Patent GB-338660-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in typographical composing and distributing machines
IPC: B41B11/06
Filed: 1929-10-01
Abstract: 338,660. Hart, H., (Mergenthaler Linotype Co.). Oct. 1, 1929. Distributing matrices; magazine escapements. - A machine adapted to handle either ordinary ninety - character matrix founts or the special seventy-two character founts suitable for head-letter and display work, or both kinds of founts together, comprises three or more superposed magazines pivoted at their upper ends, so that any selected one may be brought into relation with a single assembler-throat, and two distributors, which may be connected to different selected pairs of magazines, one distributor to a given magazine, and the other alternatively to different magazines. The machine may have three main magazines A<1> A<2>, A<3>, Fig. 2, and two auxiliary magazines arranged side by side, or in tandem, therewith. The lower magazines A<2>, A<3> may be of standard form, having ninety-one channels, and the top magazine A<1> may have seventy-three channels. Fount-separator and distributors. The fount-separator comprises a sliding selecting- bridge F<2>, Fig. 8, having a rib f by which the matrices of one fount are supported, so that they engage the upper distributor E, whilst the other founts find a lower level and pass down a shoot leading to the lower distributor E<1>. The selecting-bridge is adjusted against spring pressure by a lever F<10> and a sliding shoe F<17> from a pair of hexagonal gauge-plates F", F<12>, carried by an adjustable slide F<13>, which is automatically shifted to bring one or the other gauge-plate into action, according to which of the lower magazines is in use. The magazineentrances for the upper main and auxiliary magazines are mounted, as described in Specification 328,884, so that they can be swung into and out of operation between the two distributors. The lower main magazine-entrance D<2>, Fig. 7. is hinged to the lowest magazine base-frame, and is provided with an adjustable switch D<9> to deliver the matrices from the lower distributor to either of the lower magazines. The switch is operated by a vertically movable rod G, Fig. 2. through a lever G<3> and a link G<4>. The rod G is operated by a hand-lever H, and acts through a lever G<1> to position one or other of the gaugeplates F<11>. F<12>, the plates having been set to correspond to the particular founts contained in the magazines. The hand-lever is locked in either position of adjustment by a latch-bar, which engages notches in a fixed block. The operation of the switch D<9> is prevented, if any matrices remain on the distributor-bar, by a detector-plate J, Fig. 8, which is thrust towards the matrices when the rod G is operated. Magazine shifting-mechanism. The auxiliary magazines are mounted, in known manner, so as to swing about independent axes located immediately beneath the distributors. The main magazines are mounted, as described in Specification 328,884, in a common supporting frame, pivoted at its upper end by means of trunnions A', Fig. 7, resting in open bearings. The main magazines are shifted by means of toggle-links K, K<1>, Fig. 14. and a hand-lever K<6>, which is locked in position by a latch K<8>, adapted to. engage either of two shoulders on a fixed block H<2> or a notch intermediate between the shoulders, according to the magazine in use. The weight of the magazines is balanced by springs L, Fig. 2, secured at one end to adjusting-rods l and connected at the other end through levers L<2> and links L<5> to the togglemechanism. Similar, or any suitable, mechanism may be used for shifting the auxiliary magazines. Since only two of the magazines may be connected at one time to the distributors, means is provided in connection with the hand-lever H, that shifts the distributor-switch D<9>, to prevent the locking in operative position of the third magazine, which is not connected to the distributors. To secure accurate registry of the magazines with the assembler-throat B, the hand-lever K<6> is adjustably connected to the toggle-mechanism, and the links of the toggle-mechanism at each side of the machine are adjustably connected together. Escapement operating-mechanism. The escapements are operated by a single series of levers C<1>, Fig. 20. Since the channels of the top magazine A<1> are differently spaced from those of the lower magazines, the actuating-plungers of the escapements of the magazine A<1> are formed with offset portions, as described in Specification 183,599. to enable them to be engaged by the levers C'. Since corresponding matrices of the ordinary and special founts are stored in differently located magazine-channels, two alternative series of reeds C<4>, C<5> are provided for connecting the keyboard to the levers C<1>. The reeds of one set are substantially straight, and those of the other set are bent or offset to enable them to engage the required levers C<4>. Either set of reeds can be operated by a series of levers P, which are actuated from the keyboard through power-operated cam-yokes C<6> and a single series of short reeds C', as described in Specification 318,072. The levers P have a single set of actuating-projections p, and are adjustable horizontally, to bring the projections p beneath either set of reeds C<4>, C<5>, by connections from the handlever K<6> that shifts the magazines. The escapements of the auxiliary magazines are operated by levers C' and a series of short reeds adapted to be connected by rocking bails C<11> to a selected group of the reeds C<5> that operate the escapements of the normal magazines A<2>, A<3>. The reeds of the selected group are provided with lugs c<3> for operating the bails, and are rocked into engagement with the bails by operation of a key. The upper ends of the reeds are thereby brought opposite to recesses in the levers C<1> corresponding to the main magazines, so that these levers are no longer operated. To enable the keyboard to be connected to the auxiliary magazines while the top main magazine is in use, a group of the levers P corresponding to the auxiliary magazines is so mounted that it may be shifted independently of the rest. Removal of magazines. The top magazine may be removed by means of portable side-arms, as described in Specifications 260,459. To facilitate the removal of the second magazine, the uppermost base-frame has hand-levers T, Fig. 14, pivoted thereto and to links T<2>, which are pivoted to the middle base-frame, so that the top magazine is raised from the second, when the handlevers T are rocked forwards. To permit of the removal of the lowest magazine, the middle base frame is raised by toggle-levers T <4>, T<5>, operated by a hand-lever T<6>.