Improvements in the Matrices or the Dies and the Assembling and Supporting Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Reprinted as amended in accordance with the decision of the Chief Examiner
dated the 7th day of March 1906.
Communicated from abroad by титр
New York, County and State of New York U.S.A.
Improvements in the Matrices or the Dies and the Assembling and
Supporting Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 6 Serjeants Inn, 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 matrices or the dies and the
assembling and supporting mechanism of linotype machines; and the object of it is
to make the matrices or dies polyfaced and the machine capable of assembling and
using them with any of their faces in line with the operative faces of their fellow
matrices, as the operators copy may direct.
Before proceeding further with the specification of the nature of this invention,
we must explain that we use the word "linotype" to designate a printing bar as
long as the column or page is wide, and having printed characters, duly spaced and
justified on its edge. At the present time, there are known two types of machines
adapted to produce linotypes, more or less directly. According to one of these,
commonly known as the Mergenthaler or the linotype machine, inasmuch as it is the
only one in commercial operation in this country, a series of single character and
independent matrices having intaglio formative cavities (hence their name matrices,)
in their edges, are assembled, through the agency of selecting and transferring
mechanisms, in front of a mould opening into the line of formative cavities, where-
upon the printing bar is cast by the automatic injection of molten metal into the said
mould and cavities, ejected therefrom, trimmed and delivered on to the galley of the
machine. According to the other of them, the matrices are replaced by dies having
cameo formative characters adapted, therefore, after assemblage spacing and justifi-
cation, to impress a corresponding line of intaglio characters, in a strip or a sheet
of soft material against which, by a subsequent and distinct operation, the printing
bar, column, or page, as the case may be is cast.
The present invention is applicable to either of the types of linotype machines
above referred to. In a machine of either of the said types as heretofore constructed,
each matrix or die, as the case might be, has been provided with a single character,

page_text: as already hinted, the number of different matrices in the magazine of the machine
being the same as the number of different characters the machine was intended to
deal with. For many kinds of printing, it is necessary to use the same letter in
different faces; for example, upper and lower case, Roman and Roman small caps
and italics. As a consequence of the construction of the machine referred to, the
variety of faces mentioned in the preceding sentence could be obtained only at the
expense of increasing the number of matrices or dies and also of a corresponding
enlargement of the capacity of the machine.
The present invention aims at the provision in one machine of means for producing
in the assembled line, all the characters in two or more faces without increasing
either the number of such matrices or dies or enlarging the capacity of the machine,
and to do it in such a way that the finger key representing (say) the first letter of
the alphabet shall be capable of assembling and bringing into line at the place of
assemblage, the corresponding (letter on the matrix or die in either of the faces
with which the magazine of the machine is equipped.
In carrying the invention into effect, each matrix or die has the respective
character repeated on it in each of the desired faces (thus making it polyfaced),
and the terminal portion of the path of the said matrices or dies, as the case may be,
to the place of assemblage, is made moveable under the control of the operator, to
the extent of bringing it within the operator's option, at what level any particular
character on a so polyfaced matrix or die, shall be delivered at the place of assem-
blage. The exercise of this option is provided for by means of a pivotted lever which
presents one end within easy reach of the operator's hand and has its opposite end
connected with the above mentioned terminal portion. This latter and the pivotted
lever are provided with suitable guides, stops and the like, to keep its and their
motions true, as well as with automatic detents to hold either or both in any position
proper to either of them.
The other portions of the machine between which the
matrices are to be held are grooved or otherwise adapted to hold the matrices or dies
with the selected faces in the proper operative position.
"1"
The modern Linotype machine is fully described and illustrated, in respect of its
main constructional and operative features, in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 145821890, to which the reader is now referred, as with that before him, he will
clearly perceive the details of how the present invention is grafted onto, or intro-
duced into, a machine of one of the two types referred to in the second sentence of
this specification. The matrices are oblong plates of metal varying in respect of
one dimension only-their thickness. Each side corner carries an ear. 'T'he four
ears are rectangular-those on one side edge being replicas respectively of those on
the other. The function of these ears is to support or guide, the matrices during
their progress through the machine. The formative cavities of the improved
matrices are indented in one side edge between the two ears thereupon. The hori-
zontal bars between which the matrices are assembled, are grooved at different
levels, each level being adapted by receiving the-say-bottom lugs on the matrices,
to make them present the desired faces in line with those of the other matrices
which had been selected by the operator, as the operative ones.
To return to 145821830 when a matrix is released from the magazine, it drops on to
an endless belt which delivers it on to au inclined fixed plate straddling the said belt.
This plate terminates at the front end of the above mentioned horizontal bars.
The matrices are up-ended one by one as they reach the foot of the inclined plate,
by a triangular wheel which throws its radial projections up through a slot in the
said plate, thereby catching the matrices on their then lower sides.
But according to the present invention as applied to the Mergenthaler Linotype
machine, this inclined plate is replaced by an inclined block, the sides of which are
slotted to receive the ends of the axle of the triangular wheel above mentioned.
These slots are vertical, so for providing for a reciprocating vertical motion on the
part of the block, the maximum lengths of this motion being limited by the length
of the slots. The bottom of the inclined face of the block is continued in a curve
outwards as far as the adjacent vertical ends of the horizontal bars above

page_text: mentioned, so as to form a supporting shoulder by which the matrices are arrested
in their descent and directed between the said bars. The opposite faces of these
bars are grooved to receive the ears on the bottoms of the matrices, there being as
many pairs of grooves as there are faces. The block is connected by a link to one
end of a pivotted lever, the opposite end of which presents a finger disc within con-
venient reach of the operator's hand. The link has as many notches cut in it as
there are faces on a matrix and there is an automatic detent adapted to engage in
these notches and hold the link stationary in one of its positions. The engagement
of the detent with a notch co-incides with that of the matrix ears above mentioned
with one of the pairs of grooves in the horizontal bars.
The mould block in the mould wheel and the yoke which presents the assembled
line thereto, have their faces grooved to correspond with the horizontal bars.
In working the machine, the operator fingers the keys of the keyboard and per-
mits the ordinary operations to occur in all respects in the ordinary manner, except
that he, from time to time, operates the special pivotted lever above mentioned to
determine which face shall align with the selected faces.
Dated this 9th do of October 1805
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in the Matrices or the Dies and the Assembling and
Supporting Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, formerly of No. 6, Serjeants Inn, but
now of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Sole Owners of and Manu-
facturers, Liceusors and Vendors under the "Linotype" patents, 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 state-
ment.
This invention relates to improvements in the matrices or the dies and the
assembling and supporting mechanism of linotype machines. There are at the
present time two classes of machines adapted to produce a linotype or printing bar
as long as the column or page is wide, and having printing characters duly spaced
and justified, on its edge. A machine belonging to one of these classes is
characterised by its capacity for indenting, by means of dies, the line of characters
duly spaced and justified in a strip of soft material from which and a mould, the
above mentioned linotype or printing bar is cast. A machine belonging to the
other is characterised by its capacity for composing spacing and justifying
of metallic matrices, combining a mould therewith and injecting molten metal there-
into, thereby producing the above mentioned linotype or printing bar. Machines of
both classes are worked partly by the operator through a finger key mechanism and
partly by power driven mechanism.
a line
The name of Mergenthaler is for ever associated as a pioneer inventor with both
the above mentioned classes, and more especially with those of the last class,
of which he invented two types distinguished from each other in respect of their
matrices.
In one type (described in the Specification of Letters Patent 2823 of 1885), the
matrices are cut in the edges of a series of bars, each bar being provided with a
matrix for each character on the keyboard of the machine, and the series com-
prising as many bars as the keyboard has characters. In the other type (described

page_text: in the Specification of Letters Patent 5823 of 1885) the multiple matrix bars
above described are replaced by independent and separable matrices, each having
one character cut in its edge, the recurrence of any given character in the line or in
the immediately following lines, being provided for by equipping the machine with
a number of matrices of each character-upper case, lower case, numerals, and
punctuation and other signs. An improved machine of the last mentioned type is
described in the Specification of Letters Patent 14582 of 1890, but the system of
single character, independent and separable matrices above mentioned, is rigidly
adhered to. It should be understood that the expression "independent and
separable " indicates the capacity of one matrix for being moved without any of
the others being moved with it, whereas in the former type, motion of one of the
matrices on a bar involves motion of all matrices on the same bar.
In both classes of machine described in the first paragraph, each die or matrix, as
the case may be, is restricted to one face for the respective character, all the dies
or matrices having the same face. As a consequence, if the dies or the matrices
are Roman face, the depression of the finger keys cannot lead up to the production
of an italic faced linotype; and until the fount of dies or matrices then in the
machine, is changed, only Roman faced linotypes can be made. There has always
been one way of making a machine capable of producing a linotype faced according
to either of two founts and that has consisted in duplicating the founts of dies or
of matrices as the case might be, as well as the number of finger keys. Such
duplication has been carried out practically, to the extent of equipping a machine
to produce both upper and lower case characters on its linotypes; but not beyond
that. The reason why such duplication should not be carried further is obvious-
well
it would make a machine inconveniently and expensively large, as
inconvenient to the operator, to deal with, especially in respect of the fingering
of the keys.
BS
The object of the present invention is the provision in one machine, of means for
producing in the composed line, any of the characters of the keyboard, in either or
any one of two or more faces, according to the will of the operator, without the
previous duplication or further multiplication of a single organ of the machine or
of any part of its equipment, and to do it in such a way, too, that the depression
of the finger key representing A, shall be capable of introducing into the line, the
corresponding die or matrix on the desired face. The invention itself is applicable
to any linotype machine of the second of the two types above described, that is, the
one equipped with independent and separable matrices.
According to the present invention, each die or matrix, as the case may be, has
the respective character repeated on it in each of the desired faces (thus making it
polyfaced), and the position of the terminal portion of the path of the said dies or
matrices, to the place of assemblage, is under the control of the operator, to the
extent of it being within his option, at what level any particular character on a so
polyfaced matrix or die, shall be delivered into the place of assemblage. The
exercise of this option is provided for by means of a pivotted lever which presents
one end within easy reach of the operator's hand and has its opposite end connected
with the above mentioned terminal portion. This latter and the pivotted lever are
provided with suitable guides, to keep its and their motions true, as well as with
automatic detents to hold either or both in any position proper to either of them.
The other portions of the machine between which the dies or matrices are to be held
are grooved or otherwise adapted to hold them with the selected faces in the proper
operative position.
Of all the linotype machines proposed to the printing trade, the best known is the
Mergenthaler machine of the second of the two types above mentioned, viz:-the
one equipped with independent and separable matrices. It is not only the best
known but it is the only one in use in this country, and for that double reason, it
has been selected for the purpose of this specification. A comparison of the
accompanying figures with the Specification of Letters Patent 14582 of 1890, wil
At the same
shew which parts of the said figures are due to the present invention.

page_text: time, it must be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to the
particular devices and combinations illustrated, for the reason that it is applicable to
any independent and separable die or matrix machine of either of the above
an expert
mentioned classes. The present specification suffices to indicate to
mechanic, the extent and nature of the modifications necessary to the combination
To facilitate the comparison just
of the said invention with any such machine.
mentioned, the principal parts reproduced from the drawings of the last mentioned
specification are marked with the same reference letters as are used in the latter.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of as much of the composing mechanism of the said
Mergenthaler machine as is necessary to an understanding of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 2-2 of the preceding
figure.
Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section through the mould and the composed
line showing how the matrices are held by the yoke with the selected faces in the
proper operative position for the cast.
Figure 4 is a rear elevation of part of a composed line, shewing a word of
matrices having a variant face composed according to the present invention into a
line of normal faced matrices-Roman being in the case illustrated, the normal
face, and italic, the variant one.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the matrices of the fount drawn upon
for the composition of the line in part illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of the machine.
A is the machine frame; B, the magazine in which the matrices Y, are contained
in separate grooves therein according to their respective characters; D, the finger
keys; E, the rods by which they are connected with the escapements at the mouths
of the respective grooves; G, G, upright slots through which the matrices Y
descend on to H, an inclined travelling belt carried by a pair of constantly rotating
pulleys h, h; and which delivers the matrices, one after the other, on to an inclined
fixed plate or guide h¹ which straddling the belt H, directs them downward and by
its projecting toe h12, into the open end of the assembling block 1. h² is a rotary
wheel of polygonal form, receiving a constant rotary motion through a belt h' and
pulleys h³, h, fast respectively on the axes of the wheel h² and the adjacent pulley h.
The said wheel h² presents itself through a vertical slot in the lower end of the
guide h¹ to engage the matrices as they descend the face of the guide h' and forces
them one after the other into the assembling block I where the gradually increasing
line meets a yielding resistant J against which it presses forcing it before it.
During the time the matrices Y are in the assembling block I, their top shoulders y¹
rest upon a pair of horizontal shoulders 20. Corresponding shoulders 221 are formed
in the head of the yoke N. 22, 22 are a second pair of horizontal shoulders in the
assembling block I, and against the under surfaces of which the bottom shoulders y¹
abut during the process of justification, the stress of which is vertically upwards.
Corresponding shoulders 2, 3 are formed on the yoke head and the mould block 015
which is incorporated with the mould wheel O. L, L' are a pair of arms which
receive the composed line from the assembling block I which is moved up to them
for that purpose, and transfer it through a stationary guide block M into the head
of a vertically moveable yoke N which lowers the said line into the casting position
before the mould wheel O. In the specification last mentioned the mould cavity o
is illustrated as merely a slot in the solid wheel O. According to subsequent
improvements, the cavity o is made in a detachable block o' which projects from
the front of the wheel O in the way illustrated in Figure 3. V is the delivery spout
of the metal pot. The yoke N raises the line from the casting position after the
completion of the cast, to within reach of the distributing arm T which receives
the matrices from it and transfers them to the distributor X by which they are
returned to the respective grooves in the matrix magazine B. Y is a matrix; y,
the formative cavity, y', y' the four shoulders and y, the distributing teeth.
The above described parts, organs and operations are as heretofore.

page_text: 1
According to the present invention, each matrix has an additional formative
cavity, y³ in the same surface of it as the one y heretofore provided. The characters
at the bottom of the two cavities y and y³ are the same. -they differ in face to the
extent indicated in Figures 4 and 5. If cavity y has a "I", that y³ has a "I" also
but of a different face. The additional cavity is always either above or below the
cavity y, the relative position and distance being the same throughout all the
matrices in the fount.
It is obvious that the face of the respective character on the edge of the linotype
will depend upon which of the two cavities, y or y³, is composed into line with the
selected cavities in the other matrices in the same line and that this same depend-
ence would hold good in exactly the same way if there were more than two
formative cavities in the said surface of the matrix. The number of cavities is not
a feature of the invention, only so far as there is plurality, as distinguished from
unity, in combination with difference in face and presence on the same surface of
the matrix. This explanation will prevent any confusion with other inventions
proposing matrices with two characters of the same face one above the other and
thereby adapted to co-operate with suitable modifications of apparatus to produce
two linotypes of the same face at one cast, or to use matrices or dies with a
character of one face on one edge and the same character of another face on the
opposite edge, and therefore requiring a special reversal to bring the selected face
into line.
In order, therefore, that the position of the selected face may be under the control
of the operator instead of being, as heretofore, an adjustable result of the construc-
tion of that part of the machine where the assemblage of the matrices takes place,
and be determined according to the requirements of the copy, the guide h¹ being,
in the linotype machine illustrated, the above mentioned terminal portion of the
path of the matrices, is endowed with a capacity for being moveable across the said
path. The 'direction of such motion is vertical because of the position of the
matrix surface in which are the formative cavities y, y³; and its extent in-either
direction-from-the--normal--path, as much as may be required. The motion in
question is provided for by vertical slots h¹³ in the sides of the guide h¹ and the
protrusion therethrough of the shaft of the wheel h² and the pulley h³.
It is con-
trollable and adjustable by the operator, by means of a finger key lever h¹ and a
link 15. The former has its fulcrum at 10. It presents its outer end within easy
reach of the operator as indicated in Figure 6, and its opposite end vertically
bencath the slots h". The link h' connects the opposite end of the lever h" with
the bottom of the guide h². The dimensions of these latter, the lever h¹ and the
link are proportioned according to the above mentioned extent of the motion of
the guide h. There is combined with the adjustability above referred to, an auto-
matic locking device adapted to lock the guide h' into the proper position for
making it deliver the matrices with the selected face in line. This device consists
of a bolt m and a series of notches m', m³ in the link. The bolt m is capable of
working to and fro in a direction at right angles to that of the motion of the
guide hi through fixed eyes m³, m³, and is kept in contact with the link hu by a
spring m', so as to engage in one of the said notches as soon as the latter is brought
opposite the nose of the bolt. This nose, as well as the notches are V shaped to
provide for a push or a pull on the link ht sufficing to unlock it from the hold of
the bolt m. The number of notches in the series corresponds with the number of
formative cavities in a matrix and the distance between any two notches adjacent
to each other with the distance between any two adjacent cavities, centre to
centre.
The figures assume that the copy is being set up in Roman face and that one
additional face, to wit italic, meets the requirements of such copy as far as varia-
tion in face is concerned. There is necessary, then, a choice of only two positions
in the assembling block I and the head of the yoke N. The normal one provided
by the shoulders, 2, and already described, is shewn as used to present
the Roman faces in the cavities to the mould cavity o. The corresponding

page_text: position of the guide is its lower one, with the bolt m in the top notch m³, the
lever h¹ being in the position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1. When the
change to italic face is to be made the lever h" is depressed immediately after the
last Roman face matrix (or necessary spacer) has passed the said guide into the
assembling block, until the bolt m engages in the bottom notch m². This raises
the toe to the right level for delivering the matrices into the assembling block I
with their italic faces, those in the cavities ³, aligned with the preceding Roman
faces. Special provision is made for holding the italic matrices in their operative
position both in the assembling block I and in the head of the yoke N.
This con-
sists of grooves 124 on the opposite faces of the sides of the assembling block I, and
grooves is continuous with the grooves, in the head of the yoke. These two
pairs of grooves receive the bottom shoulders y₁ of the italic face matrices and both
hold them up and keep them down, so corresponding in function with the four
pairs of shoulders to above mentioned. The duly composed line, with its
formative cavities in the respectively required positions is moved through the
assembling block I and into the head of the yoke N up to the casting position, as
heretofore.
It is obvious that the face which a matrix will present to the mould cavity o,
depends entirely on the position of the guide h¹ at the moment when the matrix
passed from it into the assembling block I, and that the face will remain constant
so long as the said position is not altered. There is therefore nothing to prevent a
machine equipped with the present invention being used to compose continuously
in either of the two faces or its matrices. The direction of the adjusting motion of
the finger key lever hut, is in accordance with the position of the cavity of the normal
face and that of the one which has the required variant face.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: -
A-series-of-dies-or-of-matrices-according-to--the-class- of machine-in-and-with
which-it-is-intended-to--eo-operate--for-the--production--of-a-linotype, each having-a
plurality-of-characters-on-its-operative-face--or--edge-identical-with-each-other-as-to
character-but-variant-from-each-other-as-to-face,-as-set-forth.
1. 2. The combination in a linotype machine, of a series of polyfaced dies or a
series of polyfaced matrices according to the class of the machine; a terminal portion
of the path of the said matrices or dies to the place of assemblage capable of motion
across the line of assemblage; and means under the control of the operator for
adjusting the position of such portion; as and for the purpose set forth.
2. 3. The combination in a linotype machine, of a series of polyfaced dies or a
series of polyfaced matrices according to the class of the machine; a terminal por-
tion of the path of said matrices or dies to the place of assemblage capable of motion
across the line of assemblage; means under the control of the operator for adjusting
the position of such portion; and an automatic device adapted to lock such terminal
portion in the required position; as and for the purpose set forth.
3. 4. The combination in a linotype machine, of a series of polyfaced dies or a
series of polyfaced matrices according to the class of the machine; a terminal por-
tion of the path of said matrices or dies to the place of assemblage capable of motion
across the line of assemblage; guides adapted to direct the said motion; means
under the control of the operator for adjusting the position of such portion; and an
automatic device adapted to lock such terminal portion in the required position, as
and for the purpose set forth.
45 The combination of a series of dies or of matrices according to the class of
machine in and with which it is intended to co-operate for the production of a lino-
type, each having a plurality of characters on its operative face or edge identical
with each other as to character but variant from each other as to face, with a corre-
sponding plurality of shoulders and grooves adapted to support the composed,

page_text: matrices or dies of the series in their respectively operative positions; as set
forth.
5. 6. The herein before described combination of polyfaced matrices, adjustable
guide, finger key lever, connecting link, locking device, and additional supporting
grooves in the path of the said matrices from the guide to the casting position, as set
forth.
6. 7. The tereinbefore described combination of adjustable guide, finger key
lever for moving the same, and locking device, adapted to co-operate with the com-
posing mechanism of a linotype machine, as and for the purpose set forth.
7. S. The hereinbefore described combination of adjustable guide with the assem-
bling block and yoke head considered as the path in a linotype machine of the dies
or matrices, as the case may be, from the said guide to. the indenting or the casting
position.
20 1
LT1 1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.
Agents for the Applicants.