Improvements in and connected with the Justifying Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with the Justifying Mechanism
of Linotype Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City
of London, Sole Proprietors of, and Sole Manufacturers, Vendors, and Licensors
under, the "Linotype" Patents, WARWICK JAMES LEWIS, HERBERT PEARCE, and
CHARLES HOLLIWELL, all of No. 11, Hulme Street, Oxford Street, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in and connected with the justify-
ing mechanism of linotype machines. It is especially applicable to the justifying
mechanism of the celebrated Mergenthaler Linotype machine for which it has
been invented.
In that machine, separable matrices, each being a rectangular plate of metal,
and space bars, each being a double wedge, are composed into a line and hung by
shoulders projecting from the top corners of each matrix and space bar, from and
between two horizontal rails. These latter are fast to the top of a vertical bar
adapted to move vertically between suitable guides on the front of the machine.
This combination of rails and bar is hereinafter referred to as the transporter.
After the latter has received the composed line, it is moved downwards so as to
present the said line to the casting mechanism, and then upwards again to meet
the distributing mechanism. The downward motion is effected by a cam and
lever and the upward motion, by a strong and constantly acting spring. There
is a shoulder projecting from each bottom corner of a matrix and when the trans-
porter stands in the casting position in front of the casting mechanism, the rear
bottom shoulders of all the matrices are standing under a stationary aligning
ridge.
The justification of the composed line is effected by the thickening of each of the
space bars therein. Each of the latter consists of a short wedge and a long one
tapered in opposite directions and having their tapered sides fitting over each
other. The long wedges hang for some distance below the composed line, so that
the rise of a pushing plate suffices, by pushing the long wedges up over the
shorter ones and through the composed line, to thicken all the space bars equally,
and to thereby elongate the line to the standard length. During this elongation,
the matrices are pushed longitudinally right and left, their shoulders rubbing
over the horizontal rails and ridge above mentioned. But as the spring of the
transporter is exerting its full pushing power in an upward direction, during the
time that the transporter itself is holding the composed line in the casting position,.
the top front shoulders of the matrices bind against the front horizontal rail of
the transporter, and the bottom rear shoulders, against the stationary aligning

page_text: ridge. Obviously, the above described effect of the strength of the transporter
spring must be overcome by the justifying mechanism; and there arise cases,
such for instance, where the composed line is a long one, in which the said effect
is strong enough to interfere with the justification.
The object of the present invention is to hold the horizontal rails of the trans-
porter just clear of, or below, the top shoulders of the matrices during the time
that justification is taking place. It is effected as follows. There is an automatic
catch on the transporter. This latter travels downwards a little farther than is
absolutely necessary to present the line properly to the casting mechanism, and
when it is in its lowest position, the catch engages under a suitable stop, that
stop being conveniently in the machine in question, the bottom edge of the vice
head. This catch is automatically released at the proper moment for allowing
the transporter to be moved up to meet the distributing mechanism. The releasing
device is preferably, as follows. The pushing plate above mentioned is worked by
two levers. The last motion of one of them is downwards, when it pulls upon a
half-crank to turn a certain shaft through a certain arc. We fix a second arm
upon this shaft in such a position as to engage and rock a third arm fast upon a
rod turning in bearings on the front of the machine, and carrying at its opposite
end a disengaging piece adapted to push the automatic catch that is then locking
the transporter down, from under the vice head.
Dated this 16th day of Sontembar 1907
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in and connected with the Justifying Mechanism
of Linotype Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City
of London, Sole Proprietors of, and Sole Manufacturers, Vendors, and Licensors
under the "Linotype" Patents, and WARWICK JAMES LEWIS, HERBERT PEARCE, and
CHARLES HOLLIWELL, all of No. 11, Hulme Street, Oxford Road, Manchester, in
the County of Lancaster, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invon-
tion 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 and connected with the justify-
ing mechanism of linotype machines. It is especially applicable to the justifying
mechanism of the well known Mergenthaler Linotype machine and for that reason
(as well as because that is the only linotype machine in use in the country,) its
application to it has been selected for illustration and detailed specification.
Further information as to the general construction and operation of the said
machine is to be found in the Specification of Letters Patent 14582 of 1890.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the transporter and as much of the adjacent
portion of the machine as concerns the present invention.
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation from the left side of the machine.
In the Mergenthaler Linotype machine, separable matrices Y, each being a rect-
angular plate of metal, and space bars, each being a double wedge, are composed
into a line by suitable mechanism and transferred to a moving part of the machine
which part is hereinafter referred to as the transporter N. This transporter con-
sists of a vertical bar or frame from the top of which project a pair of parallel

page_text: horizontal rails N1, N2. The matrices hang from the latter by their top
shoulders y', y, which engage in grooves in the respective rails N¹, N; the
space bars hanging by their shoulders, 28. The transporter N has a reciprocating
vertical motion between suitable guides No, No. These guides are fixed to the
lower part of the vice frame P¹ and to the abutment P which forms the top of it.
This vice frame P₁ and abutment P with it, are held up to the main frame of the
machine in the position illustrated, by vice screws 223, 25. At the moment when
the delivery of the composed line of matrices and space bars into the transporter N
has been completed, the latter stands in the position illustrated by the full lines
in Figure 1 and the dotted lines in Figure 2. It is then moved downwards into the
position illustrated by the full lines of Figure 2, so as to present the said line
to the casting mechanism. The only parts of that mechanism included in the
drawings, are the mould wheel O, its bearing o³ and the mould block o" for the
body of the linotype. After the linotype has been cast, the transporter N is moved
vertically upwards to a level higher than that at which it received the composed
line, to meet the distributing mechanism. The latter is not included in the
drawings because it is not affected by the present invention.
The transporter N is acted on throughout all its motions as well as whilst it is
standing still, by a cam and lever mechanism or by equivalent cam and spring
devices. In addition to the top shoulders y¹ projecting from the top corners of
each matrix Y, there are two corresponding ones, also marked y¹ in Figure 2,
projecting from the bottom corners. When the transporter N is standing in the
casting position in front of the mould wheel 0-the one illustrated by the full
lines in Figure 2,-all the rear bottom shoulders y¹ (that is those next to the
mould block o) stand under a stationary aligning ridge o128, such ridge being a
shoulder on the mould block o", as shown in Figure 2.
The justification of the composed line is effected by thickening each of the space
bars hanging therein. Each of these space bars consists of a short wedge carrying
the pair of shoulders z, z, and a long one z¹. The two wedges are tapered in
opposite directions and have their tapered sides fitting up to each other. The
long wedges z project for some distance below the composed line in the path of
a justifying plate 76. This plate is pushed vertically upwards by suitable means,
and as the short wedges are held against upward motion by the engagement of
their shoulders in grooves in the rails N1, N2, its rise pushes the long
wedges z¹ over the short wedges, up through the composed line, thereby thickening
each space bar and elongating the composed line. Figure 2 shews that the
wedges have been pushed up. During that elongation, the matrices Y are
pushed longitudinally right and left, their bottom shoulders y¹ rubbing over the
rails N, NB, and beneath the ridge o128. But as the means cam or spring as the
case may be by which the transporter N is raised, is exerting its full pushing
power in an upward direction, during the time that the said transporter N is
holding the composed line in the casting position and pulling the matrices upwards
by their top shoulders y¹, the top front shoulders y¹ of the matrices Y bind
against the front rail N, and the bottom rear ones against the ridge o128.
Obviously, the above described effect of the strength of the means that raises the
transporter N must be overcome by the justifying plate p, but in linotype
machines for casting lines of greater length than heretofore, it happens that the
friction between the two sets of matrix shoulders y' and the rail N and the
ridge 12, is enough to cripple the justifying efficiency of the means aforesaid.
The object of the present invention is to hold the rails N1, N2 of the transporter N,
just clear of or below, the top shoulders y¹ of the matrices during the time that
the plate 6 is doing its justifying work. That object is attained by the following
means. n is a catch hanging downwards from the top of the transporter N to
which it is pivotted, and with its nose pointing to the rear. n is a spring adapted
to keep the catch n pushed to the rear and to permit of it being pushed as far
to the front as the present invention requires. The means by which the trans-
porter N is moved up and down, is for the purpose of the present invention,

page_text: adapted to move the transporter a little lower than is absolutely necessary to
enable it to present the composed line properly to the casting mechanism, that is to
say, a little lower than the bottom of the downward motion before described. As
soon as it has been so moved a little lower, the spring n makes the catch n
engage under a fixed stop n. Consequently, the matrices are practically hanging
free from the rails N1, N2, and clear of the ridge o, when the wedges z¹, z¹, are
started upwards between them. The bottom edge of the abutment P is utilised
as the stop n above mentioned.
The invention includes a disengager for disengaging the transporter N at the
moment when it must start upwards towards the distributing mechanism.
The justifying plate p above mentioned is worked by two levers. Part of the
front end of one of them, 71, appears in Figure 2. The function of that part is
to work the screw 2 of the vice that holds the composed line cramped lengthwise
during the act of casting. The connection between the vice screw and the
said part of the lever p" consists of a fork p virtually fast to the screw 23 and
projecting from it to the rear; a rod 2 pivotally connected by its top end to the
said fork and having its bottom end expanded into a loop p which receives a
lateral extension 3 of the lever p¹ª; and a returning spring surrounding the
rod and pulling on the top of the loop p from a bracket p55 fast on the
main frame of the machine. The last motion of the lever p₁ is downwards from
the position illustrated in Figure 2, and it, consequently, pulls the rod p against
the spring through a certain arc. The combination of the parts p1, p1, 1751
and just described is as heretofore. It appears in the specification because the
present invention utilises the downward motion of the fork to actuate the
disengager.
The disengager which we prefer is as follows.
17 is a finger practically fast to the end of the rod p³ and projecting to the
front. n is a horizontal rod turning in bearings no, no, fast on the front face
of the abutment P. It has the disengaging finger no fast on its opposite end.
n is a finger fast to the rod n and projecting to the rear. It stands over the
finger n7 The respective positions of the fork 2, and the fingers nº7, n70, and n
are as follows. When the fork is at rest, the finger n rests upon the
finger and the disengaging finger no stands up just behind the catch n when
the latter is engaged with the stop n66. The disengager is held in that position
by a spring n pulling preferably on the finger n" from a fixed point on the main
frame of the machine. The action of it is as follows. The above described pull
on the fork 26 rocks the finger n up and the finger n70 forward far enough to
disengage the catch n from the stop n, as indicated by the respective dotted
lines in Figure 2, whereupon the transporter N is moved upwards. As soon as
the justifying lever above mentioned, has completed its downward motion, the
spring 754 returns the fork p to its normal position as heretofore, thereby rocking
the finger. downwards and leaving the fingers n70 and n to be pulled by the
spring into the positions illustrated by the respective full lines. The fore-
going description of the action of the disengager implies the respective dimensions
of the catch n64 and the fingers nº, n",
7278
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 combination of transporter adapted to carry the composed line; means
for moving the transporter; means for holding the transporter clear of the said
line during the process of justification; and a disengager to disengage the
transporter; as set forth.
2. The combination with the line transporter and the means for moving the
same, of an automatic catch and an automatic disengager, as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. The combination with the line transporter moving and having an automatic

page_text: catch as described, of the disengager consisting of the fingers nº7, n²º, n71, rod n
and returning spring 72, and means for actuating it; as set forth with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 25th day of March 1898
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.