improvements in Linotype Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1898
improvements in Linotype Machines.
I, CARL MUEHLEISEN, Mechanical Engineer, residing at No. 605, North Monroe
Street, in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, in the United States of
America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The linotype machines now in common use are provided with magazines in
which there are tubes or channels for a set of matrices representing about ninety
characters. In these machines it is often desirable, especially for book work to
have conveniently at hand a considerable number of matrices representing a
number of additional characters, and it is the object of the present invention to
provide machines of this class with any desired number of characters in addition
to those carried by the usual magazine, and to provide means for automatically
assembling and automatically distributing the additional characters.
In carrying out the invention I provide the machine with a plurality of
independent magazines so arranged that the matrices from them are delivered
to a common assembling mechanism; and I provide a distributing mechanism
arranged to automatically distribute all of the matrices to the proper tubes or
channels in their respective magazines. In the preferred form of the invention
a common belt conveys the matrices from the delivery ends of the several magazines
to the place of assemblage and a common distributing rail delivers the matrices
to their respective magazines. The invention further consists in various details
of construction which will be hereinafter described.
The invention may be described in relation to a machine having two maga-
zines, this number being deemed sufficient for the purpose of illustrating the
invention, but it will be understood that the common assembling and distributing
mechanism described may be extended to include any number of additional
magazines.
It will be necessary to describe in detail only those parts of the machine embody-
ing the present improvements. For a complete description of the remaining
portions of the machine reference may be had to British Letters Patent No. 15482
dated September 16, 1890. The present machine comprises a main frame, two
magazines, two key-boards, an endless belt which receives the matrices from the
magazines and conveys them to the assembling block, in which they are set up
in a line preparatory to their being transferred to the casting mechanism by which
a linotype or slug is produced, and an elevator arm, which raises the matrices to
the distributing mechanism after the linotype is cast. The magazines may be of
any suitable construction, conveniently they are magazines of the standard lino-
type machines illustrated in the above mentioned patent. They are arranged at
the same height and the matrix guides of the right hand are shortened to permit
the conveyer belt to run horizontally from that magazine to the right edge of the
left hand magazine. From this point the belt is inclined downward to the
assemblage block. The belt runs in a trough or channel having front and back
sides, which keep the matrices in proper position on the belt, the sides being
attached to a bottom beneath the belt. The belt being first removed the entire
channel may be removed by sliding it to the right, in order to detach it from the

page_text: left hand magazine and the part in front of the right hand magazine is pivoted
to the bottom of the channel and can be turned up to enable the operator to con-
veniently get at any matrices which may stick in passing from the magazine to
the belt. The channel rests detachably upon suitable supports. When additional
magazines are used they are placed in line with the two magazines already referred
to, and the belt is extended to receive the matrices from them. The term
zine," as used in this specification, refers to a group or assemblage of tubes or
receptacles capable of holding a font of matrices, which is its ordinary accepta-
tion in the art...
maga-
The key-board may be identical with those shown in the patents. The key-
board for the right hand magazine preferably has the key levers inclined to the
left from the magazine operating rods to bring the keys as close to the operator
as possible. When additional magazines are used the additional key-boards
should also be arranged convenient to the operator. A very simple connection
is made between the key-levers and the operating rods which is accomplished by
notching the lower ends of the rods and the upper edges of the key-levers. The
levers being at an angle to the plane of the rods permit the notches. to mutually
engage, the rods straddling the levers. The rods are normally held down by
springs. The matrices are released by depressing the keys and raising the rods.
The right hand magazine and its corresponding key-board are supported on
standards.
As is
One object of the invention is to increase the capacity of existing linotype
machines by providing them with additional magazines having automatic dis-
tributors and to accomplish this change with the least possible expense.
well known about 90 characters are automatically distributed in the present lino-
type machine, and the distributing capacity of the tooth combinations, as now
used on the standard matrices, allows of distributing about 34 additional ones only,
but if the increase in the number of matrices to be automatically distributed is more
than this amount, as it will be required in most cases, then an increase in the number
of combinations represented by the number of ribs of the distributer-rail and the
teeth of the matrices, is involved. The standard machines have seven ribs on each
side of the distributer-rail and the standard matrices have co-operating teeth in
seven positions. To increase the number of combinations sufficiently an additional
rib is added to each side of the distributer rail, which results in doubling its
capacity, and the teeth of the matrices are arranged in eight positions instead of
geven. The old seven-toothed matrices are converted into eight-toothed matrices
by enlarging their V-shaped openings, the new teeth being formed back of the
old ones and the two new teeth added to the bottom. In this manner tlie old
matrices may all be utilized in the improved machines.
In combination with the eight-toothed matrices and eight-ribbed distributer-
rail, a seven-ribbed elevator-rail is used on the elevator to avoid having to enlarge
the openings in the spaces that have to clear the rail. Naturally the eight-toothed
matrices call for an eight-ribbed elevator-rail, but the construction of the spaces
renders this impractical, as this would so weaken the connections of the ears that
they would be practically useless. The outer contour of the spaces could not be
changed to strengthen them without going to great expense in reconstructing
many parts of the machine to adapt them in the new contour. In order to pre-
serve the strength of the spaces therefore the width of the present elevator-rail
having seven ribs is retained. Each of the matrices having teeth for engaging the
upper ribs of the distributer-rail, is also provided with one or more additional
pairs of teeth, so that they will also hang on to the seven-toothed rail that carries,
them up to the distributer. Of course, there are also other matrices that do not,
carry the upper teeth at all, and when an eight-toothed matrix is carried upon a
seven ribbed elevator-rail; there are no ribs to engage the uppermost teeth. The
present invention therefore also comprises, in combination an elevator-rail having
a given number of ribs, a distributer-rail having a greater number of ribs, matrices
having teeth adapted to engage the distributer-rail and also adapted to engage the
2

page_text: elevator-rail, and spaces having openings corresponding to the width of the elevator-
rail. It will be understood from the prior patents, that the elevator-rail raises the
matrices only, and leaves the spaces to be transferred by other mechanism to the
space magazine.
Directly over the magazines is the distributing mechanism, consisting
principally of the distributer-rail and the feed screws. The means for trans-
ferring the matrices from the elevator-rail to the distributor-rail are fully described
in Letters Patent abovementioned and need not be referred to here as they do not
form part of the present invention. The matrices are carried along by the screws
and dropped from the rail into their proper magazine tubes in a manner which is
now well known. According to the present invention the distributor-rail and the
feed-screws extend continuously along the entire series of magazines, whether
there be two or more of them. The rail has a permuted section for each maga-
zine, the sections being separated by intermediate sections which carry all of the
matrices designed for the magazines beyond. The feed screws are necessarily
long, and it is preferred to support them between the magazines by means of
suitable bearings. This is effected without destroying their continuity as matrix
conveyors, by supporting them in bearings, which partially enclose the screw
threads, the bearings being open at their inner sides to permit the matrices to
pass. In this manner, matrices may be automatically distributed to two or more
magazines.
Sorts matrices which are infrequently used may be kept in a case convenient to
the operator. Such matrices will be automatically returned to a box adjacent to
said case through a tube into which they are dropped by the distributor.
On
The distributor is provided with an automatic stop mechanism which is sub-
stantially the same as that described in the patent above referred to and need
not, therefore be referred to in detail. The object of the stop mechanism is to
automatically stop the distributor screws whenever a matrix fails to drop properly
into its magazine channel. The mechanism is operated by stop racks lying in
the rear of the upper ends of the magazines. The stop racks are fastened by
screws or pins passing loosely through slots which permit a slight longitudinal
movement, sufficient to disengage the clutch which operates the feed screws.
the forward edge of the racks are teeth which engage the flexible upper ends of
the magazine partitions. The stop rack mechanism is preferably formed in
sections corresponding in number to the magazines, each magazine carrying its
own stop rack, the adjacent ends of the sections normally abutting. When a
matrix sticks at the entrance to any of the magazine tubes it will be forced forward
against the flexible partition by the lower screw or by the succeeding matrix and
a movement will thus be imparted to the stop rack sufficient to disengage the
clutch and stop the distributing mechanism. The distributor remains at rest
until the cause of the trouble is removed when it is again started by hand. The
stop racks are normally drawn to the right out of engagement with the stop
mechanism by springs.
I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to use, in addition to the
ordinary magazine of a linotype machine, à supplemental magazine into which
matrices were introduced by hand, and from which they were conveyed through
a common tube to the belt of the assembling mechanism, but I believe myself
to be the first to provide a linotype machine with a plurality of distinct magazines
each having a plurality of tubes or receptacles and with distributing means con-
structed to automatically distribute matrices to all of said magazines and do not
limit myself in this respect to the position or arrangement of the magazines; and
I also believe myself to be the first to combine a series of magazines arranged in
line, or tandem, with common means for conveying the matrices to the point of
assemblage, and a common matrix distributor.
Dated this 25th lov of Lulu. 1900
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Linotype Machines.
I, CARL MUEHLEISEN; Mechanical Engineer, residing at No. 605, North Monroe
Street, City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, United States of America, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:
The linotype machines now in common use are provided with magazines in
which there are tubes or channels for a set of matrices representing about ninety
characters. In these machines it is often desirable, especially for book work, to
have conveniently at hand a considerable number of matrices representing a
number of additional characters, and it is the object of the present invention to
provide machines of this class with any desired number of characters in addition
to those carried by the usual magazine, and to provide means for automatically
assembling and automatically distributing the additional characters.
In carrying out the invention. I provide the machine with a plurality of
independent magazines so arranged that the matrices from them are delivered
to a common assembling mechanism; and I provide a distributing mechanism
arranged to automatically distribute all of the matrices to the proper tubes or
channels in their respective magazines. In the preferred form of the invention
a common belt conveys the matrices from the delivery ends of the several magazines
to the place of assemblage and a common distributing rail delivers the matrices
to their respective magazines. The invention further consists in various details
of construction which will be hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings a machine is shown having two magazines, this
number being deemed sufficient for the purpose of illustrating the invention,
but it will be understood that the common assembling and distributing
mechanisms described may be extended to include any number of additional
magazines.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the right end of the machine on a larger scale.
Figs. 3 and 4 are portions of Fig. 2 enlarged.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the matrix guide channel.
Fig. 4 is a detail of the key lever connection showing parts separated.
Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the magazines and distributing mechanism.
Fig. 6 is a portion of Fig. 1 enlarged.
Fig. 7 is a section approximately on the line 7-7, Fig. 5.
Fig. 8 is a side view of the distributer-rail.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of the safety stop racks.
Fig. 10 is a rear view of the distributer feed screws.
Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate matrices.
Fig. 13 illustrates the mode of adapting the standard matrices to the multiple
magazine machine.
Figs. 14 and 15 are sections through the lifting rail of the elevator, illustrating
the relation of the matrices and space bars to said rail, and
Figs. 16 and 17 are corresponding views illustrating an eight-ribbed elevator
rail and its effect upon the space bar.
It will be necessary to describe in detail only those parts of the machine embody-
ing the present improvements. For a complete description of the remaining
portions of the machine reference may be had to British Letters Patent No. 14,582,
dated September 16, 1890. Referring to the drawings, A indicates the main

page_text: frame, B, B¹ magazines, C, C¹ key-boards, D an endless belt which receives the
matrices from the magazines and conveys them to the assembling block E, in
which they are set up in a line preparatory to their being transferred to the
casting mechanism by which a linotype or slug is produced, and F an elevator
arm, which raises the matrices to the distributing mechanism after the linotype
is cast. The magazines B, B¹ may be of any suitable construction, those shown
being magazines of the standard linotype machines illustrated in the above
mentioned patent. They are arranged at the same height and the matrix guides 1
of the magazine B' are shortened to permit the conveyor belt to run horizontally
from the magazine B' to the right edge of the magazine B. From this point the
belt is inclined downward to the assemblage block. The belt runs in a trough
or channel G having front and back sides 2, 3, which keep the matrices in proper
position on the belt, the sides being attached to a bottom. 3ª beneath the belt.
The belt being first removed the entire channel may be removed by sliding it to
the right, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 6, in order to detach it from magazine B,
and the part 2 in front of the magazine B¹ is pivoted at 2b to the bottom of the
channel and can be turned up to enable the operator to conveniently get at any
matrices which may stick in passing from the magazine to the belt. The channel G
rests detachably upon suitable supports 2°. When additional magazines are used
they are placed in line with the magazines B, B' and the belt D is extended to
receive the matrices from them. The term "magazine," as used in this specifica-
tion, refers to a group or assemblage of tubes or receptacles capable of holding
a font of matrices, which is its ordinary acceptation in the art.
The key-board C may be identical with those shown in the patents. The key-
board C preferably has the key levers 4 inclined to the left from the magazine
operating rods 5 to bring the keys as close to the operator as possible. When
additional magazines are used the additional key-boards should also be arranged
convenient to the operator. A very simple connection! is made between the key-
levers 4 and the operating rods 5 which is accomplished by notching the lower
ends of the rods and the upper edges of the key-levers as illustrated at 6 in Figs. 2
and 3. The levers being at an angle to the plane of the rods permit the notches
to mutually engage, the rods straddling the levers. The rods are normally held
down by springs 7. The matrices are released by depressing the keys and raising
the rods. The key-board C and the forward end of the magazine B are sup-
ported on a standard 8, and the rear portion of the magazine is supported on a
standard 9.
One object of the invention is to increase the capacity of existing linotype
machines by providing them with additional magazines having automatic dis-
tributers and to accomplish this change with the least possible expense. As is
well known about 90 characters are automatically distributed in the present lino-
type machine, and the distributing capacity of the tooth combinations, as now
used on the standard matrices, allows of distributing about 34 additional ones only,
but if the increase in the number of matrices to be automatically distributed is more
than this amount, as it will be required in most cases, then an increase in the number
of combinations represented by the number of ribs of the distributer-rail and the
teeth of the matrices, is involved. The standard machines have seven ribs on each
side of the distributer-rail and the standard matrices have co-operating teeth in
seven positions. To increase the number of combinations sufficiently an additional
rib is added to each side of the distributer rail, which results in doubling its
capacity, and the teeth of the matrices are arranged in eight positions instead of
seven. The old seven-toothed matrices are converted into eight-toothed matrices
by enlarging their V-shaped openings, the new teeth being formed back of the
old ones and the two new teeth added at the bottom, as illustrated in Fig. 13, in
which the old teeth are shown in full lines and the new teeth in dotted lines. In
this manner the old matrices may all be utilized in the improved machines.
In combination with the eight-toothed matrices and eight-ribbed distributer-
rail, a seven-ribbed elevator-rail H is used on the elevator F to avoid having to

page_text: enlarge the openings in the spaces I that have to clear the rail. Naturally the
eight-toothed matrices call for an eight-ribbed elevator-rail, as is shown in Fig. 16,
but the construction of the spaces renders this impractical, as shown in Fig. 17,
where a wide or eight-ribbed elevator-rail H' is shown in connection with a space
to illustrate the effect of enlarging the notch in the space I to correspond. It will
be seen that this would so weaken the connections of the ears 10 that they would
be practically useless. The outer contour of the spaces could not be changed to
strengthen them without going to great expense in reconstructing many parts
of the machine to adapt them to the new contour. In order to preserve the
strength of the spaces therefore the width of the present elevator-rail having seven
ribs is retained, as shown in Fig. 15. Each of the matrices having teeth 11 for
engaging the upper ribs of the distributer-rail, is also provided with one or more
pairs of teeth, 12, so that they will also hang on to the seven-toothed rail H that
carries them up to the distributer. Of course, there are also other matrices that
do not carry the upper teeth at all, and one such is shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14
shows an eight-toothed matrix upon a seven-ribbed elevator-rail, there being no
ribs to engage the uppermost teeth. The present invention therefore also com-
prises, in combination, an elevator-rail having a given number of ribs, a distributer-
rail having a greater number of ribs, matrices having teeth adapted to engage
the distributer-rail and also adapted to engage the elevator-rail, and spaces having
openings corresponding to the width of the elevator-rail. It will be understood
from the prior patents that the elevator-rail raises the matrices only, and leaves
the spaces to be transferred by other mechanism to the space magazine.
Directly over the magazines is the distributing mechanism, consisting
principally of the distributer-rail K and the feed screws L. The means for
transferring the matrices from the elevator-rail H to the distributer-rail are fully
described in the Letters Patent above mentioned and need not be referred to here
as they do not form part of the present invention. The matrices are carried along
by the screws and. dropped from the rail into their proper magazine tubes in a
manner which is now well known. According to the present invention the dis-
tributer-rail and the feed-screws extend continuously along the entire series of
magazines, whether there be two or more of them. The rail has a permuted
section 13 for each magazine, the sections being separated by intermediate sec-
tions 14 which carry all of the matrices designed for the magazines beyond. The
feed screws are necessarily long, and it is preferred to support them. between the
magazines by means of suitable bearings. This is effected without destroying
their continuity as matrix conveyers, by supporting them in bearings 15, 16,
which partially enclose the screw-threads, the bearings being open at their inner
sides to permit the matrices M to pass, as shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 10. In this
manner, matrices may be automatically distributed to two or more magazines.
Sorts matrices which are infrequently used may be kept in a case N convenient to
the operator. Such matrices will be automatically returned to a box adjacent
to said case through tube 17 into which they are dropped by the distributer.
The distributer is provided with an automatic stop mechanism indicated at O
which, as illustrated, is substantially the same as that described in the patent
above referred to and need not, therefore, be referred to in detail. The object of
the stop mechanism is to automatically stop the distributer screws whenever a
matrix fails to drop properly into its magazine channel. The mechanism is
operated by stop racks P, P¹ (Figs. 5, 7 and 9) lying in the rear of the upper ends
of the magazines. The stop racks are fastened by screws or pins passing loosely
through slots 18 which permit a slight longitudinal movement, sufficient to dis-
engage the clutch which operates the feed screws. On the forward edge of the
racks are teeth 19 which engage the flexible upper ends 20 of the magazine parti-
tions. The stop rack mechanism is preferably formed in sections corresponding
in number to the magazines, each magazine carrying its own stop rack, the adja-
cent ends of the sections normally abutting. When the section P is operated it
carries the section P¹ with it, but when the section P¹ is operated section P remains

page_text: idle. When a matrix sticks at the entrance to any of the magazine tubes it will
be forced forward against the flexible partition 20 by the lower screw or by the
succeeding matrix and a movement will thus be imparted to the stop rack suf-
ficient to disengage the clutch and stop the distributing mechanism. The dis
tributer remains at rest until the cause of the trouble is removed when it is again
started by hand. The stop racks are normally drawn to the right out of engage-
ment with the stop mechanism by springs 21 (Fig. 5).
I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to use, in addition to the
ordinary magazine of a linotype machine, a supplemental magazine into which
matrices were introduced by hand, and from which they were conveyed through
a common tube to the belt of the assembling mechanism, but I believe myself
to be the first to provide a linotype machine with a plurality of distinct magazines
each having a plurality of tubes or receptacles and with distributing means con-
structed to automatically distribute matrices to all of said magazines and do not
limit myself in this respect to the position or arrangement of the magazines; and
I also believe myself to be the first to combine a series of magazines arranged in
line, or tandem, with common means for conveying the matrices to the point of
assemblage, and a common matrix distributer."
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. In a linotype machine, a plurality of magazines simultaneously operative and
each having a plurality of tubes or receptacles, in combination with distributing
means in said machine constructed to automatically distribute matrices to all of
said magazines.
2. In a linotype machine, a composing mechanism, in combination with a
plurality of magazines simultaneously operative and each having a plurality of
tubes or receptacles, and an automatic distributing mechanism common to said
magazines.
3. In a linotype machine, a plurality of magazines arranged in line, or tandem,
each magazine having a plurality of tubes or receptacles, in combination with a
common distributing mechanism for all of said magazines.
4. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of magazines, and a
key board for each magazine, with distributing means in said machine constructed
to automatically distribute matrices into said magazines.
5. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of magazines, a key
board for each magazine, and a common assembling belt, with distributing means
in said machine constructed to automatically distribute matrices to said magazines.
6. In a linotype machine, a plurality of magazines arranged in line or tandem,
each magazine having a plurality of tubes or receptacles, in combination with a
common distributer-rail and feed-screws.
7. In a linotype machine, a plurality of magazines arranged in line or tandem
and each having a plurality of tubes or receptacles, in combination with a common
distributer-rail having a like plurality of permuted sections, one for each maga-
zine, substantially as described.
8. In a linotype machine, a plurality of magazines, in combination with a
common distributer-rail, and commen feed-screws having intermediate bearings,
said bearings having openings to permit matrices to pass, substantially as described.
9. In a linotype machine, a distributer-rail, in combination with matrix feed-
screws provided with end bearings and with intermediate bearings which have
openings to permit matrices to pass, the screw-threads being continuous through
said intermediate bearings, substantially as described.
10. In a linotype machine, a plurality of magazines arranged in line, or tandem,
each magazine having a plurality of tubes or receptacles, in combination with
automatic distributing mechanism in said machine for said magazines, stop
mechanism for the distributing mechanism, and a plurality of distributer stop

page_text: racks arranged in tandem for operating the stop mechanism, substantially as
described.
11. In a linotype machine, the combination with a distributer-rail having a
given number of ribs, and an elevator-rail having a lesser number of ribs, of a
series of matrices having V-shaped openings and shoulders corresponding to the
distributer-rail, and a series of spaces having smaller V-shaped openings corre-
sponding to the elevator-rail, substantially as described.
12. In a linotype machine, the combination with a series of matrices having
V-shaped openings and a series of spaces having smaller V-shaped openings, of
a distributer-rail having a given number of ribs, and an elevator-rail having ribs
corresponding to all of the ribs of the distributer-rail excepting the uppermost
rib on each side thereof, said uppermost ribs having no counterpart on the elevator-
rail, whereby the elevator-rail is adapted for the spaces having smaller V-shaped
openings than the matrices, substantially as described.
13. In a linotype machine, the combination with a magazine, of a removable
matrix guide channel in which the assembling belt runs, said channel comprising
a bottom and two sides and having its front side hinged, substantially as described.
14. In a linotype machine, the operating rods having notches in their lower
ends and the key levers arranged at an angle to said rods and provided with notches
in their rear ends, the notches of said rods and levers being adapted to mutually
engage each other, substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of January 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.