IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND OTHER ARTICLES FOR LETTER-PRESS PRINTING
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugène Hippolyte Raseol, of Catherine Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND OTHER ARTICLES FOR
LETTER-PRESS PRINTING."-A communication.
Sealed the 22nd April 1856, and dated the 24th October 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugène Hippolyte Rascol
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th October 1855.
I, EUGÈNE HIPPOLYTE RASCOL, of Catherine Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE & OTHER ARTICLES
FOR LETTER-PRESS PRINTING" to be as follows:--
My Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for casting type and other
like articles; and, firstly, to the combination and arrangement of the parts
which constitute the mould; secondly, to the matrix carriage, which carries
the matrix up to and withdraws it from the mould; and, thirdly, to the means
of finishing the type or other article. cast in the machine. The mould is
composed of four parts, which are separate and distinct, and completely
independant of each other. The first part is fixed on a plate, which is placed
on the table of the machine; the second part is placed immediately above the
first. These two parts form and regulate the size of body of the type. The

page_text: third and fourth parts, which form the thickness of the type, slide simul-
taneously up to and recedes from the two former parts. The mould so
constructed forms a kind of pipe or tube.exactly of the length, thickness,
and width or body of the .type required to be cast; the thickness and body of
the type is regulated by screws which adjust the parts of the mould. The
matrix is brought up to its proper place by means of a-matrix carriage, sliding
in a tube and guided horizontally between two springs, which are by means of
a screw adjusted as required by the matrix for the thickness. In order to
keep the matrix in line, when the matrix carriage brings it against the mould
it meets with a small steel point, which guides it down vertically to the place
required for the matrix to be in the true line.. Rubbing of the matrix against
the mould is thus avoided, consequently wear of the matrix is prevented.
Immediately the parts of the mould meet together the matrix approaches the
type mould in a line at right angles to the face of the type; when in position
the metal is pumped into the mould in the manner ordinarily practised. The
two parts forming the thickness withdraw. simultaneously, and thus give a
passage to the type, which is then pushed by a little rod between two pieces of
sharp steel, which cut off any part of metal projecting out on, the thickness
of the type; subsequently two knifes acting on the type cut off the jet and
what projects out on the body. The cast type or other cast article is then
finished and ready for use. All the pieces of the mould are made of hardened
steel. The movement of the whole of the pieces are effected by means of
cams and levers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Eugène Hippolyte, Rascol in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 24th April 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EUGÈNE
HIPPOLYTE RASCOL, of Catherine Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
year
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
I, the said Eugene Hippolyte Rascol, Her special licence that I, the said
Eugene Hippolyte Rascol; my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Eugene Hippolyte Rascol, my executors, administrator's,

page_text: '
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from tinie 'to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND OTH
OTHER
ARTICLES FOR LETTER-PRESS PRINTING," a communication, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Eugene Hippolyte Rascot, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
1.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Eugene Hippolyte Rascol, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the five Sheets of Drawings here-
unto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked 'thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention relates to machinery or apparatus for casting type, vignettes,
ornaments, and other like articles for letter-press printing, and may be divided
into three principal heads: first, the combination and arrangement of the
parts which constitute the mould; secondly, the matrix carriage which carries
the matrix up to and withdraws it from the mould; and, thirdly, the
means
of finishing the type or other article cast in the machine. The mould is
composed of four primary parts, which are separate and distinct, and com
pletely independent of each other. The first part is fixed on a plate, which is
placed on the table of the machine; the second part is placed immediately
above the first. These two parts form and regulate the size of body of the
type. The third and fourth parts, which form the thickness of the type,
advance or slide simultaneously up to and recede from the two former parts.'
The mould so constructed forms a kind of pipe or tube exactly of the length,
thickness, and width or body of the type required to be cast; 'the thickness'
and body of the type is regulated by screws which adjust the parts of the
mould. The matrix is brought up to its proper place by means of a matrix
carriage, sliding in a tube and guided horizontally by springs, which are by
means of a screw adjusted as required by the matrix for the thickness. In'
order to keep the matrix in line, when the matrix carriage brings it against
the mould it meets with a small steel point, which brings it down vertically,
and guides it to the place required for the matrix to be in true line with
13:

page_text: the mould. Rubbing of the matrix against the mould is thus avoided, con-
sequently wear of the matrix is prevented. Immediately the parts of the
mould meet together the matrix approaches the type mould in a-line at right
angles to the face of the type; when in position the metal is pumped into the
mould in the manner ordinarily practised. The two parts forming the thick-
ness withdraw simultaneously, and thus give a passage to the type, which is
then pushed by an expulsor between two pieces of sharp steel, which cut off
any part of the metal projecting out on the thickness of the type; subsequently
two knives acting on the type cut off the jet and any parts that project
out on the body. The cast type or other cast article is then finished and
ready for use. All the pieces of the mould are made of hardened steel. The
movement of the whole of the pieces are effected by means of cams and levers,
as herein-after described and shown in the Drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Sheet 1 represents a side elevation of the machine complete; Sheet 3, a plan
of the same; and Sheet 2, an unde side plan of the table.
A, Sheet 1, represents the framework which supports all the parts of the
machine. In this frame is fixed a bed or table B (Sheet 1). Beneath this table
B are placed four levers, viz., C, the lever for communicating motion for the
piston of the pump; D, the lever to actuate the lever of the type expeller or rod
to drive the type out of the mould, and also of the knives cutting the foot and
eye of the type; E, lever of the propelling piece, which pushes the type between
the pieces J and A', herein-after mentioned; and F, the lever to actuate the
parts which regulate the thickness of the type. G, G, are two brackets which
support the shaft H carrying the cams, by which the movements of the afore-
said levers are regulated. On the table B (Sheet 3) are placed, first, the mould;
secondly, the matrix carriage; and, thirdly, the register I, which serves to register
the number of types cast. Two brackets to support the furnace F", as seen in
Sheets 1, 2, and 3, are likewise attached to the frame A. The mould being the
principal part of the apparatus, I have represented it separately in Sheet 5,
on a scale about full size for ordinary type. This mould is composed of seven
principal parts, which may be regulated independent of each other, as will
appear in the further description thereof. One piece J, Fig. 5, Sheet 3, is fixed
on a plate K, which is fixed on the bed or table B by the screws L.(Sheet 2);
this piece J forms one of the sides of the mould, regulating the body of the type,
and the piece M which is attached to it (Fig. 4, Sheet 5,) forms one of the sides
of the "jet" or "get" to the inould. Another piece N (Fig. 3, Sheet 5,) is likewise
fixed on the table K by means of screws, which go through the table freely

page_text: a
in smooth slotted holes so as to allow the necessary regulation of the size of body
for the type. The piece N supports the piece O, forming the other side for the
size of body. These two pieces N and O are fixed to each other by means of
the screw P, passing smoothly through the piece O in a slotted hole, so as
to allow the necessary regulation of the thickness for the type to be cast.
Another piece Y forms the other part of the jet; it is likewise attached to the
piece O; four screws Q, Q, Q, Q, serve to regulate the distance between
the pieces O and N, and therefore determine the size of body for the type.
When the size of body is to be regulated or modified, the screw P is first
unscrewed, in order to release the piece O; the screws Q are then screwed
or, unscrewed to permit the raising or depressing of 0; the screw P is
again screwed down, by which means the capacity of the mould for the
size of body becomes fixed and immoveable. One of the sides of the
mould, to form the thickness of the type to be cast, is formed by fourth
piece R, which slides between the pieces J and N. In order to render the
sliding of the piece R sufficiently smooth and free, a little roller (whose
spindle is fixed on the centre of the piece N) presses and keeps it in position.
At one period the upper end of the piece R comes up and presses upon the
piece O, forming the third side of the mould. The third part of the jet l.
Sheet 5, Figure 4, is attached to the piece R. The fourth side of the mould;
forming the thickness of the type, consists of a fifth picce T, similar to the
piece R; this slides between the end of the piece O and the piece V.
These two last pieces are joined together by the screws X (Fig. 2,
Sheet 5); the piece T comes down and presses upon the piece J simul-
taneously with the pressure of piece R on O, and so completes the fourth
side of the mould. A retrogade movement of the parts R and T occurs
simultaneously at another period, the part R moving down while the part T
moves up, thus leaving a passage or way through which the newly-cast type
is thrust out by the type expeller S. When it is required to alter the
thickness of the type to be formed by the mould, the screw P is unscrewed,
and the screw A, A, screwed or unscrewed, so as to carry the piece O for-
wards or backwards; it is then fixed by the screw P being screwed down
again; when the regulated thickness will be fixed, as also that of the body.
The sixth piece A¹ is fixed on the table K by a screw Z, which passes in
a 'slotted liole, so that it may be regulated according to the thickness of the
type which is in process of casting. After the type is cast, it is pushed forwards
by the type expeller S till it comes to the aperture which is between the pieces
A' and J; it is forced down between these two parts by the piece B', and in its
passage it is cleaned of any projection which may result from the casting.

page_text: The pieces Care two little blades, which take off any rough projecting angle,
or to form inclined faces at the end of the type at the same time as the type
is passing down, see Sheet 5, Figs. 1 and 4. The pieces D¹, D¹, are two knives,
sliding before and behind the piece A¹; these knives are fixed to the same
slide as the type expeller S, and moved by the same lever D (Sheet 2).
They serve to cut off the angle on the size of body and also the jet.
A column fixed in the middle of the piece, A supports a beam F,. the object
of which. is to connect the two pieces R and T, so that when the lever D,
moved by its cam, comes & presses upon t the piece E¹, the two pieces R and. T
are forced up and down respectively, pressing them hard upon the pieces J
& O; likewise when the lever moves inversely, these two pieces are respec-
tively, and at the same time drawn back (downwards and upwards) when the
type newly cast is released. The seventh and last principal piece of the
mould is a little plate G', attached to the pieces J and N, guiding the motion
of the pieces O, R, T, and A'. In this plate Ga little hole is made opposite
the aperture of the jet, through which hole the metal is forced. into the mould
by the pump.
{
3
The matrix carriage is also a very important part of the apparatus; I
have therefore represented it of about full size in the several Figures in
Sheet 4. The matrix carriage is formed of a brass box H,, fixed to the table
B by four screws; in this box is adjusted a piece I' with a spring, which
constantly pushes the matrix L' to the face of the mould. This piece I' is by
means of a rod J¹ connected with the cam, which at one time removes it from
the mould (see Sheet 2); at the end of this piece I' is a groove, see Fig. 2,
Sheet 4, in which another piece K' is received. This last piece K' is in its
depth so adjusted as to move only up and down, whilst its width allows such a
motion on both sides (right and left) as may be necessary for the adjustment
of the matrix without any register. When the parts of the mould are regulated
for the size of the type to be cast, the matrix, which is fixed to the piece K' by
means of a screw M', is brought to the face of the mould; if the matrix is not
fair in the middle of the type, or the type too thick on one side or the other,
it is only necessary to screw or unscrew the screw N, & accordingly the piece
P', which is a guide to the piece K³, is pushed forwards or recedes back again,
and so regulates the position of the matrix. Figure 2, Sheet 4, shows the.
spring O¹ as constantly pressing the piece K' upon the piece P¹, and thus
guiding the matrix to its proper position required for and according to the
thickness of the type. In order to bring the matrix in line with the body of
the type, when the matrix carriage brings it to the face of the mould, the
little pin Q', which is fixed to the said mould, Sheet 5, Fig. 4, is pressed upon

page_text: the other little piece R', which goes through the picce K'; and the.point of:
the pin Q, having the form of a wedge, it pushes the piece K₁ vertically
downwards to the exact place required for the matrix to be in line with the,
mould; and therefore with the type when cast. As the matrix by that means
cannot rub against the face of the mould, any wearing. of the matrix is
prevented: The little spring S¹ placed beneath the piece K₁ pushes it
constantly upwards, while the screw T prevents the piece K' from getting out.
of its proper place. When the matrix requires to be changed, it. is. only
necessary to turn the screw Thalf round; the head of this screw being partly..
cut off; the piece K' is then released, the screw M' is now to be unscrewed,.
when the matrix L' is: likewise released and may be changed; when the matrix
is changed on the pièce K', it is necessary to press the end of the matrix 'upon.
the screw. Z. If the line is too high and out of. line, it is brought down by:
221
In order to use the heat. to the best. advantage, the furnace F is made in
the following manner: It is divided into two parts completely distinct; the.
inferior part, in which the fire is made up, and the superior part, in the centre.
of which is the pan containing the molten metal. The superior part is sepa-:
rated from the former one by.a plate of cast iron, which is at the same time.
the bottom of the pan, and extends to the sides of the furnace. In this plate:
an aperture of about two inches is left. at the place where the metal passes
from the pan to the mould. By this contrivance the heat of the fire bears
more, especially on the pipe, through which the metal is brought from the
bottom of the pan to the aperture of the jet, and is afterwards separated by
the pan itself, which it heats before the products of combustion escape to the
chimney, which is placed at the other end of the furnace. When it is required.
to remove the furnace (which is always fixed during the casting), the screw V₁
is released; the table of the.furnace. may be then turned round on the bolt X!.
away from the machine (Sheet 3).
The pump is made on the principle usually adopted in pumps for such a
purpose. The piston is pierced with several holes, through which the metal is
introduced, and from which it is afterwards pumped or forced into the pipe,.
which conducts it into the mould. The piston is moved by the cam of the
lever C, which is joined to the rod U¹ by a kind of fork or gimble (Sheet 2).
The spring Y' (Sheet 1) brings the rod U' and the piston rod down; at the
same time the piston being fixed thereto, is forced down, and pumps or forces
the, metal into the mould. The screw A, C, is for the purpose of regulating

page_text: the fall of the. lever C, and consequently the stroke of the piston. By this
means the quantity of metal to be introduced into the mould can be varied as
may be required.
:
Having thus described the several combinations of the machine, I shall now
recapitulate the several operations in their respective order. I first adjust the
body piece O to the size of the type to be cast; I likewise regulate the thick-
ness, as these operations have been described with reference to the mould;
afterwards I regulate the matrix to be in line, as it is described with refer-
ence to matrix carriage (Sheet 4). All the mould being prepared, I next
regulate the parts for finishing the type, as explained with reference to the
parts J and A', the width of the aperture between the pieces J and A¹ being
varied, according to the thickness of the type required. I now turn the shaft
II by means of its winch handle, when the cam of the lever F. moves this.
lever, and by its accessary parts presses the pieces R and T upon. the pieces
J and O, when the mould is completely formed on all its four sides. At the
same time the matrix is brought forward by the matrix carriage and its acces-
sary parts; this being released by its cam & rod J', is moved by its spring,
comes up to the face of the mould, and is at the same time adjusted in line, as
explained with reference to the matrix carriage (Sheet 4). The lever of the
piston is now moved in succession by the spring Y, and falls into the notch of
its cam, when the jet of metal issues into the mould. By means of the rod J
and its cam the matrix carriage retires, bringing the matrix back with it; the
lever F, moved by the spring A, B, also comes back, and consequently lets
the pieces T and R go up and down. respectively, thus-forming an aperture for
the type to pass, which is then pushed towards the aperture left between the
pieces J and A by the type expeller S, which is actuated by means of the cam
and lever D. The piece B!, moved by the lever E and its cam, descends and
clears the type. of any projections on the thickness by forcing it between the
picces J and A'; the type expeller then retires, and the knives D₁ coming
forward, one of them takes off the jet and cuts the foot, while the other cuts
o! the sharp arras or angles on the size of body of the type, vignette, or
other ornament being cast, which is then ready for use. With another revo-
lution of the shaft II the operation is repeated, when the new type thrusts out
the preceding one, and so on.
Having described the nature of the Invention communicated to me, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that
what I claim as the Invention to be secured by the said Letters Patent is, the
arrangement and combination of the parts constituting the mould, in which the
type, vignette, or other articles for letter-press printing is cast, together with

page_text: the arrangement and combination of the parts in which the type is finished, as
herein-before described.
Secondly, I claim the construction and arrangement of the parts of the matrix
carriage herein-before described, whereby the matrix is brought into 'proper
position with respect to the mould for casting type, vignettes, or other articles
for letter-press printing, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Eugène Hippolyte Rascol, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six.
Witness,
W. CLARK, Patent Agent,
53, Chancery Lane, London.
EUGENE RASCOL. (L.S.)