Improvements in or relating to Linotype Machines, and in the Method of Justification of the Assembled Lines of Type or Type Matrices.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 19th Oct., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Linotype Machines, and in the
Method of Justification of the Assembled Lines of Type or Type
Matrices.
A communication by PHILIP TELL DODGE, of Tribune Building, New York, in
the County and State of New York, United States of America..
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster and 31 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the justification of assembled lines of type or type
matrices; that is to say, to the spacing of the composed line, in order to give the
same a predetermined length, and the essence of the invention consists in inserting
in the line, during or immediately after the close of composition, the thicker ends
of elongated stepped spaces, and thereafter retracting or moving back through the
line, one or more of these spaces, in order that it may present in the line a diminished
thickness, thus allowing the line to shorten. The bars may be operated in accordance
with this invention, either individually or in series, and their adjustment effected by
any suitable mechanism, une form of which will constitute the subject of a separate
application.
The tapered bars may be constructed of solid metal or of suitable yielding
material, or they may be compressible as described in my correspondent's United
States Letters Patent No. 444,337 dated January 6, 1891. When compressible,
they will be withdrawn until the line is approximately justified, or slightly longer
than required, after which compression will be applied end wise of the line, to
complete the justification.
By making use of the elongated spaces, which do not require to be removed after
insertion in the line, and by introducing the thicker ends of these spaces in the first
instance, a speedy and exact justification can be effected without subjecting the
parts to undue strain, and without endangering the alignment of the matrices, or
subjecting them to excessive wear, which results from the thrusting of stepped
spaces between them to elongate the line.
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, illustrating stepped space-bars, such as
may be used in carrying this invention into effect.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, showing a line of matrices with space-bars inserted
therein, and mechanism for compressing the line, the line being unjustified.
Figure 4 is a similar view, showing the space-bars partially withdrawn and the
line compressed to complete the justification.
Figure 5 is a cross section on the line -, showing the manner in which the
matrices and space-bars are sustained in the guide or aligning device.
Figure 6 is a view illustrating another form of spacing device which may be
used in carrying out this invention.
In these drawings:-
AA represent the matrices or type, which may be of any suitable form and
assembled and sustained by any suitable means. In the form shown, they consist

page_text: each of a flat plate of brass or equivaleat material, provided with sustaining
shoulders a, at the upper end, and with the intaglio characters or matrix proper a
in one edge. In form and mode of operation, they are the same as used in the well'
known linotype machine, and are not claimed as part of the present invention.
BB represent tapered space-bars, each consisting of bar or blade, of a width
corresponding to that of the matrices so that it may be introduced between them
as a component part of the line. Each space is provided at the upper end with
sustaining shoulders, and made of a length greater than the matrices and of a
thickness decreasing step by step from the upper to the lower end. Thus con-
structed, it presents at different points in its length the several sections B¹, B³, B³, B4,
each having parallel faces on opposite sides-and-each joined to the next by the
inclined surface B'.
A bar may be constructed on one solid piece, as in Figure 1, or of suitable
compressible material, or provided as shown in Figure 2, with an internal layer of
compressible material B, such as plumbago and asbestos. This compressible space
is not in itself claimed herein. In carrying out this invention the line of matrices
or type is composed or assembled by any suitable means, and the spaces introduced
therein at suitable. points, with their upper and thicker ends in the line. The
"composition is continued until the line exceeds the final length required, unless the
termination of a word or syllable brings it to the exact length, which rarely happens.
The overset line, that is to say, the line having excessive length, is then adjusted
by lifting the entire series of spaces, or one or more of the spaces independently,
until the presentation of their thinner sections in the line permits the latter to be
compressed or justified to the length demanded.
It has
The adjustment of the spaces will depend upon the amount of space to be
removed, the number of spaces in the line and their varying conditions.
been found that by proper movements of the respective bars, it is possible to effect
an exact justification of every line occurring in practice.
While it is preferred to employ stepped space-bars which are gradually tapered
from one end to the other, bars consisting of two wedges in reverse relations to
each other, as shown in Figure 5, may be employed by first inserting their thicker
ends in the line and thereafter withdrawing them to the required extent.
In the drawings is shown the line of matrices sustained in front of the mold-
wheel D, which is supplied with molten metal. This metal forms a bar or linotype,
having in one edge the characters represented by the matrices, as in the ordinary
linotype machine. The line of matrices and space-bars is compressed endwise
between a jaw F at one end, preferably fixed, and a movable jaw G at the opposite
end. The jaw G has a neck g extending into a reciprocating block H, operated by
an eccentric 1. An intervening spring J tends to constantly urge the jaw forward
"to compress the line, while keys h, engaging shoulders on the neck, serve to limit
the movement of the jaw towards its component, or in other words, to limit the
reduction in the length of the line,
These keys also serve to draw the jaw backward with the slide H, as the latter
retreats, in order to release the line of matrices, and space-bars, after the casting.
The spring-actuated jaw automatically reduces the length of the line as the space-
bars are retracted, to present their narrower ends in operative position.
The word tapered is used in this Specification in a generic sense, as including all
spaces which are reduced in width from one end toward the other, whether gradually
or step by step.
Dated this 17th December 1894.

page_text: Method of Justification of the Assembled Lines of
Matrices."
A communication by PHILIP TELL DODGE, of Tribune Building, New York, in
the County and State of New York, United States of America:
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E. of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool' and 6 Bank Street
Manchester both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham
in the County of Warwick and 31 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Civil 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 :-
This invention relates to the justification of assembled lines of, type or type
matrices; that is to say, to the spacing of the composed line, in order to give the
same a predeterinined length, and the essence of the invention consists in inserting
in the line, during or immediately after the close of composition, the thicker ends
of elongated stepped spaces, and thereafter retracting'or moving back through the
line, one or more of these spaces, in order that it may present in the line A
diminished thickness, thus allowing the line to shorten. The bars may be operated
in accordance with this invention, either individually or in series, and their adjust-
ment effected by any suitable mechanism, one form of which will constitute the
subject of a separate application.
The tapered bars may be constructed of solid nretal or of suitable yielding
material, or they may be compressible. When compressible, they will be withdrawn.
until the line is approximately justified, or slightly longer than required, after
which compression will be applied end wise of the line, to complete the justification..
By making use of the elongated spaces, which do not require' to be removed after
insertion in the line, and by introducing the thicker ends of these spaces in the first
instance, a speedy and exact justification can be effected without subjecting the
parts to undue strain, and without endangering the alignment of the matrices, or
subjecting them to excessive wear, which results from the thrusting of stepped
spaces between them to elongate the line.
Referring to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification
:
Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, illustrating stepped space-bars, such as
may be used in carrying this invention into effect.
:
Figure 3 is a side elevation, showing a line of matrices with space-bars inserted
therein, and mechanism for compressing the line, the line being unjustified,
.L.
Figure 4 is a similar view, showing the space-bars partially withdrawn and the
line compressed to complete the justification.”
Figure 5 is a cross section on the line, of Figure 4 showing the manner in'
which the matrices and space-bars are sustained in the guide or aligning device:
Figure 6 is a view illustrating another form of spacing device which may be
used in carrying out this invention.
In said drawings :-
..
A-A represent the matrices or type, which may be of any suitable form and
assembled and sustained by: any suitable means. In the form shown, they cousist
each of a flat plate of brass or equivalent material, provided with sustaining
shoulders a, at the upper end, and with the intaglio characters or matrix proper a
in one edge. In form and mode of operation, they are the same as used in the
well known linotype machine, and are not claimed as part of the present invention.
900

page_text: BB represent tapered space-bars, each consisting of a bar or blade, of a width
corresponding to that of the matrices so that it may be introduced between them as a
component part of the line. Each space is provided at the upper end with sustaining
shoulders, and made of a length greater than the matrices and of a thickness
decreasing step by step from the upper to the lower end. Thus constructed, it
presents at different points in its length the several sections B1, B2, B3, B*, each
having parallel faces on opposite sides and each joined to the next by the inclined
surface B³.
A bar may be constructed on one solid piece, as in Figure 1, or of suitable
compressible material, or provided as shown in Figure 2, with an internal layer of 1
compressible material B, such as plumbago and asbestos. This compressible space
is not in itself claimed herein. In carrying out this invention the line of matrices
or type is composed or assembled by any suitable means, and the spaces introduced
therein at suitable points, with their upper and thicker ends in the line. The
composition is continued until the line exceeds the final length required, unless the 1
termination of a word or syllable brings it to the exact length, which rarely
happens. The overset line, that is to say, the line having excessive length, is then
adjusted by lifting the entire series of spaces, or one or more of the spaces
independently, until the presentation of their thinner sections in the line permits
the latter to be compressed or justified to the length demanded.
The adjustment of the spaces will depend upon the amount of space to be removed,
the number of spaces in the line and their varying conditions. It has been found
that by proper movements of the respective bars, it is possible to effect an exact
justification of every line occurring in practice.
While it is preferred to employ stepped space bars which are gradually tapered
from one end to the other, bars consisting of two wedges in reverse relations to
each other, as shown in Figure 6, may be employed by first inserting their thicker
ends in the line and thereafter withdrawing them to the required extent.
In the drawings is shown the line of matrices sustained in front of the mold-
wheel D, which is supplied with molten metal. This metal forms a bar or linotype,
having in one edge the characters represented by the matrices, as in the ordinary
linotype machine. The line of matrices and space-bars is compressed endwise
between a jaw F at one end, preferably fixed, and a movable jaw G at the opposite
end. The jaw G has a neck g extending into a reciprocating block H, operated
by an eccentric I. An intervening spring J tends to constantly urge the jaw
forward to compress the line, while keys h, engaging shoulders on the neck, serve
to limit the movement of the jaw toward its component, or in other words, to limit
the reduction in the length of the line.
These keys also serve to draw the jaw backward with the slide H, as the latter
retreats, in order to release the line of matrices, and space-bars, after the casting.
The spring-actuated jaw antomatically reduces the length of the line as the
space-bars are retracted, to present their narrower ends in operative position.
The word tapered is used in this Specification in a generic sense, as including
all spaces which are reduced in width from one end toward the other, whether
gradually or step by step.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. In a linotype machine, elongated tapered spaces, provided with sustaining
shoulders at their thicker ends, whereby they may be sustained with their thicker
ends in the line during its composition.
2. In a linotype machine and in combination with a composed line of matrices,
and means for sustaining the same, a series of elongated spaces diminishing in
thickness from their upper to their lower ends, and adapted to be lifted endwise
through the line, and means for applying a compression to the line as the spaces
are withdrawn.

page_text: 3. In a linotype machine and in combination with a composed line of matrices, a
series of tapered spaces, adapted and arranged to be inserted with their thicker
ends in the line in the first instance; jaws or abutments to determine the length of
the line, means for automatically advancing one of said jaws toward the other,
to compress the line, as the spaces are withdrawn, and means to limit the
approximation of the jaws to prevent excessive reduction in the length of the line.
4. Method of justifying a composed line of matrices, consisting in introducing
therein the thicker ends of elongated tapered spaces, applying compression end wise
to the line and at the same time adjusting the spaces end wise through the
line, without removing them therefrom, until the line is reduced to the requisite
length.
Dated this 23rd day of Anenst 1905
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.