of and Apparatus for Making Matrix Strips Provided with a Plurality of Matrix Characters.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23th Feb., 1899 -Accepted, 29th Apr., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Method of and Apparatus for Making Matrix Strips Provided with a
Plurality of Matrix Characters.
I, GUSTAV FISCHER, 16, Friedrichstrasse, Berlin, Germany, Manufacturer, 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:-
-
The line casting machine known as the "Monoline" works with matrix strips,
each of which has twelve different characters on its edge. When such matrices
are composed to form a line, it is necessary to adjust the successive matrices in
such a manner that certain characters come into an exact line, viz. for each
matrix, the precise character to be selected at the spot of the line occupied by that
matrix. This adjustment must be very exact as the slightest inaccuracy in this
respect will visibly injure the straightness of the lines printed which is objection-
able and contrary to the rules of typography.
The good quality of the impressions depends also upon the several matrix
characters being of the same depth, as otherwise the letters of the cast line will
not lie flush with each other and the more projecting characters will give a fatter
and darker impression that those lying deeper. Therefore in matrix-strips carry-
ing each a plurality of matrix characters, all the characters should be of the same
depth.
The above mentioned adjustment of the matrix strips of a line is effected by
means of grooves on the back edge of the strip, one groove corresponding to each
matrix character of the front edge.
In
Having regard to these circumstances, two methods have hitherto been
employed in making matrix strips provided with a plurality of matrix characters.
In the first method, the object was sought to be attained by punching.
order to get matrices of equal depth, the whole of the characters of one strip were
punched at one operation, a plurality of punches being put together so as to form
a single die. In order to bring the several characters at equal distances apart the
punches are made all of the same body, and the grooves of the back edge are then
cut out at one operation by a combined cutter. The results have not been as
satisfactory as expected, for as a matter of fact, the depths of the several matrix
characters became unequal and no straightness of lines could be obtained, so that
casts made with such matrices did not answer the requirements of typography.
The punching method was abandoned after long continued and fruitless experi-
ments, and the galvano-plastic process employed. This process, it is true, gave
more satisfactory results as the characters became equal in depth, and the lines
more straight, but it had the disadvantage that the matrices formed in deposited
(precipitated) copper wore away unequally, so as to give unequal prints as to the
strength and color of impression, besides which there was another inconvenience
met with, viz. that, in printing, fine lines appeared between the several letters as
in consequence of the wearing away of the matrices on the outer edges, no metal
proof closing between the several matrices of a line could be obtained, and metal

page_text: could penetrate into the gaps when the casting was done, so as to form "fins"
between the different letters in the cast lines, which also appeared in the printing,
unless previously removed. For these reasons, the galvanoplastic process was like-
wise abandoned as not having any commercial value, and the new method now to
be described definitively accepted on the ground of the satisfactory results obtained
by it in every respect.
The new method is a punching method and on the one hand based on the fact stated
by experience that if it be desired to produce matrices of exactly the same depth
by punching, the down stroke of the punch must be purposely varied as according
to the form of character, that is, accordingly as more or less metal must be dis-
placed, the resistance varies and a return spring action (recoil) of the metal, corre-
sponding to this resistance, after the punching takes place. Hence, it became
necessary to abandon the principle of simultaneously punching all the characters
of a strip and to punch each character separately. On the other hand, the new
method is based on the fact stated by careful experiments, that the straightness
of the lines is not influenced primarily by inaccuracy of the implements, but
rather by the changes of temperature in the workroom. A combined cutter for
12 grooves (this is the number in question) is affected thereby as well as the
machine frame in such a manner that the minute coincidence that must exist
between the grooves and the matrix characters, cannot be secured. Moreover the
comparatively long matrix strips (for 12 characters) are affected as regards length
when the temperature changes and as the punching and the cutting of the grooves
cannot be effected simultaneously, new objectionable differences will arise there-
from. These difficulties are obviated by the present invention, the matrix strips
first being furnished on the back edge with the number of grooves required without
its being necessary to keep them at the same-distance apart. (so-that-thus in
employing a combined cutter, the influences of temperature are entirely
eliminated); then in punching the matrices singly, one groove after the other is
made use of for adjusting the strip with respect to the punch.
To this purpose, a projection or abutment is provided beneath the punch
between two clamping jaws, on which abutment the matrix strip is successively
pushed with the grooves of its lower edge. Thereby, the opposite lying parts of
the upper matrix edge are brought under and adjusted with respect to the punch;
and when the jaws have closed, the punch descends indenting the character on the
spot lying opposite to the groove. The descent of the several punches is regulated
once for all by exact adjustment as to their length, their place being assured by
adjustment of two adjacent sides. In this method, it is evidently immaterial
whether the grooves are at equal or unequal distances apart from each other, or
whether the punching takes place simultaneously with the cutting and at the
same temperature or not so, and nevertheless, the exact relative position of each
groove to the corresponding matrix character is assured.
For carrying out the above method, the means illustrated in the annexed draw-
ings Figures 1, 2, and 3 respectively in side view, plan, and section along the
line,, of Figure 1 are employed.
The device is placed on the table of any press that may be selected.
It consists of a bed plate 2 to be fixed to the table 1, and provided with the
stationary jaw 3, the support 4 for the matrix strip 5 (Figure 3 elevation and
Figure 1 section) and the horizontal guide 6 for a slide piece 7, which carries the
movable iaw 8 and a covering plate 9.
The slide piece 7 is held in the position indicated by spiral springs 10 fastened
to pins 11 of plate 2, and carries on its upper side a bearing 12 for a spring
actuated bolt 13 and against which bears the tapering or oblique part 16 of an
arm 15 fixed to the punch carrier.
If the punch carrier descends with the arm 15, slide piece 7 is pushed towards
the right, Figure 1, until the jaw 8 strikes the matrix strip 5, and the latter is
thereby firmly clamped between the jaws 3 and 8, whilst the covering plate 9
overlaps the upper edge of the matrix strip.

page_text: As the punch carrier descends further, bolt 13 which is under spring influence,
gives way, and punch 17 passes through a recess 18 (Figure 2) of plate 9, in order
to indent the matrix character on the upper edge of the matrix strip 5. When
the punch is raised again, plate 9 prevents the strip from being accidentally lifted
by adherence of the punch to the strip. As soon however as the stamp has left
the metal, slide piece 7, upon the further ascent of the punch carrier, moves
towards the left (Figure 1) and plate 9 releases the upper edge of the strip.
The exact adjustment of the matrix strip with respect to the punch appears
from the sectional view, Figure 3.
The strip 5 has on its lower edge the grooves 19, by means of which, upon com-
posing the strips to a line, the adjustment of the several strips is secured. These
grooves must all be of the same width, but need not be at the same distance apart
from each other. On the upper edge, flat grooves 20 are cut and on the ground
of these the matrix character is indented. The grooves 20 need not be of equal
width, nor at the same distance from each other, nor lio exactly opposite the
grooves 19, as will presently be described. The grooves 20 may also be wider than
the grooves 19.
The support 4 is provided with an abutment or projection 21 which fits exactly
into the grooves 19. If now, for instance, the letter is to be punched, and the
sixth groove 19 from the end of the strip corresponds to this letter, the matrix
is pushed with this groove on to the projection 21, Figure 3, and the character is
indented on the ground of the corresponding groove 20, that is to say, likewise,
the sixth groove from the end. In this way, all the strips are indented with the
punch for b. If the next groove should correspond to the letter d, the punch
for d is first put in and all matrices of the set successively are pushed with the
seventh groove 19 on to the projection 21, and so on until all matrices of the
set are indented with the several characters.
It will thus be seen that the successive matrix characters will stand at the same
distances apart on the upper edge as the successive grooves 19, whether these be
at equal or at varying distances apart from each other, and that every matrix
character, in case it should not lie exactly opposite its corresponding groove 19,
will be shifted with respect to it exactly the same extent as the punch and the
projection 21 have an unvarying position in relation to each other. It is. thus
clear that if later on when the strips are composed to lines and the grooves 19 are
employed for adjusting the matrix strips, the several matrix characters will come
into exactly straight lines, whatever the adjustment may be.
The apparatus illustrated in the drawing is furnished with means for accelerating
the work.
In the slide piece, a spring actuated pusher 22 is guided. When the slide piece
moves forward, the pusher at once leans yieldingly against the matrix strip, so that
the workman can at once release the same after the laying in, whilst the pusher
accordingly remains longer in contact with the strip than does the movable jaw 8.
In the support 4, further, four pins 23, 24, 25, 26 move. These are seated in a
bar 28 guided by means of a rod 27. Underneath the bar extends a lever 30 which
is pivoted at 29 to the press table. The end 31 of this lever co-operates with a
tooth 32 of a rod 34 pivoted at 33 to the punch carrier. A wedge-surface 35 formed
on the end of rod 34 co-operates with a pin 36 on the arm 37 of the press table
and is kept in contact with this pin by a spring 38.
In consequence of this arrangement, the tooth 32 towards the end of the punch
carriers descent, snaps under the lever end 31 and, upon the punch carrier again
ascending as soon as plate 9 has cleared the upper edge of the matrix strip, raises
the lever 30 and, at the same time, bar 28 together with the pins 23, 24, 25, 26.
These pins carry the matrix strip along, whilst the pusher 22 leans against the
latter and secures it from tilting. As soon as the matrix strip has passed with its
lower edge beyond the lower projection 39 of the pusher, the upper pusher pro-
jection 40 produces a tilting movement of the matrix around the rounded off
edge 41 of the jaw 3, Figure 4, and as the pins 23, 24, 25, 26 are conveniently

page_text: tapered at the upper end, the matrix is finally so thrown down that it falls into the
channel 42. At the same time, however, in consequence of the co-operation of
the wedge surface 35 and the pin 36, tooth 32 has been shifted from under the
lever end 31, so that the lever 30 is released and descends, whilst the bar 28 with
the pins 23, 24, 25, 26 move quickly downwards under the action of a spring 43,
so that the pins 23, 24, 25, 26 re-enter into the support 4 and so allow of a fresh
matrix strip being laid on the support.
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:-
1. The method of making matrix strips provided with a plurality of matrix
characters, which consists in providing the strip with a plurality of grooves on one
edge, these grooves serving likewise for setting purposes, in longitudinally adjust-
ing the strip with respect to a punch by means of the said grooves, and in
punching separately the several characters on the other edge of the strip, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
2. A mode of carrying out the method described in Claim 1, which consists in
varving the descent of the punch in accordance with the form of the several letters
to be punched, i.c. accordingly to the quantity of material to be displaced by
punching, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In a device for carrying out the method described in Claim 1, the com-
bination of a stationary jaw 3 provided with a support 4 and a projection or abut-
ment 21 for receiving and supporting the matrix-strip_in_an_adjusted position, a
movable jaw piece 7, 8, to be yieldingly pressed against the matrix strip by means
of the punch carrier in its downward movement, and a plate 9 fixed to the movable
jaw to overlap the matrix strip and prevent it from being withdrawn from its seat
by adherence to the ascending punch, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
4. In combination with the device described in Claim 3, the arrangement of a
spring actuated pusher 22 guided in the movable jaw piece 7 and provided with
two projections 39, 40, and of a bar 28 carrying ejector pins 23, 24, 25, 26, to be
raised together with the punch carrier in order to lift the matrix strip, the said
pusher bearing against the matrix strip and preventing it from tilting in its
rising movement until its lower edge passes by the lower pusher projection 39.
whilst after that the only upper pusher projection 40 becomes operative to tilt the
matrix bar on the upper edge of the stationary jaw 3 and throw it off.
Dated this 28th day of February 1899.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Gustav Fischer.