IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' CHASES, AND IN FURNITURE OR APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH.
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 40, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PRINTERS' CHASES, AND IN FURNITURE OR APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH.'
A communication from abroad by Manuel Léopold Jonas Lavater and Alcan
Lávy both of Paris, France.
Sealed the 19th November 1878, and dated the 1st June 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st June 1878.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 40, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' CHASES, AND IN FURNITURE OR
APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH." [A communication from abroad by Manuel
Léopold Jonas Lavater and Alcan Lévy, both of Paris, France.]
This Invention has for its object to facilitate the setting and locking up of stereo-
type and electrotype plates in the chase, and to enable this to be done with the use
of few parts, which are interchangeable and capable of being so combined that the
dimensions of the blocks and chases may be made to correspond exactly to any
given stereotype plate without the use of quoins; and moreover the stereotype is so
fixed on its supporting block that it is unnecessary to unlock the form in order to
remove one stereotype plate and replace it by another of the same dimensions.
The Invention also comprises a method of locking up the form in which the
pressure is applied between parallel surfaces and directly perpendicular thereto,
whereby the use of the ordinary wedge-shaped furniture is dispensed with, thus
avoiding the unequal pressure which attends its use.
Although the Invention is more especially designed for stereotype and electrotype
plates it may also be partly applied for use with ordinary type.
Stereotype plates are usually either fixed by nails, screws, or other means upon a
wood backing, or by clips upon a metal block. In the former case they are frequently

page_text: damaged in fixing, and there is much loss both of time and in waste sheets, &c.
On the other hand when a metal bed is employed the small adjustable clips by
which the stereotype is fixed are liable to become displaced by the vibration of the
machine, and can only be re-adjusted with a mallet, to do which it is necessary to
stop the machine, besides which the stereotype is frequently liable to be damaged.
Moreover, the metal beds are of great weight and difficult to lift when the stereo-
types are of large size.
According to this Invention the bed or block for a stereotype plate is made of
hollow metal drawn in dies, so as to have perfectly smooth surfaces and combine
strength with lightness. These hollow or tubular blocks are all of the same height,
so as to form together a perfectly level bed for the stereotype plate, but are made of
certain different lengths and breadths usual in typographic printing, and in order
that they may be adapted to any size of stereotype plate.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1 and 2 of
which show an end view and plan of one of these improved blocks. The stereo-
type is fixed to the block by means of hollow grooved iron bars b, represented in
face and end view in Figures 3 and 4, and sliding clips c, c¹, cl, of different forms,
shown separately in Figures 5, 6, 7, one being shown applied in Figure 8. These
grooved bars b are made hollow for the sake of lightness, but they may be of solid
metal, in which case they would be slightly reduced in width, so as to avoid an
excessive weight.
The furniture by which the stereotype is locked in the chase is either made
tubular also, see Figure 9, and of dimensions systematically arranged so as to meet
all wants; or grooved reglets are combined for the large blanks or spaces, see
Figure 10, these reglets possessing the advantage of lightness, and being also
systematically arranged as regards dimensions to meet the various requirements.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 show the stereotype mounted upon hollow metal blocks a
secured by clips c; on this system, the blocks being locked in the chase by means of
tubular furniture d at the head and foot, and by the reglets d' at the sides by which
the necessary spaces are reserved between the different stereotypes. The mode of
applying the grooved bars b around the bed is also shown, three being placed with
their grooves inwards, and the fourth or head bar having its groove outwards.
The side clips c are of Z form, the head clip c¹¹ of ☐ form, and the foot clip c¹
of L; the latter forming merely a stop.
It will be observed that the grooved bars are made of the same height as the bed
so as to enable them to form part thereof when the clip is used.
In order to remove any stereotype thus fixed and replace it by another it is
simply necessary to slide the clips along, and out at the ends of their grooves on
one short and one long side of the block, when the stereotype can be taken off and
another placed upon the block and secured by returning the clips to their former
position, being thus performed with great celerity without unlocking the form.
The Invention also relates to constructing the chase in a number of parts instead
of one piece, the parts being connected together so as to form a chase of any
desired dimensions. To this end the parts may be drawn of tubular form in the
draw bench, and connected together as shown, or in other suitable manner.
Figure 14 shows one of the corner pieces. The mitred ends of the two parts f,f,
of the chase are brought together, and the corner piece g inserted in the hollow of
parts f, and secured by pins h inserted in holes in ƒ and g, firmly uniting them
together. This pin may be rivetted if desired.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 show the mode of uniting the intermediate portions of the
sides or ends of the chase by means of an iron block g¹ with tenons, which are
inserted in the hollow parts f¹ of the frame, the block being made of triangular
form as to exactly fill the triangular space between the abutting mitred ends of
parts f¹. Or the mitred ends of the pieces fl may be simply brought together, as
shown in Figure 18, and united by an iron dowel introduced in the end of the
pieces, and secured by pins or rivets.
The chase may be readily enlarged and strengthened by the simple addition of

page_text: iron cross bars i, united by tenon and mortise with the blocks g¹. These
strengthening bars may be applied, wherever necessary, according to the size of the
chase, said bars being connected together by a metal cross j, as shown in Figures 19,
20, and 21, where they meet at the centre, the bars being connected to the cross
by pins h.
Instead of employing wrought iron, drawn tubular, in the construction of these
improved extensible chases, as described, they may be made of cast iron, the several
parts k being connected together by keys or joggles 1, l', of dovetail or equivalent
form, as shown in Figures 22, 23, and 24, the intermediate connections m¹ serving
also, as in the former case, for the attachment of tie bars i', secured by pins as
shown in Figure 25.
The Invention also relates to improved means for locking up the form, dispensing
with the ordinary quoins and sidesticks, which, owing to their wedge shape, are
very liable to be displaced. For this ordinary furniture are substituted straight
sidesticks o (ie., not wedge shape); and in order to lock the form at any suitable
points of the strip a series of half-round cavities are formed across one face to
receive the cylindrical portion of eccentric or cam-shaped dogs or cramps 7, which
are turned in their cavities by a key introduced in a square cavity therein for the
purpose of locking up the form.
These locking devices are shown of two shapes in the Drawing, in one of which
the eccentric face is a series of flattened surfaces, and in the other grooved or
serrated. These eccentric dogs or cramps are inserted between the sidesticks o and
the chase, and by turning them as above mentioned the sidestick is forced away
from the chase, to which it always remains parallel, the direction of the pressure
being always normal to both.
Figure 26 shows the method of setting out the face of the cam by dividing the
periphery into angles of about 18 degrees.
Figure 27 shows a general plan of the whole of the improvements combined.

page_text: -
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th November 1878.
$5
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 40, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' CHASES, AND IN FURNITURE OR
APPARATUS TO BE USED THEREWITH." A communication from abroad by Manuel
Léopold Jonas Lavater and Alcan Lévy, both of Paris, France.
This Invention has for its object to facilitate the mounting and dismounting of
stereotype and electrotype plates, and the locking up of the form in the chase
without the use of quoins or of much furniture; and with this view the chases and
furniture are so constructed that the dimensions of the mounts or beds and of the
chases may be readily adapted to any size of stereotype or electrotype, which,
moreover, is so fixed on its mount or bed that it is unnecessary to unlock the form
in order to remove the stereotype or electrotype and replace it by another of the
same dimensions.
The Invention also comprises a means of locking up the form by which the
pressure is applied between parallel surfaces and directly perpendicular thereto,
whereby the use of the ordinary wedge-shaped furniture is dispensed with, thus
avoiding the unequal pressure which attends its use.
Although the Invention is more especially designed for stereotype and electrotype
plates, it may also be partly applied for use with ordinary type.
Having ascertained the nature and object of the Invention, and the advantages
resulting from it, I will proceed to describe the Invention in detail with reference
to the accompanying Drawings, in which I have represented examples of the
different parts of the improved printers' chases and furniture separately, and like-.
wise of their application to the setting up of a stereotype.
Stereotype plates are usually fixed by nails, screws, or other means upon a wood
backing, or by clips upon a metal block or bed. In the former case they are
frequently damaged in fixing, and on the other hand when a metal bed is employed
the small adjustable clips by which the stereotype is fixed to it are liable to become
displaced by the vibration of the machine, and can only be re-adjusted with a
sheep's-foot, which, besides the liability to damage the stereotype, involves the
stoppage of the machine. Moreover, the metal beds are of great weight, and
difficult to move about when the stereotypes are of large size.
According to this Invention the bed or mount for a stereotype or electrotype
plate consists of a number of risers of suitable length laid side by side, the said
risers being made of iron drawn tubular in dies so as to have perfectly smooth
surfaces, and combine strength with lightness. These tubular risers are all of the
same height, so as to form together a perfectly level bed or mount for the stereotype
or electrotype, but are made of certain different lengths and breadths usual in
typographic printing, in order that they may be combined to form a bed or mount
corresponding exactly to any size of stereotype or electrotype used.
The risers a, if of iron, are preferably made inoxidisable by any known process;
but they may be of copper or other metal.
Figures 1 and 2 show an end view and plan of one of these risers a.
The stereo-
type or electrotype is fixed in place by means of head, side, and foot clips c, c¹, c³,
of different forms fitted to slide in the grooves of grooved iron bars b, represented
in face and end views in Figures 3 and 4, the said clips being shown separately in
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. These grooved bars b are made tubular like the risers a for
the sake of lightness, but they may be of solid metal, in which case they would be 5
reduced in width to avoid any increase in weight.
The furniture for locking up the form in the chase is either made tubular, as
represented in Figure 9, or grooved reglets d' are combined for spacing out the large

page_text: blanks, as in Figure 10; this furniture possessing the advantage of lightness, and
being made of various lengths systematically calculated to meet all requirements.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 show the stereotype or electrotype e mounted upon a bed
of four risers a, and secured by clips c in bars b, the whole being locked in the
chase by tubular furniture d at the head and foot, and by the reglets d² at the sides,
so combined and arranged as to preserve the necessary distances between the
different stereotypes. The mode of applying the grooved bars b around the bed is
also shown, three being placed with their grooves inwards, and the fourth or head
bar having its groove outwards.
The side clips c are of Z form, the head clip c² of ☐ form, and the foot clip c¹ of
L form, the latter forming merely a stop.
It will be observed that the grooved bars b are made of the same height as the
risers a, so as to enable them to form part of the bed at the side where the clip
is used.
In order to remove a stereotype thus fixed it is simply necessary to slide the clips
along and out at the ends of their grooves on one short and one long side of the
plate, when the latter can be taken off and another placed upon the block, and
secured by returning the clips to their former position, the change being thus
effected with great celerity without unlocking the form.
The Invention also relates to constructing the chase in a number of parts
connected together so as to enable the dimensions of the chase to be varied to suit
the form, so as to turn a book chase into a job chase, and vice versa. The parts of
the chase may be of wrought iron drawn of tubular form, and connected together
as shown.
Figure 14 shows a corner joint. The mitred ends of the two parts f, f, of the
chase are brought together, and the corner piece g introduced in the tubular parts f
and secured by pins inserted in holes in ƒ and g, whereby the parts f are firmly
united together. The pins h may be rivetted if desired.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 show an intermediate joint in the side or end of the chase.
g is an iron block with tenons which are inserted in the tubular parts f¹ of the
chase, the block g¹ being made of triangular form so as to exactly fill the space
between the mitred ends of parts f¹. Another form of joint is shown in Figure 18,
in which these mitred ends are simply brought together to make a lap joint and
united by an iron dowel introduced in the ends of the pieces f¹, and secured by
pins or rivets.
The chase may thus be readily enlarged and strengthened by the simple addition
of iron cross bars i united by tenon and mortise, and pins or rivets, with the
blocks g. These cross bars, which may be applied wherever necessary, according
to the requirements of the form and the size of the chase, are connected together
by a metal cross j, as shown in Figures 19, 20, and 21, where they meet at the
centre, the bars being connected to the cross j by pins or rivets h.
Instead of employing wrought iron drawn tubular, these improved extensible
chases may be made of cast iron, the several parts k being connected together by
cramps 1,, of dovetail or equivalent form, as shown in Figures 22, 23, and 24, the
intermediate connections m' serving also, as in the former case, for the attachment
of cross bars i secured by pins, as shown in Figure 25.
The Invention also relates to improved means of locking up the form, dispensing
with the ordinary quoins, side and foot sticks, which, owing to their wedge shape,
do not lock the form up properly, and are very liable to become displaced; and I
use instead side and foot sticks which are not wedge shape, but of the form shown
at o, Figures 26 and 27, that is to say, having a series of half-round cavities across
their outer face for the cylindrical portion of a rotary, eccentric, or cam-shaped
quoin n to turn in, two or more of said rotary quoins being applied against the side
or footstick at suitable distances apart.
The locking devices are shown of two shapes in the Drawing, in one of which
the eccentric face is a series of flat surfaces, which in the other are grooved or
hollowed. These eccentric quoins are inserted between the side and foot sticks o

page_text: and the chase, and by turning them in their cavities by means of a key or plug
inserted in a square hole in the cam n the side or foot stick is forced away from the
chase to which it always remains parallel, the direction of the pressure being always
normal to both.
Figure 26 shows how from given dimensions the form of the locking cam can be
obtained, which is done by dividing the periphery from the point where the cam
surface begins into angles of about 18 degrees.
Figure 27 shows a general plan of the whole of the improvements as applied in
combination for locking up a form.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. Constructing a stereotype or electrotype bed of tubular risers made of
wrought iron, copper, or other suitable metal of different dimensions, so as to permit
of their being systematically combined, as and for the purpose specified.
2nd. The use of solid or tubular grooved metal bars and clips constructed and
applied substantially as shown and described, for holding the stereotype or other
plate, and enabling it to be removed and replaced by another of the same size
without unlocking the form.
3rd. The employment of tubular furniture, as described.
4th. The employment of grooved reglets fitted together and combined, substan-
tially as and for the purpose described and shown.
5th. The combination with side and foot sticks provided with a series of half-
round cavities on one face, of eccentric or cam-shaped quoins received in said
cavities, and applied between the sticks and chase, so that by turning the said
eccentrics or cams pressure is applied in a direction normal to the side of the chase,
whereby the form is securely and uniformly locked up.
6th. Constructing the chase of a number of parts capable of being systematically
combined, as and for the purpose specified, the chase being made of iron drawn
tubular, or of cast iron, and the several parts being connected together in any of
the various ways described, or in other suitable manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.