Improvements in Linotype Machines, having special reference to the Knife Box.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Linotype Machines, having special reference to
the Knife Box.
I, THOMAS PURVIS RITZEMA, Justice of the Peace, Quarry Glen, Blackburn,
in the County of Lancaster Newspaper Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object, improvements in linotype machines having special
reference to the knife box and is for the purpose of producing complete lines of
larger or initial type, or lines composed of small and large type, the large type
being distributed at more places along the line than merely at the commencement.
In carrying out my invention I do not interfere with the major portion of the
present machines known as the "Linotype" machine as my invention only refers to
that portion known as the "knife box" which is situated upon the inside face of
the "vice" and is accessible when the "vice" is turned down upon its hinge or
pivot. This "knife box" is detachable and is generally so made that as the lines
of type are cast they are thrust through the knife box by the ejector and are thus
reduced to the exact thickness required. Now, according to my invention, I attach
a slide to one side of the knife box, one end of which carries the gauge knife for
thicknessing the lines of type the other end having a gap sufficiently long and wide
to allow the ejector to thrust through a whole line of large or display type whether
composed wholly of such large type or of partly large and partly small type.
When it is desired to set up a line or lines of display type the slide is moved along
by means of a handle attached to the side of the slide convenient to the operator
which is turned over so as to lock the slide at either end of its travel.
By this
means the operator is enabled to set up column type which is cut to gauge at one
end of the slide, and display type alternately together, the display type being
passed bodily through the gap at the other end of the slide. I thus avoide the
necessity for setting up the lines of Gisplay type by hand which is now the general
custom.
Dated this 30th day of Auril 1896.
GEORGE BARKER,
77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Linotype Machines, having special reference to
the Knife Box.
I, THOMAS PURVIS RITZEMA, Justice of the Peace, of Quarry Glen, Blackburn,
in the County of Lancaster, Newspaper Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention and in what mauner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object improvements in linotype machines having special
reference to the. knife box and is lor the purse of producing complete lines
of larger or initial type, or lines composed of small and large type the large type
being distributed at more places along the line than merely at the commencement.

page_text: In carrying out my invention I do not interfere with the major portion of the
present machines known as the "Linotype" machine as my invention only refers to
that portion known as the "knife box" which is situated upon the inside face of
the "vice" and is accessible when the vice is turned down upon its hinge or pivot.
This "knife" box is detachable and is generally so made that as the lines of type
are cast they are thrust through the knife box by the ejector and are thus reduced
to the exact thickness required. Now according to my invention I attach a slide
to one side of the knife box, one end of which carries the gauge knife for
thicknessing the lines of type the other end having a gap sufficiently long and wide
to allow the ejector to thrust through a whole line of large or display type whether
composed wholly of such large type or of partly large and partly small type.
When it is desired to set up a line or lines of display type the slide is moved along
by means of a handle attached to the side of the slide convenient to the operator
which is turned over so as to lock the slide at either end of its travel. By this
means the operator is enabled to set up column type, which is cut to gauge at one
end of the slide, and display type alternately together, the display type being
passed bodily through the gap at the other end of the slide. This avoides the
necessity of setting up the lines of display type by hand which is the general
custom now.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practical effect I have appended hereunto a double sized sheet of drawings
upon which I have illustrated an example of the same sufficient to enable others to
apply the invention of linotype and other such machines for the same purpose.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the well known "linotype" machine but this is
only shown in sufficient outline to enable me to show the application of my.
invention to its proper position thereon as my invention applies only to the part
known as the "knife box.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the "knife box" detached with my improvements
applied thereto.
Figure 3 is a back elevation of Figure 2 showing the knife in the position it
assumes when the ordinary small column type is being set up..
Figure 4 is an end sectional view of Figure 3 taken on the line a z.
Figure 5 is a similar view to Fig. 3 showing the knife at the other end of the
slide and in the position it assumes when large or display type is being set up which
leaves the broader gap or space through which the slugs pass.
The base of the machine is represented by the letter A, and B is the portion on
which the key board is fixed for operating the mattrixes which gravitate down the
guides C and are carried along the slide D and through the part E when they are
delivered opposite the slot in the mould plate fixed in the revolving whirl
or disc H. The molten metal is run into the slot h against the mattris which are
then carried back to their original place and the slug or line of type thus produced
is carried round in the mould plate until it comes opposite the knife box K which
is supported by the usual hinged vice a portion of which is shown at J but as my
invention only refers to this knife box I will now proceed to describe it by reference.
to the drawings.
According to my invention I mount or attach the bed of the slide k² to the
rear or inner face of the knife box K. This slide is operated in either direction
by the handle which presses against the cranked arm k fixed on the top
of the slide.
The knife which is used for cutting or shaving the ribs to thickness which are
formed on one side of the slugs so as to evenly regulate the width of each line of small
or ordinary type as it is set up is fixed to the side of the slide k. When setting up
ordinary or small type the slide is moved into the position shown at Figure 3 and
as the slug is ejected out of the mould plate the knife shaves or cuts it to the
required thickness, the limited space or opening & being left so as to allow the large
or capital letters commencing the line when necessary to pass through clear of the
knife. Now when a line of display type or a combination of large and small type

page_text: is required to be set up the slide is moved by the operator so carrying the knife to
the position shown at Figure 5 and altogether clear of the slugs as they are ejected
out of the mould plate thus leaving a sufficient space to allow the slug to pass
through without hindrance.
By this means the operator is enabled to set up column type which is cut to
gauge so as to regulate the thickness of each line of type, and also display type
alternatively, or a combination of both in one line.
By these means I avoid the necessity of having to set up the lines of display type
by hand which is the general custom at the present time where the "liuotype
machine is used.
My invention when applied to the present "linotype" machine not only enables
me to set up mixed lines and columns of display type in any desired combination
thus saving a great deal of time and trouble but it avoids the necessity for
redistributing the hand type which is a very important consideration as will be well
understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The improvements in "linotype" machines having special reference to the
knife box and the travelling knife & substantially as and for the purpose herein set
forth and as shown upon the accompanying drawings.
Second. The new "knife box" K for use in linotype and similar machines
having a slide or its equivalent carrying the knife which may be conveyed at the
will of the operator away from the opening or space k to allow the slug with
display letters to pass through substantially as herein set forth and shown upon the
drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1896.
GEORGE BARKER,
77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, Agent.