Line Closing Attachment for Linotype Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Line Closing Attachment for Linotype Machines.
I, CARL MUEHLEISEN, Mechanical Engineer, of No. 605, North Monroe Street,
in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, in the United States of America, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In using linotype machines as at present constructed considerable time is
occupied in spacing out lines which fall short of the column measure, such as the
last lines in paragraphs and more especially the lines used in setting up lists of
names and the like. In setting up this class of work a large portion of the
operator's time is occupied in filling out the blank portions of the lines with
quads and justifying spaces. The present invention consists in devices which
will automatically take care of short lines as soon as the matrices are assembled
without the necessity of quading them to the full length. In using a machine
provided with the present invention the operator after setting up the matrices
for the short line starts the casting mechanism as usual without paying any
attention to the unfilled portion of the line. The line is then carried over to the
casting mechanism and just as it reaches the mold the right hand vise jaw is
moved to the left clamping the matrices against the left hand jaw which thus
remains in its normal position. The right hand jaw is held in this position by
suitable locking mechanism while the justifying wedges are raised and the line
is cast. The jaw being locked only permits the spaces to be driven a short
distance and the spaces are therefore narrow, which improves the appearance
of the work. The right hand jaw takes the place of the quads heretofore used
and closes the right hand portion of the mold. After the line is cast the matrices
are raised out of the vise in the usual manner and the right hand jaw is removed
to its normal position. I provide a simple means for throwing this line closing
device into and out of action. When out of action the right hand jaw always
remains fixed in its normal position ready to receive full lines of matrices. The
invention further consists in various improvements in details, all of which will
be described in the following specification.
In the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the line closing attachment and the parts of the
machine to which it is connected.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the line closing devices in three different positions.
Fig. 6 is a front view of the right hand jaw and its holding pawls.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the jaw.
Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8, Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the jaws in plan holding a line of matrices in
front of the mold.

page_text: Fig. 10 is a view of a slug cast from the matrices shown in Fig. 9.
Referring to the drawings, A indicates a part of the main frame and B the
vertically sliding frame of the elevator which carries the matrices to and
from the mold. The left hand vise jaw L is of the usual form and in the usual
position. The right hand jaw R slides in suitable guides to and from the left
jaw as hereinafter explained. To the jaw R is connected a ratchet bar 1 having
a series of teeth 2 on its upper side and a second series of teeth 3 on its lower
side. A pair of pawls 4 co-operate with the upper ratchet teeth to prevent the
jaw from moving inward or to the left, and a pair of pawls 5 co-operate with the
lower teeth to prevent it from moving outward. The pawls 4 and 5 are urged
toward the racks by springs 6. In the rear of the rack bar is a link 7 which
carries pins 8 extending through the pawls, the pins being separated so that only
one pair of pawls can engage the rack bar at a time. By raising and lowering
the link the pawls 4 and 5 can be alternately engaged with the rack bar. The
pawls are mounted on stationary pivots 9 and one pawl in each pair has its
engaging end slightly in advance of the other pawl so that one or other of them
will engage at each movement of half a tooth of the rack bar. To permit the
pawls in each pair to move independently the holes 10 in the pawls are made
much larger than the pins 8. The pawls 4 and 5 are thrown into and out of
engagement with the racks 2 and 3 respectively by means of a lever 11 which
is connected with the upper pin 8 by a link 12.
The right hand jaw R is constantly urged to the left by a motor, which, as
shown, consists of a main spring 13 connected to one arm 14 of a rocker 15. The
second arm 16 of the rocker is connected by a link 17 with a lever 18 the lower end
of which has a slot 19 engaging a pin 20 on the rack-bar 1. I provide a connection
between the arm 16 and the lever 18 which will yield in case the jaw should
stick while being drawn backward or to the right. This connection consists in
passing one end of link 17 loosely through an eye 21 on the arm 16. On one
side of the eye is a nut 22 and on the opposite side is a spring 23 which is
confined between the eye 21 and a pin or shoulder 24. The lower end of the
main spring is connected to a lever 25. When this lever is thrown down to the
position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 the main spring is under tension and it
constantly tends to draw the rack 1 and the jaw R to the left, through the con-
nections 14 to 20 inclusive. When the lever 25 is thrown up into the dotted
position, Fig. 1, the main spring is free from tension and the jaw R remains in
its right hand or normal position. The lever 25 is held in the lower position by
a suitable stop 26. The elevator frame B carries a projection or arm 27 having
an adjustable screw 28 which comes in contact with the lever 11 just before the
line reaches the casting or lowest position and operates to release the jaw R, as
will be explained hereinafter. After the slug is cast the elevator frame rises and
an incline or cam 29 connected with the frame engages a roller 30 on arm 14
and rocks the arm to the right, thus carrying the vise jaw R back to its normal
position.
The operation is as follows: When lines short of the column or slug measure
are being assembled the line closing device is thrown into action by distending
the main spring 13. When the line is assembled it is carried over to the eleva-
tor B and lowered to a position between the jaws L, R, in the usual manner.
Fig. 3 shows the short line of matrices, indicated by M, just before it reaches the
casting position. During the last portion of the downward movement of the line
the stud or screw 28 engages the lever 11 and throws the pawls 4 out of action
and the pawls 5 into action. As soon as the pawls 4 release the rack bar the
jaw R is drawn to the right by the main spring and the connections 14 to 20
inclusive. This movement carries the parts into position shown in Fig. 4. The
justifying wedges J are then driven until the line is clamped tightly between
the jaws. This is accomplished by a slight upward movement of the wedges
for the reason that the pawls 5 prevent the backward movement of the jaw R.
The mold is now moved up against the matrices and jaw R, as shown in Fig. 9,

page_text: and the slug is cast in the usual manner, the blank portion of the slug being
cast against the jaw. As the elevator starts to move upward the lever 11 is
released from stud 28 and the pawls 4 are immediately thrown into action upon
the rack bar and the pawls 5 thrown out of action, as shown in Fig. 5. As illus-
trated, this is accomplished by making the springs of the pawls 4 strong enough
to overpower the springs of the pawls 5. The object in engaging the pawls 4
with the rack bar before the line is drawn out of the vise is to prevent the right
hand jaw R from moving over against the wedges J and doing injury to them
and to the line of matrices. The jaw is held in this position as the line is raised
until the cam or incline 29 engages the roller 30. As the elevator rises the
incline rocks the arm 14 and moves the right hand jaw back to its normal position,
at the same time distending the main spring. The parts are held in this posi-
tion by the pawls 4 until the following line is transferred to the casting
mechanism, when the above operations are repeated. Fig. 10 shows a
slug cast
from the short line shown in Fig. 9. The amount of matter in the line is imma-
terial as the right hand jaw can be made to close the line to any desired extent.
I believe myself to be the first to automatically close short lines of matrices
at the right end thereof in linotype machines, such as that shown in British
Letters Patent No. 14,582, dated September 16, 1890, without the use of quads,
and also the first to provide an automatically movable right hand jaw in such
machines and means for holding the same in the closed position. As the par-
ticular devices for accomplishing these objects are of minor importance I do not
limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts illustrated and
described. The devices may be connected to and operated by other parts of the
linotype machine. The arrangement shown, however, is simple, convenient and
effective and can be readily applied to the standard machines now in common
use.
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051
1
1
1000
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, CARL MUEHLEISEN, Mechanical Engineer, of 605, North Monroe Street,
in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, in the United States of America, 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 follow-
ing statement:
In using linotype machines as at present constructed considerable time is
occupied in spacing out lines which fall short of the column measure, such as the
last lines in paragraphs and more especially the lines used in setting up lists of
names and the like. In setting up this class of work a large portion of the
operator's time is occupied in filling out the blank portions of the lines with
quads and justifying spaces. The present invention consists in devices which
will automatically take care of short lines as soon as the matrices are assembled
without the necessity of quading them to the full length. In using a machine
provided with the present invention the operator after setting up the matrices
for a short line starts the casting mechanism as usual without paying any
attention to the unfilled portion of the line. The line is then carried over to the
casting mechanismi and just as it reaches the mould the right hand vice jaw is

page_text: moved to the left clamping the matrices against the left hand jaw which thus
remains in its normal position. The right hand jaw is held in this position by
suitable locking mechanism while the justifying wedges are raised and the line
is cast. The jaw being locked only permits the spaces to be driven a short
distance and the spaces are therefore narrow, which improves the appearance
of the work. The right hand jaw takes the place of the quads heretofore used
and closes the right hand portion of the mould. After the line is cast the matrices
are raised out of the vise in the usual manner and the right hand jaw is removed
to its normal position. I provide a simple means for throwing this line closing
device into and out of action. When out of action the right hand jaw always
remains fixed in its normal position ready to receive full lines of matrices. The
invention further consists in various improvements in details, all of which will
be described in the following specification.
In the drawing, accompanying the Provisional Specification:-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the line closing attachment and the parts of the
machine to which it is connected.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the line closing devices in three different
positions.
Figure 6 is a front view of the right hand jaw and its holding pawls.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the jaw.
Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a diagram showing the jaws in plan holding a line of matrices in
front of the mould.
Figure 10 is a view of a slug cast from the matrices shown in Figure 9.
Referring to the drawings, A indicates a part of the main frame and B the
vertically sliding frame of the elevator which carries the matrices to and from
the mould. The left hand vise jaw L is of the usual form and in the usual
position. The right hand jaw I slides in suitable guides to and from the left
jaw as hereinafter explained. To the jaw R is connected a ratchet bar 1 having
a series of teeth 2 on its upper side and a second series of teeth 3 on its lower
side. A pair of pawls 4 co-operate with the upper ratchet teeth to prevent the
jaw from moving inward or to the left, and a pair of pawls 5 co-operate with the
lower teeth to prevent it from moving outward. The pawls 4 and 5 are urged
toward the racks by springs 6. In the rear of the rack bar is a link 7 which
carries pins 8 extending through the pawls, the pins being separated so that only
one pair of pawls can engage the rack bar at a time. By raising and lowering
the link the pawls 4 and 5 can be alternately engaged with the rack bar. The
pawls are mounted on stationary pivots 9 and one pawl in each pair has its
engaging end slightly in advance of the other pawl so that one or other of them
will engage at each movement of half a tooth of the rack bar. To permit the
pawls in each pair to move independently the holes 10 in the pawls are made
much larger than the pins 8. The pawls 4 and 5 are thrown into and out of
engagement with the racks 2 and 3 respectively by means of a lever 11 which
is connected with the upper pin 8 by a link 12.
The right hand jaw R is constantly urged to the left by a motor, which, as
shown, consists of a main spring 13 connected to one arm 14 of a rocker 15. The
second arm 16 of the rocker is connected by a link 17 with a lever 18, the lower end
of which has a slot 19 engaging a pin 20 on the rack-bar 1. I provide a connection
between the arm 16 and the lever 18 which will yield in case the jaw should
stick while being drawn backward or to the right. This connection consists in
passing one end of link 17 loosely through an eye 21 on the arm 16. On one
side of the eye is a nut 22 and on the opposite side is a spring 23 which is
confined between the eye 21 and a pin or shoulder 24. The lower end of the
main spring is connected to a lever 25. When this lever is thrown down to the
position shown in full lines in Figure 1 the main spring is under tension and it
constantly tends to draw the rack 1 and the jaw R to the left, through the con-

page_text: nections 14 to 20 inclusive. When the lever 25 is thrown up into the dotted
position, Figure 1, the main spring is free from tension and the jaw R remains in.
its right hand or normal position. The lever 25 is held in the lower position by
a suitable stop 26. The elevator frame B carries a projection or arm 27.having
an adjustable screw 28, which comes in contact with the lever 11 just before the
line reaches the casting or lowest position and operates to release the jaw R, as
will be explained hereinafter. After the slug is cast the elevator frame rises and
an incline or cam. 29 connected with the frame engages a roller 30 on arm 14
and rocks the arm to the right, thus carrying the vice jaw R back to its normal
-position.
The operation is as follows: When lines short of the column or slug measure
are being assembled the line closing device is thrown into action by distending
the main spring 13. When the line is assembled it is carried over to the eleva-
tor B and lowered to a position between the jaws L, R, in the usual manner.
Figure 3 shows the short line of matrices, indicated by M just before it reaches the
casting position. During the last portion of the downward movement of the line
the stud or screw 28 engages the lever 11 and throws the pawls 4 out of action
and the pawls. 5 into action. As soon as the pawls 4 release the rack bar the
jaw R is drawn to the left by the main spring and the connections 14 to 20
inclusive. This movement carries the parts into position shown in Figure 4. The
justifying wedges J are then driven until the line is clamped tightly between
the jaws. This is accomplished by a slight upward movement of the wedges
for the reason that the pawls 5 prevent the backward movement of the jaw R.
The mould is now moved up against the matrices and jaw R, as shown in Figure 9,
and the slug is cast in the usual manner, the blank portion of the slug being
cast against the jaw. As the elevator starts to move upward the lever 11 is
released from stud 28 and the pawls 4 are immediately thrown into action upon
the rack bar and the pawls 5 thrown out of action, as shown in Figure 5. As illus-
trated, this is accomplished by making the springs of the pawls 4 strong enough
to overpower the springs of the pawls 5. The object in engaging the pawls 4
with the rack bar before the line is drawn out of the vice is to prevent the right
hand jaw R from moving over against the wedges J and doing injury to them
and to the line of matrices. The jaw is held in this position as the line is raised
until the cam or incline 29 engages the roller 30. As the elevator rises the
incline rocks the arm 14 and moves the right hand jaw back to its normal position,
at the same time distending the main spring. The parts are held in this posi-
tion by the pawls 4 until the following line is transferred to the casting
mechanism, when the above operations are repeated. Figure 10 shows a slug cast
from the short line shown in Figure 9. The amount of matter in the line is imma-
terial as the right hand jaw can be made to close the line to any desired extent.
I believe myself to be the first to automatically close short lines of matrices
at the right end thereof in linotype machines, such as that shown in British
Letters Patent No. 14,582, dated September 16, 1890, without the use of quads.
and also the first to provide an automatically movable right hand jaw in such
machines and means for holding the same in the closed position. As the par-
ticular devices for accomplishing these objects are of minor importance I do not
limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts illustrated and
described. The devices may be connected to and operated by other parts of the
linotype machine. The arrangement shown, however, is simple, convenient and
effective and can be readily applied to the standard machine now in common
use.
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 a linotype machine, automatic mechanism, including a movable right
hand vice iaw for closing a short line of matrices during the matine ancuation

page_text: .
.
and means for throwing said mechanism into and out of use, substantially as
described.
2. In a linotype machine, a right hand vice jaw and means for rendering, said
jaw either stationary in normal position when assembling full lines of matrices
or automatically movable to close short lines, substantially as described.
3. In a linotype machine, means for closing a short line of matrices during
the casting operation comprising an automatically movable right hand vice jaw,
and automatic devices for locking the same when closed upon a short line of
matrices, substantially as described.
4. In a linotype machine, means for closing a short line of matrices during
the casting operation comprising an automatically movable right hand vice jaw
and automatic devices for locking said jaw during the justifying operation
whereby the justifying wedges are prevented from spreading the line unduly,
substantially as described.
5. In a linotype machine, means for closing a short line of matrices during
the casting operation comprising a movable right hand vice jaw, and automatic
devices for moving the jaw inward against a short line of matrices, for locking
it in position against said matrices while the justifier is being operated, and for
moving it outward into normal position after the line is cast, substantially as
.described.
:
6. In a linotype machine, a movable right hand vice jaw, in combination with
means for holding said jaw normally in a right hand position, means for moving
said jaw to the left to engage a short line of matrices, means for locking the jaw
against movement to the right while the justifier. is operated, and means for
holding said jaw against further. movement to the left as the line leaves the vice,
substantially as described.
7. In a linotype machine, a movable right hand vice jaw, a detent for normally
holding said jaw in the right hand position, a motor for moving said jaw auto-
matically to the left when released from the detent, means for releasing said
detent, and means for throwing the said motor into and out of operative relation
to the jaw, substantially as described.
8. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right. hand vice
jaw, of the ratchets connected with said vice jaw, the holding pawls co-operating
with said ratchets, and means for bringing said pawls alternately into action,
substantially as described.
9. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right hand vice
jaw, ratchets connected with said jaw, pawls co-operating with the ratchets, and
means for engaging pawls with one ratchet and disengaging them from the
other as the elevator carries a line into the vice, substantially as described.
10. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right hand vice
jaw, ratchets connected with said jaw, pawls co-operating with the ratchets, the
lever controlling the pawls, and means for tripping the lever as the elevator
carries a line into the vice, substantially as described.
11. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right hand vice
jaw, of a main spring tending to move said jaw to the left, means for locking
said jaw in normal position, and means for throwing the main spring into and
out of action, substantially as described.
12. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right hand vice
jaw, and means for moving said jaw to the left, of an incline or cam upon the
elevator arranged to move the jaw to the right as the elevator rises, substantially
as described.
13. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right hand vice
jaw, of a spring tending to draw said jaw to the left, a cam operating to return
the jaw and a yielding connection between said cam and jaw, substantially as
described.
14. In a linotype machine, the combination with a movable right hand vice
jaw, of the two faced ratchet bar connected to said jaw, a pair of independent

page_text: pawls adapted to engage with each face of said ratchet bar, pins loosely fitted in:
openings in said pawls, a link connecting said pins, and means for moving the
link to throw the pawls alternately into engagement with the ratchet bar, substan-
tially as described.
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