Improvements in Spacers for Type-matrices.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spacers for Type-matrices.
I, JOSEPH CHARLES FOWLER, of 1343 Q Street, N.W. Washington, in the
District of Columbia, United States of America Machinist 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 :-
My invention relates to the means employed for justifying a line of matrices or
matrix-plates of the kind employed for the formation by casting of type-bars,
whereby the line is properly spaced throughout and the series of matrices which
form part of the mould for the production of the type closed sufficiently to prevent
the escape of melted metal between them or between said matrices and the
justifying devices.
It is the purpose of the invention to provide a device of the kind referred to,
which shall be capable of being handled mechanically and withdrawn from and
returned to the magazine by devices not specially distinct from those handling the
matrices. In other words, I propose to provide a compressible spacer which
partakes so far of the characteristics common to all the matrices that no distinctions
need be made in manipulating it in order to withdraw it from and return it to the
magazine in which the spacers are placed.
It is a further object of my invention to provide a spacer which shall have a
suitable and extensive range of elastic expansion and compression and a substantially
uniform variation in all the spacers under compression of the line, whereby a
sufficient closure of the matrices shall be effected to prevent the leakage of molten
metal under an extremely slight compression of the line, thus rendering it possible
to justify and close a line series of matrices in proper condition for casting the
type-bar whenever the uncompressed line approximates the length usually required,
a very considerable variation from the average compressed length being compatible
with a perfect closure and justification.
It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a spacer having a normal
expansion substantially equal to or greater than the thickness of any individual
letter and a capacity for compression to a thickness equal to or less than that of the
letters of least extent, said spacer having converging elastic points or nibs which
rise between the intaglios of the matrix and project into and cross the mould, their
edges closely abutting against the sides thereof, insuring close superficial contact
with the adjacent matrix-plates between which the spacer lies, whereby the matrix
is rendered tight under a comparatively light degree of endwise compression of the
line, and the nibs or points having at all times perceptible convergence of their
outer surfaces toward the point to enable them to withdraw easily from the
casting.
It is my purpose to provide a compressible space composed of elastic members
capable of being interposed in the rank or line series of matrix-plates, and having
nibs or points crossing the matrix or mould and meeting at an apex at a point
removed from the matrix, the cast-box being combined therewith in such manner

page_text: as to abut against the opposite edges of the nibs or points and close the inter-
mediate space.
It is my purpose, also, to provide a spacer capable of being withdrawn from and
returned to a magazine by which it is inclosed and treated in all substantial respects
like the matrix-plates, the expanding and collapsing members of said spacer being
provided with nibs or points on one or both sides which cross the matrix and abut
with their edges against the opposite sides of the mould or cast-box, into which they
project to an apex.
It is my purpose, finally, to provide a spacer consisting of members or parts
which are normally expanded or separated by their own elasticity, said members or
parts being provided with elastic nibs or points projecting from their edges and
converging to an apex within the cast-box or mould, said members and nibs
yielding to compression of the line, and the elasticity of the nibs shifting the line of
maximum elastic resistance to a point coincident, or nearly so, with the plane of the
matrix, whereby the matrices are compressed with greatest force at or near those
edges adjacent to the mould or casting-box.
To enable others skilled in the art to understand and to make, construct, and use
my said invention, I will now describe the same in detail, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, in which―
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a spacer upon an enlarged scale.
Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line x, Fig. 2.
Fig 4 is a side elevation shewing a modified form.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation shewing a further modification.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation shewing a modified construction.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section upon the line y y, Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a transverse section of the line series of matrix-plates and cast-box,
showing the position of the parts during the operation of casting.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the line series of matrix-plates and spacers.
Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a type formed in the mould shewn in Fig. 8.
The reference numeral 1 in said drawings indicates the spacer in which my
invention is incorporated. For convenience of explanation I have illustrated this
spacer as assimilated to the matrix-plates used in a known form of mechanism; but
I do not confine the same to such specific form or construction, as it may be made
without material change in such manner as to operate in conjunction with any
preferred pattern of matrix-plate and in any organization of mechanism for
handling the same.
The spacer 1 consists of two members or parts, which I have designated by the
numeral 2. Each of these members is usually constructed of steel and substantially
conforming in its shape or outline to the shape of the matrix-plates 3, in conjunction
with which the spacer is used, but differing therefrom in having no Yale combination
in the notched end or ends. Upon its edge, also, is a nib or point 4, preferably
integral with the substance of the member 2, and so located that when the spacer is
set up in the line series of matrices the nibs or points will cross the mould formed
by the matrix-plates and casting-box and will project into the latter. The members
or parts 2 are quite thin, and at their extremities have contact with each other,
and are preferably connected by a positive fastening of suitable character-such as
rivets, or by brazing, welding, or in any other manner. At the extremities where
the two members or parts are brought together their thickness united does not
exceed, and is preferably somewhat less than, the space occupied by the matrices of
minimum thickness. From said points the plates gradually separate, until at the
point of greatest expansion or separation they occupy a space about equal to, and
preferably exceeding that, occupied by the thickest matrix in the same pattern of
matrices. From the edges of the members 2 thus separated the nibs or points
The exterior faces
converge to an apex 5, at which their diminished ends meet.
of these nibs or points are usually so formed as to present surfaces which are
slightly convex in longitudinal section, as seen in Fig. 3. Moreover, the thickness

page_text: of the nibs or points is diminished toward their points by removing a portion of the
outer faces, in order that said faces may still have some divergence, even when the
members 2 are compressed sufficiently to bring the inner surfaces of the nibs into
contact throughout. The object of this construction is to enable the nibs or points
to withdraw easily from the cast type-bar without material force being employed to
effect the separation and without danger of marring or injuring the cast. The
exterior face of each member or part 2 is dressed off or otherwise brought into a
flat surface 6, substantially co-extensive with the width of the nibs and extending
from side to side, or nearly so, provided, however, that it must extend to the base
of the nib, which should also have its outer face transversely flat at the base to
insure a perfect closure of the matrix, as in Fig. 2. In this figure I have shewn
the exterior surfaces 6 as formed by dressing off the members 2 transversely, and
as this method causes the corresponding portions of the members 2 to be slightly
thinner than the remaining parts, it might be supposed that when under compression
there would be a tendency to yield at these points. Experience shews, however,
that such is not the case. The difference in thickness is very minute, and the flat
surfaces 6 being supported upon and having intimate contact throughout with the
matrix-plates on either side the spacer may be compressed to any degree without
affecting the close contact of the two surfaces 6 with the adjacent matrices.
The spacers are stored in a magazine and are handled in a manner exactly
similar to that adopted with the matrix-plates. If the latter are of the pattern
shewn in Fig. 8, the spacers will be substantially of the pattern shewn in Figs. 1, 2
or 5, the notch 7 in the end being suitably formed to enable distribution to be
effected without employing mechanism of special type.
I may duplicate the nibs or points upon the other edges of the members or
parts 2 in Fig. 1, and I may also duplicate the notch 7, both forms being shewn in
Figs. 4 and 5, respectively; but when the matrix-plates are provided with a
different construction to provide for distribution the spacer will be made to conform
thereto sufficiently to enable the mechanism to handle it without requiring special
apparatus.
It should be noted that by the use of the transverse flat surfaces 6 I secure such
parallelism in the line series of matrix-plates and spacers that the danger of either
shifting when the line is compressed so as to become cocked is avoided.
I may, if
desirable, extend the parallel flat surfaces laterally, as shewn in Figs. 6 and 7. In
this construction I slit the members or parts 2 from the parallel sides of the
surface 6, or from points near said surface, toward the ends of the part 2, forming
strips 8, which, being detached at their ends, form, practically, continuations of the
transverse flat surface 6, as seen in Fig. 7.
When the spacers are set up in the line series, their nibs or points project from
the matrix, as shewn in Figs. 8 and 9. When the cast-box and matrix are united,
as shewn in Fig. 8, the parallel walls of the mould abut against the edges of the
projecting nibs or points and close the spaces bounded by these edges, such spaces
being indicated in Fig. 9 by the numeral 9. Consequently the cast type-bar will
present the appearance shewn in Fig. 10, the notches 10 therein being formed by
the diverging curved nibs or points.
It should be noted that I may form the nibs or points of a single piece of metal
bent at the apex, and the extremities of the members or parts 2 may be either
disconnected or connected in part only. The members or parts 2 of the spacer
being in contact at their ends and separating intermediately, their power of elastic
resistance under compression of the line will be exerted with substantial uniformity
at both ends of the transverse flat faces 6. By reason of the elastic resistance of
the nibs or points 4, however, which meet at a little distance from the edges of the
members or parts 2, a greater elastic resistance to compression will be exerted at or
near the edges from which said nibs project. As these edges lie in or very near
the lowest intaglios of the matrix, it will be readily seen that the maximum force
will be exerted upon these parts, thus closing the matrix effectually. The elastic
resistance at the other side of the spacers will be merely sufficient to prevent such

page_text: unequal compression as might cause the matrices to become cocked or diverging
from the matrix edges toward the opposite parallel edges. The elastic nibs or
points fulfil all the conditions required for a fluid-tight closure of the cast-box or
mould between adjacent matrices.
In the construction exhibited by the drawings it will be apparent that the
compression of the spacer is only limited by the thickness of the two plates, as the
projecting nib or point of the spacer is elastic and can be compressed. In this
respect my invention possesses important advantages, as the spacer
compressed to a degree only limited by the thickness of the plates, which is
impossible where a spacer is composed of two plates, one of which is formed with a
lateral flange to lie over the edge of the other.
can be
my said
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A compressible spacer for type-matrices, composed of normally separated
parts having elastic nibs or points to form a fluid-tight closure for the mould
between adjacent matrices, substantially as described.
2. A compressible spacer for type-matrices, consisting of substantially similar
nibs or points converging to an apex from the members or parts of the spacer and
having outer faces which are slightly convex under all degrees of compression,
substantially as described.
3. A compressible spacer for type-matrices, consisting of normally expanded or
separated parts provided with flat transverse surfaces and with converging nibs or
points projecting from the edges of said parts and having the width of the mould,
substantially as described.
4. A spacer for type and other similar matrices, consisting of members or parts
capable of compression and having converging nibs or points which project from
the said members or parts and cross the mould, said members or parts being
substantially assimilated in form to the matrices with which they are used to
enable them to be handled without special mechanism, substantially as described.
5. A spacer for type and other similar matrices, consisting of two members
having contact at their extremities and separated throughout the intermediate
portion, said members being provided with elastic nibs or points converging to an
apex and crossing the mould, into which they project, in combination with a series
of matrices and a cast-box, the parallel walls of which lie close to the edges of said
elastic nibs or points and form a fluid-tight closure for the mould between adjacent
matrices, substantially as described.
6. A spacer for type and other similar matrices, consisting of compressible
members or parts having contact at their ends and separated intermediately, said
members being provided with nibs or points which cross the mould and project
therein, their edges abutting against the opposite walls of the mould, said nibs
converging to an apex and diminishing in thickness toward the point of
convergence, their exterior faces being slightly convex longitudinally, substantially
as described.
7. In type-casting apparatus, the combination, with a series of matrices, of a
casting-box or mould, and spacers having compressible converging nibs or points
crossing the mould to form a fluid-tight closure for the latter between adjacent
matrices, substantially as described.
8. A spacer for type-matrices, consisting of two elastic members or parts united
wholly or in part at their extremities and separated intermediately, their edges
provided with elastic projecting nibs or points adapted to cross the mould or
casting-box and converging to an apex, whereby upon compression of the line series
the maximum elastic resistance of the spacer will be exerted at or near the edges
from which the nibs or points project, substantially as described.
9. The combination, with a series of type matrices, of spacers, composed of
members or parts having such resemblance to said matrices as to permit them to be

page_text: handled without special mechanism, said members or parts being united at their
ends and separating intermediately their outer faces, provided with transverse flat
surfaces and their edges having nibs or points projecting into the mould or cast-box
and converging to an apex, in combination with said mould or cast-box, the opposite
walls of which lie close to the edges of said nibs, substantially as described.
10. A spacer for type-matrices, consisting of two elastic members or parts united
at their extremities and separating intermediately, said parts being provided with
converging nibs or points projecting from their edges and having flat exterior
transverse faces and longitudinal extensions thereof, consisting of strips detached
from said members or parts at one end and both sides and having their outer faces
substantially in the plane of the flat transverse faces, substantially as described.
11. Spacers for type-matrices, having elastic ribs or points which project from
the matrix and cross the mould or cast-box to form a fluid-tight closure for the
latter between adjacent matrices, substantially as described.
12. A compressible spacer for type-matrices, provided with an elastic
compressible projecting nib or point to form a fluid-tight closure for a mould
between adjacent matrices, substantially as described.
Dated this 13th day of April 1892.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.