Improvements in the Magazine Equipment of Linotype and analogous Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th July, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 30th Aor., 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
[Communicated from abroad by THE NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHIC COMPANY, of
Tribune Building, Nassau Street, New York, U.S.A.]
Improvements in the Magazine Equipment of Linotype and
analogous 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:
At the present day, composing mechanisms, whether intented for composing
ordinary printing type or for assembling lines of matrices from which to cast
linotypes, are commonly actuated by finger keys representing the various characters;
the machine being adapted to compose or assemble in line, only such characters as
are represented on the keyboard. In practice it is frequently desirable to use
additional characters. The object of this invention is to provide a supplemental
or secondary mechanism, by means of which these extra characters may be
speedily introduced into the line composed by the usual mechanism.
To this end the invention consists broadly in combining with a composing
mechanism, a secondary or supplemental mechanism, adapted to contain extra
type for type matrices and to deliver these matrices, one at a time as demanded, to
the primary mechanism in such manner that the type from the channels will be
assembled in a common line. The invention may be embodied in various forms,
and modified in detail to suit the requirements of the particular machine with
which it is to be employed.
The well known inclined stationary magazine is provided with channels, in which
the type matrices are contained and from which they are delivered by a finger-key
mechanism, one at a time, through the vertical guides or channels to an inclined
carrying belt by which they are transferred one after another, to the slotted
assembling block in which they are set up side by side in a row or line, preparatory
to their being transferred to the casting mechanism by which the linotype or slug
is produced against them.
Horizontal screws above the upper end of the magazine are provided to carry
the matrices along a distributor bar from which they are suspended by teeth in
their upper ends engaging longitudinal teeth on the bar, the teeth of the bar and
matrices being arranged or permuted in such manner that each matrix is returned
to the upper end of the channel from which it was delivered at the lower end.
The foregoing parts are all constructed and arranged to operate in the ordinary
manner, and therefore need no further description.
In applying the present improvements, there is provided a supplemental magazine
or matrix holder which is preferably constructed in the form and supported in the
manuer now to be described.
It consists of a rectangular box or chamber arranged in an inclined position, and
containing a large number of channels or passages extending therethrough from
the rear or right under side downward and forward toward the left, in an inclined
position. These channels may be formed in any suitable way, provided they are
cach adapted to receive a row or line of matrices standing on end, side by side, so

page_text: At its
that they will tend to move downward through the channels by gravity.
lower end, each channel is provided with upper and lower shoulders adapted to
engage respectively with the upper shoulders of the matrices and with their lower
ends, in order to hold them in check and to prevent the line from sliding out of the
magazine.
Each channel has two of the upper shoulders engaging the ears at opposite sides
of the forward matrix of the line, so that when the matrix is lifted, it may fall
forward between the upper and over the lower shoulder and thus escape from the
channel. This delivery of the matrices is effected by lifting dogs mounted on
rockshafts, and each having an upturned end adapted to ride through the bottom of
one of the channels in position to act upon and lift the foremost matrix. The
rockshafts are in turn provided at their rear ends with short crank-arms, each
connected to a sliding rod carried through the front side of the magazine and
provided with a push-button and with an encircling spring by which the rod is
pushed outward, so as to hold the corresponding delivery dog in a depressed
position. It will be seen that the various buttons or finger pieces are grouped in
rows at the front side of the machine, so that the operator, reaching upward, and
pressing inward on the button representing the required sorts character, may effect
the delivery of the matrix bearing that character from its containing channel. The
supplemental magazine contains in the lower inclined side, upright channels
extending past the delivery ends of the matrix channel, so that the matrices
delivered into these secondary channels are permitted to pass downward to the
bottom of the magazine, which is constructed with converging sides, whereby the
matrices are conducted one after another, into the central delivery tube, which is
so formed as to guide and deliver the matrices flatwise upon the upper end of the
conveyer belt whereby they are carried downward and delivered to the line in
course of composition, in the same manner that matrices from the main magazine
are delivered.
The supplemental magazine may be conveniently supported in position by a leg
to rest upon the floor, and by an arm connecting it with the distributor frame of
the machine. By disconnecting this arm, the supplemental magazine is set free, so
that it may be removed, leaving the machine in its original condition. The
magazine is composed of a large number of magazine channels, arranged in
horizontal and vertical rows, and it is to be understood that the delivery dogs and
their operating devices will be arranged in a corresponding manner.
The magazine may be built up in a series of horizontal sections laid one over
another in the external supporting frame. This construction admits of the sections
being built in duplicate and of the magazine being increased in capacity to any
desired extent, by simply adding sections one after another, at the top. The
sections referred to consist each of top and bottom plates and the intervening
vertical division plate, having their upper and lower edges provided with ears,
which are projected through holes in the top and bottom plates and secured by
transverse wires passed through the series of ears.
The sorts matrices have their distributing teeth so constructed that they all
continue their course along the distributor bar to a point at or near its right hand
end, where they are all delivered through a channel from the magazine into a
laterally curved tube through which the matrices fall sidewise, into a receiving
device in which they are piled up by gravity oue after another, in line. This
receiving device, which is secured by a screw that it may be removed at will, may
be made in any form which will cause the matrices delivered through the sorts tube
to assemble themselves in line. We prefer to provide each of the sorts matrices
with a hole through the middle and to provide a receiving device with a wire or pin
having its end presented in such position that the matrices will pass down thereon
and thus be strung upon the wire.
The sorts matrices having been thus delivered automatically from the machine
after use, may be returned to the supplemental magazine in any suitable manner.
In order, however, to facilitate the operations of sorting or classifying the

page_text: matrices, and returning them to the magazine, we propose to make use of a
distributing mechanism of practically the same form as that employel on the
machine, and consisting of a horizontal distributor bar having permuted teeth
along its lower edge to co-operate with the correspondingly permuted teeth of the
sorts matrices, so as to drop the latter, according to the characters which they
bear, at different points in the length of the distributor. Screws are arranged to
feed the matrices along the distributor and channels are arranged below the
distributor to receive them.
These channels are so twisted or shaped as to cause the matrices to turn over and
slide sidewise out of the lower end. The frame of the distributor is adapted to
receive below the channels, a series of receiving or charging tubes, with their
upper ends in position to receive the matrices from the channels. There will be
one of the tubes opposite each channel end, intended to receive a particular letter
or character. Each charging tube contains a spring pressed slide or follower,
against which the incoming matrices are assembled, being held by means of
retaining hooks.
The distributor contains a shaft provided with angular wheels, by which the
descending matrices are delivered into the respective tubes. Each tube after being
filled with matrices bearing a particular character, is inserted into or applied against
the upper rear end of the corresponding channel in the supplemental magazine and
the matrices then pushed forward by the stem of the follower into the magazine.
In order to prevent the matrices in the supplemental magazine channel from
falling over on their sides, we propose to place in each chaunel, a longitudinal wire
extending through the holes in the matrices, the upper ends of these wires being
made with conical or arrow shaped heads, that the matrices may pass freely over
them. These wires are sustained at their upper ends in the upper notched end of
plates which are adapted to turn forward and downward that the matrices may
pass over them into the channel.
When the plates are turned down by the matrices passing over them, the rods
may slide forward until they contact with the front plate of the magazine. This
movement is very slight, and when the hinged plates rise to their normal positions,
they act against the heads of a rod and draw them back to their original positions,
so as to leave space for the escape of the matrices past their forward ends.
It is to be understood that the wires may be omitted or replaced by any other means
for preventing the matrices from falling on their sides, such for instance as
shoulders or ribs along the walls of the channels, as used in other parts of the
machine, to bear beneath the shoulders at the upper ends of the matrices.
It is to be clearly understood that while we prefer a magazine in substantially
the form herein shown, with matrix delivering or discharging devices of the
character represented, that the invention is not restricted thereto.
The only requirement is that the supplemental magazine shall be adapted to
contain the sorts matrices and to deliver the selected matrices into the machine
proper, so that they may pass into the line being composed, and the skilled
mechanic will understand that the typical construction hercin set forth may be
widely varied within the range of mechanical skill, and without departing from the
principle of operation herein before explained.
It will be further understood that the improvement is applicable not only to
machines in which the matrices or intaglio characters are employed, but also to
machines in which punches or cameo characters are employed to produce matrix
impressions in papier maché or analogous material.
Dated this 28th day of June 1895.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in the Magazine Equipment of Linotype and
analogous 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 Proprietors of, and
Manufacturers, Vendors, and Licensors 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
statement:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the magazine equipment of linotype and
analogous machines.
At the present day, composing mechanisms, whether intended for composing
ordinary printing-type or for assembling lines of matrices from which to cast
linotypes, are commonly actuated by finger-keys representing the various characters,
the machine being adapted to compose or assemble in line only such characters as
are represented in the key board. In practice it is frequently desirable to use
additional characters. The object of the present invention is to provide a
supplemental or secondary mechanism by means of which these extra characters
may be speedily introduced into the line composed by the usual mechanism.
To this end it consists, broadly, in combining with a composing mechanism,
a secondary or supplemental mechanism adapted to contain extra type or type-matrices
and to deliver these matrices one at a time as demanded to the primary mechanism
in such manner that the type from the two will be assembled in a common line.
In the accompanying drawings we have represented our invention embodied in
the form adapted for use in connection with the Mergenthaler linotype machine for
the reason that that is the best known linotype machine and the only one at present
in use in this country. For a general description of it, the reader is referred to
the Specification of Letters Patent No. 145821890; but it will be understood after
reading this specification that the invention may be embodied in various forms and
modified in detail to suit the requirements of the particular machine with which it
is to be employed.
In the drawings there is represented only so much of the Mergenthaler machine
as is necessary for an understanding of the present invention, and reference may be
had for a detailed description of the remaining portion to the specification above
named. Further, these drawings are typical of the mechanical functions and their
co-operations which the present invention requires and they are not
understood as excluding any other constructions imechanically equivalent in respect
of either detail or combination.
to be
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the magazine, composing mechanism, and
distributor of a Mergenthaler linotype machine haring our invention applied
thereto.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in the preceding figure, looking in
the direction indicated by the arrow thereon.
Figure 3 is a section through the supplemental magazine on the line 3-3
of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow thereon.
Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section through the base of the magazine on the
line 4 4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow, and showing
particularly the devices for releasing the matrices.
Figure 5 is a vertical section from front to rear through one of the magazine-
channels on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a view looking into the right hand ends of a small number of
magazine-channels in the direction indicated by the arrow bearing the same number
in Figure 3.

page_text: Figure 7 is a vertical section through the main distributor on the line 7-7
of Figure 1, showing the manner in which the extra matrices, technically known as
sorts, are delivered.
Figure 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of the preceding figure.
Figure 9 is a top plan view showing a distributing mechanism such as may be
employed to arrange the "sorts "matrices in tubes for introduction into the
supplementary magazines.
Figure 10 is a cross-section of the same on the line 10-10 of Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a front elevation of the supplementary magazine, with portions
broken away and those behind in vertical section, illustrating the manner in which
the
15
sorts matrices are returned to the said magazine.
Referring to the drawings, A represents the inclined stationary magazine provided
with channels in which the type-matrices are contained and from which they are
delivered by a finger-key mechanism, one at a time, through the vertical guides or
channels B to an inclined carrying-helt C, by which they are transferred, one after
another, to the slotted assembling-block D, in which they are set up side by side
in a row or line preparatory to their being transferred to the casting mechanism by
which the linotype or slug is produced against them.
E, E are horizontal screws lying above the upper end of the magazine and
serving to carry the matrices along a distributor-bar F, from which the matrices
are suspended by teeth in their upper ends engaging longitudinal teeth on the bar,
the teeth of the bar and natrices being arranged or permuted in such manner that
each matrix is returned to the upper end of the channel from which it was delivered
at the lower end.
The foregoing parts are all constructed and arranged to operate in the ordinary
manner and therefore need no further description herein. The parts marked with
the references A, B, C, D, E, E, E, and F, in the accompanying figures, are marked
with the reference B, G, H, I, 8, 9, 10, and x, respectively, in the Specification
of the Patent 145821890 above referred to.
In applying the present invention, we provide a supplemental magazine or
matrix-holder, which is preferably constructed in the forin and supported in the
manner now to be described. As shown, it consists of a rectangular box or
chamber H, arranged in an inclined position and containing a large number of
chaunels or passages extending therethrough from the rear or right under side
downward and forward toward the left in an inclined manner. These chaunels may
be formed in any suitable way, provided they are each adapted to receive a row or
line of matrices H', standing preferably on end, side by side, so that they will tend
to move downward through the channels by gravity. At its lower end each
chaunel is provided with upper and lower shoulders and h³, adapted to engage,
respectively, with the upper shoulders of the matrices and with their lower ends in
order to hold them in check and prevent the line from sliding out of the magazine.
Each channel has two of the upper shoulders / engaging the ears at opposite sides
of the forward matrix of the line, so that when the matrix is lifted it may fall
forward between the upper and over the lower shoulder and thus escape from the
channel. This delivery of the matrices is effected, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5,
by lifting-dogs I, mounted on rock-shafts and each having an upturned end
adapted to ride through the bottom of one of the channels in position to act upon
and lift the foremost matrix. The rock-shafts are in turn provided at their rear
ends with short crank-arms i', each connected to a sliding rod, carried through
the front side of the magazine and provided with a push-button and with an
encircling-spring, by which the rod is pushed outward, so as to hold the
corresponding delivery-dog I in a depressed position, as plainly shown in Figures 3
and 4. It will be seen that the various buttons or finger-pieces are grouped in rows
at the front side of the magazine within reach of the operator at the front of the
machine, so that the operator reaching upward and pressing inward on the button
representing the required sorts characters may effect the delivery of the matrix

page_text: bearing that character from its containing channel. The supplemental magazine
contains in the lower inclined side, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, upright channels h*,
extending past the delivery ends of the matrix-channels, so that the matrices
delivered into these secondary channels are permitted to pass downward to the
bottom of the magazine, which is constructed with converging sides 6, (see Figure 2),
whereby the matrices are conducted, one after another, into the central delivery-
tube, Figures 1 and 2, which is so formed as to guide and deliver the matrices
flatwise upon the upper end of the conveyer-belt C, whereby they are carried
downward and delivered to the line in course of composition in the same manner
that matrices from the main magazine A are delivered.
The supplemental magazine may be conveniently supported in position by
a leg to rest upon the floor and by an arm h³ connecting it with the distributor-
frame of the machine. By disconnecting this arm, the supplemental magazine is set
free, so that it may be removed, leaving the machine in its original condition.
The magazine, as shown in the drawings, is composed of a
large number of
magazine-channels arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, and it will of course be
'understood that the delivery-dogs and their operating devices will be arranged in a
corresponding manner.
The magazine is shewn as built up in a series of horizontal sections, such as
shown in Figure 4, laid one over another in the external supporting-frame. This
construction admits of the sections being built in duplicate and of the magazine
being increased in capacity to any desired extent by simply adding sections, one
after another, at the top. The sections referred to consist each of top and bottom
plates and 10 and the intervening vertical division-plates h", having their upper
and lower edges provided with cars which are projected through holes in the top
and bottom plates and secured by transverse wires 2, passed through the series of
ears, as plainly shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6.
The sorts-matrices have their distributing-teeth so constructed that they all
-continue their course along the distributor-bar F to a point at or near its right
hand end, where they are all delivered, as shown in Figure 7, through a channel a
from the magazine A into a laterally curved tube K. (See Figures 7 and 8.)
This tube K has at its lower side an opening k, through which the matrices fall
sidewise into a receiving device L, in which they are piled up by gravity, one
after another, in line, as shown in Figure 8. This receiving device, which is
secured by a screw 1, that it may be removed at will, may be made either of the
form shown or of any other form which will cause the matrices delivered through
the sorts-tube to assemble themselves in line. It is preferred to provide each of
the sorts-matrices with a hole through the middle, as shown, and to provide a
receiving device with a wire or pin 1, having its end presented in such position
that the matrices will pass down thereon and thus be strung upon the wire.
The sorts-matrices having been thus delivered automatically from the machine
.after use, may be returned to the supplemental magazine in any suitable manner.
In order, however, to facilitate the operations of sorting or classifying the
matrices and returning them to the magazine, we propose to make use of a dis-
tributing mechanism, such as shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, of practically the
same form as that employed on the machine, and consisting of the horizontal
distributor-bar F, having permuted teeth along its lower edge to co-operate with
the correspondingly permuted teeth of the sorts-matrices, so as to drop the latter
according to the characters which they bear at different points in the length of
the distributor. Screws E, E¹, are arranged to feed the matrices along the
distributor, and channels N are arranged below the distributor to receive them.
These channels N are so twisted or shaped as to cause the matrices to turn over
and slide sidewise out of the lower end. The frame of the distributor is adapted
to receive below the channel N, a series of receiving or charging tubes O, with
their upper ends in position to receive the matrices from the channels N. There
will be one of the tubes O opposite each channel end, intended to receive a

page_text: particular letter or character. Each charging-tube contains a spring-pressed
slide or follower o, against which the incoming matrices are assembled, being
held by means of retaining-hooks o¹.
The distributor contains a shaft o, provided with angular wheels o³, by which
the descending matrices are delivered into the respective tubes O. Each tube O,.
after being filled with matrices bearing a particular character, is inserted into.
or applied against the upper rear end of the corresponding channel in the
supplemental magazine and the matrices then pushed forward by the stem of
the follower into the magazine in the manner plainly indicated in Figure 11.
In order to prevent the matrices in the supplemental magaziue-channel from
falling over on their sides, we propose to place in each channel the longitudinal
wire, to extend through the holes in the matrices, the upper ends of these wires
being made with conical or arrow shaped heads, as represented in Figure 11, that
the matrices may pass freely over them. These wires are sustained at the upper
ends in the upper notched end of plates h", which are adapted to turn forward and
downward that the matrices may pass over them into the channels, as shown in
Figure 11. When the plates are turned down by the matrices passing over
them, the rods 1 may slide forward until they contact with the front plate of the
magazine. This movement is very slight, and when the hinged plates rise to
their normal positions they act against the heads of the rods and draw them
back to their original positions, so as to leave space for the escape of the matrices
past their forward ends.
It is to be understood that the wires 13 may be omitted or replaced by any
other means for preventing the matrices from falling on their sides-such, for
instance, as shoulders or ribs along the walls of the channels, as used in other
parts of the machine to bear beneath the shoulders at the upper end of the
matrices.
It is to be clearly understood that while we prefer a magazine in substantially-
the form herein shown, with matrix delivering or discharging devices of the
character represented, the present invention is not restricted thereto. The only
requirement is that the supplemental magazine should be adapted to contain the
sorts-matrices and to deliver the selected matrices into the machine proper so that.
they may pass into the line being composed; and the skilled mechanic will.
understand that the typical construction herein set forth may be widely varied
within the range of mechanical skill and without departing from the arrangement.
constituting the invention herein before explained.
It will be understood that the present invention is applicable not only to.
machines in which the matrices or intaglio characters are employed, but also to.
machines in which punches or cameo characters are employed to produce matrix.
impressions in papier mache or analogous material, and we have therefore made
use of the word "type in its generic sense in the following claims to include.
both matrices and punches.
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 of a type composing mechanism and its magazine having a.
carrier to advance the type toward the composing point, with a supplemental.
magazine arranged to deliver its type to the carrier of the first named mechanism.
2. In combination with a linotype machine containing a series of type, a
magazine therefor and means for selecting and assembling said type in line,
a detachable type-holder or magazine adapted to deliver its type to the first
named mechanism, whereby type from the two magazines may be assembled by
one mechanism, either in a common line, or in different lines, as required.
3. In combination with a linotype machine having a composing mechanisin
including a magazine co-operating therewith, a supplemental magazine containing
a series of inclined channels for the type, means for delivering the type individually

page_text: from said channels, and converging guides by which the matrices so delivered are
directed through a common passage.
4. In a type composing machine, a magazine consisting of a series of inclined
storage channels arranged side by side in rows, one row above another, and each
provided at the lower end with means for retaining the matrices and discharging
them one at a time in combination with guide channels or conductors through
which the discharged matrices are delivered at a common point, the guide
channels extending from the upper storage channels past the ends of the storage
channels thereunder, whereby several storage channels are caused to deliver
matrices through a common guide channel.
5. In a type magazine, an inclined channel provided with fixed type retaining
shoulders at the front, in combination with a lifting dog arranged to act beneath
the lower end of the type, whereby the forward type is lifted clear of the
shoulders.
6. In a type magazine, the series of channels inclined downward toward the
delivery end and each provided with fixed retaining shoulders in combination
with the lifting dogs lying transversely under the lower ends of the channels, the
parallel rock shafts carrying said dogs and provided with crank arms, the finger
buttons and their rods connected to the cranks and the retracting springs,
substantially as shown.
7. In a type magazine, an inclined type channel provided with type retaining
lips or shoulders and a longitudinal wire or rod adapted to extend through the
type to maintain them in an upright position therein.
8. In a type magazine, the type channel therein, in combination with the
floating wire and the hinged plate co-operating with the upper end of the wire.
9. In combination with the linotype machine having an outlet for sorts matrices,
a series of perforated matrices and a receiver having a wire or rod on which said
matrices are delivered.
10. A linotype machine provided with a distributor to deliver matrices in
combination with a rod or wire to which the matrices are delivered from the
distributor, and by which they are suspended side by side.
11. In combination with a linotype machine having a type magazine a composing
inechanism, and a distributor, a supplementary magazine, provided with finger
keys, and adapted to deliver sorts matrices to the composing mechanism out of the
machine, sorts matrices adapted to leave the distributor at a common point,
a secondary distributor for the sorts matrices, and tubes adapted to receive the
matrices from the secondary distributor and deliver them to the supplementary
magazine.
12. The distributor consisting of the toothed bar F, means for feeding the
matrices along said bar, and the channels N arranged to turn the falling matrices
and deliver them sidewise, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of April 1896.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.