Improvements in Printers' Quoins.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Printers' Quoins.
A communication from abroad by ECGENE PAUL MOWERS, Printer, THOMAS
PRESTON MURRAY, Capitalist, and MARY LEDBETTER GROVENOR,
Capitalist, ail of the City and County of Salt Lake, Utah Territory, 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 323, 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 improvements in printers' quoins, its object being to
provide a quoin having all the parts permanently secured together, by means of
which a direct lateral pressure may be brought to bear upon the adjacent type and
chase without any sliding or longitudinal movement of the quoin upon either of
them, thereby avoiding any twisting or disarranging of the type in the process of
"locking up."
To this end the invention consists in providing a pair of duplicate
wedges with their inclined faces in bearing contact and in reverse position with
reference to each other, so that the smaller end of one is adjacent to the larger
end of the other, and their outer sides or faces parallel with each other, and
inclosing them with a two part housing or frame secured respectively to the adjacent
wedges and to each other in such manner that while each wedge piece is per-
manently secured to its frame piece, it has freedom of longitudinal movement upon
the same, and similarly the interlocking parts of the frame pieces are free to slide
upon each other to permit lateral movement or extension of the frame itself, as
the wedges are caused to slide upon or past each other in the space within the
frame.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this Specification :-
Figure 1 is a plan view and partial section of this improved quoin shown
partially expanded;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same!
Figure 3 an end elevation;
Figure 4 a cross section on line x-x of Figure 1;
Figures 5 and 6 perspective views of the frame pieces;
Figures 7 and I norspective viame of the duplicate wedme nieces
•
Figure 3 an end elevation ;
Fi
Figure 4 a cross section on line x-x of Figure 1;
Figures 5 and 6 perspective views of the frame pieces;
Figures 7 and 8 perspective views of the duplicate wedge pieces.
Figures 9 and 10 details of the connected ends of the frame pieces, showing a
modified construction and,
Figure 11 a perspective view of the key or wrench for operating the quoin.
In the drawings, A represents one of the duplicate wedge pieces, 1 the outer
member and C the inner member of the inclosing housing or frame pieces. The
wedges are placed within the frame with their inclined faces in contact, the larger
end of one being adjacent to the smaller end of the other, so that the outer faces
are at all times parallel with each other. Upon one edge of the inclined face of
each wedge are cut the teeth 2. Contiguous to these teeth in the face of the other
wedge is arranged a socket 3, into which is fitted the stud 4 on the end of the key D,
the teeth 5 of the key engaging the teeth on the wedge, so that as the key is turned
in the socket the wedges are caused to slide upon each other. The ends of the
frame pieces are turned at right angles to the body, the ends 6 of the inner frame
piece C sliding within and upon the end pieces 7 of the frame piece B.

page_text: The frame pieces are connected together in any suitable manner, as by means of
a rib 8 on one of the ends of the frame pieces sliding in a groove 9 in the other or,
as shown in Figures 9 and 10, pivotally connected by means of a pin 10 passing
through one end and extending into a slot 11 in the other, thus permitting the
expanding of the frame pieces without their being disconnected. The wedges are
secured to the frame preferably by means of bifurcated stude 12 upon the back of
the wedge, each projecting through a longitudinal slot 13 in the adjacent frame
piece, the sides of the slot being bevelled outward and the members of the stud
expanded to fit the slot so that it cannot be withdrawn from it. The wedge is
thereby permanently secured to the frame piece, but is free to slide thereon, the
stud travelling in the slot. The wedges being duplicates, both faces of the quoin
are similar and it may be used her side un
thereby permanently secured to the frame piece, out is free CONS
stud travelling in the slot. The wedges being duplicates, both faces of the quoin
are similar and it may be used either side un.
OPERATION.
The wedges of the quoin being adjusted with their large ends at the ends of
the frame or housing, so that the quoin is contracted or narrowed as much as
possible, it is placed in the chase and the furniture fitted closely to it. The key is
then inserted into the socket and turned about its stud 4 as a pivot, and the teeth 5
thus meshing with the teeth 2 will cause the wedge pieces to move longitudinally
upon each other and gradually expand the frame or housing, the members of which
have a true lateral movement upon each other, thus causing a direct pressure to be
applied to the chase and furniture. The quoin is loosened so as to be removed by
inserting the key and turning it in the reverse direction.
It will thus be seen that the quoin is always ready for use by the simple adjust-
ment of the position of the wedge pieces with the fingers, and can be used
indifferently either side up or with either side presented to the furniture or type.
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 correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a printer's quoin, the combination of a pair of outer laterally adjustable
side pieces and duplicate wedge pieces sliding longitudinally on the adjacent side
pieces and moving past each other within the space between the side pieces,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
'
2. In a printer's quoin, the combination of the duplicate pieces A A having
oppositely inclined contiguous faces, and the inclosing frame pieces B and
adjustably connected together and each similarly connected to the back of the
adjacent inclosed wedge piece, whereby the frame pieces may be expanded laterally
by the longitudinal movement of the wedges past each other, substantially as
described.
3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a housing or frame
made up of the two parts B and C, laterally adjustable to and from each other, the
duplicate wedges arranged within said frame, having their inclined faces contiguous
and provided with gear teeth along one of the edges of the inclined face, and a
socket in the other edge of said face adapted to receive a key to engage the teeth
of the other wedge.
4. In a printer's quoin, the combination of a laterally expansible frame, duplicate
wedges inclosed therein and means for sliding the wedges upon each other to expand
said frame, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a printer's quoin, the combination of a pair of duplicate wedges, means for
sliding them upon each other and a two part housing therefor permanently secured
together and to said wedges and laterally expansible by the action of the wedges,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
6. In a printer's quoin, the combination of interlocking laterally expansible
frame pieces and duplicate wedges secured within said frame pieces and sliding

page_text: longitudinally upon each other and the frame pieces, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Dated this 7th day of Sentember 1891
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.