Improvements in the Casting Mechanism of Linotype and Analogous Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVIDIUNAL DEVIFICATION.
Improvements in the Casting Mechanism of Linotype and Analogous
Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY LIMITED, of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Sole Proprietors of, and Sole Manufacturers, Vendors and Licensors
under, the "Linotype" Patents, and JOIN PLACE, of No. 11, Hulme Street,
Oxford Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the casting mechanism of linotype
and analogous machines.
In all machines of this class, a matrix consisting of the aggregation, by way of
a composed line, of selected character matrices and space-bars, or of a matrix duly
indented by selected type dies acting at proper distances apart, after the manner
of the type of a type writer, is held with its operative face in a certain plane. A
pot of molten metal and an ejecting pump, as well as a mould having a cavity in
it of the same size as the body of the linotype or printing bar to be cast, are
mounted near the matrix, and each in such a way, that the matrix and mould can
be brought into metal tight contact with each other in their, respectively proper
positions, and the pump up to the other side of the mould with its mouth coinci-
dent with and in metal-tight contact with the cavity above mentioned, by the time
that the casting process must begin. The mechanism by which the above motions
are effected has combined with it, suitable means for working the pump so as to
deliver the proper quantity of metal into the mould above described during the
metal-tight contacts above mentioned.
The above process has been perfectly successful as far as the casting of the lino-
types as printing bars is concerned, but it has left much to be desired in respect of
the linotypes as castings.
The object of the present invention is to make better provision than has hitherto
been proposed or enjoyed, for casting linotypes perfect both as printing bars and
as castings.
Experience with the Mergenthaler linotype machine, has shewn that when the
quantum of molten metal is injected into the mould en bloc, the resulting linotype
is sound as a casting but that it is defective as a printing bar because the actual
type on it are imperfect. It has also shewn that when the molten metal injected
through a narrow slit or its equivalent into the mould, the resulting linotype has
a good printing face but that the body of the linotype is honey-combed, that is,
the said linotype is good as a printing bar but bad as a casting.
The present invention consists in the combination with the delivery spout of
the molten metal pot, or with other suitable portion of the path which the metal

page_text: must take, of a device capable of throttling the said spout or path at the right
moment and for the term during which the above mentioned injection through
a narrow slit is desirable-that being the time the matrix above mentioned is
being filled, and of expanding it to its normal dimensions at the right moment
and for the term during which the above mentioned injection en bloc is desirable
-that being the time the cavity above mentioned is being filled. It is under-
stood that the rate of the pump remains normal throughout its stroke. At the
same time, the invention includes any modification of the regular rate of this
member of the casting mechanism, which may be found to contribute to the
achievement of the general object of the invention.
It is obvious that the resources of the mechanician's art, as the latter is com-
monly known at the present day, offer numerous devices any one of which is
capable of effecting the throttling and expanding above described.
The one which we prefer, consists of one or more plates adapted to move to and
from the axis of the metal delivery spout. We prefer that there should be two
plates rather than only one, one on each side of the said axis and both opposite
each other. The inner faces of all the plates, if there are more than one, are,
if they are moved rectilinearly, bevelled; or if they are not bevelled, they are
mounted pivotally in such a way so that its or their approximation to the axis
aforesaid shall be as near as possible to the mould at the moment of and during
the term of the throttled injection.
The above mentioned approximation has the effect of contracting the sectional
area of the delivery spout in the direction of the flow of the molten metal.
The mechanism by which the plate or plates above mentioned is or are moved
into, or withdrawn from, the delivery spout, is of any convenient construction,
but it must be automatic, and is therefore driven from some regularly moving
part of the machine is any convenient way.
Dated this 14th dor of Annil 1907
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in the Casting Mechanism of Linotype and Analogous
Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY LIMITED, of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Sole Proprietors of, and Sole Manufacturers, Vendors and Licensors
under, the "Linotype" Patents, and JOHN PLACE, of No. 11, Hulme Street,
Oxford Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, 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 present invention relates to improvements in the casting mechanism of
linotype and analogous machines. In all machines of that class, a matrix con-
sisting of the aggregation in the form of a composed line, of selected character
matrices and space bars, or of a matrix duly indented by selected type dies acting
at proper distances apart, after the manner of the type of a type writer, is held
with its operative face in a certain plane. A pot of molten metal and an ejecting
pump, as well as a mould having a cavity in it of the same size as the body of the
linotype to be cast, are mounted near the matrix, and each in such a way that the
matrix and mould can be brought into metal-tight contact with each other in

page_text: their respectively proper positions, and the pump up to the other side of the
mould with its mouth co-incident with and in metal-tight contact with the cavity
above mentioned, by the time that the casting process must begin. The mech-
anism by which the above motions are effected has combined with it, suitable
means for working the pump so as to deliver the proper quantity of metal into
the cavity above described during the metal-tight contacts above mentioned.
The above process has been successful as far as the casting of the linotypes as
printing bars is concerned, but it has left much to be desired in respect of the
linotypes as castings.
The object of the present invention is to make better provision than has hitherto
been proposed or enjoyed, for casting linotypes perfect both as printing bars and
as castings.
Experience with the Mergenthaler linotype machine has shewn that when the
quantum of molten metal is injected into the mould cavity en bloc, the resulting
linotype is sound as a casting but that it is defective as a printing bar, because
the type on it are imperfect. It has also shewn that when the molten metal is
injected through a narrow slit or its equivalent, the resulting linotype has a good
printing face but that the body of it is honey-combed, that is, the said linotype
is good as a printing bar but bad as a casting.
The present invention consists in the combination with the delivery spout of
the metal pot, or with other suitable portion of the path which the metal must
take, of a device capable of partially throttling the said spout or path at the right
moment and keeping it so throttled for the term during which the above mentioned
injection through a narrow slit is desirable-that is, whilst the matrix above
mentioned is being filled, and of expanding it to its normal dimensions at the
right moment and for the term during which the above mentioned injection en bloc
is desirable, that is, whilst the cavity above mentioned is being filled. It is under-
stood that the rate of the pump remains normal throughout its stroke.
It is obvious that the resources of the mechanician's art, as the latter is com-
monly known at the present day, offer numerous devices any one of which is cap-
able of effecting the throttling and expanding above described. The one which
is preferred, consists of one or more bars adapted to move towards and from the
horizontal centre line of the delivery spout from the metal pot to the mould
cavity. It is preferred that there should be two bars rather than one only, and
that one of those two should be on each side of the said centre line and both oppo-
site each other. The motion thereof is either rectilinear or pivotal, the desired
throttling taking place as near as possible to the mould and having the effect of
contracting the sectional area of the delivery spout in the direction of the flow of
the molten metal.
The mechanism by which the bar or bars above mentioned, is or are actuated,
is of any convenient construction, but it must be automatic, and is therefore driven
from some regularly moving part of the machine in any convenient way.
The accompanying drawings are to be taken as part of this specification and read
therewith. They illustrate the modifications of a device consisting of a pair of
pivotted bars one on each side of the delivery spout from the metal pot to the
mould cavity of a Mergenthaler linotype machine. The reason why the applica-
tion of the invention to that machine has been chosen for illustration, is partly
because the invention has been developed for use thereupon and partly because
that machine is the only one of its class practically known in this country.
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, looking at the machine from the
left hand, of one of the modifications above mentioned.
Figure 2 is a plan corresponding therewith.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, looking at the machine from the
left hand, of the other modification, and
.⚫ Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3, the mouth

page_text: piece being for a shorter measure mould than the one illustrated in Figures 1
and 2.
A, A, are parts of the machine frame; o¹¹, the mould block; o, the mould
cavity therein; V, the metal pot; 10, the delivery spout from the metal pot to
the slot shaped mouth ; and v12, the detachable mouth piece. Air vents (not
shewn in the drawings) are cut in the front face of the mouth piece 12 where it
bears against the mould block o, to provide for the escape of the air from the
mould cavity o. All the parts just described are as heretofore. Further informa-
tion as to the shape of the mouth and of the delivery spout 10 where it joins
that mouth, is to be found in the Specification of Letters Patent 13592 1896.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, 7, 72 are two bars as long as the mouth +, one
above and one below the delivery spout 10, their opposite faces forming the ter-
minal portions of the respective surfaces of that spout. There is a recess in the
respective portion of the mouth piece 12 to receive the bar 12 on that side of the
spout 10, and in that recess the respective bar fits with its front edge coincident
with the respective rear edge of the mouth 4, when the spout 10 is unthrottled.
The faces of the two bars 2 preferably diverge from each other in a rearward
direction, in order that they may make easy junctions (i.e., with as few sudden
gradations as possible) with the spout surfaces behind them.
The motion of the bars 7, 72 to alternately partially throttle and expand the
spout 10, is one of approximation and separation of their front edges. The figures
shew them as adapted to be moved pivotally. 273, 273 are the respective pivots of
the bars, the axis of each bar passing horizontally through it near its rear edge.
The mechanism for actuating the bars 72, 72 consists of a rotating cam surface v74
adapted to engage once for each cast with a projection 75 on the rear end of a
rod capable of sliding horizontally to and fro in guides in parts of the main
frame A in a line at right angles with the length of the mouth and preferably
on a level with it, a suitable number of links 7 working vertically through the
respective top and bottom portions of the mouth piece v12 and having their inner
ends pivotally connected to the respective bar 2, the outer end of each link being
pivotally connected to an arm 78 fast to and projecting to the front from a rock
shaft journalled in suitable bearings 80 on the top and bottom respectively of
the mouth piece v12; and a horizontal arm 81 fast by one end to the respective
rock shaft 79, cranked to meet the rod 76 and having its opposite end connected
by a pin and slot device 83 to the adjacent end of that rod; and a returning
spring working between the machine frame A as a base and against a collar
fast in the said rod in front of the said base.
The action of the invention as embodied in the modification just described, is
as follows. The cam surface v74 moving in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1,
engages the projection 75 before the injection of the metal through the spout wo
begins, its maximum projection next coming up and pulling the rod v to the rear
in time to partially throttle the said spout while the before described matrix in
front of the mould cavity o, is being filled with metal. That partial throttling
lasts only for a very short time, as is indicated by the abrupt convexity of the
above mentioned maximum projection of the cam surface 274. The rod 76 is
immediately and suddenly freed, whereupon the spring 83 pulls each bar into
its recess, thereby expanding the spout 10 to its normal dimensions at the right
moment, the cam 74 being out of engagement with the rod 76 for the term during
which the injection of metal en bloc to fill the cavity o is taking place.
If it be decided that the above described throttling and expanding motion shall
be rectilinear, the pivots 73 and links are dispensed with, and the bars are
continued through and beyond the mouth piece v12. Each continuation has a
cross section corresponding with the face of the bar 7, the outer ends of the con-
tinuations being connected to the arms v78.
Referring to the modification illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, each bar 185, 185, is

page_text: segmental in cross section, and has its pivots 286, 286, axially co-incident with it.
The cam surface 287 engages with the rod v to push it forwards against the
resilience of the returning spring 88; the respective positions of the collar
and that of portion of the frame A between which the spring 88 works, are the
reverse of those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The sudden return to the rear of
the rod 6 is provided for by the sudden way in which the cam surface 187 clears
that rod. The rod v6 rocks the bars 85 about their respective axes by means of
a vertical slot 89 in each end of a bifurcation of the said rod, into which slot
there projects a stud projecting from the outer end of an arm v2 fast upon the
projecting end of the respective axis 86.
It is to be understood that the present invention includes the substitution of
one bar, 7 or 85 for the pair described above, in which case the opposite face of
the spout may advantageously have the diverging contour illustrated, the con-
nection between the rod vor and the said bar being modified accordingly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. In the casting mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine, the combina-
tion with the delivery spout of the metal pot or with other suitable portion of the
path which the metal must take, of a device capable of alternately partially
throttling and expanding the said spout and automatic mechanism for driving it,
as set forth.
2. In the casting mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine, the combina-
tion with the delivery spout of the metal pot or with other suitable porti
the path which the metal must take; of a pair of bars whose opposite face
portions of the surface of the said delivery spout; pivots upon which the said.
are capable of turning; and automatic mechanism by which one edge of each bar
can be moved towards and withdrawn from its fellow bar, to alternately partially
throttle and expand the said spout, as set forth with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
3. In the casting mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine, the combina-
tion with the delivery spout of the metal pot or with other suitable portion of the
path which the metal must take, of a pair of bars whose opposite faces form por-
tions of the surface of the said delivery spout, the said bars being capable of
moving towards and away from the centre line of the delivery spout; and mech-
anism by which each of the said bars can be moved towards and away from its
fellow bar to alternately partially throttle and expand the said spout; as set forth
with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
4. In the casting mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine, the combina-
tion with the delivery spout of the metal pot or with other suitable portion of
the path which the metal must take; of a pair of bars whose opposite faces form
portions of the surface of the said delivery spout; pivots upon which the said
bars are capable of being rocked; and automatic mechanism by which one edge
of each bar can be moved towards and away from its fellow bar, to alternately
partially throttle and expand the said spout; as set forth with reference to
Figures 3 and 4.
5. In the casting mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine, the com-
bination with the delivery spout of the metal pot or with other suitable portion of
the path which the metal must take, of a bar forming part of the surface of the
top or bottom of the said delivery spout and capable of moving towards or away
from the opposite side thereof, and automatic mechanism for so moving it to
alternately partially throttle and expand the said spout, as set forth.
6. In the casting mechanism of a linotype or analogous machine, the combina-
tion of device to alternately partially throttle and expand the delivery spout;
rotating cam surface; rod engaged by the said cam surface once during each
cast; returning spring; and connections between the said rod and the device above

page_text: mentioned, as and for the purpose set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
figures.
Dated the 14th day of January 1898.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.