Patent GB-500651-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to photographic composition of text matter
IPC: B41B17/06
Filed: 1937-06-09
Abstract: 500,651. Photographic type composition. WESTOVER. G. June 9, 1937, Nos. 16037/37 and 12609/38 (divided application), [Class 98 (i)] Original characters on a movable transparent plate are photographically composed into justified lines of text matter by projection or direct contact on to independently movable line units or slugs on to which the characters are photographed one-by-one. A lighting tube 1, Fig. 1, projects light intermittently in synchronism with the feed movements of the apparatus, under the control of a perforated record strip, through a resiliently mounted tube 2, then through a transparent plate 3 in a holder 4, on which the characters are arranged in columms and rows, the plate being moved in two directions at right-angle to position a selected character in the exposure position. Blanks in the line may be obtained by means of blanks in the transparent plate, or by controlling the lighting system so that no exposure is made. The light is reflected at 7 throngh a lens 9 to a casing 12 of cruciform shape having horizontal parts 13, 14, Fig. 2, containing magazines 15, 16 for the slugs 17, and vertical parts 18, 19. The magazines have slidable covers 32, 23, Fig. 5, and are arranged in endto-end relation with the covers in contact, with the ends of the magazines projecting through slots in the end walls of the parts 13, 14. The magazines are secured by pins 32, Fig. 2, carried by vertical members 33 of a frame extending at the back of the casing. The lower pins 32 are adjustable for magazines containing slugs of different measures. The vertical parts 18, 19 of the casing contain a carrier bar 34, Fig. 2, movable vertically between the end faces of the magazines 15, 16 by means of a pinion 39 engaging a rack on the carrier. The shaft 40 carrying the pinion is operated by mechanism controlled by the record strip. Before inserting the magazines into the casing 12, the carrier 34 is moved by hand wheel 42 so that a cavity formed in it lies centrally of the juxtaposed end faces of the magazines. A downward movement of the carrier removes the covers 22, 23 and permits the first slug in the supply magazine to move laterally into a slot in the carrier. The slug is then brought into a position in which the light beam projected through the tube 10, Fig. 1, is received by it through an aperture 43 in one of the upper angle members 27, Fig. 5, which are mounted on bosses 28 on the walls of the parts 13, 14 to guide the magazines in the casing. The carrier 34 carrying a slug 17 is fed upward in variable step-by-step movements to present in predetermined spaced relations unexposed parts of the sensitized surface of the slug to form a justified line. The feed movement of the carrier may be controlled electrically by a series of solenoids on cither side which are energized to grip the carrier intermittently in synchronism with the feed under the control of the record strip as described in Specification 499,859. The feed of the carrier is effected through a lever, the ratio of the arms of which is varied to correspond with the optical ratio. The lever is actuated by a coupling rod according to the width of the character or space as described in Specification 499,859, A set of holding solenoids is also provided to clamp the carrier after each movement. At the end of the line, the downward movement of the carrier is effected by rotation of the shaft 40, Fig. 2. driven by belt 44 from a shaft carrying a bevel wheel 46 engaging another wheel 47 loosely mounted on a shaft 48 which is continuously rotated. The shaft carries at its upper end two ratchet teeth 90, Fig. 4, and the wheel 47 carries a pawl 89 which is normally held out of engagement with the teeth 90 by a lever 86. When a line of text is complete, the lever 86 is tripped by a device under control of the record strip so that the wheel 47 is coupled to the shaft 48, makes a complete revolution, and through the belt gearing lowers the carrier to initial position. The exposed slug 17 is then between the openings in the magazines, and is moved into the receiving magazine as follows : The rear walls of the parts 13, 14 of the casing 12 carry, in brackets, a frame 58, 59, 33, 60, Fig. 2, with pins 32, 63 which extend transversely through the upper and tower flanges 25 of the magazines. The members 60 slide on rods 58, 69. A pin 63 mounted on member 60, Fig. 5, extends through slots 61, 62, 64, the latter in the walls of a member 65 mounted to slide between the flanges 25 on the magazine 15, and carrying at its free end a pawl 66 pivoted at 67 in a member 65 which contains an inner member 68 moved by pin 63. Member 68 is provided with cam slots 69, Figs. 5, 6, so that a movement of member 60 causes first a movement of member 68 which moves pawl 66 vertically to engage the notch 73 over a corresponding part 73 on the end face of the slug. The pawl 66 is then moved longitudinally so that the slug is moved into the carrier. Pawls similar to 66 are provided on the lower side of the delivery magazine 15 and in corresponding positions on the receiving magazine 16. The lateral movement of the slug from the delivery magazine 15 into the exposure position is effected under the control of the record strip. A shaft 77, Fig. 2, secured to the member 60 abuts against the end of shaft 78, and is moved axially by a rotating cam 83 carried on a sleeve fixed to the bevel wheel 47, so that when the latter is rotated at the end of a line, the member 60 is moved to actuate the pawl 66 to feed a slug into the carrier. If only part of the slug is required to be exposed, the wheel 42 may be operated by hand to effect the downward travel of the carrier containing the slug. Alternatively, the trip lever 86, Fig. 4, may be actuated by hand. When the magazines 15, 16 are to be removed, the carrier rack is operated by hand to move the carrier upward beyond the exposure position, and the covers 22, 23 then applied. The front of the casing may then be opened. When photography by direct contact is employed, the plate, Fig. 8, is provided with V-section guide bars 92, 93 at right-angles, engaging two series of V-slots 94, 96, Fig. 9, in two horizontal members 96, 97 fixed above the main stand 11, Fig. 1, with a gap 98 for the passage of the slug. Means are provided to prevent relative movement of the slug in contact with the plate. The slug is held in a slot in a bar which is intermittently clamped to a rod connected to the step-by-step feed mechanism described above, which is moved under control of the record strip. The carrier with the slug may be moved forward by solenoids as described in connection with the arrangement for operating by photographic projection, or a mechanical feed may be used, Figs. 14-16 (not shown).