fig. 24 not shown). In this position its ears are engaged by pusher blocks c, Fig. 18 on a member C reciprocated from a cam C<15>, which blocks move 'it forward on to the upwardly-inclined surfaces d of pivoted rails D (positioned as shown in Fig. 16) until it abuts against stops d'. When the rails are retracted to the position shown in Fig. 11, a plate D<10> strips the matrix on to the platform E' of a reciprocating transporter E carrying it laterally into line with one or other of the distributors according to its form. Movement is imparted to the rails D by a lever D<3>, Fig. 16 pivoted thereto at d<3> and moved clockwise by a spring D' and anticlockwise by one of two cams e<1>, e<2> Fig. 4, on the transporter acting on levers E‹ E<6> respectively which bear on a flattened part d<12> of the lever D<3>. The parts e', E<5> act when the transporter operates between the rails D and the distributor A<1> and the parts e<2>, E<6> when the transporter is delivering to A<2>. Grippers D<5> also pivoted at d' on the rails D engage the lower ears of the matrix under the action of a spring d<4> and are released as the rails are retracted by projections d‹ on a lower connecting web D<6> engaging cam parts d' on the framing. A latch D<9> on the lever D<3> engages a hole O<2> to hold the rails in their operative position until the transporter E completes an inward stroke e.g. A' to D, its release being effected as described below, by a lever F, Fig. 4, with a yielding latch F<2> at one end. The rails are locked in their operative position until the latch D<9> completely clears the lower wall of the opening o<2> by flanges e<17> on the transporter which overlaps an extension d<14> of the web D<6> just after the transporter starts its return movement and releases it after the latch D<9> has been released. The grippers D<5> are lifted to engage the matrix ears by a cam part e<3> or e<4>, Fig. 4, on the transporter. Movement of the transporter away from the central position is prevented until the rails D are retracted, by a spring latch E<14> engaging a notch in a plate E<15> fixed to the transporter, the latch being moved to inoperative position as the rails are retracted by the engagement of the lower arm D‹ of the rail lever D' with a roller c" on the latch. Spring arms e<8>, Fig. 4, prevent displacement of the matrix as it is deposited on the shelf E' and are notched at their free inner ends to accommodate the lower ears of the matrix. A clamping-device E" mounted on the transporter engages the upper ears of the matrix to hold it upright during its passage to the distributor. This device is mounted on the end of a lever E<7> having a pin e<14> engaging cam plates G, G<1> with a central opening between them, and controlled by a spring e<13>. A rounded end e'‹ on the lever engages the latch F<2> to operate the lever F and release the'latch D<9>, the latch F<2> yielding so as not operate the lever during the return movement of the transporter. During the outward movement of the transporter e.g. to the distributor A\ the pin e<14> moves underneath the cam G. At the distributor A<1>, transfer members C<6>, C<7> on the member C, Fig. 18 push the matrix from the shelf E<1> over guides H, Fig. 4, to the distributor at the same time as the blocks c are moving the next matrix forward to the rails D. Before the members C<6> C' operate, cam surfaces c<20> on the members C<6> engage and lift the clamping-device E", and plates c" on the member C depress the spring-arms e<8>. The lifting of the device E<11> causes the pin e<14> to slide up the face g of the cam G and move along the top thereof as the transporter returns so as to retain the device E" raised. When the pin e<14> reaches the gap between the cams G, G' it drops thus allowing the clamp E<11> to engage the next matrix and the lever E<7> to operate the lever F and release the latch D<9>. To assist this action, a spring arm G<2> engages a pin e<16> on an extension of the lever E<7>. Another extension e<15> of the lever E<7> engages stop surfaces a<2> a<9> so that the clamp E<11> is not in its fully lowered position while the transporter is stationary. The cam G' functions when the transporter is delivering to the distributor A<2> transfer members C' C<5> and another stop surface g<9> then operating. The members C<4>, C<6> are connected together by a yoke C<10> and are raised as the transporter moves to the distributor to clear an abnormally thick matrix on the transporter by mechanism illustrated in Figs. 36, 37 (not shown). The movement of the transporter either to and from distributor A' or to and from the distributor A<2> is obtained from a reciprocating rod J<1>, Fig. 4, having a lever J pivoted to its lower end, the lever carrying a pivoted block J<4> sliding in guides e<22> on the transporter. The lever J has two lateral arms J<5>, J<6>, and, if the transporter is to travel to the distributor A<2>, the arm J<6> engages a stop surface k<4>, Fig. 40 on a limb K<3> of a control member K, another limb K<2> having a corresponding slot k<1> to receive the arm J<5>. The member K is pivoted about a shaft K<1>, and if the transporter is to move to the left to the distributor A<1> the member K is moved to position a stop surface k<2> on the limb K<2> in the way of the arm J<5>, a corresponding recess k<5> being formed in the limb K<3> to receive the arm J<6>. Fixed to the shaft K<1> is a curved arm L connected to the member K by a spring l<1>, Fig. 9, and by a bolt l loosely engaging a slot in a bar L<2> projecting from the arm L. The parts K, L are held in their normal positions, Figs. 9, 40, with the surface k<2> operative by a pivoted latch M. Release of the latch M as described below allows a spring L' to move the members K, L to the position in which the surface k<4> is operative, and the transporter is moved in the opposite direction. The member L is returned to normal position with the latch M holding it, by a cam K<7>, and the spring l<1> causes the member K to return as soon as this is permitted by the upward movement of the lever J<1>. As shown, the member K is in the normal position, Fig. 40, when a matrix with two distinguishing notches in its lower edge has been fed forward to the rails D, and is in the alternative position when a single notch matrix is fed. A series of detector fingers N, Fig. 26, are pivoted with their tips adjacent to the lower edge of a matrix when it is positioned on the sections b' of the rails B<3>, B<4>, two such fingers being employed in the present instance to correspond with the two notches in the matrix, means being provided for quick adjustment of the fingers for different types of matrices. If a two-notch matrix is being fed, the fingers are not operated, and the member K remains in its normal position so that the transporter E carries the matrix to the distributor A<2>. If, however, a single notch matrix is fed forward it tilts the fingers N, which have projections engaging a lever N<7>. A projecting part N' of the lever N<7> then engages a lateral extension p<1> of a pivoted member P to tilt the latter into the path of a projection c<18>, Figs. 18, 26, on the reciprocating member C. As the latter moves forward, it causes further movement of the member P and another lateral extension on the latter engages a roller p<2> on a lever P<1>. A second roller p<3> on the lever P<1> thereuponbears on and trips the latch M thus allowing movement of the member K to cause the transporter to travel with the matrix to the transporter A'. The parts N, N<7>, P, P' should return to their normal positions under gravity when the member C returns, but positive means are provided for ensuring a positive return. These comprise a two-part lever R<1>, R<2>, Fig. 5, mounted on a rod R', and connected by a bolt R' with a spring interposed, to permit of limited relative movement. A roller r' on the part R engages a spring plunger p<6>, Fig. 26, on the extension p<4> of the member P to return the member to normal position, this operation being effected once during each cycle by a rotary cam R<5> engaging a roller r<6> on the arm R<2>. If posit