Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Stereotype Matrices and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements relating to the Manufacture of Stereotype Matrices
and to Apparatus therefor.
I, JOHN RAPHAEL ROGERS, of the City of Lorain in the County of Lorain and State
of Ohio, United States of America, Superintendent of Schools, 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 :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of stereotype matrices and to machinery
or apparatus therefor.
In carrying my said invention into practice I provide movable types strung upon
wires, and arranged in connection with mechanism for assembling said types into
words forming a single line of reading matter; a mechanism for justifying said line;
a mechanism for gripping and holding said line with a perfectly true face to said
assembled types; a mechanism for making an indentation with said assembled types
into the matrix material; a mechanism for feeding the galley holding the matrices
along, line by line, successively; and a means for distributing said assembled types
again.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention can be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my apparatus.
Figure 2 is a plan.
Figure 3 is a side elevation.
Figure 4 is a plan of the bed or table upon which the apparatus stands, showing the
justifying and gripping mechanism.
Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line X, x¹ Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the arch, supporting the upper ends
of a series of wires upon which the types are strung, showing the types hanging
suspended under the arch, and the latch mechanism by which the types are held and
individually released for assembling them.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 8 is a vertical section showing the grip hereinafter described and the type
in position for making the impression.
Figure 9 is a side elevation showing a box for casting a stereotype from the
type when they are constructed to form a matrix, instead of dyes to make a
matrix.

page_text: A is the bed or table supporting all the working parts of the apparatus. The
table A is sometimes supported on suitable legs or frames, which are portable or other-
wise as may be desired. B is a frame supported a little above the table and pivoted
at the two rear corners to ears or lugs b, b, so that the said frame and its accompanying
parts may be tilted over backward as shown in dotted lines Figure 3 for a purpose
hereinafter described. is a key board supported at a convenient height by posts c, c,
standing on said frame B, the keys being arranged in two banks for convenience and
compactness. These keys resemble those of a piano or organ; but they may be
modified from this arrangement if desired. D is an arc or segment of a circle forming
a bow, supported upon posts d d; also standing on the frame B. It is located on a
higher level and back of the said koy board and on a plane about 25 degrees to
the horizontal plane of the table A. E is a series of wires adjustably secured in the
said arc or bow by means of set screws e. Said wires extend forward and downward
from said arc or bow, and are concentrated into two perpendicular planes, near
together and are each held so as to bring their ends in a horizontal plane parallel to
that of the table, beneath and forward of the key board. The former ends of said
wires E are adjustably secured in a post F. Beneath the frame B is attached a foot b,
which supports the front of the said frame.
Upon the said wires E are strung types G which are preferably made of steel or
are steel faced, each wire supporting the types of a single letter. Said types are
made in varying lengths to correspond with the height of the lower ends of their
respective wires above the table, the objects of which will hereinafter appear; these
wires form tramways, on which the types are made to travel, for the purpose of
assembling them in the composition of words and sentences. The wires are sufficient
in number to contain full alphabets of both upper and lower case types together with
all the punctuation marks, figures and spaces, each wire holding a number of each
sort of type, the type together constituting a small font capable of setting up any
.ordinary line of reading matter. My apparatus is intended to set up one line at a
time, to justify the line, take the impression therefrom to make a matrix, and then
distribute said lines and repeat this operation, whereby a column of single line matrices
are produced in a galley ready for casting a stereotyped plate either in full columns
or paragraphs.
The mechanism for assembling the aforesaid types, justifying, taking the impression
therefrom and again distributing them, is as follows:-
Just above, and in front of, arc or bow Dis located a second arc or bow H supported
by arms, at the ends and middle of bow, said arms being fixed in slots in said bow H,
for adjustment and other purposes hereinafter described. On the arc or bow H are
adjustable latches I designed for use in releasing one type at a time in the operation
of assembling said types. These latches consist of plates pivoted to the bow, and
having a slot forming lips bent so as to bring one lip forward of the other, the forward
lip moving as a stop to hold the type from sliding the down wire, except whenever
the latch is turned, and then the forward lip releases one type at a time, the rear lip
of the latch projecting when the said latch is turned in front of the second type and
holding it and those behind it in position, thus releasing only the first type, which
slides down its wire by its own gravity the place of assembling.
The said latches are operated from the key-board in the manner and by the means
as follows:
Each of the said latch plates is provided with an arm or lever J, connected by a
stud or lever mechanisms K with a corresponding key. A third arc or bow L, is
provided above the said arc or bow H, and is secured thereto by arms h, at the ends
and middle. To this arc or bow L, aro attached small pulleys through which pass
the cords or wires K connecting the said latches with the keys. A spring is
attached to the end of each of said levers and to the bow L, the tension of these springs
draws the said latches over and holds them in their normal position. The types and
their latches are arranged in reverse order on each side of the middle of said arcs or
bows to accommodate the assembling of the types in the two perpendicular rows of
wires. At the middle part of the are on the middle wire are provided spaces M; for

page_text: dividing words in a line, these spaces are formed of flexible or compressible material.
I prefer to construct the said spaces of Indiarubber or other suitable yielding
material. I provide the said spaces moreover with a series of diagonal holes formed
through the same from edge to edge. These holes allow the spaces to be more easily
compressed.
The justifying mechanism is as follows: that is to say :-
Across the bed or table are fixed ways n n in which is placed a
sliding jaw N
which is operated by means of a lever N³ pivoted to a short post or block n³, on the
table A. The lever N2 is connected to a perpendicular lever N³ fulcrummed to a
post n on the table A. Said lever N³ is provided with a latch lever and rod N
engaging with a circular rack, or top of post n³ whereby said lever may be locked
for holding the sliding jaw in place when the line of types have been compressed
to the proper limit for justifying the line.
A gripping mechanism is moreover provided for levelling or dressing the line of
type and firmly holding the said line, consisting of the following parts.
O is a fixed jaw secured to the bed or table at one side of the assembled types and
against which the types rest, the types having shoulders which rest on the upper edge
of the said jaws.
P is a movable jaw arranged opposite to the said shoulder. When the types are
gripped between these jaws their faces are brought into perfect adjustment and firmly
held there. The said jaw is pivoted in slots in the bed and its lower extremities which
extend below the bed are connected by connecting rods p attached to a cross bar,
connecting it with a hand lever Q pivoted in a slot near the left hand end of the
table, by which said jaws are operated. Said lever Q is also provided with a
pawl which engages with a ratchet q³ in a curved rack 6 to which the jaw may be
locked.
The mechanism for making the impression in the matrix is as follows:-
In the front part of the bed or table A is made a longitudinal opening in which is
placed a long narrow plate R, capable of being raised and lowered. It is provided at
the ends with corner bearings which slide in ways t fitted therefor in the bed or table.
Carried in suitable bearings S, S on the underside of the table A is a short shaft or
spindle S one end of which extends through the side of the bed or table and is
provided with a hand lever T by which said shaft is turned. Upon said shaft between
the bearings is fixed a short lever or cam T2, the moving end of which bears against a
middle cross rib, on the underside of the said plate R located directly under the
place for assembling the type. In the upper side of said plate R is provided a
narrow longitudinal groove u. V is a galley for holding the matrices constructed
of the same width as the plate R and provided with a longitudinal rib r on its
under side which fits and runs in the aforesaid longitudinal groove u in the plate R.
This serves as a guide for the movement of the galley. Upon one edge of the side
of the galley is formed a row of ratchet teeth with which a pawl w attached to the
movable jaw P engages and serves to feed the galley along the bed or table.
The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows, that to say :-
The type is assembled and set together to spell and compose words by the operator
manipulating the keys in like manner to that of a typewriter; when enough words
are thus composed using the aforesaid compressible spaces between the words to fully
complete a line, the line is justified by moving the jaw N forward, compressing the
line to the required width of column; next the line is gripped by closing up the
jaw P which engaging in the nicks in the types forces the said types against the fixed
jaw O bringing their shoulders down onto said jaw. The types are then in position
for making an impression which is done by bearing down the hand lever I which
forces upward the plate R and the galley containing the matrix material against the
said assembled types. After the impression is made the types are released from the
grip of the justifier N and vice or grip O,P; and by means of the handle Z on
the front of the frame D, the frame and the mechanism supported by it, are tilted over
backward as seen in dotted lines in figure 3. This operation causes the types to run
down the back of their respective wires to their original places next to the arc or

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bow D. The frame is then returned to its normal position with the types all properly
distributed and ready for repeating the operation just described. The arcs
bows H, L are slightly raised from the arc or bow D, by means of a rest or suitable
pins against which the said bow H strikes, thus allowing the bow D to move slightly
in the slots in bow H, and the types to pass under the latches.
The matrix material may be made of papier maché and I prefer to prepare it in
blocks sufficient in size to receive the impression of one line only and arrange them
in galleys of say one column length, and make the impression in said blocks in
succession, feeding the galleys along on the table line by line as the impressions are
made by means of the pawl on the movable gripping jaw playing on the ratcheted edge
of the galley. Many of the errors that occur in the present method of setting
type cannot occur with this machine for instance such as the letter S turned up-side
down, the dropping out of a letter, or the piecing of a line. Errors may occur by the
misplacing of a type or improper punctuation, or by other mistakes of the operator,
such errors I correct by taking out the imperfect block, and inserting a new one in
its place and resetting the line and making an impression therein, thus perfecting the
galley very quickly and with very little trouble or expense.
By making the types with indented instead of raised faces the assembled types
compose a matrix into which the melted metal may be cast, and a stereotype line made
direct. For this purpose I provide a box ³, having an adjustable side ³, which is
moved forward so as to cover and fit tightly around the end of the assembled
matrices. This box or mould is located beneath the assembled types. I provide
moreover a pot with suitable means for melting the metal, and provide a suitable
arrangement so that a portion of the melted metal can be ejected into the said box or
mould through a valve or gate in precisely the same manner as in the casting of
ordinary type. I thus cast a small block or bar having the line of words raised on
one edge of it. The mechanism is so constructed that the valve or gate opens and
closes at the proper times to admit the melted metal and shut it off after the casting
is made. The box then opens and the cast block will drop into the galley, the galley
being moved along intermittently as hereinbefore described to receive the said blocks
as fast as they are cast.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is
;-
First. A type provided with a shoulder on one side and a nick on the opposite side
and having an enlongated body of varying lengths and provided with a loop, hook or
eye on the upper extremity whereby the said type may be strung on a wire or wires
substantially as described."
Second. The types strung on tram wires whereby the said types may be traversed
upon the said wires for assemblage in the composition of words or sentences and again
distributed substantially as described.
Third. The flexible or compressible spaces, whereby the line of types set with said
spaces may be justified to any desired measure by compression substantially as
specified.
Fourth. The combination of types strung on tram wires whose upper ends are
supported on an arc or bow, and their lower ends concentrated and brought into two
parallel vertical lines and supported by a vertical post; and a key board mechanism
connected by cords or lever mechanism with latches attached to the arcs or bows in
such a manner that said types are released one by one, by the operation of said key
board and latch mechanism for the assemblage of the types substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination with arcs or bows of the tram wires having types strung
thereon and arranged in inclined lines extending downward from the said ares or
bows in part of their length and having their larger portions concentrated
and brought into horizontal lines, and forming two vertical planes, whereby said
types may be transferred from the arcs or bows downward to said vertical plane
substantially as described.

page_text: Sixth. The combination with the arcs or bows H, L and the tram wires E having
types G strung thereon, of the latch plates I pivoted to the bow H and having lever
arms J connected to cords K leading to key board C, and provided with retracting
springs, said latches having slots i and lips by which the types G are held and
released one at a time by the movements of the keys through the medium of said
latches, substantially as specified.
Seventh. The frame B pivoted to the table A and supporting the arc or bow and -
post F, which supports the tram wires having the types & strung thereon, the said
frame with the arcs, wires and key board mechanism being so arranged that it can be
tilted over backward for changing the position of the said wires to enable the types
strung thereon to be traversed by gravity in their assemblage and distribution sub-
stantially as, and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The combination with the bed or table A, of the frame B pivoted at rear
side to ears or lugs b, b and supporting the key board Con posts c, c the arcs or
bows D, H, L, on posts d, d and post F said bows and post supporting tram wires E on
which the types G are strung, and the cords K operating the latches I whereby said
frame and its accompanying mechanism may be tilted backward for reversing the
position of the tram wires and cause the assembled types to run backward again to
the bows for distribution substantially as specified.
Ninth. The combination of the types and compressible spaces assembled in the
manner described with the movable jaw N playing in ways n, n on table N2 and hand
lever N provided with latch mechanism N for compressing said types and spaces
against the post as and for the purpose herein before specified.
Tenth. The combination with the types and spaces assembled in the manner
described of the fixed jaw O and movable jaw P attached to table A and actuated by
means of the connecting rod p connected to hand lever Q provided with latch pawl q,
and rack, whereby the line of assembled types are gripped and held in alignment
substantially as specified.
Eleventh. The combination with the bed or table A of the plate R set in a longi-
tudinal space in the front part of the said table and having a longitudinal groove u
and a movable galley V, having a longitudinal rib V₁ running in said groove u and
ratched teeth by which said galley is fed along the said plate by a pawl attached to
the movable jaw P substantially as specified.
Twelfth. The combination with the table A and movable plate carrying the galley V
of a shaft S carried in suitable bearings upon the under side of the table and and pro-
vided with a cam T' bearing against the underside of said plate R and actuated by a
hand lever T on the outer end of said shaft whereby the said plate R and the galley
are forced upward for making an impression of the assembled types in the matrix
material contained in the galley substantially as described.
Thirteenth. The series of independent single line matrices arranged to form para-
graphs or columns in movable galleys whereby a single line or paragraph may be
removed and re-supplied for the correction of errors substantially as specified.
Fourteenth. The combination with the assembled type made in the form of
matrices and the herein before described locking jaws of a suitable mould by which
one line of type may be cast at a time substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before specified.