Improvements in Linotype Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
Improvements in Linotype Machines.
A communication by JOHN R. ROGERS, of Brooklyn, Kings County, State of New
York, United States of America, Engineer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of War-
wick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
The invention relates to a linotype machine adapted to produce, in addition
to the ordinary body characters, corresponding italic characters, small capitals,
black-faced letters or other secondary characters, by the employment of matrices,
cach containing two or more separately usable characters, as described in Letters
Patent No. 18886 of 1895.
The improvements are intended for carrying into effect in a simple and satis-
factory manner the improvement disclosed in the above mentioned patent, as
applied to a Mergenthaler linotype machine of the character represented in Letters
Patent dated September 16th 1890, No. 14582, and with the exception of the parts
described herein and in the Patent No. 18886 of 1895, the machine may be con-
structed in all essential particulars in accordance with said Mergenthaler's patent,
or as now in general use.
The parts to which the invention has special reference are intended to co-operate
with matrices, each having two or more characters at different heights, to select
the matrices bearing the required characters and assemble them in line side by
side, at the same time determining the elevation of each matrix, in order to bring
one or another of its characters at the aligning level, as may be required, and
finally, after the casting operation, to restore all of the matrices in the line to a
common level, preparatory to their delivery to the distributing devices by which
they are returned to the upper end of the magazine.
In practice it will happen generally that all of the matrices will be used at
the lower level. in other cases that the entire line of matrices will be used at the
upper level, and frequently that the majority of the matrices will be used at the
lower level, while at one or more points in the line a few matrices, representing
the special characters, will be elevated.
With the exception of the longitudinal adjustment of the matrices, the over-
tions of composing the lines, transferring them to the mould, effecting, the justi-
fication, casting from the composed line, and returning the matrices to the maga-
zine, are identical with those performed in the ordinary commercial linotype
machine.
In the accompanying drawings are represented only such parts as are necessary
to an understanding of this invention, and for.convenience of reference the prin-

page_text: cipal parts shown have been designated by the same letters as are used in Patent
No. 1458290, to which reference may be made for a more detailed description of
their construction and operation, if required..
In the accompanying drawings;
Figure 1 is a front elevation, showing the matrix composing and transferring
mechanisms of the ordinary linotype machine, with the improvements incorpo-
rated therein.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through the assembling elevator on the
line 2-2 of the preceding figure, showing the matrices in their lowermost posi-
tion, to bring the upper or body characters in line for use.
.
Figure 3 is a similar section, with the parts adjusted to maintain the matrices
in the elevated position in the line, in order to bring the italic or other special
characters into use.
Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sections from front to rear on the correspondingly
numbered lines of Figure 1, showing the matrices in front of the mould in the
elevated and lowered positions respectively.
Figure 6 is a vertical cross section from front to rear, showing the line of
matrices in the elevator in the course of travel from the mould to the transfer
devices above.
Figure 7 is a vertical cross section from front to rear on the correspondingly
numbered lines of Figure 1, showing the manner in which the elevated matrices
are released and permitted to fall to a level with the others in the line previous
to their transfer.
Figure 8 is a front elevation of the assembling elevator on a large scale, the
front gate or wall being broken away in order to expose the internal parts, to view.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the same, the parts being broken away to the
level of the line 9-9 of the preceding figure, in order to expose the horizontal
blades or rails by which the matrices are supported in an elevated position.
Figure 10 is a front elevation of the assembling elevator entire.
Figures 11 and 12 are vertical sections through the assembling elevator, corre-
sponding to Figures 2 and 3, but ou a larger scale.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 are respectively, a front elevation, side elevation and top
plan view of the elevator in which the matrices are carried to the mould and
thence to the transfer devices above.
Figures 16 and 17 are cross sections, corresponding to Figures 6 and 7 and on a
larger scale, these sections being taken on the lines 6-6 and 7-7 of Figures 1,
13 and 15.
Figure 18 is a front elevation, illustrating the manner in which the elevator
co-operates with the main frame to permit the final alignment of the matrices
preparatory to distribution.
Figure 19 is a cross section on a correspondingly numbered line of the preced-
ing figure, and Figure 20 a similar view, with the elevator in its highest position
and the matrix supporting blade retracted.
Referring to Figure 1, GG represent channels through which the matrices
descend, one at a time, from the magazine to the inclined assembling belt H,
from which they are delivered successively in front of the rotary assembling
wheel 2 commonly known as the "star wheel " by which they are carried forward,
one after another, into the channelled "assembling elevator" I, and added to the
line in course of composition, as usual. The usual wedge-shaped spaces, or other
suitable spaces will also be fed into the line as usual. After the composition of
the line is completed, the elevator I is lifted, until the line stands on a level with
the fixed guide or channel M and between the fingers L and L of the transfer
carriage, which latter moves horizontally to the left, carrying the matrix line
through the channel M into the channelled vertically movable elevator N.. com-
monly known as the "first elevator." This first elevator, after receiving the line
of matrices, is lowered until the line is presented in front of the slotted mould,

page_text: carried in the vertical supporting wheel 0, commonly denominated the "mould-
wheel" which moves forward horizontally until the mould proper is in intimate
contact with the matrices, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. After the casting action,
the mould wheel retreats horizontally and the elevator N rises until the matrix
-line reaches the upper level indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, after which the
line is pushed horizontally to the right, as indicated by the arrow, until the teeth
at the upper ends engage the elevator bar t, commonly known as the "second
elevator," by which the matrices are finally lifted to the distributing mechanism
at the top of the machine. The parts described above and their actions are essen-
tially the same as in the Mergenthaler patent before referred to.
The matrices employed are constructed each with two characters, as described
in Patents Nos. 5971 of 1891 and 18886 of 1895 being in other respects ordinary
linotype matrices.
In order that each matrix entering the line in course of composition may be
maintained at a higher level or a lower level, according as one or the other of its
characters is to be used, the assembling elevator I is provided, preferably in the
forward side, with a longitudinal rib or blade 2¹0, so positioned that the lower ear
of the incoming matrices may pass thereover or thereunder.
If the ears pass
below the blade, the matrices stand at the lower level, as shown in Figure 11 and
at the extreme right in Figure 8, so that their upper or body characters are main-
tained at the aligning level for presentation to the mould. If, however, the ears
pass above the blade, the latter serves to sustain the matrices at the higher level,
as shown in Figure 12 and on the left hand in Figure 8, so that the lower or
secondary characters are presented to the mould. The blade or rib 210 may be
fixed in position, but for reasons hereinafter explained, it is mounted so that it
may be drawn forward beyond its operative position, as shown in Figure 11.
In order to determine whether the ears of the incoming matrices shall pass
under or over the blade 210, at the extreme right of the assembling elevator, at the
point where the matrices enter, is provided a horizontal stop or blade, adapted
to slide inward and outward, or, in other words, forward and backward, under the
influence of the hand lever 12, mounted on the front of the assembling elevator.
When this blade is thrust forward, as shown in Figure 12, it stands in the path
of the incoming matrices, which, striking thereon, are arrested in their descent
thereby and supported, so that, as they are crowded to the left by the following
matrices, they pass upon and are sustained in their elevated positions
by the blade 10. When, however, the blade is drawn forward
out of the path of the matrices, they will, on entering, descend
to the lower or ordinary level and their ears will, as the line ad-
vances, pass below the blade 10 Thus it will be seen, the elevation of each
matrix entering the line may be determined by moving the blade inward or
outward. When italics or other secondary characters are needed, it is only neces-
sary to push the blade inward and leave it in position while operating the finger
keys of the machine as usual. By properly adjusting the blade, it is possible to
align all the matrices at the lower level to produce body characters, or at the
higher level to produce the secondary characters. or to introduce into
a line of body characters one or more words in the secondary characters,
or. if required, a single letter of the secondary form. In short, the
adjustable blade, or stop, enables the operator, without changing the ordinary
action of the machine in any other respect, to select for each line characters of
either or both forms, as demanded. It will be understood that the secondary
characters may be italics corresponding to the body characters, or display char-
acters, or small capitals. It will also be understood that any two different letters
or characters may be used in one matrix, if they are of equal width. Thus for.
convenience the small capital characters may be placed on matrices bearing
figures or numerals, or on matrices bearing any other characters of appropriate
width, the combination of characters on each matrix being a purely arbitrary
matter. For the ordinary letters of the alphabet it is preferred to place the same

page_text: letter in different forms, for instance, Roman and italic, or Roman and black face,
on one matrix.
The blade 10 may be made of greater or less width lengthwise of the line, as
convenience may dictate. Inasmuch as the matrices have their characters re-
peated on the back, in view of the operator, as usual, it is possible with this con-
trivance to adjust the blade ", without difficulty, so as to put even single matrices
above or below as demanded.
The long blade 10, which is continued to the left side of the assembling elevator,
is mounted to slide forward and backward through the slot in the elevator, and
its adjustment is effected by two arms ¹³, on a shaft, provided with an operat-
ing handle 15, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
This construction admits of the blade being drawn forward beyond the path of
the matrices, so as to relieve the latter from any unnecessary wear in the event of
their all being used continuously at the lower level.
While it is preferred to make the stop i, in the form herein; shown, it is to
be understood that it may be made in any other form and mounted and operated
in any other manner, provided only it serves to determine the elevation of the
matrices entering the assembler and passing forward to the line therein.
essence of the invention in this regard resides in the use of a movable stop in
the assembling elevator, to co-operate with the assembling devices.
The
The mould O, to which the composed line of matrices is finally presented, in
order that the matrices may form characters on the slug or line of type cast in
the mould, may be of the ordinary construction, except that it should contain, as
described in the Patent No. 18886 of 1895, two horizontal grooves; to admit the
front ears of the matrices at different levels. Instead of constructing the body of
this mould, however, in one piece, with both grooves therein, the construction pre-
ferred is shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the plate oo is secured to the front
of the mould, said plate containing near its upper edge a horizontal groove 12, to
receive the ears of the lower matrices as shown in Figure 5. The upper edge of
this plate is rabbetted or cut away in order to leave a second groove oll, between
it and the under edge of the mould face, to receive the ears of the elevated
matrices as shown in Figure 4.
It will be remembered that the composed line is transferred to the first eleva-
tor N which lowers it to the mould. In order that the matrices may be main-
tained at the levels on which they are assembled until presented to the mould,
in the front of the elevator, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 and Figures 13 to 17
is mounted a horizontal blade n10, free to slide forward and backward. When
thrust inward, toward the rear of the machine, as shown in Figure 16, this blade
will lie below the ears of the elevated matrices and maintain their elevated posi-
tions, while the ears of the lower matrices will pass beneath the blade, and thus
it is that the matrices carried horizontally into the elevator from the right hand
are properly held. When the elevator lifts the line for presentation to the trans-
fer device, the sustaining blade 10, should be withdrawn, in order that the elevated
matrices in the line may fall to a level with the remainder, as shown in Figure 17.
This employment of the blade may be effected by any suitable automatic means,
but it is preferred to employ, as shown in the drawings, two vertical levers n¹,
centrally pivoted in slots in the elevator, their lower ends seated in holes in the
blade, and their upper ends acted upon by spiral springs 12 attached to the
elevator frame, so that they tend constantly to hold the blade inward in operative
position. The upper ends of these levers are bevelled or rounded, and as the
clevator completes its rising movement, the levers encounter a fixed projection 13,
on the main frame, whereby the levers are pushed inward at the upper ends, as
shown in Figure 17, and caused to retract the blade 10. Thus it will be seen, the
blade is automatically retracted and all the matrices in the line permitted to
assume a common level, preparatory to their being shifted to the right on to the
elevator T.
The essence of the invention in this regard lies, first, in the employment of a

page_text: yielding or spring-supported bar, to sustain the matrices in the first elevator; and,
second, in the employment of means for automatically effecting the retraction of
the bar; and it will be evident to the skilled mechanic that the parts may be
varied widely in detail, without effecting the mode of action, or departing from
the limits of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. As an improvement in the Mergenthaler linotype machine, and in combina-
tion with matrices, each bearing a plurality of characters, the assembling elevator,
provided with a rib or blade 210, to sustain the matrices above the normal level,
and a stop or blade, mounted in the elevator and adapted to be set in different
positions, to determine the elevation of the incoming matrices.
2. As an improvement in the Mergenthaler linotype machine, and in combina-
tion with matrices each bearing two characters, the assembling star wheel and
the assembling elevator, provided with a longitudinal rib or blade 10 and with a
co-operating adjustable blade or stop, , independent of the finger-key
mechanism of the machine, whereby said stop may be set to cause the delivery of
all the incoming matrices at a higher or a lower level, as demanded.
3. In a linotype machine and in combination with matrices each containing
two characters, an assembling mechanism provided with two horizontal blades or
stops and, movable into and out of the path of the incoming matrices.
4. In a linotype machine and in combination with an assembling elevator,
having a horizontal blade or shoulder 10, to sustain the matrices above the normal
position, a blade or stop 1, and the operating lever therefor.
5. In a linotype machine, employing matrices with two characters each, the
mould provided with two horizontal grooves to receive the cars of the matrices,
one of said grooves formed in a plate distinct from the body of the mould, but
attached thereto.
6. In a linotype machine employing matrices with two characters each, an
elevator N, provided with a movable blade, to sustain part or all of the matrices
above their normal position.
7. In a linotype machine, the second elevator provided with a movable matrix
supporting blade, in combination with means for automatically retracting the
same.
8. In a linotype machine, the second elevator provided with a movable blade,
in combination with spring connections, tending to advance said blade, and posi-
tively acting devices to effect the retraction of the same, substantially as described.
Dated this 19th day of August 1898.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.