Improvements in the Ejector Mechanism of Linotype and analogous Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left. 24th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
Communicated from abroad by THE NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHIC COMPANY (a company
organized under the laws of the State of West Virginia), having its principal
places of business at Washington, D.C., and New York City, United States of
America.]
Improvements in the Ejector Mechanism of Linotype and analogous
Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 188 Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Sole Proprietors of, and Manufacturers, Vendors, and Licensors under, the
"Linotype" Patents, do. hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the ejector mechanism of linotype
and analogous machines. The nature of it will be best understood from a description
of it as applied to the Mergenthaler linotype machine described in the Specification
of Letters Patent 14521800. In this machine, a linotype is cast in a mould from
which it is ejected by a reciprocating ejector blade advanced from the rear in the
direction of and through the mould. As often as a change in the size of the linotype
to be made, demands a change in the size of the mould, so often must the ejector
blade be changed.
The object of the present invention is to facilitate the connection and disconnection
of the ejector blades, and to this end consists in the employment of blades which
are adapted to be withdrawn or removed endwise through the mould, and in the
employment of latches or locking devices which admit of each blade being instantly
connected to or disconnected from the carrying slide without the removal of screws or
other like fastenings.
The present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, mechanical
equivalents of each other, which will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic
after consideration of this specification.
Each ejector blade, instead of being made with a widened rear end as heretofore,
now consists simply of a flat sheet of steel, of uniform cross-section throughout
its body portion. These blades will vary in width and thickness according to the
size of the moulds with which they are to be used, but at the rear end they are
all made of a thickness equal to that of the thinnest blade, so that they may all be
fitted snugly into a cavity or recess formed in the side of the ejector slide at its
forward end.
Each blade is provided in the rear end with a notch having a flaring mouth to
receive a guide pin or stud fixed on the slide in order to insure the entrance of the
blade at the exact position required when it is thrust into place. The blades are
provided near their rear ends with two, three or more holes, the number of the
holes depending on the width of the blade. The mould slide is provided with a
series of sliding studs or pius, seated in transverse holes, and adapted to enter the
corresponding holes in the ejector blade. These locking pins are attached each to
one end of a spring, seated in the side of the slide and secured at the opposite end
by a screw. These springs serve to throw the pins forward and to hold them firmly
in engagement with the ejector blade, so that it is prevented from moving endwise,
the blade being sidewise to its position in the slide by the adjoining surface against
which the slide moves.

page_text: In order to disengage the pins and release the slide, we employ a vertical rock-
shaft seated in a hole in the slide and provided with a series of flattened surfaces
against which the springs rest, and also provided with a handle by which it may
be turned. When turned by means of the handle, the shaft lifts the series of springs
in unison and thereby draws the pins out of the ejector blade which may then be
drawn forward from the slide through the mould. In applying a substitute blade,
it is only necessary to thrust it rearward until its rear end enters the seat in the
slide, after which the handle is released and the locking pins permitted to engage.
It is obvious that the series of pins may be attached to a single spring plate or that
springs of any other approximate form may be employed.
It is obvious that the means for retracting the springs may be modified in form
and arranged at will, provided only the mode of action substantially such as is herein
described is retained.
It is to be noted that in a machine of the construction described in the aforesaid
specification, as far as its ejector mechanism is concerned, the ejector slide is covered
and concealed by the mould slide, so that its inner end is not directly accessible.
Hence the importance of a construction permitting the blade to be withdrawn through
the mould and the arrangement of the mounting of the blade securing devices
moveable in the ejector slide, so that they may be operated from its outer or exposed
side.
1
2000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Ejector Mechanism of Linotype and analogous
Machines.
We, THE I.INOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 188 Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Sole Proprietors of and Manufacturers, Vendors, and Licensors under, the
Linotype" Patents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention-a communication
from The National Typographic Company (a company organized under the laws of
the State of West Virginia) having its principal places of business at Washington, D.C.,
and New York City, United States of America, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the ejector mechanism of linotype.
and analogous machines. The accompanying figures illustrate the application of the
invention to the Mergenthaler linotype machine described in the Specification of
Letters Patent 145821890. It must, however, be borne in mind that the invention is
applicable to the ejector mechanism of any linotype machine. It is only because it
has been conceived and developed with special reference to the Mergenthaler
linotype machine and because that machine is the only linotype machine in practical
use in this country, that the application of it thereto, has been selected for illustration
and detailed description.
The function of the ejector mechanism of any linotype machine, is to remove the
newly cast linotype from the mould. In the Mergenthaler linotype machine, this
removal is effected by a mechanism that pushes it out-hence the term Ejector. This
ejector mechanism consists of a constantly rotating cam mechanism, a connecting rod
moved thereby horizontally to and from the front of the machine at the proper times,
an ejector slide fast by its rear end to the front end of the connecting rod, and an
ojector blade fast to the front end of the ejector slide. It is this ejector blade which

page_text: enters the mould cavity in which the linotype is cast. As a matter of fact, it does
more than that, for it passes through the mould for a short distance, of course
pushing the linotype before it. This forward motion of it is followed by a corresponding
one of retraction.
The width and thickuess of the ejector blade correspond with the length and
thickness of the mould cavity. These are the dimensions which correspond, respectively,
with the length and thickness of the linotype. Consequently, when the size of the
mould cavity is changed for one that is smaller or larger in respect of either or of
both of the said dimensions, it is obvious that there must be a corresponding change
in the size of the ejector blade also. Each machine was equipped with a series of
blades comprising a change of blade for each size of linotype it was required to cast.
In the machine as it was first made under the Letters Patent above mentioned,
the ejector blade was held to the front end, or head as it is called, of the ejector slide
by a series of fixed studs. The objection to such a holding device was the presence
between it and the operator, of several parts of the machine, all of which had to be
removed before the device could be got at, and then replaced after the substitution
had been effected, before work could be resumed. All this meant loss of time.
Advantage has been taken of the protrusion of the blade beyond the front of the
mould cavity, to obviate the loss of time above mentioned and to generally facilitate
the change of blade, by making each blade detachable from and attachable to the
head of the ejector slide, by some type of automatically acting or easily releasable
device.
The ejector blade is required to work in the vertical plane while moving horizontally.
Any deviation from such vertical position is inadmissible, because it might lead to the
nose of the blade butting against the metal about the mould cavity and buckling itself,
instead of entering the cavity. To prevent such deviation two courses have been open
to the inventor. One was to tenon the rear end of the blade into a mortice or recess
occupying or standing near the left hand corner of the head of the ejector slide, for
then would the corresponding side of the blade be bearing against and consequently
supported by the mould wheel slide. The other was to form a vertical groove in the
head to receive the rear end of the blade.
The automatic holding devices heretofore proposed are releasable in different ways
according to their respective type; e.g., (a) in the case of spring latches or bolts,
setting them near the nose of the blade, so that the protrusion of it beyond the mould
shall make them accessible from the front of the machine, the intermediate organ
known as the vice frame having been swung out of the way: (b) in the case of
mortices and tenons, bevelling them so that they will disengage from each other under
a pull at the protruded end of the ejector blade: (c) in the case of studs projected by
springs laterally from the ejector head into holes in the rear end of the blade, a pull
acting upon all the studs at once, and accessible through a vacant space on that side
of the blade o opposite to that on which is the mould wheel slide.
The first part of the present invention relates to improvements in the blades
themselves; the second, to an improved device for guiding the rear end of each
blade into its proper position with respect to the head of the ejector slide; and
the third, to improvements in the holding and releasing devices falling within the
terms of the (c) category of the preceding paragraph.
Referring to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of this
specification and read therewith:-
Figure 1 is a side elevation from the right hand of an elevator slide fitted with the
improved holding and releasing devices.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking
at it from below.
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken along the lines 3-3 of Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 4 and 5, are respectively, rear and side elevations of the cam.
Figure 6 is a sectional plan taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the widest and thinnest improved ejector blade of
the series.

page_text: Figures 8 and 9, are respectively, side elevation and plan of a narrower and thicker"
improved ejector blade.
Figures 10 and 11 are, respectively, side elevation and plan of one still narrower,
and thicker.
Figures 12 and 13 are, respectively, side elevation and plan of one narrower and
thicker than the one illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.
Figure 14 is a sectional plan in the plane containing the axis of the mould wheel.
It includes a portion of the frame of the machine, the ejector slide and blade, the
mould wheel and slide, the trimming knives, parts of the vice frame and justifying
mechanism and the galley.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of a modified form of spring.
A is the above mentioned portion of the machine frame; O, the mould wheel
and o, the axle upon which it is mounted. This axle has its bearing in an arm
extending laterally from one side of the mould wheel slide of which is mounted in
guides in the frame of the machine so that the mould wheel O may be carried
horizontally forward and backward to and from the composed line of matrices and
space bars. This line is not included in the figures. o is the mould cavity from
which the linotype must be ejected: E, F, the two trimming knives between which
it must be thrust, and v is the galley in which the duly trimmed linotypes are
received. a, a are studs projecting to the rear from the vice frame and engaging
in sockets a, a² on the mould wheel O to hold it steady.
6 is the ejector slide; 6, the hole in which engages the front end of its connecting
rod above mentioned; and o16, the ejector blade. p³, pa are two rods, part of the
justifying mechanism. They slide in guides which are parts or extensions of the
vice frame 23.
The first part of this invention relates to improvements in the blades themselves.
Hitherto the ejector blades ol of a series have all been of one thickness throughout,
each receiving the thickness of the linotype which it is to eject, by having the front
end or nose of it thickened by the addition of a strip of metal. According to the
present invention, each blade is of the same thickness throughout (excepting at the
rear ends-a point which will be hereafter dealt with). The mortice or recess already
referred to as occupying or standing near the left hand corner of the head of the
ejector slide, to receive the rear end of the slide o", is required by the present
invention to be a vertical recess d rectangular in cross section and at the left hand
side of the head 6b of the slide 6. The depth of it from front to back, that is its
dimension lengthwise of the said slide, is enough to give the latter a fair hold upon
the respective end margins o" of the slide old as between the said slide 6 and the
mould wheel slide o, as well as for there to be in the rear end of each blade a
sufficient breadth of metal to receive the holes e'. The width of the recess d, that
is its dimension across the slide 6, is not greater than that of the thinnest blades o
of the series. If the thickness of the thinnest blades be taken as the thickness of the
ends of the biales of the series, the thinnest blades (as indicated in Figure 7) do
not require their ends o" to be thinned down. All the blades of the series which
are thicker than the thinnest, bave their ends of reduced in thickness by the removal
of metal from the left hand sides only, because that is the side away from the mould
wheel slide of. This reduction extends lengthwise of the blade for a distance equal
to the above mentioned depth of the recess d.
The thickness of the thinnest blade of the series is a convenient thickness for the
ends of all the blades (which must be uniform throughout the series) and in that case
the thinnest blade will be of uniform thickness throughout its length while every
other blade in the series will have its end thinner than the main body of the blade.
A smaller thickness may however be taken if desired.
The second part of the invention relates to an improved device for guiding the
end o of each blade o into its proper position in the recess d, for the holes c¹ to
register exactly with the respective parts of the holding device. Heretofore, the shelt
like portion of the mould wheel slide o, upon which the slide 6 moves, has been useful

page_text: as a guide, but the present invention provides a special device. This consists of a
horizontal notch o¹ in the end margin o" of each blade and a transverse pin o fast
to the side of the recess d and projecting across it. The notch has, preferably, a
flaring mouth. The thickness and position of the pin o¹ having been settled, all the
notches o¹s are of the same width, in the same position in the blades o¹ throughout
the series, and long enough to pass over it and for the ends o" to fit up to the back
of the recess d.
The third part of the invention relates to improvements in a certain class of holding
and releasing devices. The holes c' in the ends of each blade o of the series,
receive, as heretofore, a series of studs e pushed into the respective holes c¹ by springs.
According to the present invention, each of the series of studs e is made fast to the
end of a bar spring 24 from the flat of which it projects at right angles. All the
springs are of the same length and have their opposite ends (sunk if necessary in 6°)
fixed by screws 24 to a bar 6 which stretches across the slide 6 from top to bottom
to serve as a base for them. The springs are slightly arched to increase their
efficiency and are set to hold the studs projected into the recess d for a distance equal to
its width. The bar 6° and bar springs 24 are recessed in the side of the ejector slide far
enough to prevent the releasing act make the free ends of the said springs project
beyond the plane of the right hand side of the slide 6, as clearly shewn in Figure 6.
The releasing device consists of a cam and a lever 6 for actuating it. The cam
consists of a rock shaft 6e longer than the recess occupied by the series of springs 24,
turning in bearings 6' in the slide 6, and having a series of recesses 6 in one side
of it. Each recess stands behind one of the springs 24 and is a little wider than it.
The bottoms of the recesses are all in the same plane and it is these in conjunction
with those portions of the rock shaft surface which immediately adjoin the rear
edges of the bottoms of the recesses 68 see Figure 2-which constitute the operative
portions of the cam. The said portions are the maximum projection of the cam and
the excess of such projection over the minimum projection is equal to the width of
the recess d. The bottoms of the recesses constitute the minimum projection of the
cam and are near enough to the axis of the rock shaft 6e to provide for the springs 24
dealing with the studs e in the way described above. Provided that this relationship
between the two projections of the cam, is maintained, any suitable cross section
may be given to the rock shaft other than the one illustrated. The lever 6" is made
fast to the cam at the proper angle and cranked a little for it to lie within the
recess in the right hand side of the slide 6 when the studs e are held across the
recess d. It is long enough to reach to the rear beyond the bar 6°, so as to present
a convenient grip which then stands in the vacant space already mentioned as
being on the side of the ejector blade o opposite to that on which is the mould wheel
slide.
The pressure of the spring 24 upon the flats 68 has the effect of keeping the
cam in the position corresponding with the due engagement of the studs e in the
holes c'.
A blade o¹ in the machine is released from the studs e by swinging the lever 6ª from
the position illustrated by the full lines in Figures 1, 2 and 14, into that illustrated by
the dotted lines in Figure 2 and the full lines in Figure 3. The arc through which
it is to be swung is shewn as one of 90°. It is not the length of the arc that is of
importance, so much as the fact that that amount of motion suffices to replace the
flats 6 or minima of the cam by the circular contour of the rock shaft, or that being
its maximum eccentricity. A substitute blade ol is held in working position in the
machine, by having its end o" passed into the recess d as far as it will go, with the
notch o straddling the pin o", and by then swinging the lever 6ª back again up to
the bar 6.
The invention includes a cam of any construction or conformation capable of
discharging the function of the combination of rock shaft 6 and flats 6 above
described.
The modification illustrated in Figure 15 consists in incorporating the ends of

page_text: the several bar springs 24 which are to be made fast to the bar 6, with a transverse
piece 24 punched to pass the screws 24. The number of springs which may
safely have a transverse piece 24° incorporated with them is a matter of indifference."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series), the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype thus forming a graduated series capable of dealing with the various linotypes
produced by the machine.
2. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype, and a recess only as wide as the thickness of the rear end of the blade,
adapted to receive the rear end of one blade at a time.
3. The combination in the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine,
of a notch in the rear of each blade in the series, all the notches replicas of each
other in size, shape, and position, and a pin adapted by standing across a recess,
to act as a guide to the blade being inserted, by engaging first the mouth and
then the opposite sides of the notch in the said blade.
4. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
-machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series,) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype; a recess only as wide as the thickness of the rear end of the blade; a
notch in the rear of each blade in the series, all the notches replicas of each other
in size, shape and position, and a pin adapted by standing across the said recess,
to act as a guide to the blade being inserted, by engaging first the mouth and
then the opposite sides of the notch in the said blade.
5. The combination with the ejector blades of a linotype or analogous machine,
of a holding device consisting of bar springs each having a stud fast on the free
end of it which studs are adapted, by their normal position and the resilience of
the springs, that carry them to engage in and with a blade held in the proper
position in the machine for that purpose.
6. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype, and a holding device consisting of bar springs each having
on the free end of it which studs are adapted by their normal position and the
resilience of the springs that carry them to engage in and with a blade held in
the proper position in the machine for that purpose.
a stud fast
7. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype; a recess only as wide as the thickness of the rear end of the blade,
adapted to receive the rear end of one blade at a time; and a holding device
consisting of bar springs each having a stud fast on the free end of it which
studs are adapted by their normal position and the resilience of the spring that
carries them, to engage in and with a blade held in the proper position in the
machine for that purpose.
8. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous

page_text: machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype; a recess only as wide as the thickness of the rear end of the blade; a
notch in the rear of each blade in the series, all the notches replicas of each other
in size, shape and position; a pin adapted by standing across the said recess, to act
as a guide to the blade being inserted by engaging first the mouth and then the
opposite sides of the notch in the said blade; and a holding device consisting of
bar springs each having a stud fast on the free end of it and which studs they are
adapted by their normal position and the resilience of the springs that carry them,
to engage in and with a blade held in the proper position in the machine for that
purpose.
9. The combination with the detachable ejector blades of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a releasing device consisting of a cam adapted by being turned about
its axis, to disengage a holding device consisting of bar springs carrying stu is on
their free ends, from the blade then in the machine.
10. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype, and a releasing device consisting of a cam adapted by being turned about
its axis, to disengage a holding device consisting of bar springs carrying studs on
their free ends, from the blade then in the machine.
11. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective.
linotype; a recess only as wide as the thickness of the rear end of the blade, adapted
to receive the rear end of one blade at a time, and a releasing device consisting of
cam adapted by being turned about its axis, to disengage a holding device
consisting of bar springs carrying studs on their free ends, from the blade then in
the machine.
a
12. The combination in and with the ejector mechanism of a linotype or analogous.
machine, of a series of ejector blades having their rear ends of an uniform thickness
(preferably that of the thinnest blade of the series) the remaining portion being
of an uniform thickness in each blade according to the thickness of the respective
linotype; a recess only as wide as the thickness of the rear end of the blade; a
notch in the rear of each blade in the series, all the notches replicas of each other in
size, shape and position; a pin adapted by standing across the said recess, to act as
a guide to the blade being inserted by engaging first the mouth and then the
opposite sides of the notch in the said blade, and a releasing device consisting of a
cam adapted by being turned about its axis, to disengage a holding device consisting
of bar springs carrying studs on their free ends from the blade then in the machine."
13. The combination in the holding and releasing devices being part of the ejector
mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine; of a series of bar springs carrying.
studs, a rock-shaft, a series of flats thereon and a lever as set forth.
Cm1 1907
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.