Improvements in the Matrices of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 14th Feb.. 1899-Accepted, 13th May, 1899
[Communicated from abroad by THE MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, of
Tribune Buildings, New York, U.S.A.]
Improvements in the Matrices of Linotype Machines.
I, WILLIAM HENRY LOCK, Manager and Secretary of The Linotype Company
Limited, of No. 188, Fleet Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the matrices of linotype
machines.
The formative cavities in the matrices have heretofore been parallel with the
sides thereof, so that the resultant types on the edge of a linotype have been
transverse of it, that is to say, their body strokes have (in Roman) been at right
angles with the length of the linotype. Consequently, the cavities for a column
of figures would be on separate linotypes.
It has been found in practice, that there are special cases, in which the dis-
tribution of the figures of a column amongst as many linotypes as there are
figures in that column, is objectionable, since a change of the figures in that
column, necessitates the recasting of all the linotypes. It is often desirable to
change the figures in one column of a table without changing those in the
adjacent columns, for example in stock quotations in a money market article
or the like, and the ultimate object of the present invention is the production
of linotypes which will permit of such changes.
To that end, it consists first, in matrices whose formative cavities stand therein
at right angles with the position described above, and second, in a linotype the
types of which read transversely of its edge so that such linotypes can stand ver-
tically in the forme, the types on each linotype standing one under the other
and reading in horizontal connection with those on the adjacent one on either
or on both sides of it.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Matrices 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 the said invention-a communication to me by The Mergenthaler Lino-
type Company of Tribune Building, New York, U.S.A.,--and in what manner
[Price S |

page_text: 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 matrices of linotype
machines.
The formative cavities in the matrices at present in use are parallel with
the sides thereof, so that the type faces on the edge of the respective linotype,
are transverse of it, i.e., their body strokes are (in Roman) at right angles with
the length of the linotype. Consequently, the cavities for a column of figures
or for a column of letters, will be on separate linotypes.
It has been found in practice, that there are special cases, in which the dis-
tribution of the figures of a column amongst as many linotypes as there are
figures in that column, is objectionable, since a change in the figures in the
column, necessitates the recasting of all the linotypes. It is often desirable to
change the figures or letters in one column of a table without changing those
in the adjacent columns, for example in stock quotations in a money market
article or the like; and the ultimate object of the present invention is the pro-
duction of linotypes which will permit of such changes.
To that end, it consists first, in matrices whose formative cavities stand therein
at right angles with the position described above, and second, in a linotype the
type faces of which read transversely of its edge so that such linotypes can stand
vertically in the forme, the type faces on each linotype standing one under the
other and reading in horizontal connection with those on the adjacent one on
either or on each side of it.
Both parts of the invention are fully illustrated in the accompanying figures
which are to be taken as parts of this specification and read therewith.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of four Mergenthaler matrices having formative
cavities according to the practice at present in vogue:
Figure 2 is a perspective view of four linotypes cast from such matrices:
Figure 3 is a perspective view of four Mergenthaler matrices having formative
cavities according to the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a perspective view of four linotypes cast from such matrices.
y are the bodies of the matrices: y', y' their suspending and alignment
shoulders and y, y the formative cavities at the bottom of cavities y in the
edges of the matrices now in use. Those cavities 7 are vertical, i.c., their
sides are parallel with the sides of the matrix bodies. C, C, are the linotype
bodies; and c, c, the type faces. The cavities y are vertical in order that the
type faces shall read lengthwise of the linotype bodies C.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, and comparing them respectively with Figures 1
and 2, it will be seen that the present invention does not affect the shape of
either the matrix body or of the linotype body C. It is restricted to the
position of the formative cavity in the cavity y and to the consequent posi-
tion of the respective type face e on the edge of the linotype body C.
The formative cavity 7 of an improved matrix stands in its cavity y at a
right angle with the position of the cavity in an ordinary matrix, i.e., it
reads lengthwise of the edge y' instead of transversely of it. The type faces cl
of the improved or "column" linotype, read, therefore, transversely of the respec-
tive linotype bodies C, as clearly shown in Figure 4.
In dealing with the improved matrices, the operator reads his copy columnwise
and composes accordingly. The improved or column" linotypes will therefore
stand in the forme at right angles with the ordinary linotypes, the type faces
on the "column" linotypes reading in horizontal connection with those on the
adjacent one on either or on each side of it, as well as with any ordinary linotypes
there may be in the same forme.
In some linotype machines, dies having male type adapted to indent the
matrix for the line of type faces c. are used instead of matrices. It must be
understood that such dies are included within the meaning of the term "matrices"
as used in the present specification; and further, that the present invention is

page_text: independent of the shape of the body of the die or of the matrix, as the case
may be. Its application to a Mergenthaler matrix has been chosen for illus.
tration only because the Mergenthaler machine is the only linotype machine in
use in this country.
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. A matrix having its formative cavity arranged so as to be read lengthwise
of its edge.
"
2. A fount of matrices having their formative cavities arranged so as to be
read lengthwise of the matrix edges, whereby they are adapted to form "column
linotypes the type faces on which will read in horizontal connection with those
on the adjacent "column" linotypes on either or both sides of it.
3. The improved linotype having its type faces set thereon to read transversely
of its length.
4. A forme comprising a series of parallel "column" linotypes having their
type faces set thereon to read transversely of their length and in horizontal con-
nection with those on the adjacent linotype whether "column" or ordinary or
both, as the case may be.
Dated this 13th day of Wa1000
CHAS. S. WOODROFFE, Fel. Ch. Inst., P.A.,
188, Fleet Street, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.