Improvements in the Ejector Blades of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 8th Sept., 1900-Accepted, 1st Dec.,
1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Ejector Blades of Linotype Machines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY LOCK, Manager and Secretary of The Linotype Company,
Limited, of 188, Fleet Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention as the same has been communicated to me by The Mergenthaler
Linotype Company, of Tribune Building, New York, U.S.A., to be as follows:
The present invention relates to improvements in the ejector blades of linotype
machines, more especially in those of the Mergenthaler linotype machine. În
the latter, the mould in which the linotype is cast and from which it must be
ejected, is a slot through a wheel, the width of the slot being parallel with the
axis of the wheel, and the length of it parallel with the wheel's diameter. After
the linotype has been cast, the mould and its contents are presented with their
length vertical, in front of a correspondingly positioned plate known as
ejector blade. This blade is then pushed forward by the machine itself, through
the slot, so as to drive the linotype out of it and between the trimming knives
into the galley.
an
Now linotypes are always as long as the width of the pages or columns for the
impression of which they are produced, and as pages and columns are of different
widths, linotypes are wanted of correspondingly different lengths. This change
in length is effected by altering the length of the mould and the width of the
ejector blade. Hitherto, this alteration in the width of the ejector blade has
been effected by taking the one in the machine, out, and fixing another of the
proper width, in its place.
The object of the present invention is to obviate the necessity of the above
described substitution of ejector blade, and consists in dividing the ejector blade
longitudinally for its full length, or less, at any rate for the full length of its
forward travel to eject, into sections or bands. The scale of division is according
to the scale of mould lengths, so that while the whole number of section's or
bands constitutes an ejector blade of the proper width for the longest linotype,
the removal or throwing out of action of an outside section shall reduce the
width of the ejector blade to the length of the second length of mould and so
on for each length of linotype.
The details of the mechanism by which the ejector blade is endowed with the
above described adjustability, may be of any suitable kind. The sections may
be hinged to the ejector slide or piece that carries the ejector blade, so that
they can be swung back on a vertical axis, or be capable of sliding or pivotting
out of action in any convenient way. Whether the sections move out of action
by pivotting or sliding, suitable guides may be provided for the respective motions,
as well as proper returning devices.
Or, the sections, or all but the narrowest one which is never out of action.
may be mounted upon a frame which is either stationary or has a slight motion
of advance and retire in respect of the mould wheel. Such sections will then be
to one side of the vertical plane that includes the linotype and the ejector blade,

page_text: being held there out of action by suitable devices. Each of the sections or each
of the moveable ones, is fitted with a device and suitable guide by which it can
be pushed into the plane above the section or sections beneath it, so as to con-
stitute with them the working ejector blade, which will then be pushed forward
by either the head that carries the narrowest section or by some equivalent part
of the ejecting mechanism.
CHAS. S. WOODROFFE,
Chartered Patent Agent.
Improvements in the Ejector Blades of Linotype Machines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY LOCK, Manager and Secretary of The Linotype Company
Limited, of 188, Fleet Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as the same
had been communicated to me by The Mergenthaler Linotype Company, of Tribune
Buildings, New York, U.S.A., to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:
My invention consists broadly in the combination of an ejector frame, an ejector
blade variable in width, and means for altering the operative width of the blade
without removing the same or any part thereof from the machine.
And my invention consists further of certain details of construction and com-
binations of parts described herein and pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part of
this specification and read therewith:-
Figure is a side elevation, showing the ejector mechanism and the mold-
carrying wheel.
Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 5-5, Figure 1, shewing one
of the ejector blades attached to the ejector frame for operation.
Figure 3 shews the ejector mechanism in its forward position, having pushed
the slug out of the mold.
Figure 4 is a similar view to Figure 3, but shewing the same blade detached
and inoperative.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the fixed ejector blade.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the detached or shiftable blade sections.
Figure 7 is a broken detail view of the mold-carrying wheel, shewing in
elevation the ejector guide-piece, and in section the frame of the machine, the
ejector-blades and the rock-shafts, said section being on line 9-9, Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a transverse section on line 10-10 of Figure 1.
Figure 9 is a broken detail perspective view of a portion of the ejector guide-
piece, shewing one of the cam-operated locking pieces, and
Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse section of one of the shafts of the ejector
mechanism, shewing the position of the cams at each end.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
With the exception of the parts hereinafter specifically described, the machine
may be in all respects of the ordinary construction now in general use.
A represents a vertical mould-carrying wheel, provided with one or more
slotted moulds B, in which the slugs or linotypes are cast, this wheel being
rotated intermittently in the usual manner in order that the moulds may be
brought alternately to the casting position and to a position opposite the ejector,
which serves to expel the slugs or linotypes therefrom.

page_text: F indicates a portion of the main frame of the machine, in which there
reciprocates horizontally the ejector frame or slide G, carrying the ejector blade
and connected with driving mechanism in the usual manner, so that after each
rotation of the mould carrying wheel the frame will slide forward and thereby
cause the ejector blade to drive the newly formed slug or linotype out of the
mould, which at this time stands in a vertical position, as usual.
His the ejector blade guide, fixed to the main frame as usual to keep the
front end of the ejector-blade in exact alignment with the mould slot. This
guide, although fixed to the frame in the usual position and in the ordinary
manner, is modified in detail as hereinafter described.
The ejector-blade, or ejector proper, instead of being in a single piece or blade
as heretofore, is composed of several longitudinal blades or sections, K, L, L¹
and L³, lying one above another, as shewn in Figures 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8, and
so arranged that the lower section K may be used alone or in connection with
one, two or more of the other sections, according to the length of the mould in
use and the width of the ejector demanded. The lower blade K, which is usually
fixed permanently to the carrier-slide G, will serve alone as an ejector for short
slugs. As the lengths of the slugs and the mould are increased, one,
more of the sectional blades are locked to the slide G and caused to co-operate
with the lower blade K, thus increasing the width of the ejector as may be
demanded.
two or
The sections or blades required for use are locked for the time being to the
slide G, so that the two, three or more section's constitute jointly the ejector,
while the sections which are for the time being out of use remain in the machine,
being drawn backward and locked in position, so that although they are for
the time being inactive they remain in the machine and in position to be called
immediately into action.
The blade sections L, L' &c., are each locked to or disengaged from the operating
slide G in the manner following:-
The
There is secured to the slide in line with each blade a spring N, extending
forward and having a shoulder O to drop behind the blade, and also a stud n
to engage in a hole in the rear end of the blade, as shewn in Figure 3. When
the parts are thus engaged, the advance of the line causes the shoulder O to
drive the ejector blade forward, projecting its forward end through the mould B,
and when the slide retreats, the stud n will pull the blade backward.
spring N has a constant tendency to spring sidewise away from the blade L,
so as to effect a disconnection, but while the blade is required for use, the con-
nection is maintained by an eccentric m, bearing on the outer face of the spring,
as shewn in Figures 3 and 7. This eccentric is sustained and rotated, as shewn
in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 10, by a horizontal rock-shaft I, longitudinally grooved,
extending loosely through the vertical guide M, fixed on the slide G and
embracing the eccentric, so that, as the slide moves forward and backward, the
eccentrics move therewith lengthwise of the rock-shaft. without changing their
relation to the springs. Each of these rock-shafts is fixed against longitudinal
motion, its forward end carrying an eccentric head i, which is seated in a cavity
in the fixed guide H and provided with handles I¹ for the purpose of turning
the rock-shaft, in order to operate the eccentric m and thus effect the connection
or disconnection of the ejector blade.
When the rock-shaft and eccentric are turned to the position shewn in the
upper part of Figure 8 and Figure 10 the coupling pin nis withdrawn from
the ejector-blade by the spring, and at the same time the shoulder is with-
drawn laterally from behind the blade, thus allowing the spring and shoulder to
pass forward as the slide advances without effecting the projection of the blade,
or in other words, the inner end of the blade is permitted to rest idly between
the frame F and the shoulder of the spring.
This disconnection of the sectional blades must obviously be effected when
they are retracted from the mould, and in order to prevent their accidental

page_text: advancement, it is desirable that they should be locked at rest, so that they may
not be accidentally projected to the injury or obstruction of the other parts.
This locking is effected by horizontal slides J, shewn clearly in Figures 3
and 9, mounted in the ejector guide H and acted upon by the above mentioned
cam on the forward ends of the rock-shafts. These slides are each provided
with a stud at the inner end, to enter a hole in the forward end of the blade,
and they are pushed constantly backward by spiral springs J³, seated in the
guide as shewn. The arrangement is such that when the rock-shaft is turned
so that the cam m disconnects the blade operating devices at the one end, the.
cam at the same time actuates the slide J to lock the blade at the forward end,
and vice versa. Thus it will be seen that each ejector blade or section when
locked to the carrying slide, is at the same time released, and, on the other
hand, locked in its backward position whenever it is released from the slide.
When the length of line to be produced in the machine is changed, it is only
necessary for the attendant to see that the ejector slide is retracted and then
reach inward and turn one or more of the handles I, according to the width
of the ejector required.
I believe myself to be the first inventor of an ejector in longitudinal sections,
adapted to be thrown into and out of action at will without removal from the
machine, and this I claim under any form or arrangement the mechanical
equivalent of that herein described.
It will be apparent to the skilled mechanic that the essence of the invention
lies in the employment of several sections which may be caused to co-operate
at will or one or more to remain idle in the machine while others are in action.
It will be manifest to the skilled mechanic that the details of construction may
be widely varied, the exact form of the devices for connecting the blades to the
carrier and for holding the inactive blades at rest being of minor importance.
While I recommend the use of the guiding shoulders O on the spring, it is
apparent that they are not necessary features, since the coupling pins n, extending
as they do through a cross bar G, on the slide G, will in themselves be sufficient
to effect both the advancement and retraction of the blade.
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, the combination with the frame and detachable
blades therein of locking devices respectively for locking the ejector blades to
the ejector frame or slide and for locking the blades to the frame of the machine
when they are released from the ejector frame.
2. In a linotype machine, the combination of an ejector frame, a plurality of
detachable blades arranged edge to edge, and means for connecting the individual
blades to or releasing them from the ejector frame without removing them from
the machine, substantially as set forth.
3. In a linotype machine, the combination of the ejector frame, or ejector-
blade variable in width, and means for altering the width of the blade without
removing the same or any part thereof from the machine.
4. In a linotype machine, the combination of the ejector frame, its ejector
blade adjustable in width, and means mounted on the machine for adjusting
said blade without removing any part thereof from the machine.
5. In a linotype machine, the combination of an ejector frame, a plurality
of blades connected thereto, and means for releasing one or more of said blades
from the ejector frame at will, substantially as set forth.
6. In a linotype machine, the combination of the ejector frame, detachable
ejector-blades, rock-shafts, provided with cams and devices actuated by the
respective cam for locking the ejector-blades alternately to the ejector frame
and to the machine frame when released from the ejector frame.
7. In a linotype machine, a combination of the ejector frame, detachable

page_text: blades, ejector guide, devices for locking the blades to the ejector frame, devices
for locking the blades at rest, and rock-shafts, each having cams arranged to
operate two locking-devices whereby each ejector blade may be locked at rest
or locked to the carrying frame at will.
8. In a linotype machine in combination, the ejector frame, detachable ejector
blades provided with openings in both ends and locking devices arranged to
respectively engage the rear openings of the blades for locking the same to the
ejector frame and for engaging the forward openings of the ejector blades to
hold them at rest when released from the ejector frame.
9. In a linotype machine, the combination of the ejector frame provided with
a plurality of locking springs and studs, a plurality of co-operative ejector
blade sections adapted to be engaged by the respective studs, and means for
operating the studs independently, whereby one or more of the sections may be
released independently of the others.
10. In a linotype machine, the combination of the ejector frame, flat springs
provided with pushing shoulders and locking studs, detachable ejector blades
adapted to be engaged by said studs and shoulders substantially as shewn.
11. In a linotype machine, an ejector frame or slide, a series of detachable
ejector blades, means for detachably connecting said blades to the said frame,
and means for locking the ejector blades to or releasing them from the frame
at will.
12. In a linotype machine, an ejector, consisting of a plurality of longitudinal
sections, and means whereby one, two or more of said sections may be operated
at will, while the remainder are permitted to remain at rest within the machine.
Dated this 8th day of September 1900.
CHAS. S. WOODROFFE,
Chartered Patent Agent.