Improvements in the Space Bars of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
.
[Communicated from abroad by THE NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHIC COMPANY (a
company organized under the laws of the State of West Virginia), having its
principal places of business at Washington, D.C., and New York City, United
States of America.]
Improvements in the Space Bars of Linotype Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 6 Serjeants' Inn, Fleet
Street, in the City of London, Sole Proprietors of and Manufacturers, Vendors
and Licensors, under the "Linotype" Patents, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the space bars of linotype machines
and is specially applicable to the space bars of the Mergenthaler linotype machines.
These bars are described in detail in the Specifications of Letters Patent 8457 1885,
9115 1886, 10525 1886, 5582 1890 and 14582 1890. A reference to any of the
specifications just enumerated, will shew that the space bar of a Mergenthaler
linotype machine is substantially a double wedge of two members, tapered in
opposite directions having their tapered faces in contact and their outer faces-
those opposite to the said tapered faces-parallel with each other. One of the
members is long enough to project beyond the composed line of matrices and space
bars in order that the advance of a suitable pusher may move it over its fellow
member, the consequent motion being one of separation between the matrices on the
opposite sides of the space bar. During the said motion, the shorter member is
prevented from motion in the direction of the push-only the longer member being
moved by the pusher in the direction of the push, so that only one matrix-
the one in contact with the said member-is rubbed over as a consequence of the
said push.
The object of the present invention is to provide for both the outer faces of the
space bar rubbing over their respective matrices in order that the four surfaces
concerned may be kept clean and free from foreign matter.
In carrying the invention into effect, we provide a short wedge-like member
adapted to be held in the composed line without motion in the direction of the push
above mentioned, in the same way that the shorter member of the space bar is held,
and two longer members, one or both of which are tapered in a direction opposite
to that of the shorter member. The short wedge-like member is inserted between
the two longer members, and is connected to either or both of them by a sliding
jaw, so that while the said short member is held fast in the line, the two longer
members may be capable of being pushed through the line. The taper of the
members is such that although the thickness of the space in the line is increased by
pushing the two longer menibers, the outer faces in the line are always parallel. It
is manifestly immaterial whether both of the longer members are tapered, or
whether one is tapered and the other of uniform thickness, provided that the taper
of the short member is such that the space bar presents at all times parallel faces
to the matrices on both sides of it.
Dated this 11th day of February 1896
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in the Space Bars of Linotype Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, late of No. 6 Serjeants' Inn, but
now of No. 188 Fleet Street, in the City of London, Sole Proprietors of, and
Manufacturers, Vendors and Licensors, under, the "Linotype" Patents, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the space bars of linotype machines and
is specially applicable to the space bars of a Mergenthaler linotype machine. In
this machine, and in fact, in all linotype machines, it is the practice to place
matrices, one for each character in the line to be printed, and space bars, one for
each space between two words in the line, between two jaws or abutments set at a
predetermined distance--the length of the printed line, apart; and to then increase
the thickness of each space by suitable means, whereby the whole line is wedged
tightly between the said jaws.
The space bars hitherto used in the Mergenthaler linotype machine are described
in detail in the Specifications of Letters Patent 8457 1885, 9115 1886, 10525 1886,
5582 1890 and 14582 1890. A reference to any of the specifications just enumerated,
will shew that the space bar of a Mergenthaler linotype machine, is substantially a
double wedge of two inembers tapered in opposite directions, having their tapered
faces in contact and their outer faces-those opposite to the said tapered faces-
parallel with each other. One of the members is long enough to project beyond
the composed line of matrices and space bars in order that the advance of a suitable
pusher, may move it over its fellow member, the consequent motion being one of
separation between the matrices on the opposite sides of the space bar. During the
said motion, the shorter member is prevented from motion in the direction of
the push-only the longer member being moved by the pusher in the direction of the
push, so that only one matrix-the one in contact with the said longer member-
is rubbed over as a consequence of the said push.
Space bars are of steel and bright. For that reason, the hot metal very
frequently solders itself on to the edges of them, during the act of casting the
linotype. These deposits of metal sometimes creep round on to the side faces of
the space bars and form lumps there. In any event, such lumps will prevent the space
bars being closed up truly to the sides of the matrices, and if they occur in the
line of the formative cavities in the edges of the matrices, they will break in the
wall of each one they stand by the side of, in the composed line, when the latter is
squeezed tight between the two jaws above mentioned. The matrices, too, pick up
fragments of dirt which attach themselves to their sides during their passage
through the machine.
The object of the present invention is to provide for the adjacent face of the
matrix on each side of a space bar, being rubbed over, in order that the four
faces concerned, viz. :-the two matrix faces and the two side faces of the space bar
touching the said two matrices in the line, may be kept clean.
The present invention consists of a short wedge-like member adapted to be held
in the composed line without motion in the direction of the push above mentioned,
in the same way as the shorter member of the two member space bar above
described is held, and two longer members one or both of which are tapered in a
direction opposite to that of the shorter member. The short wedge-like member is
inserted between the two longer members, and is connected to either or both of
them by a sliding block, so that while the said short member is held fast in the
line, the two longer members may be capable of being pushed through the line.

page_text: line is increased by pushing the two longer members, the outer faces in the line are
always parallel.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the form of the invention adapted for use
in the Mergenthaler linotype machine.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a space bar.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the short wedge-like member.
Figure 3 is a front elevation on a large scale of a space bar.
Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of part of the mould wheel, the mould, and the
vertical transporter, shewing the composed line of matrices and space bars justified
and the parts illustrated in the casting position.
Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the same composed line and of the justifying
pusher and the jaws between and up to which the said line is held and wedged.
O is the mould wheel; o, the mould; Y, Y, the matrices; y', y', their supporting
shoulders; N, the vertical transporter by which the composed line is brought
up to the mould o; p², pl, the two jaws, and p², the justifying pusher. The
transporter N, called the yoke in the specifications enumerated above, has a vertical
reciprocating motion, to bring the composed line down to, and to carry it up from,
the position occupied by it in Figures 5 and 6. The justifying pusher pe consists
of a plate (or two plates fast together) pivotally connected at their ends to the tops
of two rods p³, p. When the transporter has brought the composed line into
the position illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the rod p is moved upwards, thereby
swinging the plate pe upon the top of the rod p and pushing the long and moveable
members of the space bars upwards, more or less. The rod p is then moved
downwards and both rods p8, p are afterwards moved upwards, so pushing all the
said long and moveable members upwards as far as practicable. The above
mentioned parts and operations are as heretofore.
It has already been pointed out that the Mergenthaler linotype space bar hitherto
in use consists of two members, a moveable one by the side of a stationary one;
and that the space bar which is the subject of the present invention consists of three
members, one moveable one on each side of a stationary one. In the figures, Z is
this stationary member. It is, as heretofore, fitted with shoulders z, z by which
it both hangs from the transporter (as well as from other organs of the machine
not concerned by the present invention), and is held down by it in the composed
line, as indicated in Figure 5.
Z1, Z2, are the two moveable members. They are held in working position, one
on each side of the member Z and in touch with it, by having their bottom ends
welded or rivetted together, and by a sliding block 22 fast on the side of the inter-
mediate member Z and undercut along its sides. These latter engage with the
sides of a vertical slot 2 in the moveable member on that side of the stationary
one Z. In the figures, this moveable member is Z. The slotted moveable member
per se and the combination of slot 3, sliding block and stationary member Z are
as heretofore.
Both the moveable members are more or less tapered from end to end, and in
the same direction. One of them is always so. The other of them may be of an equal
thickness throughout the major portion of its length from its bottom end upwards,
as illustrated by the full lines, or both may be of the same dimensions, as indicated
by the central and vertical dotted line in Figure 3. The presence of a tapered
moveable member on each side of the stationary member Z, makes it necessary that
the latter should be tapered on each side, the angle of taper being the same as in
the case of the two moveable members Z', Z. But the direction of the taper
of the two side faces of the member Z is the opposite of that of the moveable
Inembers Z', Z3, for the same reason that there is reversal of direction in the case
of the tapers of the two-member space bar described in the specifications enumerated
above. The taper side faces of the two members Z', Z are in contact with the
respective side faces of the member Z, while their opposite or outside faces are

page_text: vertical and parallel with each other, and therefore capable of bedding up close to
the adjacent side face of the matrices next to them in the composed line. This
vertical parallelism is obviously not true of the whole length of the two
members Z1, Z2; neither does the invention require that it should extend through
such length. It is enough if, in any position of the moveable members Z, Z2, it
extends downwards from the top of the stationary member Z to the level of the
bottom of the inatrices Y.
The invention acts as follows. When the composed line of space bars and
matrices is deposited in the position illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the moveable
members Z, Z, hang from the respective sliding blocks 22. This hanging position
is the one illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The first motion of the plate pe upwards,
makes the said members Z1, Z2, rub over the side faces of the matrices next them,
thereby removing any dirt, metal, or other foreign matter.
It is manifestly immaterial whether both of the moveable members are tapered
or whether one only is tapered and the other of uniform thickness throughout.
Accordingly, the present invention includes the modification consisting of one
tapered moveable member, one moveable member of uniform thickness, and the
stationary member as in the two-member space bar described above.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of intermediate and stationary member tapered on both side
faces, with a moveable member held to each of the said side faces, both having the
side faces which contact with the said intermediate member, tapered more or less
but in the opposite direction, and their outer side faces parallel with each other,
and adapted to he rubbed by the act of justification, over the respective side face
of the matrix next it in the composed line.
2. The combination of an intermediate and stationary member having a tapered
side face, a moveable member having a side face tapered in the opposite direction
and held to the tapered side face of the intermediate member, and a moveable
member held to the opposite side face of the latter, the outer side faces of the two
moveable members being parallel with each other and adapted to be rubbed by
the act of justification, over the respective side face of the matrix next it in the
composed line.
Dated this 11th do AT
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.