Improvements in Linotype Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Linotype Machines.
I, THOMAS PURVIS RITZEMA, of Quarry Glen, Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, Newspaper Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in linotype setting machines, the object
being to ensure the space bands and matrices being pressed down and level
before the automatic assembly elevator carries the line of matrices and bands
to the elevator thus accelerating the speed of setting the type, also preventing
breakage of space bands and bending or breakage of the carrier finger through
the later coming into contact with any matrix or band, which otherwise might
be projecting above its fellow. Heretofore it has devolved on the operator to
push down any projecting space bands or matrices, but the improvements herein-
after described render this operation automatic and certain. On the outer end
of the pin or spindle is a nut or boss and also a spiral spring between the nut
or boss and the carrier finger and this spring tends by direct pressure to press
the finger towards the feed end of the assembly elevator but an adjustable stop
piece prevents its moving beyond a certain distance so that the matrices and
space bands are free to fall or assemble in the elevator until the width of the
column or line is almost completed when the finger comes into operation in the
usual manner.
According to this invention I fix in the frame of the machine and above the
assembly elevator a pin or spindle extending the length of such box. A hole
is formed through the carrier finger so that the latter to free to move to either
end of the box as ordinary. When the delivery box is charged with matrices
and space bands it rises before passing to the elevator and in so doing the space
bands and matrices come into contact with the spindle and the latter ensures
the whole being pressed home and level.
The invention further relates to improvements in the method of and means
employed for controlling the carrier finger dispensing with the long spiral spring
heretofore necessary and also preventing the finger pressing on the matrices or
space bands as they are fed into the assembly elevator.
Dated this 24th day of December 1897
I, THOMAS PURVIS RITZEMA, of Quarry Glen, Blackburn, in the County of
Lancaster, Newspaper Proprietor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
[Price 8d.]

page_text: and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in linotype composing machines the object
of same being to ensure the space bands and matrices being pressed down and level
before they leave the assembly block and are carried by the shifter arms laterally to
the casting mechanism, thus accelerating the speed of forming the linotypes and
preventing breakage of any of the space bands or matrices which might project
and strike against any unyielding part of the mechanism as they are carried
along, a further object of my invention being to do away with a long spring
at present employed, the operation of which is liable to become uncertain.
Heretofore it has devolved on the operator to push down any projecting space
bands or matrices, but according to my invention this operation is now rendered
automatic and certain.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the annexed drawing which
is a front elevation of part of a linotype machine shewing my improvements.
In the form of linotype machine illustrated in the accompanying drawing,
the matrices, as is well known, fall from a magazine by gravity through a
series of channels onto a constantly running belt 2 from whence they pass onto
a guide plate or decline in the direction of the mouth of the assembly block 4
and onto inside ledges formed on same, they being thrust therein by means of
a star wheel 5 operated by gear from a shaft on which is the pulley 6 of the
belt 2. The space bars likewise fall from a magazine through a conductor or
channel and are delivered into the block 4 by the star wheel 5 in the same manner
as the matrices 1, all of these forming a line against what is called a yielding
resistant travelling between the side plates of the block 4 and carried by a
horizontal bar 8 which is controlled by a spring or weight so that a resistance
is placed against the increasing line sufficient to hold the matrices and space
bars in position therein. A vertical movement is given to the assembly block 4
by means of a link operated by a hand lever within convenient reach of the
operator, as is well understood.
Above the assembly block 4 and resistant 7 are the shifter arms 9-10 travelling
in a suitable guide below the space box and having, as is well known, an inde-
pendent as well as a combined movement with reference to each other.
I secure in one side of the shifter arm 10 a spindle 11 passing through a
hole 12 in the opposite arm 9 and terminating in a head or nut 2. Between
such head or nut and the arm 9 is a spring 13 which tends to force the arm 9
to the right against the pin 14 adjustable in holes 15 made in the upper side of
the spindle 11, this spring being employed in place of the long spring hereto-
fore necessary. The end of the arm 9 is notched as usual, as shewn at 16, to
engage with a reversely arranged notch 17 on the end of the yielding resistant 7.
As heretofore operated the ends of the resistant 7 and the arm 9 are practically
always in engagement, the resistant 7 as the line is formed forcing the arm 9
to the left against the action of the long spring usually employed.
According to my construction however, the operator sets the arm 9 to the
width of the line he proposes to set up by means of the pin 14 (the spring 13
holding it against the latter) and the resistant 7 is forced to the left by the
increasing line of type without having to carry with it the arm 9 and its
connections.
1
When the resistant 7 reaches the arm 9 and the notches 16 and 17 engage.
the determined width of line will have been formed and the assembly block +
may be raised in the ordinary manner to lift the line of matrices and space bars
out of the grip of the resistant and carry them between the shifter arms 9-10.
As the line of matrices and spaces is raised it is brought against the spindle 11
and any projecting matrix or space bar is thereby pressed home so that the line
is automatically brought level at the top, and as it is now held between the

page_text: shifter arms 9-10 it is in position to be moved to the left to the casting mechanism
as soon as the arms 9-10 are operated, such arms carrying with them the
spindle 11 which continues to hold the matrices and space bars in position
during the travel of the shifter arms and which returns with them when empty,
the same distance being preserved between said arms during all their movements
so that when the assembly block 4 is lowered and the other parts restored, the
arms 9-10, are again in the position shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
(1) The spindle 11 in combination with the assembly block 4, yielding resis-
tant 7, shifter arms 9-10, matrices and space bars, as and for the purpose
herein described and substantially as illustrated by the annexed drawing.
(2) The spindle 11, spring 13 and means of adjustment in combination with
the assembly block 4, yielding resistant 7, and shifter arms 9-10, as and for
the purpose herein described and substantially as illustrated by the annexed
drawing.
(3) The yielding resistant 7, shifter arms 9-10, spindle 11 passing through
the free shifter arm 9, a spring 13 on the outside of same, and means for adjust-
ing the position of said shifter arm 9 on the spindle 11, all in combination as
and for the purpose herein described and substantially as illustrated by the
drawing annexed.
(4) The yielding resistant 7, shifter arms 9-10, a screw threaded spindle 11
carried by one of the arms and passing freely through the other, a head on
said spindle 11, a spring on one side of the second shifter arm, and a pin 14
carried by the spindle 11 on one side of the shifter arm, all in combination as
and for the purpose hereindescribed and substantially as illustrated by the accom-
panying drawing.
301
1000
THOMAS PURVIS RITZEMA,
By his Agents, Brierley & Howard,
Penny Bank Chambers, Halifax.