Improvements in Linotype Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Nov., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 11th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Linotype Machines.
We, WILLIAM HENRY LOCK, Manager and Secretary of The Linotype Company
Limited, of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City of London, and HENRY JOHN
GARDNER, of 1, Montem Street, Crouch Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Com-
positor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to linotype machines, the matrices of which
present an indicating letter to the operator.
!
In the Mergenthaler linotype machine, the matrices are rectangular metal
plates having the formative cavities in which are to be cast the printing faces
of the linotypes, in the edges on one side of them. As they come down into
the assembly box, they present the indicating letters to the operator so that
he can by reading them, check his composition as it proceeds. But in time,
the matrix edges become so dirty that the indicating letters are scarcely legible.
The said invention, consists therefore, in providing the machine with a cleaning
device at which each matrix is compelled to clean that edge of it which carries
the indicating letter, or at least, so much of it as immediately surrounds it.
That device, consists, preferably, of a brash fixed to the machine frame and
projecting into the path of the matrices, preferably into that portion between
the assembly box and the transporter.
Doted this 11th day of November 1900
CHAS. S. WOODROFFE,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Linotype Machines,
We, WILLIAM HENRY LOCK, Manager and Secretary of The Linotype Company
Limited, of 188, Fleet Street, London, and HENRY JOHN GARDNER, of 1, Montem
Street, Crouch Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Compositor, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement;
-
The present invention relates to improvements in linotype machines the
matrices of which present an indicating letter to the operator and are held and
moved in a certain position past a given point.
In the Mergenthaler linotype machine, the matrices are rectangular metal
plates, having in one edge formative cavities in which are to be cast the printing
faces of the linotypes, indicating letters on the opposite edge corresponding
with the respective cavities, and supporting shoulders at the four corners.
As

page_text: the matrices are delivered into the assembly box, they present their indicating
letters to the operator, so that he can, by reading them, check his composition
as he proceeds. But in time, the matrix edges carrying the indicating letters
become so dirty that the said letters are then scarcely legible.
The present invention consists in an automatic cleaning device at which each
matrix must clean the edge that carries its indicating letter, or at least as much
thereof as is immediately adjacent to the said letter.
The accompanying figures are to be taken as part of this specification and
read therewith. They illustrate the application of the invention to the Mergen-
thaler linotype machine above mentioned, but the invention is equally applic-
able to other linotype machines which may work with similar matrices as well
as hold and move them past a given point.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of part of a machine:
Figure 2, a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and
Figure 3, a transverse vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.
H is the travelling band that delivers the matrices into the assembly box I.
The latter is then raised until the composed line of matrices in it, being then
embraced by the shifter arms L, L', is aligned with the slot m in the block M,
and held and moved along the said slot by the said arms towards the trans-
porter N. Y, Y are the matrices; y, their formative cavities; y¹, y¹, guiding
shoulders projecting from both side edges; and y, their indicating letters.
Z, Z, are space bars in the composed line but they are not affected by the present
invention.
Figure 1 shews in dotted lines as much of each front edge as is immediately
adjacent to the indicating letter y", being cleaned. The reason why the par-
ticular part m of the whole path through which a matrix passes from the time
it leaves its magazine to the time it is returned thereto, is chosen for such
cleaning when the invention is applied to a Mergenthaler linotype machine,
is because each matrix is held during its passage through the slot m in a con-
venient position for being cleaned as and where the invention intends, and
also because all of them are moved along in that position in the direction of
the line of indicating letters . The invention does not limit us as to where,
in the whole path of the matrices, the cleaning shall be effected, because the
invention allows the cleaning device being brought to bear upon the matrices
at any part of that path which may be suitable for the purpose. The position
of that part in the path may vary according as to whether the machine is a
Mergenthaler or any other linotype machine.
The cleaning device consists of a brush m¹ fixed to the machine by any suit-
able means and reaching the edges through a slot m² in the front of the block M,
upon which edges it is set to bear with sufficient force for the purpoes of the
invention. The means by which the brush m¹ is fixed to the machine, is pre-
ferably a bracket m³ held thereto by a screw m². The brush m¹ may be fixed
to the bracket m³ in any suitable way. It is preferred that it be held in a
socket m fitting in an eye m" on the end of the bracket m³, and in which eye
it is firmly and also adjustably held by a set screw m².
The socket m may be long enough to carry a second brush m8 at its opposite
end.
The cleaning device is illustrated as large enough to clean only as much of
the matrix edges as is adjacent to the indicating letters. This is all that is
necessary to keep them legible, but the invention includes the device being
large enough to keep the whole edge clean, if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. The herein before described device for cleaning the edges of matrices having
indicating letters.

page_text: 2. The herein before described combination with a linotype machine, of
bracket holding the end of a brush so as to bear upon the indicating letter
bearing edges of the matrices, to clean the said edges.
3. The herein before described combination of linotype machine; single or
double cleaning brush; means by which it can get at the matrix edges where
they are to be cleaned; fixed bracket for holding the brush in its working
position, and means for adjusting the pressure it exerts upon the said edges.
Dated this 11th day of August 1899.
CHAS. S. WOODROFFE, Fel.Ch.Inst.P.A.,
188, Fleet Street, E.C., Agent for the Applicants.