Improvements in Means for Inserting Changeable Matter in Printing Plates which are already Fixed in the Printing Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 11th Sept., 1899--Accepted, 21st Oct., 1899
Improvements in Means for Inserting Changeable Matter in Printing
Plates which are already Fixed in the Printing Machines.
I, JOHN COWLEY, of 12, Whitefriars Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C., News-
paper Manager do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
66
-
It often happens, especially in newspaper printing, that although a page may
be set up and a stereotype taken thereof and the plate inserted in the printing
machine certain "matter" requires to be changed or inserted later. This is
especially the case with the words "special" extra special "second extra"
and the like which are changed for each edition of a newspaper, or for late
sporting or other news which at present is set up independently and inserted
in each printing "plate" while in the printing machine. But this setting up
and fitting in the plate takes time especially if a number of similar "plates
are in use and this invention has for its object to provide a ready means whereby
such changeable "matter" can be inserted in the plate" and changed when
necessary.
66
According to this invention, a box adapted to contain the type to be inserted,
is fitted in the stereotype plate in the necessary position. This box is provided
with a dovetail or other suitably shaped groove and is open at one end while the
other end is closed. On one side or at the underside of the box a spring blade
is fitted and the end of this is bent up at the open end of the box so as to
extend above the level of the bottom or side of the groove. The end of the
spring blade is then preferably turned over horizontally. The type which in the
case of known matter for which this invention is especially intended is in
prepared blocks containing the whole of the "matter," is shaped to fit the groove.
To insert the type the prepared block is slidden into the box the end of the
spring blade being depressed for the purpose, and when in place a small projec-
tion on the end fits into a recess formed for the purpose at the end of the
groove. The type block is therefore held in position in the box while the turned
up end of the spring blade prevents its coming out at the open end.
66
"
To change the type block it is only necessary to depress the turned up end of
the spring blade and the type block can be removed and a new one can be
inserted.
It will therefore be seen that this invention provides a ready means for insert-
ing and changing such changeable "matter" while the plate is in the printing
machine.
In addition to the uses for which this invention is especially applicable as
specified above, there are many other similar purposes for which it may also be
used.

page_text: Improvements in Means for Inserting Changeable Matter in Printing
Plates which are already Fixed in the Printing Machines.
I, JOHN COWLEY, of 12, Whitefriars Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C., News-
paper Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the
following statement:-.
"
It often happens, especially in newspaper printing, that although a page may
be set up and a stereotype taken thereof and the plate inserted in the printing
machine certain "matter" requires to be changed or inserted later. This is
especially the case with the words "special" "extra special" second extra"
and the like which are changed for each edition of a newspaper, or for late
sporting or other news which at present is set up independently and inserted
in each printing "plate" while in the printing machine. But this setting un
and fitting in the plate takes time especially if a number of similar
are in use and this invention has for its object to provide a ready means whereby
such changeable "matter" can be inserted in the "plate" and changed when
necessary.
:
"
plates"
According to this invention, a box adapted to contain the type to be inserted.
is fitted in the stereotype plate in the necessary position. This box is provided
with a dovetail or other suitably shaped groove and is open at one end while the
other end is closed. On one side or at the underside of the box a spring blade
is fitted and the end of this is bent up at the open end of the box so as to
extend above the level of the bottom or side of the groove. The end of the
spring blade is then preferably turned over horizontally. The type which is in the
case of known "matter" for which this invention is especially intended in
prepared blocks containing the whole of the matter," is shaped to fit the groove.
To insert the type the prepared block is slidden into the box the end of the
spring blade being depressed for the purpose, and when in place a small projec-
tion on the end fits into a recess formed for the purpose at the end of the
groove. The type block is therefore held in position in the box while the turned
up end of the spring blade prevents its coming out at the open end.
66
To change the type block it is only necessary to depress the turned up end of
the spring blade and the type block can be removed and a new one can be
inserted.
And in order that this invention may be more readily understood reference is
had to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings on which
"
Fig. 1 shows a vertical longitudinal section of the type box constructed accord-
ing to this invention the words "second extra being shown therein on the
drawings.
:
Fig. 2 is a plan of the same, and
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation.
The box A is provided with a groove a having towards one end a side groove a¹
extending across the groove a. Within the groove a a type bar B carrying as
illustrated "second extra is adapted to be slidden. A projection b at one end
of the bar B is adapted to fit under the pin a² and this in combination with said
projections which fit in the said grooves a serves to prevent the type bar B
from being lifted out from the groove a in the box A. The underside of the
box A is cut away towards one end and a spring blade C is fitted. The end
of the spring blade C is turned up and over
as shown SO as to
extend above the level of the bottom
.
of the groove a. The type

page_text: bar B when inserted in the groove a is therefore held in position lengthwise
as well as prevented from being lifted out. It can be easily inserted, the
end of the spring C being depressed somewhat to allow of this while to release
it, it is only necessary to depress the spring C sufficiently.
To remove the type bar B or to insert another one it is only necessary to move
it longitudinally for a short distance and it can then be lifted out of the groove a
without the necessity for removing it for its whole length. The end e of
the spring C acts to lift the type bar B slightly when it has been moved the
required distance longitudinally so that it can be laid hold of more casily.
When setting up the type for the paper the box A is inserted in its proper
position and the proper one of a series of type bars B is inserted. The type can
therefore be inserted as required according to the edition of the paper to be
printed without disturbing the rest of the type or requiring additional setting
up when the ordinary printing matter runs through several editions as is usually
the case with evening papers. The changing can also be done while the plate is
in the printing machine and results in a great saving of time which is an
important item and labour.
This invention can also be used for inserting late matter such as racing,
cricket and other news. The box A which is of the necessary size is set up
with the type and a stereo is made of the late news as in the case of the type
bar B and can then be very quickly fitted into the type box A although every-
thing else is already on the machine.
If desired the spring blade C can be arranged at the side of the box A instead
of in the position shown and slight variations in the construction will of course
be necessary according to the purpose for which it is required.
In addition to the uses for which this invention is specially applicable thero
are many other similar purposes for which it may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
(1) An improved means for inserting changeable matter in printing plates
which are already fixed in the printing machine comprising a box adapted to be
inserted into the stereotype plate, a type bar carrying the changeable matter and
adanted to be inserted as required in a groove in the said box and means for
retaining the type bar in position in the said box while allowing of its ready
insertion and removal for change substantially as described.
(2) An improved means for inserting changeable matter in printing plates
which are already fitted in the printing machine comprising a box A adapted to be
inserted in the stereotype plate and having a groove a, a type bar B carrying the
changeable matter adapted to be inserted in the said groove a, said grooves a¹
and pin a acting in conjunction with the end projections 6 and side projec-
tions to prevent the type bar B from being lifted out of the groove a when
in position, and spring blade C having its end e turned up and over so as to retain
the type bar B in position longitudinally while allowing of its ready insertion
and removal for change substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 11th day of September 1899.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.