Improvements in or relating to the Trimming Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Trimming Mechanism of
Linotype Machines.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM MASCORD of Falmouth Street, Glenferrie, in the Colony
of Victoria, Australia, Machinist, 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:-
The object of the present invention is to automatically put in action devices for
opening and closing the gap in the slug trimming knives of linotype machines or
for operating or giving initial movement to any slug cutting mechanism.
When operating a machine for the purpose of producing matter wherein lines
occur at more or less frequent intervals which require an enlarged initial letter
extending over the body depth of the linotype slug being produced, it is requisite
that there shall be an opening in the knife used for trimming the face of slug
from which the extended or overhanging portion projects, sufficiently large to
allow of the free passage of said overhanging portion. Various objectionable
devices have been brought forward for accomplishing this varying and requisite
condition of the trimming knife, and in practice it is found that a device which
can be actuated without stopping the machine and so causing a considerable loss
of time, is the most desirable and necessary. Where such result is brought about
by the movement of a pawl, lever, cam, eccentric, rack and pinion, or other
vertical horizontal or radial movement; such movements requiring to be put into
action by the interposition of the operator on the linotype machine there is an
element of uncertainty, and inasmuch as in practice it has been found that there
are occasions when the operator sets in action the requisite movement at the
wrong time, and so destroys a slug or slugs, a serious loss of time results as the
lines have to be again reset and slugs produced, and under the same risk of error
as previously. Further, the necessity for the operator concentrating his attention
on the action aforesaid militates against his continuous manipulation of the
keyboard and speedy working of the machine.
My invention consists mainly in perforating or recessing the matrices used
for the enlarged or overhanging letters and in the provision of a sliding plunger,
said plunger being capable of movement, in and out of the perforation or recess
formed in the said matrices. My invention further consists in providing means
for operating said plunger in the required manner and in synchronously com-
municating the initial movement of such plunger to the slug cutting or trimming
devices.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now refer to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1. shews a view of part of mechanism for operating the movable slug
trimmer.
Figure 2. a cross section on line "xx" of Figure 1.
Figure 3. shews mechanism for holding the movable slug trimmer in its open
position.

page_text: Figure 4. is an elevation of an additional portion of the mechanism for operating
the movable slug trimmer and
Figure 5. a plan of the parts shewn on Figure 4.
In these drawings "A" and "B" represent the jaws of the vice, "C" the line
of matrices which are received by the said jaws, "D" a matrix of a two line
initial letter, "I" represents the justification block, and "E" the space bands
for justifying in connection therewith; these enter between the matrices for the
purpose of spacing the words. No improvement upon these parts is provided for
in the present invention except in the two-line matrix "D." This latter is
provided with an opening "D1" (see Figure 2.) similarly all the two-line letter
matrices employed in connection with this invention are provided with corres-
ponding openings, or in lieu of opening an indentation or recess may be formed
for receiving plug "F."
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A rod piston or plug "F" set within the jaw "B" is arranged to enter the
opening of the two-line matrix when same has been brought into position, a
spring "F" secured at one end to the said plug at the other to fixed pin in B"
is provided and by which a continuous pull is exerted upon the plug "F"
tending to move it forward into the opening of a matrice. When however a solid
matrix, which consists of a single line letter, forms the initial letter of a line the
plug "F" will not be permitted to move from its backward position as hereafter
described. The plug "F" is provided with an adjustable limitation piece "F"
and has guides in the vice "B" a friction roller "F3" being provided for this
purpose. Means are provided for operating the plug "E" at the required
intervals such as when the matrices are to be removed by the elevator in the
ordinary manner, or when a two-line matrix is being employed.
I do not confine myself to any particular or arbitrary arrangement of mechanism
for carrying this into effect but I have illustrated one means on the drawings
for this purpose wherein
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"
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A lever "G" pivoted at G1" on a pin set in "B," and having a short bifurcated
arm "G" at right angles to its main arm "G" the end of such arm being
provided with an anti-friction roller "G3" arranged within the flanged end of
the plug "F" so as to move backward or forward with same.
The arm "G"
terminates at its opposite end with a pin "G4" set within and at right angles to it,
and upon this pin a roller "G" is set such roller being arranged to press upon
a plate "H" hereafter described which forms a horizontal guide path for "G5."
Upon the pin "G" is suspended a pendent link or pawl "J" such pawl having
au inclined gapped or rebated portion "J" (Figures 1. and 4.) against which a
projecting pin K" (which is secured to a solid portion of the machine) bears
the pawl "J" is hung loosely upon the pin "G" so that as the lever "G" rises
carrying with it the pawl "J" such pawl (on its inclined portion passing the
pin K") will fall by gravity and the action of the spring "J2" (Figures 4.
and 5.) into a vertical position so as to engage with top of arm
"L." The
arın "L" is pivoted at L1" to a movable stud bearing or fulcrum "L" and
the opposite end of this arm "L" is connected with a link "M" which in its
turn is secured at its opposite end to a crank lever MI" pivoted at "M" and
thence by a link "M" to a correspondingly pivoted crank lever "M" which in
turn is connected to the adjustable arm
and which latter actuates the slug
cutter lever "N."
"
"
A lugged adjustable stop piece "V" is provided for the purpose of rigidly
stopping any vertical movement of "G" under certain circumstances "V" forms
a safety piece in the event of the vice jaws closing when a short line of or no
matrices interpose between "B" and A."
6
Upon the existing elevator cam "O" is fixed an additional projecting curved
cam piece "P" which operates upon each rotation of the cam "0" to press upon
a roller "" which is set at the end of a rod "Q," said rod being arranged to
move in guides "Q" The end of the rod "Q" has a slotted hole through which
a pin passes.and connects it with a crank lever "R" pivoted at "R'," one arm of

page_text: the lever is forked at its end, such forked end receiving a pin "H" fixed in the
downward arm "H" of the guide plate "H" aforesaid; the guide plate "H" is
arranged to move vertically in guides "H3" projected from the framing of the
machine.
"N¹
The lever "N" (Figure 1.) is provided with a spring
secured at its
opposite end to fixed framing which acts to keep the said lever raised and with
its knife in the closed position. The lever "N" is moved into its open position
by the downward 'movement' of the connecting link "M5" where it is retained by
a spring latch "W" which is fixed to a vertical guide plate "Wi"
the lever "N" slides, and through an opening of which the catch projects.
upon which
'
The latch "W" is connected at its lower end to a sliding rod "X" (Figure 3.)
which is arranged to slide in guide "X" the end of this rod is provided with a
friction roller "X" against which a cam plate "Y" upon an oscillating space
band hood lever "Y" bears.
Having so far set out the various parts comprising the device as illustrated I
will now describe their modus operandi-
"
"
<<
وو
In the production by the linotype machine of type bars or slugs having as an
initial letter an enlarged letter or character, the matrices for such letters or
characters are kept on the machine as sorts in a sorts case. When the
operator finds by his ". copy that such a letter matrice as "D" is required he
takes the desired character from the "sorts' cose by hand and places it in or on
the assembling block "I" completing the rest of the line by the usual manipula-
tion of the keyboard and magazine characters. The line is then sent away from
the assembling block and is transferred by the action of the machine to the main
elevator jaws. The elevator in turn then descends and holds the assembled line
of matrices between the vice jaws "A" and "B" (Figure 1.). The line is held
here whilst being aligned, justified and casted from, after which operations it is
carried away by the elevator ready for distribution in the usual manner.
vice jaw "A" has only a slight lateral movement but the vice jaw "B" moves
laterally in its path from the position shown (the Figure shows it set to take a
Jine somewhat less than half the greatest length possible to be made or cast by
the machine) on Figure 1. right up to the face of jaw "A," should there from
any cause be no line between the jaws at the moment when the metal pump is
in action for casting.
**
The
When the line after being assembled is deposited by the main elevator between
the vice jaws "A" and "B," the alignment of the matrices first takes place, then
the first justification, by reason of the justification block "I" rising and pressing
upwards the space bands or compound wedges, thus tightening out the line of
matrices to the limit of the movement of the vice jaws whatever
""
measure they
may be set for. The matrices are again released and the justification again
repeated, the matrice line, mould and metal pot are then clamped together by
the action of the machine and the line is ready for the metal pot and pump to
come into action.
It is this period which I have chosen to bring into action my device as being the
one where the line is in its safest, truest and most solid position, and is the one
where the line of matrices "C," "D," shown in drawing is represented as resting.
When a perforated or recessed matrix as "D" is in the line of matrices the
plunger or piston slide "F" will, if free to move, be pulled by virtue of the
action of the spring "F" until the end next matrice projects into the perfora-
tion or recess in the said matrice. But as the amount of movement of the plunger
or piston plug is limited to a traverse through any letter matrice not greater than
that of the thickness of the letter "I," which is the thinnest of the letter matrices
used, it follows that it is not requisite to allow it to project further than this
point, which moreover is ample for the purpose required when only one such
matrice is being used. Hence the collar or shoulder F2" is so adjusted that
it limits the outward movement as pre-determined by the thickness of the "I"
but can also be adjusted for using more than one such perforated matrice. It
.

page_text: will be evident then that when no perforated matrice is placed at the end of the
line, all the rest of the matrices being solid, that the plunger "F," even if free
to move in its path, cannot project beyond the face of vice jaw "B."
When the plunger "F" clides into a matrix, the lever "G" being connected
to its end is caused to turn on the pivot "G1" so as to raise its opposite end. The
plate "H" at the proper period for projecting the plunger into a perforated
matrice rises to the limit of movement of the arm "G" the movement of said
plate being controlled by the elevator cam "0" the rod "Q" being pushed
forward by the cam piece "P" so turning the angle piece "R" and operating "H”
(Figures 1. 4. and 5.).
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The sliding rod "Q" with its friction roller "Q" is kept in its normal position
by the plunger spring connection at "Q" (Figure 5.) pressing it against the stop
piece Qon frame. The elevator cam O" makes one complete revolution
for the production of a slug. The added cam pieces "P" and "T" for the
purpose of this invention are placed at such a period of the revolution as to operate
the plate "H" (Figures 1. and 3.). The shape and camber of the two cam pieces
is so proportioned that "H" is only kept in the raised position long enough for
the plunger slide when in action with a perforated or recessed matrice to traverse
the necessary distance. The plate "H" rises up for this brief period at every
revolution of the machine whether there is any perforated matrice used or not,
but when such a matrix is not used, and a solid one is at the end, the plunger
cannot project and consequently the end of "G" does not follow "H" when it
rises.
Should however from some cause or other no liné, or only part of a line, be
between the vice jaws "A," and "B," the jaw "A" (Figure 1.) being free to slide
as aforesaid and carrying the plunger with it, the friction roller on end of long
arm "G" will also move along and under "V." The latter is stationary (but
adjustable as is "H" for the various lengths of line the machine will cast) so that
in the event of no line or matrice being between the jaws, "G5" still cannot rise
nor "F" project beyond the face, "V" therefore acts as a safety piece.
دو
68
$6
When the pawl "J" rises with the end of lever "G," should there be a per-
forated or recessed matrice inserted in the line for casting, the lower end of "J"
will drop over the top of lever "L" (Figure 1.) and on the downward motion
of "
"G" will depress "L" and through it actuate "M,"
M',"
M³,"
M4"
and "M5" The action of the pin "K" in the meanwhile has been such by acting
on the sloping shoulder that the bottom of pawl "J" has by the time it is at the
lower part of its stroke become clear of "M" which at the proper time can rise
to its former position again.
In the instance before us the connecting arm "M5" is shown connected to a
knife lever "N" held in its upward position by the spring "N₁"; when the
pawl "J" engages with "L" the action results in the knife lever
N" being
pulled to the downward position shown by dotted lines.
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65
It will thus be apparent that the initial movement caused by the perforated or
recessed matrice with the plunger slide piston or 'feeler," and the whole com-
bination may be used as previously set forth for a variety of knife movement
actions as well as the one shown, and generally the initial motion obtained by the
perforated or recessed matrix and the piston may be availed of to govern any
slug trimming or slug cutting mechanisms in linotype machines.
The action of pulling down the lever "N" is to bring it within the path of the
spring latch "W" which closes over it and prevents the return to its upward
position. The latch is actuated by rod "X" which is in turn actuated by the
space band shifter lever "Y1" as the lug "Y" engages with the roller "X2."
The latch is thus pressed back so as to release the lever "N" which is returned
to its normal position by its spring. The space band lever "Y₁" is chosen by
me, Firstly, because its farthest path of movement does not occur until after the
trimmed slug is ejected by the machine into the galley or tray fitted to receive it,
and Secondly, because said lever does not go into action unless the line which is

page_text: passing through the machine is ready for distribution. So that when a line
with an enlarged or overhanging portion is being repeated or cast more than once
his can be done in the usual way and the knife arm will not move until the line
s finally distributed.
It will be observed further that although this latch is moved each time that a
fine is distributed, unless the lever has been brought down by the perforated
or recessed matrice motion previously, there is no result and consequently can
be no derangement of the machine.
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. In combination a slotted or recessed matrix and a piston or plug arranged
to enter such slot or recess, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In combination perforated or recessed matrix as "D," vice jaw as “B,”
piston or plug as "F," means for moving said piston or plug forward and means
for moving same backward, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In combination a vice jaw as "B," plug as "F," having adjustable limita-
tion piece "F2" and spring "F"," pivoted lever as "G," having an arm arranged
to actuate the plug "F" and an arm carrying a pawl "J," substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
"
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46
4. The combination with the parts claimed in Claim 3. of the mechansm "L,"
'L'," "L," "M," "M¹," "M³," M4," "M³," for actuating slug cutter lever "N,"
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
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5. The combination with the parts claimed in Claim 3 of a plate "H," pivoted
angle piece "R," sliding rod Q" and cam pieces "P" and "T," substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
6. In combination slug cutter lever as "N," spring. "N'," fixed bar "W1,"
X2," oscillating space band
spring latch "W," sliding rod "X,' carrying roller"
lever" carrying lug "Y,” substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. The combination and arrangement of the whole of the parts substantially
as herein described and as illustrated on the accompanying drawings forming
a complete automatic slug cutting mechanism for a linotype machine.
མ་ས
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
Dated this on day of guve
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.