Improvements in Stereotypematrix Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Stereotypematrix Machines.
I, HENRI CELESTE VAN HOYWEGHEN, of 29, Rue des Ecremiers, Louvain,
Belgium, Compositor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows;
-
The subject of the present invention is a composing machine capable of per-
forming all type setting or tysographical work, doing away with the assembling
and the work upon marble, doing away with the distance pieces and all the
leads as also the distribution, permitting of changing when desired the
characters; italics, large, fancy, and of composing oval lines, obliques, as well
as all descriptions of vignettes, filets, and frames or border lines.
The machine comprises a table supported upon feet and upon which is free
to slide or move from front to rear a frame in which a small table or plate is
also free to slide. This latter carries a frame in which is placed a stereotype
cardboard or pasteboard either dry or wet. This small table or plate being
provided on its lower side with two toothed racks, can be moved either to the
right or left in the above mentioned frame by means of a roller toothed through-
out its entire length, mounted on the table and projecting above the said table,
so as to gear or mesh with the said toothed racks, through an aperture formed
in the said table; this toothed cylinder is located centrally and in a direction
extending from front to back or longitudinally.
A scale is marked upon one of the longitudinal sides of the frame containing
the stereotype cardboard.
The toothed cylinder is of a pitch equal to the scale and is moved by means
of ratchet wheels actuated by levers worked by the operator to move from right
to left the stereotype cardboard, after the impression of a character, through a
distance corresponding to the size of the character and to the distances between
the words.
The frame can be caused to slide upon the supporting table by means of a
cylinder mounted in the head of the said table perpendicularly to the herein-
before mentioned toothed cylinder, the said cylinder being provided with two
toothed wheels gearing or meshing with toothed racks formed on the edges
of the said frame which are bent over along the lateral sides of the table, this
cylinder being worked by an arrangement similar to that employed for working
the cylinder imparting motion to the small composing table or plate, and, in
such a manner as to move from front to rear the frame and the said small table
or plate through as many points on the scale as will be equal to the spaces
between the lines. Behind the table is arranged a support fixed thereto and
upon which is established a supporting arm bent over the table in a manner
similar to that of a sewing-machine. This arm is provided at its free extremity
with a vertical slide groove in which is free to slide a slide piece which is
normally drawn towards the top by means of a spring, and the travel or move-
ment of which towards the bottom is limited by an adjusting screw. To the

page_text: slide piece is jointed the extremity of a small shaft or spindle carrying a small
drum or barrel provided with a toothed cylindrical portion, and with two
truncated conical parts provided with characters formed either in steel or in
brass. A small ring connected to the hereinabove mentioned arm by means of
levers the extremity of which is arranged to slide in the said supporting arm,
is provided on its lower face with teeth corresponding to those of the small
ring, and upon its upper face with letters in the same order as the characters
placed upon the said small drum or barrel this small ring is provided with a
grip or handle by means of which, by turning or rotating the small drum or
barrel through the movement or displacement of the small ring the desired
character can be brought into a position above the stereotype cardboard herein-
before mentioned, and this character is then impressed on the cardboard: the
herein before mentioned spring now instantly raises the small barrel or drum
and the cardboard is then displaced as hereinabove described so as to print
another letter upon the cardboard and so on successively.
A lever fitted to the shaft or spindle of the small drum or barrel admits of this
shaft or spindle being moved at will, so as to bring into the proper position
with respect to the said cardboard, the one or the other of the conical surfaces of
the small barrel, the one carrying the letters which are those in most frequent
use, and the other those which are the most seldom used.
After the impression in the cardboard this latter is taken to the foundry to
form the stereotype plate.
Oval lines are printed upon the stereotype cardboard by means of an arrange-
ment comprising a square which is fixed to the composing table, and which is
provided with two graduated quarters of a circle, the one fixed, and the other
movable, the cardboard being placed in this latter, and moving with it so as
to impart to the lines the desired curve.
In the above described apparatus the typographic unity, the piece is sub-
divided, not as usual into twelve parts, but into ten, thus introducing the
decimal system into the measurement of the spaces or distances in the com-
posistion.
1000
improvements interely pow
I, HENRI CELESTE VAN HOYWEGHIEN, of 29, Rue des Ecreniers, Louvain,
Belgium, Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my present invention is to provide a composing machine adapted
to do any typographical work, dispensing with the assembling and work on the
stage or marble, the space lines, lines, and blocks as well as with the distribu-
tion, and permitting the type or letters to be changed as desired by com-
posing directly upon stereotypic or matrix paste, which is then sent to the
foundry.
And in order that this my invention may be the more readily understood and
carried into practical effect, reference is hereby made to the accompanying
drawings, wherein,
tan plan view of the improved apparatus:

page_text: Fig. 2, is a vertical section on the substantial line A B C D of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a front elevation with parts shown in section.
Fig. 4, is a partial rear elevation.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged section of the composing drum and the parts connected
thereto;
Fig. 6, is a front elevation of same.
In a metallic rectangular frame 1, I arrange another frame 2, adapted to
reciprocate longitudinally in grooves 7, provided in the inner sides of frame 1.
The frame 2, contains a plate 3, serving to receive stereotypic paste S, held
thereon by means of projections 9, made integral with the edges of said plate.
The stereotypic paste serves as an intermediary between the letters or type
placed on a drum, (printing them in said paste, as hereinafter described) and
the foundry, completely separate from the composing machine.
The plate 3, may be moved transversely in grooves 10, provided in the inner
sides of the frame 2, so as to enable the letters to be printed in said paste
successively side by side to form a line of letters. For this purpose, I arrange,
longitudinally, at the centre of the frame 1, a cylinder 4, provided with longi-
tudinal grooves of a width of two millimeters, to constitute a gearing over the
entire length of the cylinder. The underside of plate 3, is provided with two
rack-bars 5, (Fig. 2). meshing with said cylinder 4; the latter is actuated each
time a letter is struck into the paste, by means of a device hereinafter described.
The motion of the plate 2, containing the plate 3, is effected by means of
two rack-bars 11, secured to the sides 12 and 13 of said frame and meshing
with two toothed wheels 14 and 15, keyed on a shaft 16, journaled in the frame 1,
and which is moved, when a line is set, as hereinafter set forth.
The ends of a flat rod or bar 17 (Figs. 1 and 2) rest loosely in two grooves
provided in two opposite edges of frame 2. The matrix paste is movably
arranged upon said bar 17 and the latter is arranged in the centre plane of the
drum and moves only with the frame 2 in a longitudinal direction. During
the movement of the plate 3, the paste remains in contact with the supporting
bar and slides along the latter, being retained on the plate 3, by the projections 9.
As the matrix paste, to move along the said bar 17, must assume a slightly
convex shape, the culminating points of which form a line within the plane
passing through the axis of the drum, the latter prints only a single character
each time it presses on the paste, the adjacent characters on the drum not con-
tacting with the paste, at the same time as the character that is to be printed.
A rod 18, provided with graduations, constitutes the typometer. The unit
of said typometer is divided into ten points and each point equal to 0.5 milli-
metres. The numbers of the typometer run from the right hand to the left
hand side, and serve to facilitate the calculations for completing the rules to
be completed. By moving the plate 3 from the right hand to the left hand
side, the operator may see how many units he has already composed and
how many there remain to be composed for completing the rule or line.
A stop 18¹ serves to justify the lines to be composed.
A bar 18, also provided with a typometer, is secured to the frame 2, and
serves to measure the length of the parts composed, in a longitudinal direction.
To the rear of frame, 1, is secured a hollow arm 19, by means of bolts 20, 21,
said arm overhanging the frames and provided, at its free end, with a guide-
way 22, in which may slide a support 23.
The latter is provided on one of its inner vertical walls with a rack bar 37,
adapted to mesh with a toothed wheel or segment 41, keyed on the end of a
shaft 43, suitably guided in the hollow arm 19. The shaft 43 is adapted to
be rocked to a certain angle as now described. A pedal 44 is provided under
the apparatus within reach of the operator's foot, and secured to a lever 46,
pivoted in a support 125 and connected with a link 47 at the rear of the machine.
Said link is pivotally connected to a bar 119 movable in. guide brackets, 121
and 122, secured at the rear of the frame 1. This bar 119 is pivotally connected

page_text: at its upper end, to a 'bell-crank lever 92, fast on a shaft 120, journaled in a
bearing 126, at the rear of the frame 1. To the other arm of the bell-crank
lever 92, is secured a bolt 124, to the end of which is connected a link 123,
connected with the crank 93, keyed on the end of the shaft 43. When the
pedal is depressed by the operator's foot, the lever 46 oscillates, the link 47
and bar 119 move upwardly, the bell-crank lever 92 draws the link 123 towards
the left (in the drawing) and imparts an angular motion to the crank 93 and
therefore to the shaft 43. This causes a downward movement of the support 23
and of the drum, the latter striking the matrix paste and printing a character
thereon. A coiled spring 75 secured on 'the one hand to the arm 19 and on the
other hand to the shaft 43, serves to bring the latter back to its initial position
when the pedal is released, whereby the support 23, is brought back to its
upper position. For this purpose the support 23, is provided at its upper part,
with a cylindrical rod 24, extending loosely through a hole provided in a
plate 26. Said rod 24, has secured to its upper parts, a button, against which
hears a coiled spring 25, fitted around said rod, and the other end of which bears
against 'the upper side of the plate 26. When the support is lowered as above
described, the spring 25, will be compressed; when the pedal is released, said
spring acts to raise the support again.
Secured to the support 23 is a part 59, terminated by two perforated lugs 32,
through which extends a bolt 31, extending also through a small cross-bar
secured to a cylindrical sleeve 84, so that said sleeve is adapted to oscillate
on the bolt; said sleeve carries, on the side adjacent to the support 23, a shoulder,
and on its cylindrical surface is mounted a toothed wheel 45, made integral with
a cylindrical portion 58, provided with holes 40 for the purpose hereinafter
described.
Arranged against said wheel, is the drum bearing the type-letters to be
pressed upon the stereotypic or matrix paste. Said drum and the wheel 45,
are held on the sleeve by means of two toothed slide-blocks 87 and 88, adapted
to slide on a metallic part arranged in the sleeve and to be actuated by toothed
pinion 97, carrying an operating knob 98, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The
drum is formed of two recessed disks or plates 29, 30, preferably made of bronze
and connected with each other by a cylinder 94, provided with three arms and
keeping the disks at the proper distance from each other. The respective
circumferential surfaces 27, 28 of these disks constitute spherical surfaces, on
which are cast projecting type-characters for printing on the matrix.
the drum is inclined in either direction, the lowering of the support 23, as
herein before described, will cause the drum to print, in the matrix paste, a
character projecting on one of the two rims 27, 28, of the disks 29, 30.
When
The plate 30 has, at its central part, a shoulder provided with projecting
teeth corresponding to notches provided on the wheel 45, so that the latter,
adapted to freely rotate on the sleeve 84 with the drum, carries the drum away
in its movement imparted to the same for bringing one of the type-letters on
the drum opposite to the matrix .paste.
When a character on the rim 27 has to be printed in the paste, the drum is
inclined by tilting it on the centre pin of the sleeve 84, on which the drum is
supported, and a hook 96, secured to the stationary support 22, engages at the
down movement of the drum, one of the holes 40 of the toothed wheel 45, to
guide the drum. When the character tó be printed belongs to rim 28, the drum
must be inclined so as to bring this rim in front of the matrix paste. Each of
the said holes 40 is provided at the same height as a character on one of the
two rims and corresponds with said character.
In order to have the type-letters constantly struck into the matrix paste at
equal depth, I have provided a stop, serving to prevent the drum from being
lowered beyond this point. Said stop consists of a slotted part 85 adapted to
slide on the back of the part 22 and to be secured on the latter, at any desired
height, by means of a screw 86, engaging a groove provided in the part 85.

page_text: The plate 26 serves to stop the support 23 in its upward movement, so that
the drum cannot rise higher, by the action of the spring 25.
Each of the peripheries 27 and 28, provided with projecting type-letters, is
divided into sixty equal parts: said peripheries may therefore contain 2 X 60
type letters, or other signs. The width of each type-letter is equal to a certain
number of typometric points.
The drum may be changed as desired, whereby any kind of letters may be
printed.
In order to readily find the type-letter to be printed, the apparatus is provided
with a key-board comprising sixty keys 51. Each key serves for two different
rows, and the key-board is divided into two parts, each containing 30 keys
marked by numerals 1--30 on each side. The keys of the first and third rows
are distinguished by a certain colour, whilst the keys of the second and fourth
rows have a different colour.
Each key is secured on a lever 52, adapted to rock on a shaft 53, and the
end of which, located under one of the levers 54, 55, raises the latter when the
corresponding key 51 is depressed.
The said levers are separated from each other, on the rod 53, by collars 98,
loosely mounted on said rod, so that each lever may be moved independently,
and in order to prevent them from moving together when one of them is
actuated.
The levers 54 and 55 are adapted to oscillate respectively on shafts 56, 57,
and are acted upon by springs 60, 61 (Fig. 3) having a tendency to bring said
levers back to their normal position, when one of the levers 52, has raised them.
They are guided at their ends in slots 102, provided in a plate 101, secured to
the frame 1.
Each lever 54, 55 carries an integral toothed segment 62, meshing with a
semi-pinion 63, having 39 teeth, each measuring 2 millimetres. In order to
prevent one of the segments 62 from meshing when the other is raised, said
segments have portions, measuring 10 millimetres, cut away, that is to say,
over a length of five teeth, five teeth being added at the bottom part of each
segment. Two screws 99 and 100 (Fig. 3) are provided to regulate the height
of the toothed segments 62, in order to hold them constantly in engagement
with the semi-pinion 63. The semi-pinion 63 is keyed on a shaft 64, carrying
a spring 109, serving to bring said pinion back to its normal position after each
operation.
The shaft 64 is journaled in the plate 101 secured to frame 1; it is connected
by a universal joint 128 to a shaft 129, slidably arranged in a hollow shaft 66,
connected by a universal joint 1291 to a small shaft 130: the latter is supported
by a bar 103 provided with a hole to allow of its being slipped on the sleeve 84,
where it is held against the shoulder of this sleeve, by the wheel 45, mounted
afterwards thereon together with the drum.
The shaft 130 is provided with a toothed wheel 65, meshing with the toothed
wheel 45 for the purpose of imparting to the drum the angular movement,
which the shaft (4 receives from the semi-pinion 63. The bearing 103 and the
shaft 130 follow the movement imparted to the drum, the wheel 65 being always
in gear with 45, whatever may be the position of the drum (Figs. 1 and 5).
The shaft 4, is divided into four parts, connected by means of two universal
joints 128 and 129 and a slot connection 66, so as to enable the wheel 65 to be
always in gear with 45, to which it imparts movement in whatever position the
drum may be. Instead of the numerals shewn in the drawings on the keys
of the key-board, signs are placed corresponding to the type-letters arranged
on the bronze-plates of the drum.
The drum may be inclined in either direction by means of a rod 104, pro-
vided with a handle 105, in the reach of the operator, said rod 104 being pivot-
ally connected with another rod, adapted to rock on a short shaft journaled
in a bearing 106, the other end 107 of which runs in a bearing 103, (Fig. 1).

page_text: Two stop-pins 114, 115 Fig. 2 serve to limit the lateral movements of the
drum.
When the key No. 1, on the right-hand side is depressed, the pinion 63 is
actuated by the toothed segment on the right-hand side, and it is moved by
one tooth whilst, when the key No. 30 is depressed, said pinion is moved by
thirty teeth, or by half a revolution, the movements being imparted to the
drum, through the agency of the shaft 64.
When 60 signs only are required, for instance, for fancy letters, the bronze
plates of the drum are divided into 30 parts and each part measures 16 milli-
meters instead of 8. In this instance, 30 levers only are required for the key,
said levers causing the drum to rotate 16 millimeters each time. The sup-
ports 108 have fitted to them the cross-bar 69, serving as a stop for the down-
ward movement of the key levers. In order to move the plate 3 automatically,
I arrange, under the key-board, a cross-bar 67, serving as a stop for the levers
of the key-board. Said cross-bar actuates a lever 70, (Fig. 3) mounted on a
shaft carrying another lever 71, so that the pawl 72, secured to the latter,
adapted to engage the wheel 73 keyed on or near to the end of the shaft of
cylinder 4, is withdrawn.
The pawl 72 rides over as many teeth on the wheel 73 as the character to be
printed has typometric points: --for this purpose the upper side of the cross
bar 67 is provided with 60 teeth, corresponding to the 60 levers, 52, which
bear against them when the respective keys are actuated. The height of each
of these corresponds with the number of typometric points contained in the
corresponding character.
An adjustable stop 116 secured to the frame 3, comes into contact with a
lever 117, which operates a bell 118, in order to notify that the plate 3 has
arrived at the end of the rule or line to be composed.
In order to obtain the necessary spaces between the words, I provide levers 76
at the centre of the key-board, said levers being pivoted on the cross-bar 53
and actuated by means of the keys; the horizontal part of the cross-bar 67 is
provided with teeth of graduated height and when the key 1' is depressed, the
plate 3, is moved forwards by one tooth, whilst when 41 is depressed, said plate
is moved forwards four teeth. In order to bring the plate 3 back to its initial
position, after a line is set, I employ a crank-handle 110 on the end of the
shaft of cylinder 4.
The levers 52 of the key-board, each of which servers for two characters, can
hold only two letters of equal width, on the keys.
In order to compose the lines one under the other, the frame 2 must be
moved longitudinally on frame 1 in the grooves 7, after setting a line. For
this purpose,
the shaft 16 carries a gear wheel 78, outside frame 1, actuated
by hand, by means of one of the two levers 79, 80, acting on a lever 81 carrying
a pawl 82.
When one of the key levers 79 is depressed, the pawl 86 can rotate the
wheel 78 in such a manner that the frame 1 is moved forwardly to one typo-
metric point. The support of the lever 80 can be lowered by means of the
screw 83, to clear a large space for the movements of the lever 80.
The downward movement of the lever 79, is limited by means of a set-
screw 83, and serves to move the frame 2, in longitudinal directions, to a number
of typometric points, in relation with the kind of type-letters employed.
The lever 80 serves to move the frame 2, in the same direction, to one typo-
metric point at a time.
The frame 1, is supported on suitable feet 113.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is-
1. The improved composing or setting machine, comprising a revoluble type-

page_text: letter drum, a stereotypic paste-carrying plate in which the type-letters are to
be printed, a suitable key-board, the keys of which correspond to the type
letters on the drum, means for automatically feeding said plate means for
moving said plate longitudinally, and suitable connections between the key
board and the type letter drum, as set forth.
2. In the composing or setting machine, the combination of the frame 1
suitably supported, another frame 2, movable in frame 1, and carrying a plate 3,
receiving stereotypic paste and adapted to move in grooves or equivalents in
said frame 2, rack-bars on the sides of the latter, a shaft 16, toothed
pinions 14, 15, on said shaft and meshing with said rack-bars, a serrated or
toothed cylinder 4, rack-bars on the plate 3, and meshing with said cylinder,
as set forth.
3. In the composing or setting machine, the combination of the frame 1, the
arm 19, on said frame, a guide-way 22, on the end of said arm, a movable sup-
port 23, on said guide-way a sleeve 84, on which a toothed wheel 45, may freely
rotate, said wheel being connected to a drum compressing two type-letter carry-
ing bronze plates 29, 30, a cylindrical portion 58, made integral with the
wheel 45 and provided with holes adapted to be engaged by hooks 95, 96,
secured to the stationary support 22, to hold the drum in operative positions,
suitable stops for down and up movements of the drum and means for actuating
said drum, as set forth.
4. In the composing or setting machine, the combination of the shaft 64,
a gear wheel 65, on said shaft, the drum 37, a toothed rim on said drum, mesh-
ing with said gear-wheel, a toothed semi-pinion on the end of said shaft,
toothed segments adapted to rotate said pinion in either direction, pivoted
levers on said segments, springs for bringing same back to their normal position
after each operation, and a key-board comprising series of keys on suitable
rocking levers, adapted to engage the levers on said segments, as set forth.
5. In the composing or setting machine, the combination of the key-board,
the key-levers 52, a cross-bar 67, arranged under said levers, levers 70 engaged
by said cross-bar at each depression of a key, levers 71, carrying pivoted spring
pawls, and actuated by said levers 70, a wheel 73, adapted to be engaged by
said pawls, said wheel being mounted on the shaft of cylinder 4, said cylinder,
and the plate 3 carrying said cylinder, as set forth.
6. In the composing or setting machine, the combination of the shaft 6, a
gear-wheel 78, on said shaft on the side of the machine, a pawl 82 engaging said
wheel, a crank-handle carrying said pawl, levers 79 and 80 for actuating said
crank-handle, the frame 1, and the frame 2 movably mounted in frame 1,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In the composing or setting machine, the combination with the frame 2,
and the plate 3, of typometric scales arranged on said parts and the pica of
which is divided into ten parts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The improved composing machine, constructed arranged and operating
substantially as described and shown.
נד
30
1000
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, London, W., Agent for the Applicant.