Patent GB-189813246-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Linotype Machines and the like.
Inventor: SLOAN ROBERT ALEXANDER
Filed: 1898-06-14
Granted: 1898-09-03
Abstract: 13,246. Sloan, R. A., [Cahill, T.]. June 14. Linotype and like machines; type, setting.- Relates to linotype and other machines in which matrices, dies, or types are composed, and is described in the drawings as applied to the Mergenthaler machine (Specification No. 14,582, A.D. 1890). It consists mainly in providing the machine with a double magazine having two sets of matrices, and with two sets of keys and permutation mechanism by which two matrices may be released by the simultaneous depression of a key or keys in each set. The keyboard and permutation &c. mechanisms are similar in type to those described in Specifications Nos. 4977 and 10,644, A.D. 1898. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the magazines 100, 101, from which the released matrices pass down the endless band 111 to the assembly block 110, and Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation in which y are the matrices in the magazine channels, from which they are released singly by the escapements R operated by rods Q and levers P pivoted centrally. The two sets of matrices are such that one from each set may be released and pass down into the assembly box, forming successive characters in the word or line being composed. The set 100 is quicker acting than the other set 101, and is nearer the assembly block 110, so that the matrix released from it reaches the assembly block 110 a little before the matrix released from the other set 101, although the key or keys corresponding to each set are depressed simultaneously. The quick-acting matrices 100 are released by the operation of the left-hand set of keys B', B', B<3>, C<1>, ... C', and G, and the slow-acting matrices are released by the right-hand set of keys B<1>, B<2>, B<3>, C<1> ... C<22>, Fig. 1. The keys B', B<2>, B<3> are for operation by the thumbs, and C<1> &c. for operation by the fingers, and the keys of each set are similar, except that the finger or C group of the right-hand set is more numerous, in the arrangement shown in the drawings. The levers P, Fig. 4, are operated by rods h connected to levers f. The levers f are in groups of four, each group being pivoted at one end on the horizontal arm of a bell-crank lever e<6>. The levers f have projections f<1> so arranged that one of each group engages one of four pivoted frames d, d<1>, d', d<3>. The frames d, d<1>, &c. are connected by rods d<10> to the armatures of magnets D, D<1>. D', D<3>, of which D', D', D<3> are in circuits closed by the operation of the thumb keys B<1>, B<2>, B<3> respectively, and the other D is in a circuit closed when a C group or finger key is operated alone. The magnets D, D', &c. operate to hold the frames d, d<1>, &c. rigid so that they act as fulcrums for the levers f when the latter are operated by the levers e<6>. The vertical arms of the levers e<6> are provided with pivoted arms E, E<6> adapted to be engaged by a lever frame E<12> pivoted at E<15> and operated by a motor magnet E<10>, the circuit of which is closed at each operation of a key. The first arm E is normally in position to be engaged by the motor frame E<12>, and the other arms E<6> are moved up into position by rods 32 engaged and operated by the finger or C group keys. When one of the finger keys is operated, the end of the arm E is at the same time moved down out of operative position by a rod C<10> connected to a lever frame C extending over and operated by all the finger keys. Extending over all the key levers of each set is a frame 18 which operates to close the main electric circuit, such circuit having a contactbreaking arrangement by which the main circuit is broken after the operation of the releasing-lever P, whether the depressed key or keys be released or not. The circuits of the right-hand set of keys may be rendered slow-acting by an arrangement which delays the closing of the circuits for a short time after the depression of the keys. The spacing-mechanism is so arranged that, when a word containing an uneven number of characters is composed, the space-bar releasing-mechanism is operated when the last letter of the word is composed, by the operation of the left-hand keys. When a word contains an even number of letters, a space-bar is released simultaneously with the two last character matrices by the operation of a spacekey G, preferably of the right-hand set. If a line ends with a word containing an uneven number of characters, the delivery of a space bar simultaneously with the last character may be prevented by the operator pressing a spring and preventing the closing of the space-bar delivery circuit. The space-bar delivery mechanism is operated by a lever operated by electromagnets. The invention is applicable to various machines for composing matrices, dies, or types. Specifications Nos. 5823 and 8457, A.D. 1885, Nos. 9115 and 10,525, A.D. 1886, and No. 5582, A.D. 1890, are also referred to.