Improvements in the Distributing Mechanism of Linotype and analogous Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Distributing 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 Manufacturers, Vendors, and Licensors
under, the "Linotype" Patents, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the distributing mechanism of
linotype and analogous machines. The nature and scope of it can be best explained
in connection with the well known Mergenthaler linotype machine.
In the latter, inatrices for different faces or sizes of type are of the same size
externally, and there is always a liability of an odd matrix finding its way into the
machine and producing letters which do not harmonize with the remainder. To
avoid this difficulty and to permit the convenient sorting of matrices according to
fonts, it is customary to provide them in one end with notches known as font notches
these notches being differentially located for different fonts or faces. It is also
customary to provide the machine in advance of the distributing mechanism with
a small blade or finger, commonly termed a font distinguisher, and adjusted in such
position that it will align with the font notches of the proper matrices and allow
them to pass freely to the distributing mechanism. If, however, an improper
matrix is contained in the line, its notch will fail to align with the distinguisher
and the latter will arrest the matrix which is then removed by the attendant.
Heretofore in changing from one font to another, it has been customary when
one font of matrices is substituted for another in the machine to remove one
font distinguisher and substitute another with its finger in a different position.
The aim of the present invention is to overcome this difficulty and admit of the
distinguisher being quickly adjusted to suit matrices of any face. The said
invention embraces broadly any font distinguisher which is adjustable to different
positions and the details of construction may be widely varied.
The font distinguisher is arranged in the distributor box below the path of the
matrices, and has at its upper edge the blade or finger in such position that it is
straddled by the font notches of the matrices, as they advance thereover. All the
foregoing parts are constructed and arranged to operate in the ordinary manner,
except that the font distinguisher, instead of being fixed in position, is supported
by a stem or spindle, so that it may be moved transversely of the box in order to
present its blade or finger in different positions. Any suitable means may
be employed to effect this movement and to secure the distinguisher in the
required position.
A spiral spring may be applied to the spindle adapted to urge the distinguisher
to the left. The opposite end of the spindle is provided with two or more notches
adapted to receive a gravitating bolt or latch, pivotted to the side of the distributor
box. It is only necessary to pull the spindle end wise until the distinguisher is in the
required position and to drop the latch, in order to hold the same.
In this manner, the machine may be instantly adjusted as regards the distinguisher,
to receive matrices for any desired face.
While we prefer to use the distinguishing notches in the lower ends of the

page_text: matrices, it is to be understood, of course, that they may be located in any other
suitable position, and that the distinguisher will be located to correspond.
Dated this 8th day of May 1896.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in the Distributing 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, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (a communication to us from The National Typographic Company-a
company organized under the laws of the State of West Virginia-having its
principal places of business at Washington, D.C., and New York City, United
States of America) 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 distributing mechanism of
linotype and analogous machines. The accompanying figures illustrate the
application of the invention to the distributing mechanism of the Mergenthaler
linotype machine described in the Specification of Letters Patent 145821800. It
must, however, be borne in mind that the said invention is not restricted in its
application to the machine above mentioned, but may be applied to the distributing
mechanism of other machines dealing with separable matrices. It is only because
the invention has been conceived and developed with special reference to the
Mergenthaler machine aforesaid and because that machine is the only linotype
machine in practical use in this country, that the application of it thereto has been
selected for illustration and detailed description.
The matrices of the Mergenthaler machine are metal plates moveable
independently of each other and of any organ of the machine. They differ from
each other as far as dimension is concerned, only in respect of thickness, which is
varied according to the width of the respective printing character. The distributing
mechanism of this machine consists of an elevator, a slide and a distributor. The
elevator is a vibrating arm adapted to seize a line of matrices as soon as the casting
mechanism has finished with them and elevate them to the level of the distributor,
which stands at the top of the machine. As soon as the clevator presents the line
of matrices to the distributor, the slide advances and pushes them into it. The
distributor is a rail V shaped in cross section. It extends horizontally over the
mouths of the matrix magazine from which the matrices had been composed, and
has combined with it a mechanism for traversing all the matrices along it. Each
side of the rail carries a number of ribs. These vary in number and in arrangement
at different points in the length of the distributor. Each matrix has a corespond-
ingly triangular notch in the top of it, and teeth adapted to engage with the
distributor rail projecting from the edges of the notch, some to sustain the matrix
in its hanging position and others to guide it during its longitudinal motion along
the rail. All the matrices of the same printing character, are toothed alike. The
particular ribs with which the sustaining teeth of the matrices of any particular
character engage, are gapped over the channels in the inagazine from which the
said matrices were taken. The result is that as a matrix comes up to its own
channel, it drops from the rail into it.
There is, however, nothing in the distributing mechanism just described which

page_text: endows it with a faculty of rejecting a matrix belonging to a different fount.
Experience has shewn that in actual work in the composing department of a printing
office, matrices from one fount would get mixed up with those of another fount in
the magazine of a particular machine. To prevent their remaining in that machine,
the combination of fount notch and fount distinguisher was devised.
This was
mounted in the machine between the slide and the left hand end of the distributor
rail, so that all matrices of a different fount should be distinguished and rejected
and their return to the magazine of the machine, prevented. This fount notch was
a small vertical one in the feet of all the matrices of a fount, alike in size, shape,
and position, in them all. The distinguisher was a fixed finger standing in the path
of the said notches. For the reason that all the notches in one fount were replicas
of each other in the features just mentioned and that the notches in a different fount
would differ, say, in being in a different position, it follows that even a single matrix
of such different fount would be rejected by the distinguisher.
Now, a given machine is not always working with the same fount. Changes of
fount are constantly being required. Such a change, it is obvious, must be
accompanied by a corresponding change of distinguisher, or no distribution of
matrices to the magazine, could take place. Hitherto, it has been made by
taking the distinguisher then in the machine, out of it and substituting a proper
one for it.
The present invention consists in the combination with the distributing mechanism
of a distinguisher capable of being adjusted in different positions according to the
position of the fount notch in the respective edge of the matrix.
Referring to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of this
specification and read therewith:-
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are side elevations of as many matrices of different founts.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the distributor box.
Figure 5 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Y, Y, Y are the matrices; y, the character cavity or matrix proper; y¹, y', the
four shoulders by which the matrix is guided in its course through the machine;
y, the sustaining teeth; and y³, the guiding teeth on the edges of the triangular
notch in the top. is the fount notch. It is illustrated as being in the foot of
the matrix, that being the usual position of it. It may, however, be in any other
convenient edge of the matrix, the position of the distinguisher being changed to
correspond therewith.
There are four notches illustrated in the figures. They are replicas of each
other in respect of shape and size, corresponding in those respects with the
distinguisher. Those of Figures 1, 2 and 3 occupy different positions, while that
in the matrix in Figure 5 corresponds in respect of position, with the notch
in Figure 3. These three differences and the one correspondence indicate that the
matrices of Figures 1, 2 and 3 belong to different founts, that those of Figures 3
and 5 belong to the same fount, and that if those of Figures 1 or 2, either or both,
were to find their way into the magazine of the machine, its distinguisher would
prevent their return into that magazine.
is the left hand end of the distributor rail.
30 is the distributor box. It is a small chamber at the end of the rail into
which the matrices Y are delivered in a horizontal direction by the slide before
mentioned. Neither this slide nor the elevator are included in the figures.
is the fount distinguisher. It is illustrated as projecting from a boss. This
latter is made fast to a bar 3 which is mounted in a horizontal position in
bearings on the sides of the distributor box 80. The bar is longer than the
box is wide. The front end of it terminates in a knob. The opposite end
is surrounded by a spiral spring 36 inserted between a stop 7 and the adjacent
side of the box 30 and adapted to keep urging the bar 233 constantly in one
direction. 8 is a catch pivotted near the knob and adapted to engage in any
one of a series of notches in the top of the bar 3, for the purpose of holding
the distinguisher in the respective position. There are thirteen of these which

page_text: indicate that the distinguisher is capable of thirteen different positions and
therefore of acting for that number of founts provided. For instance, this latter
would act with either of the founts to which the matrices illustrated in Figures 1
or 2, belong, if the position of it were adjusted accordingly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination with the distributing mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a fount distinguisher adjustable in respect of its position in the path
of the matrices.
2. The combination with the distributing mechanism of a linotype or analogons
machine, of a fount distinguisher capable of adjustment according to the position
of the fount notch in a fount of matrices and a spring adapted to urge the
distinguisher constantly in one direction.
3. The combination with the distributing mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a fount distinguisher capable of adjustment according to the position
of the fount uotch in a fount of matrices, and a series of founts distinguishable
from each other by the position of the respective fount notch.
4. The combination with the distributing mechanism of a linotype or analogous
machine, of a fount distinguisher capable of adjustment according to the position
of the fount notch in a fount of matrices; and a series of founts distinguishable
from each other by the position of the respective fount notch.
.Dated this 22nd day of February 1897.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.