Patent GB-190413007-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Composing Machines.
Inventor: RUDOLPHY GEORG
Filed: 1904-06-08
Granted: 1904-12-01
Abstract: 13,007. Rudolphy, G. June 8. Type, setting and distributing; monotype and like machines; linotype and like machines.-A composing -machine, for composing matrices into lines for casting, either in lines or as separate printing-types, has mechanism by which a single key may be used to move into operation several matrices, and by which any key moves a spacing-piece into operation as well as the required matrix or matrices, when vigorously operated. The machine has a circular magazine in which the matrices are suspended from inclined radial wires 12, Fig. 9, by hooks d, Fig. 5, where an adjustable spacer is shown. The hooks dare formed of any suitable shape, and carry a suitably-formed composing- piece 1, Fig. 7, at the lower end of a hook bar 3. The hooks are directed backwards or forwards, so as to be distributed after use in casting. Matrix bars for quads, half-quads, &c. as well as adjustable spaces, are used, and the widths depend on the characters, the length of the bar being also varied so that all bars are of equal weight. The bar 4, Fig. 5, of the adjustable spacer carries a head 7 on a screw 6, adapted to be turned by a rack-bar 10. The under part of the head 7 is formed helically to the same pitch as the screw, and gears with a similar helically-formed part on the bar 4. The matrices return to the machine from the casting- mechanism along a wire 72, Fig. 9, and enter the distributer 73. At the end of the wire 72 two wires 74, 75, Fig. 34, commence, at such a distance below the end of the wire 72 that one engages with the lowest hook on the composing-piece. If the hook is placed so as to catch the wire 75, the composing-piece passes along that wire to the ends of two wires 76, one of which engages with the second hook, according to the direction in which it is turned, and so on, until the composing-pieces are passed by the wires 81 on to their proper magazine wires 12, Fig. 9. These are supported at one end by a ring 13 and slope towards an outer ring or support 14, from which they are again bent inwardly,at decreasing inclination past a supporting-ring 15, and in short bends, by which the composing-pieces are prevented from passing further. By means of handles 16, the whole magazine may be easily lifted off and changed. By mechanism actuated from a keyboard, one or more matrices are lifted off from the ends of the wires 12 and dropped on to a ring 66, whence, by fingers 70 on rotating arms 69 driven by pedal gearing or otherwise, they are swept on to a discharge wire 67. The mechanism for releasing the composing-pieces from the magazine may be actuated from the keyboard by either mechanical or electric devices. The lowest composing-pieces 1, Fig. 11, rest against a ring 17 with notches 18. In these notches are hung strikers 19, one for each composing-piece, actuated through pivoted levers to lift up the pieces 1, and thereby to disengage them from the wires 12, so that they catch on the discharge ring. In some cases, for those matrices which are seldom used, the levers have handles 23 projecting outside the machine, near the keyboard. In most cases, the lever is actuated by a hook 27 on a long key-bar 24 carried by links 25, and pressed downwards by the key directly or through electric devices, against the action of an adjustable spring 28. The operation by means of electric devices is as follows :-The keys c, Fig. 18, are attached to bars 34 pivoted at 31 to a fixed frame. On depressing a key, the lever 34 causes a notched sliding-piece 35 to slide along the key-bar 24, until the notch engages with a bar 44 running the whole width of the machine, and at the same time a second bar 36, mounted on a frame pivoted at 37, is pushed sideways, and thereby actuates a contactpiece lever 38, and closes the circuit of a solenoid 41. The core, controlled by a spring 80, thereupon pushes to the left a lever 42, pivoted at 43 and attached to the frame carrying the bar 44, which is thereby also depressed, carrying with it the keybar 24 and releasing a matrix. Keys for actuating several matrices simultaneously are pivoted transversely to the axes 31, and have levers actuating small slides 58 on transverse bars 46. These transverse bars are pivoted at their ends, and, in addition to the small slides 58, carry similar pieces fixed over the particular keybars which it is desired to operate. The sliding pieces have beaks 49 projecting right-handedly ; the fixed pieces have the beaks on the other side. When a slide 46 is shifted, it pushes a rod 52 on a pivoted frame 53, and thereby, through a lever 55, actuates the solenoid as before. At the same time, the slide is shifted into a position above one of two lifting-bars parallel to and behind the bars 24, and carried by links 51. These bars are lifted by levers 57 attached to the lever 42, and, by lifting the beak 49, tilt the bars 46. The beaks on the fixed pieces thereupon depress the required bars 24, and release the required matrices. To release spacing or justifying pieces as well as a character by one depression of the key, a grid or frame 59 is placed just beneath the keys, and is carried by links 61. On this frame, an axis is rotatably pivoted and carries two projections on opposite sides. One axis, when turned down, is above the key-bar for thin spacers, and the other above that for thick or extensible spacers. If the key is depressed with more than usual force, the grid is depressed, and actuates one of the spacer bars, as well as delivering the required matrix. If desired, the keys may all operate separate magnets, one for each key-bar.