Improvement in Machines for Making Type-bars.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvement in Machines for Making Type-bars.
I, ROSWELL HAZELTINE ST. JOHN, of 824 Case Avenue, City of Cleveland, State
of Ohio, U.S.A., Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side clevation of my improved machino.
Fig.
2 is a rear elevation with the matrix carrying bars at one side omitted.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation, showing a cross section of the mechanism for feeding
and landling the type-bars, and with the key-board removed.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the front part of the machine looking in from the
left of Fig. 3. and showing a vertical section of the type-bar holder, the matrices
in position as for an impression, and the type-bar holder down in position to
discharge a bar.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the mechanism beneath the bed plate of the
machine, with the frame comprising the matrix carrying bars and part of the bed
plate removed.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view, partly broken away, of a section of the matrix
carrying frame, and showing a bank of matrices of any given letter, character, or
design and the rods connected therewith as they appear when withdrawn and in
position to be assembled, one matrix plate being sent forward to working position.
Fig. 7 is a plan view considerably enlarged, of the central portion of Fig. 6,
showing the matrices of a single bank or character grouped and ready for use,
and a plan of the mechanism used to lock and release said matrices.
Fig. 8 shows the same locking mechanism in the position occupied when a
matrix is released to pass forward to the impression box or chambor.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the front end of the adjustable locking plate shown in
Figs. 7 and 8, and
Fig. 10 is a front end view.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of a bank of matrices corresponding to the front part
of Fig. 7, with the locking mechanism removed and showing the matrix rods
bent at right angles instead of an acute angle, as in Fig. 7. This bending more
or less is necessary according as one position or another is occupied in the pile or
pyramid of the matrix frame, it being further necessary that all the matrices
when assembled for an impression shall rest flatly against one another.
Fig. 11 is a section of one of the matrix rods, showing a lug on the guide
collar which is engaged by the locking plate.
Fig. 11 is a view looking in from the front of the machine of a section of the
matrix frame taken toward its back end and showing the relation of each succeeding
set of supporting bars to the set above and below, and so arranged that the
matrices in the different banks or groups shall have room to pass one another.
Fig. 12 is a view of a cross section of the rear portion of the machine, the
stepped frame and the parts immediately attached thereto being taken on a line
back of the matrix part of the frame.
Fig. 13 shows part plan and part sectional view of the rear ends of several sets
of matrix carrying bars, each set of bars adapted to carry a single bank of matrices,
the relation of said bars being further seen in Fig. 12, and the top portion of the
confining head removed to show the division plate at its front through which the
matrix rods pass.
Fig. 14 is an outside view of a section of two sets of matrix carrying bars like
those shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, showing at the bottom a slot in which the

page_text: with the matrices out off and part of the frame broken away to disclose the honds
on the opposite side and the catches to lock and hold the said heads and
their rods.
Fig. 15 is a plan view of the rear end of a single set of matrix carrying bars,
shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and the fixed load thereon with the matrix rods passing
through the head, the sliding retracting yoke and the fixed rod on which said
yoke slides.
Fig. 16 is a sido elevation of Fig 15, looking from the inner side of the side
of the matrices.
Figs. 17 and 18 are side views of different forms of cams employed as heroinafter
described.
Fig. 19, Sheet 5, is a side viow, broken in the middle, of a spacing bar or
spacer employed to separate words, and
Fig. 20 is an edge view thereof.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a wedge used with these spacers to justify and
lock the matrices.
Fig. 22 is a view of a type-bar with the yielding edge partly detached.
The machine is supported on a frame 10, having a top 11, constructed to attach
and operate the mechanism.
The matrix carrying frame 12, shown clearly in Figs. 1, 3, and 6, is built up
step by step substantially in the form of a pyramid in cross section, the two sides
of which comprise matrix carrying bats with their onds converging and feeding
into the matrix chamber 13, at the front of the said frame. Fig. 11 is taken at
a point about midway of the length of the matrix bars, and shows the matrices, 14,
so situated with respect to each other that those in any given bank or set are free
to pass those in the adjoining sets. However, when the matrices travel toward the
forward end of the frame and reach the point where the carrying hars 15, converge,
the space between the sets of matrices begins to disappear, and the matrix that has
been discharged, and may stop part way, will be followed and carried forward by the
next succeeding matrix sent on its journey to the chamber 13. It is of course not
expected that any given matrix will pause thus on its journey, the means by which it
is carried forward being designed to be uniform and positive in all parts of the
machine, and of such strength that the moment the matrix is released it will pass
instantly to its place, thus providing for us rapid an operation of the machine as is
possible mechanically. Frequently it occurs in machines that the feeding mechanism
is neither prompt nor reliable, and that a matrix or type when released may be slow
in finding its place, while a succeeding matrix or type may act more promptly and
take its position in the holder before the first one gets there, thus causing an error in
the printing and much annoyance and delay. In the mechanism heroin provided this
difficulty is overcome, and the matrices fly to their position in the order in which they
are released, no difference how rapidly the machine may be operated.
The matrix carrying bars, 15, are suitably spaced to form an open channel or guide-
way, 16, between them. This guide-way is horizontal, and extends at least the entire
distance the amtrix is to travel.” The edges of bars 15, adapted to any given bank,
match evenly their entire length, and the matrices lie with their odgas against tho
inside of said bars, one behind the other, as shown in Figs. 7 and 10". Each matrix
has a carrying rod 17, of sufficient longth to operate as herein described. The rods
thus arranged are bent at greater or less angle at their front ends, according to their
position and relation to the matrix chamber. Thus if they occupy a position at or
near the base of the frame, and hence are carried at considerablo angle to the said
nutrix chamber, they will be correspondingly bent at their front ends so as to feed tho
matrices into the said chamber side by side with those that come from other portions
of the frame. In Fig. 10 it will be seen that the said rods are bent at right angles,
showing that these rods occupy a position at about the centre or apex of the framo.
Therefore the rods in each succcoding bank, beginning at the base and running up on
both sides, will bo bent. somewhat differently from those in the next one above, those

page_text: occupying corresponding positions upon the respective sides, of course being
similarly bent.
The rods 17, extending through the end carrying bars 15, have the matrices
fastened firmly thereto at their inner ends, and are provided with sleeves 18, having
locking lugs theroon bearing upon the outer side of said bars, so that while the
matrices sorve to provent the said rods from moving one way out of relation to the
carrying bars, the said sleeves serve to prevent them moving the other way, and
thus the said rods are caused to travel back and forth upon the carrying bars in a
proper working position. Each succeeding rod, starting with the inner one in each
bank, is bent with sufficient elbow to clear the procoding one. It will be understood
that these banks, shown here as comprising eight matrices, are each of a single
letter, and as many of such banks are used as may be required. These banks
should make provision for figures, upper and lower case lotters, and line spaces,
and a key-board 19, added to the front of the machine and provided with koys and
mechanism extending to the various banks, so that the operator can call in any
character he wants.
Any suitable construction of matrix carrying frame, adapted to carry the matrices
as described, may be used.
At the roar of each set of bars, 15, is a lateral hoad 20, Figs. 13 and 16. This
head forms a guide-way and support for the matrix carrying rods 17. Intermediate
of this head and the sleeve 21, on the matrix rod, at about the bend of said rod, I
place a light wire spring 22, designed to have such tension when compressed, as seen
in Fig. 7, that it will carry the matrix instantly to working position.
Then when a line of matrices has been assembled and used, and they are io be
distributed to their original positions, the distribution is effected by means of a
yoke 23, Figs. 12, 18 and 19, engaging the rear ends of the matrix rods 17, which
oxtend for this purpose outside of the head 20, said rods being provided with small
heads 24, at their ends. Each yoke being drawn back upon its supporting rod 25,
withdraws all the matrices in that bank which have been out. The simultaneous
distribution of the matrices thus used in any impression is effected through arm 26,
Figs. 1 and 2, pivoted centrally on shaft 27, in the rear of the frame and provided
with a ring at the top end of the arm and radiating rods 28', connecting the said head
with the yokes 23. The arm is operated by shaft 27, having a short crank 29', and a
link 30, extending to lever 31 at the front of the machine within easy reach of the
operator. Thus by a single stroke of the said lever all the matrices used at any one
time are distributed, and the machine is ready to form a new line of matter. The
rods 25, on which the yokos 23 are adapted to slide, serve to carry the rear ands of
the rods upon which the matrices are fixed. After each distribution of the matrices,
all the yokes are again thrown forward, as seen in Fig. 1, so that no obstruction will
appear to the assembling of the matrices, and the lever 31, and the crank arm 29¹, are
thrown into the position shown in Fig. 1.
Each bank of matrices is provided with its own locking mechanism, and this
inechanism is connected with the corresponding key on the key-board. When a key
is depressed, as in ordinary type-writer work, it will release a single matrix, which
will at onco fly to its place in the matrix chamber 13.
Thus in Figs. 7 to 11, it will be seen that upon the matrix supporting bars, about
midway of their length, is pivoted at 32 a locking plate 33. At the rear end of this
plate is a bell crank lever 24, likewise pivoted on the matrix carrying bars, and at the
end of its short arm, 25, is also pivoted to the bent or curved extremity of the locking
plate 33. Upon the long arm of this bell crank is a retracting spring 26, and from
this arm extends a rod 27, connected with the corresponding key on the key-board.
Thus the said spring serves to hold the locking plate 33 normally in the position seen
in Fig. 7, in which position it confines all the matrices of that bank, as seen in said
figure. On the front end of this locking plate 33, are two catches, 28 and 29. The
catch 28 is bevelled, as shown, so as to ride over the lugs on the sleeves of the matrix
rods when the said rods are drawn back, and upon its opposite face is constructed to
engage said lugs to prevent them from discharging except when required. This

page_text: catch 28, is fastened to a spring 30, on the locking plate, and pisses down through a
suitable opening in said plate so as to make the desired engagement beneath
Each
of the outer guide sleeves 21 has an upwardly projecting lug 31, and it is with this
lug that the said catch 28 engages when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 7.
The locking plate 33, has a horizontal movement, the locking end moving inward
toward the matrix carrying bar when the matrix is released, and the said bar has a
notch or opening 32, in its side to accommo late the catch 28, and permit the sleeved
lug on the matrix rod to pass. When thus released the spring 22 comes into action
and sends the matrix to its chamber, but when this occurs the matrices in the bank
are held back by the catch 29, to the rear and at one side of the locking plato, as
seen in Fig. 8, so that when the said plate is moved inward to the position seen
in Fig. 8, and a matrix is released, the catch 29 interposes in front of the next
succeeding rod and engages the lug on the sleeve and prevents its movement. At
the moment a matrix is released the finger is lifted from the key, the retracting
spring 20, carries the locking plate back into the position seen in Fig. 7, and the
next succeeding matrix is released from the catch 29, and drops forward to be engaged
by the catch 28. The releasing and locking of the nutrices occurs automatically in
succession. The same mechanism and operation appears in all the banks.
The chamber in which the matrices are assembled for taking an impression has
parallel sides adapted to the width of the matrices, a slut being formed in the
table through which the matrices extend partly haneath the table. When assembling
is completed to form a single line, the next step is to lock the form thus made. To
do this, force the wedge 33, Fig. 5, against the matrices and bring them all together
side by side. This wolgo is operated by a lever 34, and a stom 35, connecting the
lever with the wedgo, a suitable way being made in the frame of the table for
the said wedge. The matrices are next caused to register along their edges and are
firmly locked by a block 86, supported in guide-ways and provided with a quick
screw 37, to force it in position. This block has a bevelled tongue 38, which enters a
notch in the matrices and brings them all to a uniform plane and position.
In Figs. 20, 21, and 22, I show the spacing plates or bars 30, designed to separate
the words, as ordinarily in printing, and split at their lower ends, Fig. 21, to acconi-
modnto a wedge 40. The wedge and plate thus formed have slot and pin connections
so that the wedge will have sufficient movement to accomplish its purpose, and not
drop below the limits of its movement when not in use. These spacing plates aro
held in banks upon the main frame the same as the matrices, and subject to like
mochanism. The locking and justifying of the form is accomplished by means of
these wedges 40, which in their normal condition, hang upon their supports. Then
to force them in position, I employ a cam 41, which lies in bearings across beneath
the lower projecting onds of the matrices, Figs. 3 and 5. This cam has a lover 42, by
which it is turned and the said wedges are forced into fastening position.
The form thus wedged up is ready to take an impression. This is done by forcing
the type-bar blank against the matrices. In carrying out this part of my invention I
preferably use a bar with a body of hard brass or other motal or material, 43, and
secure upon the edge thereof, by any suitable means, a strip of soft metal or
material 44, adapted to be impressed and used at once, or to harden or to be hardened
after impression for uso. The body of the bar is designed for permanent use, and
may be used indefinitely, and as here shown, Fig. 22, has dowel pins upon its edge to
fasten the impressible strip. But any suitablo means of fastening may be used, and
the two parts united in this machine or another machine.
The box holling the bars, Fig. 3, is slotted on both sides at its bottom to pass one
of the said type-bars and the follower. Next we have an adjustablo metallic
holder 45, supported in guide-ways in a suitably constructod frame, shown here us
attached to the underside of the table. This holder is adapted to be lifted to a given
fixed position, and has a transverse slot corresponding to the size of the type-bar,
which, when the block is raised, is in exact alignment between the line of matrices in
the form and the bottom of the box containing the type-lars, so that one of said bars
may be forced out of the bottom of the said holder and through the transverse slot

page_text: against the matrices to receive the impression and thus complete the type-bar for use.
The means for forcing the bar against the form may of course be largely variod, but I
show here, Figs. 3 and 5, a shaft 46, carrying cam 47, and arm 47' connected
with a follower 48. This done, the follower is withdrawn and another type-bar
feeds down.
The holder 45 is raised and lowered by pivoted lever 49, link 50, and link 51.
The link 50 has an oblong slot working on shaft 46, giving it a limited up and
down movemont, and a lateral pin at its end works in cam 50' fixed on the
said shaft.
It is designed that the holder 45 shall register with the matrices, as seen in Fig. 3,
and with the slot 52, lower down, to discharge the imprinted bar, and the foregoing
mechanism accomplishes these movements. When the holder 45 is down, a suitable
push bar 53, enters through slot 52 and dislodges the type-bar on the receiving shelf.
The bar 53 is operated by a pivoted lever 51, working in a cam 55, on the axle 46.
The operation of this mechanism is automatic, and each movement will occur in its
order and successively as the shaft 46 is turned. Any suitably formed holder 45, may
be used, but when an impression is being taken tho sides and ends of the type-bar
should be firmly held so as to avoid upsetting.
The type-bars can of course be formed of the same density of material throughout,
though not so satisfactorily, and if the whole bar were made in one piece with a hard
body and a yielding edge, or otherwise, it would be operated the saine as if made of
two or more pieces. The invention in this particular is understood to cover broadly a
type-har suitably constructed to have the characters formed thereon by pressure
against the matrices or by pressing the matrices against the bar, and the
impression may be in cameo or in intaglio, but preferably are in cameo
or relief.
I have somewhat particularly described the locking mechanism for firmly securing
the matrices in the impression box, but this of course may be widely varied and serve
the same purpose. I might operate the various wedges and locks by a single lever
instead of by three different levers, as now shown, and other parts of the machinery
by which certain functions are performed may be considerably varied and still be
within the scope of my invention.
The type-bars having the characters impressed in relief thereon are adapted to be
set up, line by line, in lieu of ordinary type, with spacing bars between them, and can
be used in connection with ordinary type. The characters may be in any style or
design that is found useful.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what I
claim is :
1. A type-bar blank composed of a hard body and yielding edge, substantially as
described.
2. A type-bar consisting of separate pieces fastened together along their edges, one
of said pieces constructed to have characters impressed thereon, substantially as
described.
3. A type-bar having a body of hard material and a strip of soft material laid upon
the edge thereof, substantially as described.
4. A type-bar formed of different piecos of metal detachably fastened together,
and characters on one edge of said bar, substantially as described.
5. A type-bar consisting of a body having a projection at its edge, and a strip
of compressible material engaged and held by said projection, substantially as
described.
6. In a machine for imprinting characters on a type-bar by pressure, a holder for
said bar constructed to fit snugly upon the sides and ends of the same, a series of
matrices opposite the exposed edge of said bar, and means to force the said bar and
matrices together, substantially as described.
7. A holder for the type-bar open along one side to expose the edge of the said

page_text: bar to the matricos, a series of matricos locked together preparatory to taking an
impression, pressure mechanism to force the typo-bar and matrices one toward the
other, and a type-bar, substantially as described.
8. A type-bar provided with a yielding edge and a holder therefor with a trans-
verse slot or opening in which the bar fits closely at its sides, a serios of matrices
opposite the said slot, and a follower to force tho bar in said slot against the said
matricos, substantially as described.
9. A type-bar corresponding in size to a line of type and having a yielding edge,
and a holder for said bar fitting closely upon the sides and ends thereof, in
combination with a sorios of matricos supported in line against said holder, and
pressure mechanism to imprint the characters of the matrices in relief upon the plain
edge of the type-bar, substantially as described.
10. The method of forming type-bars, which consists in securing a strip of soft
or yielding material capable of taking an impression from a matrix, upon the edgo
of a suitable bar, and then making an imprint from the matrix upon said yielding
mnterinl by pressure, substantially as described.
11. The method of forming type-bars in condition to print, which consists in
making a blank bar with a yielding edge and then making an imprint upon said
odge by a matrix consisting of an assembled series of characters, substantially as
described.
Dated this Eighteenth day of August 1 1900
KARA
ROSWELL HAZELTINE ST. JOHN.