IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE FOUNDING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A. M and Wm Clark of:
53 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TYPE FOUNDING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a type founding machine capable of delivering the,
letter finished and ready for the printer thus avoiding the operations of breaking
off the jet or runner or surplus metal, rubbing and dressing.
In order that the mechanism and working of the machine may be more readily
understood I will proceed to describe it with reference to the annexed drawings
in which figure 1 is a side elevation, the mould which is the essential part of
the machine being in section. Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 1-2.
Figure 3 is a plan partly in section. The mould is composed of a large casting A
bolted to the bed plate B: two blocks of steel CC are rigidly fixed to the
casting A and form in the direction of the depth or size of the body one of the
vertical sides of the rectangular cavity in which the type is run. Opposite
the side C C¹ there is a moveable piece of steel D sliding on the arm a cast in one
with the main casting A. This piece D is regulated to suit each change in the
height of the type body. The horizontal sides are formed the upper one by the
block of steel E in the horizontally sliding carrier F and the under one by the thin
plate G bolted to the carrier H working in a vertical slide in the casting A. This
carrier is adjustable but remains fixed during the working. The face of the type.
is formed by the matrix I carried by J which is fixed to the carrier H and held in
position by the strut K. which is forced by a spring in the headstock k and thus
presses the matrix I against the front end of the cavity of the mould. The back
end is closed by the block of steel held by the carrier F.
The fused metal passes into the mould by a lateral oblique gate L (figure 2)
formed by the space between the blocks of steel CC, the nose n of the ordinary
crucible N comes opposite to this gate and the metal is injected in the usual manner
by a pump in the crucible.
The horizontal sides of the gate L are formed below by the plate M fixed to
a carrier O working in a vertical guide and moveable whilst the machine is
working, above by a moveable plate or finger R adjusted in a guide arranged in
the carrier F.
1.
The reciprocating motion of this carrier F is obtained by the usual means, that
is, by an oscillating leverf worked by a cam on the driving shaft, and this carrier
is pressed down on the casting A by means of a bell crank lever f¹ carrying a
friction roller g which presses on the carrier F when advancing by means of the
abutment screw g¹ acting on the lever f near its centre (see Figure 1).

page_text: The friction roller g presses on two oscillating levers P P¹ pivoted on the carrier F
and raised by springs; the lever P works the finger R, and the lever P¹ works
a finger which detaches the cast and finished type from the mould when the
carrier is drawn back. The carrier O receives a vertical reciprocating motion by
a lever and cam fixed on the driving shaft and the pump of the crucible N is
similarly worked, these parts being the same as usual need no further description.
The working of this machine is based on the employment of matrixes whose
justification and register is fixed, that is to say, that the eye of the matrixes will
always be in a predetermined point so as to be always in the right position when
in place on the machine. Moreover the eye of the matrixes should be without
excess of draw or without taper, or better still, it should be the exact reproduction
in intaglio of the face of a completely finished type.
The operation of this machine is now easily explained. The movable pieces
(carrier F and the jet or runner cutter M) being in the position shown on the
drawing, the pump forces the fused metal into the cavity of the mould through
the gate; the type having solidified, the plate M rises and detaches therefrom the
runner moulded in the gate L forming at the same time in the body of the letter
the usual nick. The runner thus broken off lodges in a groove of the same form
made in the side of the carrier F where the plate R works and is carried backwards
by the former.
The type cast without taper at the face is drawn out of the matrix by the
carrier F moving backwards. For this purpose a pin or die e is fixed in and
projects slightly from the bottom of the steel block E and penetrates the body of
the type so as to enable the slight adhesion of the body to the sides of the mould
to be overcome by the carrier which in moving backwards thus carries the type
with it.
The pin e could also be engraved with a trade mark which would thus be applied
to the letters without any extra labour.
When the carrier F is at the end of its backward stroke, the roller g forces down
the levers P P' and the fingers Q and R which expel the letter and runner each
into a receptacle formed beneath the carrier F. This latter again moves forward
to cast another letter and so on.
It
The construction and working of the mechanism are very simple, simpler even
than in the ordinary founding machines for rough type with jets fins and burs.
is only necessary now to indicate some peculiarities relating to the changes in the
width and depth or size of body, which are made with the greatest facility.
⋅
The change of depth or size is made by moving the plate G and steel block D as
in existing machines. The change in width is regulated by the matrix itself which
is in use. In fact this matrix is justified according to a width proportionate to the
width of the letter which it yields. Now it has been seen that the table J which
supports the said matrix is fixed to the piece H carrying the plate G, this piece
resting on a spring. Therefore it is only necessary to place the matrix between
the table or plate J and the opposite plate J¹ fixed rigidly to the carrier F in order
that the plate G shall be just at the proper height for the required width of the
body. The plate carrier H is fixed in this position by tightening the screw h and
cotter h', at the same time the end of the screw h prolonged past the piece H
limits the descent of lever O carrying the jet cutter M. The matrix is also
regulated lengthwise so that the eye of the letter comes exactly in position when
the matrix abuts against the steel block C'.
Thus in neither direction are any trials necessary on the part of the founder to.
fix the matrix in position.
DL: 001 JL 100A

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TYPE-FOUNDING MACHINES," and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to a type-founding machine capable of delivering the
letter finished and ready for the printer thus avoiding the operations of breaking
off the jet or runner or surplus metal, rubbing, and dressing.
1
In order that the mechanism and working of the machine may be more readily
understood I will proceed to describe it with reference to the annexed drawings in
which figure l' is a side elevation, the mould which is the essential part of the
imachine being in section. Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line'1-2.
Figure 3 is a plan partly in section. Figure 4 is a cross section looking towards
the matrix. The mould is composed of a large casting A bolted to the bed plate B:
two blocks of steel CC¹ are rigidly fixed to the casting A and form in the direction
of the depth or size of the body one of the vertical sides of the rectangular cavity
in which the type is cast. Opposite the side CC¹ there is a moveable piece of
steel D sliding on the arm a cast in one with the main casting A. This piece D is
regulated to suit each change in the depth or size of the type body. The horizontal
sides are formed, the upper one by the block of steel E in the horizontally sliding
carrier F and the under one by the thin plate G bolted to the carrier H working
in a vertical slide in the casting A. This carrier is adjustable but remains fixed
during the working. The face of the type is formed by the matrix I carried
by J which is fixed to the carrier H and held in position by the strut K. which
is forced by a spring in the headstock k and thus presses the matrix I against
the front end of the cavity of the mould. The back end is closed by the plate 2¹
held in position by the block of steel i attached by the carrier F..
The fused metal passes into the mould by a lateral oblique gate L (figures 2 and 3)
formed by the space between the blocks of steel C CI; the noze n of the ordinary
crucible N comes opposite to this gate and the metal is injected in the usual manner
by a pump in the crucible.
The horizontal sides of the gate L are formed, below, by the plate M fixed to
a carrier O working in a vertical guide and moveable whilst the machine is working,
above, by a moveable plate or finger R adjusted in a guide arranged in the head of
the carrier F.
The reciprocating motion of this carrier F is obtained by the usual means, that
is, by an oscillating lever f worked by a cam on the driving shaft, and this carrier
is pressed down on the casting A by means of a bell crank lever fl carrying a
friction roller which is caused to press on the carrier F. when the latter is
advancing, by means of the abutment screw g¹ acted on by the lever f near its
centre (see figure 1.)
The friction roller g presses on two oscillating levers P P¹ pivoted on the carrier F
and raised by springs; the lever P works the finger R, and the lever P¹ works
a finger which detaches the cast and finished type from the mould when the
carrier is drawn back. The carrier O receives a vertical reciprocating motion by
a lever and cam fixed on the driving shaft and the pump of the crucible N is
similarly worked, these parts being the same as usual need no further description.
The working of this machine is based on the employment of matrixes whose
justification and register are fixed, that is to say, that the eye of the matrixes will

page_text: always be in a predetermined point so as to be always in the right position when
in place on the machine.
Moreover the eye of the matrixes should be without excess of draw or without
taper, or better still, it should be the exact reproduction in intaglio of the face of
a completely finished type.
The operation of this machine is now easily explained. The movable pieces
(carrier F and the jet or runner cutter M) being in the position shown on the
drawing, the pump forces the fused metal into the cavity of the mould through
the gate; the type having solidified, the plate M rises and detaches therefrom the
runner moulded in the gate L forming at the same time in the body of the letter
the usual nick. The runner thus broken off lodges in a groove of the same form
made in the side of the carrier F where the plate R works and is carried backwards
by the former.
The type, cast without taper at the face, is drawn out of the matrix by the
carrier F moving backwards. For this purpose a pin or die e is fixed in and
projects slightly from the bottom of the steel block E and penetrates the body of
the type so as to enable the slight adhesion of the body to the sides of the mould.
to be overcome by the carrier which in moving backwards thus carries the type
with it.
The pin e could also be engraved with a trade mark which would thus be applied:
to the letters without any extra labour.
When the carrier F is at the end of its backward stroke, the roller g forces down
the levers P P¹ and the fingers Q and R which expel the letter and runner each
into a receptacle formed beneath the carrier F. This latter again moves forward
to cast another letter and so on.
The construction and working of the mechanism are very simple, simpler even
than in the ordinary founding machines for rough type with jets, fins, and burs.
It is only necessary now to indicate some peculiarities relating to the changes in
the width and depth or size of body, which are made with the greatest facility..
The change of depth or size is made by a set of plates G and by adjusting the
steel block D as in existing machines. The change in width is regulated by the
matrix itself which is in use. In fact this matrix is justified according to a width
proportionate to the width of the letter which is cast therein. Now it has been
seen that the table J which supports the said matrix is fixed to the piece H carrying
the plate G, this piece resting on a spring. Therefore it is only necessary to place
the matrix between the table or plate J and the opposite plate d¹ fixed to the
block D' in order that the plate G shall be just at the proper height for the required
width of the body.
The plate carrier H is fixed in this position by tightening the screw h and
cotter h¹, at the same time the end of the screw h prolonged past the piece H limits
the descent of slide O carrying the jet cutter M,. The matrix is also regulated
lengthwise so that the eye of the letter comes exactly in position when the matrix
abuts against the steel block C¹.
Thus in neither direction are any trials necessary on the part of the founder to
fix the matrix in position.
I will now proceed to indicate some accessory details which insure the good
working of this machine.
Thus; in order to insure a tight closure of the mould I employ the plate ¹,
already referred to; this plate is fastened to a slide 2 fitting in the carrier H;
a rod 3 having a T shaped upper end engages in the slide 2 so that the whole
(2, 3) is moved up and down as one, at the right moment, by a cam motion.
For the same purpose an abutment plate d is fixed to the arm d¹ which is in one
piece with D fastened to the block D. The plate ¹ closes the mould at the foot
and when raised for this purpose at the required moment the steel block i thrusts
against it at the end of the forward movement of the carrier F to press it firmly
against the orifice of the mould. By this means the foot of the mould is closed
with the greatest possible certainty.

page_text: At the other end the lower edge of the plate d forms a very small portion of the
upper side mould and serves as an abutnient for the matrix I. The block E of
the carrier presses against this plate d, which prevents the direct contact of the'
said block E with the matrix I; this latter cannot therefore be forced back by an
intervening particle of metal or by any other means; its position is besides rendered
absolutely invariable by the key k¹ which completely prevents any backward
movement of the matrix I. The types cast in this mould are consequently always
of the same height and the spluttering of molten metal is prevented.
To facilitate the withdrawal of the type, I apply an outward strain to the
piece D so as to separate it insensibly from the cast type. For this purpose I insert
in a tapped hole in the piece D' a pressure screw t which abuts against a shoulder a¹
fixed to the arm a¹, a wedge a² maintains in invariable distance between the
shoulder block a¹ and the block of steel C. The screw t is screwed against
shoulder a¹, and the lever t¹ fixed on its other end; the boss of this lever is split
for this purpose and provided with a set screw t². By this means if at the moment
the carrier F is about to recede the lever t¹ is slightly raised (which is effected by
a vertical rod t³ moved by a cam) the screw t will press against the shoulder a¹
which will strain the block D₁ towards the lever t¹; the block D' transmits the
strain to D, on which it is fixed, and this last, although firmly bolted down, receives
an imperceptible movement, but which is enough to permit the easy withdrawal of
the type from the mould. The lever t¹ is then lowered to allow the block D to
regain by its elasticity its original position for casting another type.
•
To avoid the formation of a drop at the nozzle of the crucible between each
injection of metal into the mould, I use a double plate n¹ n²; that is to say on the
back of the plate n¹ opposite its concavity I fit another very thin plate n² provided
with a hole like that of n¹. This plate n² is placed vertically and fastened at the
top to a bolt fixed to the lever N', oscillating on the centre N³. This lever worked
by a cam lifts the plate n² between each injection of the metal, and the drop, if
one is formed, is removed at the same time that the plate n² closes the hole in the
first plate and prevents the liquid metal from running out of the hole in the
plate n. The plate n² is returned by the action of the lever N', into the position
necessary to make its hole coincide with that of the plate n¹ at the moment of
injecting the metal. In this position the lever N presses at the same time on the
finger R and prevents it rising through the pressure of the inflowing metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1st A type founding machine wherein the type is cast with the jet or runner on
the side of the body (instead of on the foot as usual) the jet cut off and the nick
at same time formed substantially as specified..
2nd The extraction of the type by the backward movement of the carrier F and
of the pin e; this extraction being facilitated by the action of the screw t, which
strains open the mould to an insensible degree as specified.
3rd The method of fixing in place the matrix I, which ensures without trial the
proper position of the plate Ġ, limits the descent of the slide M, and at once
regulates the thickness of the body to be cast.
4th The fixity of the three sides of the mould, D, C, C¹ and G and of the matrix I so
long as the same matrix is being used, which avoids the possibility of any variation
in the size of the body.
5th The arrangement of the plate & which prevents the direct contact of the
matrix I with the block E of the carrier F, and the arrangement of the plate i¹
which closes the foot of the mould, the two parts & and i¹ preventing the escape
of the molten metal by insuring the perfect closure of the mould.
6th The double plates n¹, n² arranged and operating as described to prevent the
formation of a drop at the nozzle of the crucible.
7th The fingers and R arranged and operating as described to detach the
letter and the jet carried backwards by the carrier F.

page_text: 8th The bell crank lever f¹ arranged and operating as described to hold the steel
block E of the carrier F firmly pressed on the mould during the operation of
casting.
9th The combination and arrangement of parts of the type founding machine,
whereby the types are delivered completely finished and ready for the compositor.
Dated this 25ra
Uctober 1884.
A. M. CLARK.
By his Agents,
A. M. & W
Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, W.C.
A. M. CLARK.
By his Agents,
A. M. & W
Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, W.C.