Improvements in Type Matrices or Matrix Bars, and in the Manufacture thereof.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec.. 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Matrices or Matrix Bars, and in the
Manufacture thereof.
I JAMES YATE JOHNSON of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been com-
municated to me from abroad by Alexander Sweeney Capehart of Bismark North
Dakota United States of America, Printer) and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention has been designed with more particular reference to the production
of type matrices or matrix bars such as are used in linotype or monoline machines
for casting line bars, but it is applicable to the production of matrices of other
forms.
The intaglio is produced by electro-deposition. This in a broad way is old.
But the manner in which, under the present invention, the process of electro-
deposition is carried out, as well as the product of that process, are new.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a view of a matrix bar having in it recesses for the reception of the
copper or other suitable metal to be electro-deposited therein-this matrix bar
being one adapted to be used in the "Monoline" machine described in the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 17135 dated 12th September 1893 granted to
Benjamin Willcox on a communication from Wilbur Stephen Scudder.
Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of the bar and the male type co-operating therewith in the
formation of the intaglio characters, mounted in a frame of conducting material.
Figure 4 is a view of the decomposing cell in and by which the process of
electro-deposition is effected.
Figure 5 is a view of the completed matrix bar.
Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 6-6, Figure 5.
Figures 7 and 8 are enlarged views of portions of the devices shewn in Figures 1
and 3 respectively.
The matrix bar A (which usually is of brass) has formed in it at the point
where the intaglio characters are to appear, recesses a of any suitable shape and
dimensions. These recesses correspond in number to the characters which are to
be borne by the matrix bar; they are formed in the front edge of the same as
shewn, extending through from side to side of the bar, and being open also at the
front; and they are also undercut as at 1, and have at the rear a bevelled edge 2,
the bevel being from each side towards the middle, thus giving this rear face a
wedge shaped cross section as seen in Figure 2. By giving to the recess, this, or
an analogous, shape, the electro deposited metal is insured from displacement in
any direction and is interlocked securely with the body of the bar. The bevelled
projections 3 on the bar between the points where the intaglio characters are to
appear, are those usually provided on bars of this general kind for the entrance of
the nozzle of the mould in which the casting is effected, and they form no part of
this invention.
The bar thus prepared is placed in a brass or other suitable metallic rectangular
frame C, Figure 3, and the male type B are also mounted therein with their
character ends entering the recesses a from the front and projecting a suitable
distance therein, facing the solid rear walls of the recesses. The parts are
conveniently thus assembled by placing the frame C flat upon a smooth and
perfectly level steel or other bed, and, while the frame is in this position, first

page_text: placing therein the male type separated accurately from each other by spaces or
quads which correspond in thickness to the distance which intervenes between
adjoining recesses in the bar. That edge of the frame C which adjoins the rear
edge of the matrix bar is formed with projections c to accurately fit the aligning
notches 4 in the rear edge of the matrix bar; and there is also provided a filling
piece d, made in one or more parts, which accurately fits around the matrix bar and
fills all that space included within the rectangular frame beyond the type B which
is not filled by the matrix bar. The type B and the filling piece d may be made
of type metal or of any other suitable material. The quads or spaces separating
the type B from each other may be made separate from the type, but in order to
avoid multiplying joints, it is preferred to form the same in one with the type as
shewn at b.
The type, and filling piece d, together with the projections c of the frame, form
in effect a mould to accurately fit around the matrix bar. The front end of each
type (the end on which the cameo face is formed) accurately fits and fills the
mouth of the recess a to which it is applied and projects beyond that point into the
recess the distance required.
When the parts are thus prepared and fitted together we have a composite plate,
in which the only openings are the yet unfilled portions of the recesses a, as seen
in Figure 3; and the copper deposit is to be made in these openings.
To this end, all portions of the composite plate on both faces are waxed or
covered with a film or coat of insulating material excepting those joints where the
deposit is to be made.
The plate thus prepared is suspended in a bath as shewn in Figure 4, forming a
cathode which is electrically connected to the appropriate pole or terminal of a
battery E. To the other pole of the battery are connected the copper electrodes D,
placed preferably one on each side of the electrode C and opposite to the openings
or recesses a in the matrix bar, and connected in parallel to the battery. These
electrodes are of course suspended in a suitable solution such as is used in analogous
electrolytic processes. The circuit being closed, electro-deposition commences from
both sides and the copper deposit is gradually built up in the openings and around
the cameo faces of the type as far as is permitted by the insulating coating, until
the recesses are solidly filled and the cameo faces of the type are reproduced in
intaglio in the solid copper filling.
As soon as this has been done, the plate or type form is taken out of the bath,
the type and matrix bar are removed from the frame, and the type are withdrawn
from the matrix bar. This in effect completes the operation.
There need be little
or no excess of copper deposit; and whatever slight excess there may be, amounting
only to a mere spongy appearing fringe, can be quickly and readily removed by
rubbing down the sides of the matrix upon the stone, or in any other suitable
manner.
There is thus produced a finished bar such as is shewn in Figures 5 and 6, with
a solid copper deposit 9 filling and firmly anchored in each recess, and bearing in
its front face the intaglio desired.
If desired the aligning notches 4 in the rear edge of the matrix bar can be
formed after the electro-deposit of copper has been made, in which event of course
the projections c of the frame C will not be necessary.
The invention, as hereinbefore indicated, is applicable to the production of all
kinds of matrices, whether single character matrices, logotypes, or matrix bars
carrying each a plurality of distinct and separate characters. It is however of
peculiar value as applied to bars of the last mentioned kind. Heretofore the
characters have been produced in such bars by stamping them, and this operation,
owing to the number of characters and their varying sizes and shapes, is very apt
even when conducted with the greatest care, to result in a distortion of the bar
which is prejudicial to satisfactory and accurate results. Under this invention all
danger of distortion is prevented, the utmost accuracy is insured, and the cost of
manufacture is largely reduced,

page_text: Copper has here been named as a filling for the recesses and for bearing the
intaglio for the reason that it is the metal which is most commonly employed in
electro-typing processes, and most suitable for the uses herein contemplated. Still
it is manifest that by varying in the decomposing cell the nature of the solution as
well as of the electrodes in accordance with formulæ well known in electro-
metallurgy, the electro-deposit may consist of other metal than copper.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A matrix or matrix bar, the body of which is formed with a recess open at
the front end and on the two sides, and containing a filling of metal electro-
deposited therein, and having in its front the desired intaglio character, as
hereinbefore set forth.
2. A matrix or matrix bar, the body of which is formed with an undercut recess
open at the front and on the two sides and containing a filling of metal electro-
deposited therein and bearing on its front the desired intaglio character, as
hereinbefore set forth.
3. A matrix bar the body of which has in one edge a plurality of separate and
independent recesses, each open at the front and on the two sides of the bar and
containing a filling of metal electro-deposited therein, and having in its front the
desired intaglio character, as herein before set forth.
4. The manufacture of matrices or matrix bars, by forming in the body of the
matrix or matrix bar a recess open at the front and on the two sides, inserting into
the open mouth of the recess the male type or character so that its cameo face
shall project a suitable distance into the recess and towards the rear wall thereof,
protecting the type and bar by insulating the material except at the points where
the electro-deposit is to be made, and then electro-depositing a suitable metal so
as to fill the recess and produce in intaglio the type-character, substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1894.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.