IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND ARTICLES USED IN LETTER PRESS PRINTING
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robert Johnson, of Stanbrook Cottage,
Hammersmith, in the County of Middlesex, Chemist, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND
ARTICLES USED IN LETTER PRESS PRINTING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robert
Johnson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 2nd June 1853.
I, JOHN ROBERT JOHNSON, of Stanbrook Cottage, Hammersmith, in
the County of Middlesex, Chemist, do hereby declare that the nature of
my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND
ARTICLES USED IN LETTER PRESS PRINTING" to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of improvements in combining the parts of
apparatus used in the manufacture of type and articles used in letter
press printing by machinery; and according to these improvements the

page_text: mould in which a type or other article is cast is composed of four
parts and a matrix, two of which parts are fixed in a plate or table
parallel to each other. Another part slides up between the two fixed
ones, and at one time forms one side of the mould, and at another
time is the means of delivering the cast type or other article from the
mould; this part also carries a register to guage the position of the
matrix. The fourth part slides over the opening between the two fixed
sides, and by its sliding moves away the cast type or other article on to
an inclined shelf, which has a movement to and from the opening
between the fixed sides of the mould. The fourth side also carries a
register for the matrix, so that by placing a different size of matrix
between the two registers the mould will be adjusted for the change
of thickness. The matrix in this machine is moved away from the
cast type or other article in a line at right angles to the face of the type
or other article, and it is forced up to its stool or stop by a lever and
spring the movements of the parts of the mould are by cams. The
metal is pumped into the mould in a like manner to what has hereto-
fore been done.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Robert Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 2nd December 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOHN ROBERT JOHNSON, of Stanbrook Cottage, Hammersmith, in the
County of Middlesex, Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the six-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said John Robert Johnson, Her special
licence that I, the said John Robert Johnson, my executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, or such others as I. the said John Robert

page_text: Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF TYPE AND ARTICLES USED
IN LETTER PRESS PRINTING," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Robert Johnson, by an instrument in writing under my
hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Robert Johnson, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
This Invention consists of improvements in combining the parts of
apparatus used in the manufacture of type and articles used in letter
press printing by machinery; and according to these improvements the
mould in which a type or other article is cast is composed of four
parts and a matrix, two of which parts (the sides) are fixed in a plate
or table parallel to each other. Another part (the body piece) slides
up between the two fixed ones, and at one time forms one side of the
mould, and at another time is the means of delivering the cast type or
other article from the mould; this part also carries a register to guage
the position of the matrix the fourth part (or top) slides over the
opening between the two fixed sides, and by its sliding moves away
the cast type or other article on to an inclined shelf, which has a
movement to and from the opening between the fixed sides of the
mould. The fourth side (or top) also carries a register for the matrix,
so that by placing a different size of matrix between the two registers
the mould will be adjusted for the change of thickness. The matrix
in this machine is moved away from the cast type or other article in a

page_text: line at right angles to the face of the type or other article, and it is
forced up to its stool or stop by a lever and spring. The movements of
the parts of the mould are by cams. The metal is pumped into the
mould in a like manner to what has heretofore been done.
Having now stated the nature of the Invention, I will proceed to
describe the various parts of the machine and the manner of working.
(A, A,) is a frame which supports the bed or table (B, B), upon which
the chief parts rest; (C) is a plate which carries the mould and matrix,
and beneath which are placed the rods and levers by which motion is
given to the mould and matrix; (D,) is a shaft carrying the eight cams,
by which the movements are regulated; E, is the furnace, consisting
of a sheet iron case lined with clay, supporting the pan and pump con-
taining the type metal. The pan and pump are cast in one piece. The
furnace is shewn in the Drawings as heated by a coil gas burner.
The furnace is mounted upon the plate I, which moves between fixed
slides, so as to have a reciprocating motion to and from the face of the
mould. This motion is given by the shaft and levers (G, G). In
this machine the prime mover in each case is a spring or weight, the
cams merely acting to withdraw the various parts and to regulate the
motion. As a consequence of this it will be seen that when the type
is cast the mould pump and furnace are completely isolated, the whole
of the cams are out of gear, and the various parts are held firmly
together by the springs or weights of the respective parts; (H) is the
weight which holds the furnace in contact with the mould. The
movement of the piston in the pump is regulated by the cam No. 2.
The force is given thereto by the spring and lever (1).
The length of
The mould is
the stroke is determined by the screw and stop (J).
peculiar in its construction and mode of working. It is thus formed :-
(a, a.) are two pieces of iron firmly fixed together by means of the
plates and screws (b, b). The mould plate so formed is carefully
made level at the top, and the aperture for determining the "body" of
the type is formed by screwing down the two sides (c, c,) at a suitable
distance asunder. Each side, for convenience, is formed of two pieces.
In this aperture a body piece (d,) is fitted to the aperture, but so as to

page_text: move freely within it. The body piece carries a register (e), which
is attached by screws with slotted holes for adjustment. The body
piece is attached to the lever (K), moved by the rod and weight (I)
The motion is chiefly regulated by the double cam (5), but for greater
certainty of action the other two cams (3,) and (4,) are added. The
lever has therefore three heads and bearing points. The lever is pre-
vented from being carried below a certain point by the weight L, by the
stop and screw M. The motions of the body piece will be more fully
described hereafter. The fourth side of the mould is formed by the top
(f), which moves horizontally from the fixed sides (c, c), and is kept
parallel to the same by the "wings "g. g. To ensure more even notion,
and more perfect contact between the top and sides, the top is sup-
ported behind by the piece h, which also carries "wings." The top is
brought forward to close the mould by the weight and chain N, through
the lever and rods 0; the position is determined by the inclined plane i,
firmly attached to the top, and the screw j, carried by the bracket k.
The same contrivance secures perfect contact between the top and sides.
The motion of the top is regulated the cam 8, acting upon the roller
and rod P, which is in connection with the lever and rod O. The top
carries a register (1) which determines the position of the matrix for
"thickness," and has attached to its front edge a piece of copper or
brass, which moves closely over the body piece, when this expels the type
The
and removes the type from the body piece to the platform m.
platform is a strip of iron moving horizontally by means of the slides n.
It is drawn towards the body piece by the bent rod p, carried by the
top, and is pushed from the mould by the front edge of the top, when
this advances to close the opening. The matrix r, is moved to and from
the mould, first, in a direct line with the type, or, second, in the direction
of the arc of a circle, whose radius is longer than that of the matrix,
and not, as has heretofore been practised, in the direction of the arc of
a circle, whose radius is less than the matrix. By this means I obviate
the tearing of the fine parts of the face of the type, which has prevented
other machines from casting the "seriff' sorts." q, is the matrix carriage.
On this two pins are fixed. The matrix is held upon the carriage by

page_text: drilling two holes to receive these pins, or, which is preferable, forming
a small steel clip (s), by which the matrix can be held by the screw (t);
the holes for the reception of the pins being drilled in the clip instead of
in the matrix. The clip carries a second screw at its other extremity,
by which the length of the clip can be increased, and the matrix thereby
adjusted for line." The matrix carriage moves between the two fixed
pieces (u); the motion is given in the direction of the mould by the
spring (Q) through the rods, bell crank, and pin R, R. This motion
is regulated by the cam (7). On being brought up to the face of the
mould the position of the matrix for "line" is determined by the line
piece (v), and the rod and spring (S), which being released from the
cam (6,) press upon the screw and clip of the matrix, and cause these
to abut on the stool or stop (w,) fixed on one of the sides (c). In the
typefounders hand mould, and in previous machines, the matrix is held
to the face of the mould, and at the same time to the stool, by one
spring acting in an oblique direction. In the machine now described it
will be seen from the foregoing description that the functions of this
oblique motion are performed by two motions at right angles to cach
other each produced by a distinct spring. By this means greater
accuracy as to "line" in the types formed, and greater certainty of
action in the machine, are secured. In changing from a thick to a thin
matrix, and vice versâ, it is found necessary to raise or lower the matrix
carriage. This is effected by the brass piece (e), which supports the
carriage. This piece rests upon two inclined plaes (y, y,) by causing
the piece (a), to advance or withdraw by means of the screw (2);
the carriage is raised or lowered accordingly.
Having now described the various parts of the machine, and the
means of effecting the motions thereof, I will now proceed to describe
the order of these motions during one revolution of the shaft. We will
suppose the revolution to commence at the point at which the mould is
closed for the reception of the jet of metal which forms the type.
This position of the machine is represented in all the complete Draw-
ings, except the section, Figure 1, Sheet 4. On turning the handle
the pump, rod, and roller (I.) fall upon the lower part of the cam 2,

page_text: and a jet of metal issues through the nozzle of the pump, filling the
prifice between the body piece (d,) and the top (f), thereby forming a
type. By continuing the motion the line piece (v,) retires, and the
body piece (d.) sinks, so as to leave the matrix free to return without
friction. The matrix carriage (9), top (f), and furnace E, then retire,
leaving the two ends and one side of the type just cast exposed. The
body piece (d,) now rises so as to thrust out the type from the mould,
and as the weight I, is not sufficient for this purpose, the cam 4, is
added, which acting on the lower head of the lever (K,) forces the type
above the level of the sides (c, c,) to that of the platform (m). To
prevent the body piece rising above this point, which it would do by
the action of the weight (L.) (the resistance having been overcome,)
the screw and stop (M, M,) come in contact. The various parts in
this position are represented in section, Figure 1, Sheet 4. On continuing
the motion the top (f) advances, the brass piece in front of the
top passes over the body piece, removing the type from it upon the
platform, and as this brass piece passes over the body the cam 3,
causes the lever (K,) suddenly to depress the body piece, so that the
steel edge of the advancing top may not strike the body piece. The
downward motion of the body piece is then continued until the
register (e.) it carries is below the level of the matrix. The top (f)
having removed the type and closed the mould remains there firmly
held down by the force of the weight pressing the inclined plane (i,)
against the screw (); while in this position the matrix is brought to
the face of the mould. The body piece rises until the register (e,)
presses upon the matrix, (see section, Sheet 2,) holding it firmly to the
upper register (1) by means of the weight L. The line piece (v,)
then bears upon the end of the matrix clip, and forces this home to
the stool (w); the pump advances until the plate in front of the nozzle
bears upon the back of the mould, which thus becomes again prepared
for the reception of the jet of metal.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner of performing the same, I would have it understood that I
make no claim to any of the parts separately; but what I claim is,

page_text: the combination of the parts into a machine in the manner herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Robert Johnson, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Second day of December,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three.
Witness,
FRAN HARRIS.
JOHN ROBT JOHNSON. (L.S.)