IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CASTING BOXES EMPLOYED FOR PRODUCING STEREOTYPE PLATES FOR ROTARY PRINTING MACHINES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Albert Sauvée, Civil Engineer, of 22 Parliament Street,
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CASTING BOXES EMPLOYED FOR PRODUCING STEREOTYPE PLATES FOR
ROTARY PRINTING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Albert Sauvée at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th August 1883.
ALBERT SAUVÉE, Civil Engineer, of 22 Parliament Street, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CASTING BOXES EMPLOYED FOR
PRODUCING STEREOTYPE PLATES FOR ROTARY PRINTING MACHINES"
My invention relates to improvements in the casting boxes employed for
producing the stereotype plates for rotary printing machines, and has for its
object to enable the jet or runner, formed by the mouth of the casting box, to be
completely and cleanly cut off by a saw or other suitable means in one operation.
Another object of my invention is to ensure the stereotype plate when cast
remaining on the core, or inner cylinder, while the casting box is being opened.
My invention is applicable to that class of stereotype casting box which consists
essentially of an open shell and a centre core, both of cylindrical form, pivotted
together on a horizontal axis, parallel to their own, and at a point beyond their
circumference, the relative diameters of the shell and core being such as to leave a
space between them to receive the type metal when the casting box is closed.
In the inner cylinder or core of this casting box, parallel to its axis, and at a
point in its circumference corresponding to that line upon which the stereo' plate
and its jet or runner are to be separated, is formed an open groove, into which is
fitted a bar having at convenient points in its length, and jointed thereto, within
the cylinder or core, radius rods or links. The opposite ends of these links are
pivotted eccentrically to the axis of the joint by which the two parts of the box
are pivotted together, the direction of this eccentricity being such that in the act
of opening the casting box, the bar is caused to sink within the core, and to assume
its original position when the box is closed.

page_text: The effect of this arrangement of parts when the box is open, is to leave a
groove beneath the stereo' plate cast and so allow of it being completely cut through
while upon the core.
This receding bar may be of such form as to simply fill the groove, true to the
circumference of the core when the box is closed ready for casting, or it
may when
in that position project beyond the surface of the cylinder, and be of any suitable
form on its outer edge.
When the bar is arranged to project from the core, it causes the type plate to be
cast with a groove in its under side, which in addition to facilitating the cutting
by reason of there being a clearance for the cutter, and less metal at that point to 1
be cut, it forms a keying which securely locks the stereo' plate to the core until the
box is opened, and thus also facilitates the removal of the plate from the hollow
portion of the casting box.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Albert Sauvée in the Patent Office on the 14th February 1884. :
ALBERT SAUVÉE, Civil Engineer, of 22 Parliament Street, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CASTING BOXES EMPLOYED FOR
PRODUCING STEREOTYPE PLATES FOR ROTARY PRINTING MACHINES
"
My invention relates to improvements in the casting boxes employed for.
producing the stereotype plates for rotary printing machines, and has for its
object to enable the jet or runner, formed by the mouth of the casting box, to be
completely and cleanly cut off by a saw or other suitable means in one operation.
Another object of my invention is to ensure the stereotype plate when cast
remaining on the core or inner cylinder, while the casting box is being opened.
My invention is applicable to that class of stereotype casting box which consists
essentially of an open shell and a centre core, both of cylindrical form, pivotted
together on a horizontal axis, parallel to their own, and at a point beyond their
circumference, the relative diameters of the shell and core being such as to leave a
space between them to receive the type metal when the casting box is closed.
In the inner cylinder or core of this casting box, parallel to its axis, and at a
point in its circumference corresponding to that line upon which the stereo' plate
and its jet or runner are to be separated, is formed an open groove, into which is
fitted a bar. having at convenient points in its length, and jointed thereto within
the cylinder or core, or at each end thereof, radius rods or links. The opposite
ends of these links are pivotted eccentrically to the axis of the joint by which the
two parts of the box are pivotted together, the direction of this eccentricity being
such that in the act of opening the casting box, the bar is caused to sink within
the core, and to assume its original position when the box is closed.
The effect of this arrangement of parts, when the box is open, is to leave a groove
beneath the stereo' plate cast and so allow of it being completely cut through while
upon the core.
This receding bar may be of such form as to simply fill the groove true to the
circumference of the core when the box is closed ready for casting, or it may when
in that position project beyond the surface of the cylinder, and be of any suitable
form on its outer edge.
When the bar is arranged to project from the core, it causes the type plate to be
cast with a groove in its under side, which in addition to facilitating the cutting
by reason of there being a clearance for the cutter, and less metal at that point to
be cut, it forms a keying which securely locks the stereo' plate to the core until the
box is opened, and thus also facilitates the removal of the plate froin the hollow
portion of the casting box.
But in order that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to
describe the same by the aid of the accompanying sheets of drawings.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side and back elevations, and figure 3 a plan
view showing the general arrangement of a stereotype casting box, for casting the
plates of rotary printing machines, with my improvements adapted thereto, and
having a circular saw arranged for cutting off the jet.
Figure 2 shows the box opened in position for the operation of sawing off the
jet, and figures 1 and 3 show the box closed in the required position for casting
the plate.
Sheets 4 and 5 are half size drawings, the various figures in which show in detail
a suitable method of applying my invention to this form of casting box.
Corresponding letters of reference, in all the figures, refer to corresponding
parts.
A is the outer shell of the casting box, bolted to and supported by the
standards B, B', which are connected together by stays b, b. C is the cylindrical

page_text: core of the casting box, bolted to and carried by the balance levers D, D¹, which
are pivotted to the standards B, B1, at d¹, d. d is a weight attached to the lower
extremities of the levers D, D', for the purpose of counterbalancing the core C.
E, E, are clamping screws jointed to the standards at b, b, for the purpose of
holding the box tightly closed, when screwed down on the gudgeons C¹, C²,
extending from the core C. Segments of a ring.c are fitted into grooves a formed
at each end of the shell A. These segments c are chainfered upon their inner edgo,
for the purpose of moulding a bevel upon each side of the type plate, by means of
which it is held upon the printing machine cylinders. The segments c are also
reduced in diameter for a portion of their breadth, in order that the opposite edges
of the "matrix" may be inserted beneath them. The segments c are placed in
either one of the grooves a, on each side of the shell A, according to the width of
the plate to be cast.
A longitudinal bar A' is interposed between the core C and the lowermost edge
of the shell A, and extends from one of the segments. to the other, into both of
which its ends are fitted. This bar is also reduced in thickness upon its under
side, for a portion of its breadth, in order that the lowermost edge of the "matrix"
may be secured by it in the same manner that it is secured by the segments c.
This bar together with the segments o seal three sides of the casting box or space
between the shell A. and core C, the fourth and uppermost side being left open for
the reception of the molten type metal.
A bar C is bolted in a groove running the entire length of the core C, for the
purpose of securing the bar A' in position when the box is closed, Clearances c¹
are formed in the bar C, to enable the stereo' plate to be readily lifted by hand
from the core C.
A bar A2 is fixed to the upper edge of the shell A, and forms a lip against which
the metal is poured. A rectangular bar C³ is bolted in a groove running the entire
length of the core C, and to it checks c, c, are secured by screws passing through
slots in the cheeks, and by means of which the position of the latter can be
adjusted to correspond with the various positions of the segments c, as may be
required. These cheeks (when the box is closed) fit closely against the ends of the
segments c, and the lip A³, and together with the bar C form a mouth for the
reception of the molten metal.
Holes a' are made through the shell at the bottom of the grooves a, and through
them small particles of type metal may be readily removed..
L is a slide running parallel to the casting box and bolted to the standards B, B',
and upon it is mounted a sliding carriage M carrying a circular saw M', the spindle
of which is inclined at such an angle that the plane of the saw is radial to the
core C when the box.is fully opened. The saw may be traversed by hand direct
or by means of the screw N which engages with a nut m in the sliding carriage M.
This nut may be put in or out of gear with the screw N at any moment by means
of the eccentric spindle m². The screw N has a portion of its thread removed
near each end of the slide, for the purpose of aut matically stopping the traverse of
the slid ng carriage M, upon it arriving at either end of the slide L.
O is a shaft mounted in henrings L, L, and carrying the fly wheel O¹, and spur
wheel O, the latter gearing into the pinion Pl upon the shaft P. A bevel wheel P²
is carried by a bearing M projecting from the sliding carriage M, and a long key
way is provided in the shuft P for the purpose of driving the bevel wheel P, and
by means of the pinion p, causing the saw M' to rotate, during the traverse of the
carriage Malong the slide L.
bare adjustable screw stops against which the core Crests when the box is
fully opened.
The main feature of my invention consists of the bar F fitted into the groove Fl
running the entire length of the c re C, and into which it is made to recede during
the operation of pening the box, a suitable-mode of effecting this being shown in
the drawings, and which consists of radius rods or links. f, pivotted at one end to
studs F, formed at each end of the bar F. The opposite ends of the links fro
1

page_text: pivotted to the studs f³, formed upon and eccentrically to the joint pins d¹, d³,
which carry the balance levers D, D.
In order to cause the bar F to recede within the core C when the box is opened,
it is necessary, when the box is closed, that the distance from the eccentric stud f
to a given point in the bar F, shall be less than the distance.from the balance lever
studs d, d², to the same point. By fixing the eccentric studs f* in such a direction
tbat a line passing through their centre and through that of the main studs d', d²,
shall be at an angle of 45° to a line passing from the centre of the main
studs d', d, through the centre of the core C when the box is closed, the main stud
centre d¹, d², being the vertex of such angle, the radii from the centres f' and d¹ to
a given point in the bar F will then change their respective lengths, during the
act of opening the box, and while the core C is describing a quadrant. So that in
this instance, with the centre f2 set in the position described, the bar F is caused
to recede within the core C to the extent of twice the difference of the radii from
the centres f and d to a given point in the bar F when the box is closed.
It will be readily understood that any other equivalent mechanical arrangement
may be employed to cause the bar F to recede within the groove in the core C, as
the latter is removed from the shell A of the casting box.
The receding bar F as shown in the drawing simply fills the groove F¹ when the
box is closed, but when it is desired to groove the stereo' plate on the cut off line,
this bar is arranged so as to project beyond the core C when the box is closed, and
consequently cause a longitudinal groove to be cast in the under side of the stereo'
plate, and thus leave less metal to be cut by the saw.
The mode of operating the box is as follows:-
The "matrix" or mould is laid in the hollow shell A and secured therein by the
segments c and bar A¹, which are held in position by the core C when closed upon
them, the core itself being tightly secured in position as before described by the
clamping screws E, E, and the box is then ready to receive the type metal to form
the stereo' plate.
When the box is again opened, the plate cast remains upon the core C, by reason
of it embracing more than half of the circumference of the latter, and is carried
together with the core C into the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1,
for the purpose of having the jet removed by the circular saw M¹. This position is
determined by the set screws b¹, which are so adjusted that the groove left by the
receding bar F coincides with the path of the circular saw, and forms a clearance
beneath the plate for it, while cutting off the jet. As soon as the plate is parted
the two portions are free to be removed from the core, as neither of them embraces
half its circumference.
Having thus described the nature of my said invention and a suitable method of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that what I claim is :--
The employment in casting boxes for producing stereotype plates for rotary
printing machines of a bar fitted in a groove formed the whole length of the core
of the casting box, and within which groove such bar is caused to recede by
suitable means, as the casting box is being opened, for the purpose of leaving a
clearance beneath the line along which it is required to separate the "jet" from
the stereotype plate cast round the core, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Albert Sauvée, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this twelfth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty-four.