IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING STEREOTYPE MATRICES to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: We, THOMAS GEORGE DAW, of Quaker's Hall, Sevenoaks, in the County of Kent,
Newspaper Proprietor and Publisher, and HILDER DAW, of the same place, Printer
and Publisher, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING STEREOTYPE MATRICES to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to the construction of apparatus by means of which matrices
or moulds for stereotype plates can be produced in a more simple and expeditious
and economical manner than has heretofore been practicable, and refers more parti-
cularly to means whereby the matrix may be moved forward at each advance by a
distance exactly equal to the width of the letter or character last impressed, thus
producing an evenness or regularity in the impression similar to that which obtains
in ordinary printing. To this end I connect with the mechanism by which each
type is moved a curved, inclined, wedge or other shaped piece, and I so arrange this
piece that when the type is moved it comes in contact with a tooth stud or tappet
to which it imparts motion to an extent corresponding to the width of the letter or
character. This tooth, stud, or tappet is connected to the mechanism by which the
matrix is fed forward in such a way that it is able to move independently of
it in one direction, but at its other stroke it engages with it, and moves it to
an extent corresponding to the motion it has received from the above mentioned
piece, and consequently to the width of the letter or character last impressed.
In an apparatus according to this invention there are employed a series of arins
or levers equal in number to the pieces of a complete font of type, such arms or
levers being hinged or otherwise set in a circle and fitted at the ends thereof with
the type pieces. The arms or levers which are connected to finger keys are arranged
over a table on which is placed the substance or material whereon the matrix or
mould or impression is to be produced, and are so disposed in relation to a certain
point in the plane of the matrix or table, that each type of the series, when
depressed, will be brought to that point. It is preferred to arrange them in a circle
around the said point, all the finger keys being then in a convenient position to be
reached by the operator, but the arms or levers may, if desired, be arranged in a
straight or right line or lines. When not depressed, all the types lie above the
plane of the matrix or table, and are kept in this position by springs or other suit-
able means which raise the above mentioned arms or levers.
The bedplate of the machine is provided with suitable ways on which is arranged
& cradle capable of moving thereon to form the line of words. This cradle is

page_text: furnished with ways on which a carriage, carrying the table for holding the substance
or material on which the matrix or impression is to be made, is placed so as to move
thereon to form the columns.
It is essential, as already explained, that the movement of the substance or
material on which the matrix or impression is to be made, should exactly correspond
to the width of the type-pieces used. This movement is produced by and simul-
taneously with the return of each arm or lever to its normal position after an
impression has been made in the following manner. Each arm or lever has an
inclined or wedge-shaped piece attached to its hinge end. Around these ends of the
levers there is placed a band, or wheel admitting of an oscillating movement, the
band or wheel having projecting pins fixed thereon in such positions as to produce
a movement at each oscillation corresponding with the width of the type-piece set
in the said arm or lever.
On the depression of an arm or lever the inclined or wedge-shaped piece on its
end comes into contact with one of the before mentioned projecting pins, and forces
the band or wheel in a forward direction, the return movement of the band or wheel
being effected by a spring. This return movement of the band or wheel acts on a
wheel or drum, by means of a pawlor catch and a disc fitted with ratchet circles, or
by means of other suitable appliances which will cause the said wheel or drum to
rotate to an extent corresponding to the forward movement of the band.
Around the said wheel or drum is passed a cord or band running parallel to the
ways of the cradle, and passing over a pulley fixed on the opposite side of the bed
frame. To this cord or band the cradle is attached in such a manner that on the
wbeel or drum being caused to rotate the cradle with the carriage and impressed
substance, are made to travel a space equal to the width of the type piece last used.
On the completion of the line the cradle is taken back to its original position by
actuating the wheel or drum by means of a winch handle or by any other suitable
or convenient means. The cradle can also be actuated by a rack gearing with the
drum or wheel. On the completion of the line the rack is thrown out of gear
with the drum or wheel, and the cradle returns to its original position.
To produce the vertical movement for forming the column of lines, a band is
attached to the centre of each end of the cradle, and is passed round a drum or
grooved wheel on a shaft carried in bearings on the cradle. A ratchet wheel is also
fitted to the shaft. On the completion of the line this ratchet wheel becomes geared
to that fitted on the drum of the lateral movement, the shaft or tooth bar of which
being thereby removed from its attachment. By depressing the M-quad key the
carriage and substance impressed are shifted onward to admit of another line, the
extent of the movement being controlled by the size of the font used. By means of
keys provided for this purpose lines can be "leaded" to any extent. Any size font
of type can be worked in the same machine. To effect this object the pawl, fitted
to the oscillating band, or wheel must be lengthened or shortened so as to act on the
corresponding ratchet circle on the disc, each circle representing the font to be
used.
The size of the font can also be regulated by a nut and screw which shortens or
lengthens the movements of the oscillating band.
n
1.
1004

page_text: We, THOMAS GEORGE DAW, of Quaker's Hall, Sevenoaks, in the County of Kent,
Newspaper Proprietor and Publisher, and HILDER DAW, of the same place, Printer
and Publisher, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING STEREOTYPE MATRICES "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 construction of apparatus by means of which
matrices or moulds for stereotype plates can be produced in a more simple and
expeditious and economical manner than has heretofore been practicable, and
refers more particularly to means whereby the matrix may be moved forward
at each advance by a distance exactly equal to the width of the letter or character
last impressed, thus producing an evenness or regularity in the impression similar
to that which obtains in ordinary printing.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings, wherein the
same letters of reference are used to denote like parts wherever they occur in
the several figures.
Fig 1 is a plan or top view of an apparatus according to this invention, and
Fig 2 is a vertical section of the same, the upper portion or head of the apparatus
being taken in the line x x of Fig 1, whilst the base and lower portions are taken
on the line y y of Fig 1. Fig 3 is an end view and part transverse section of
the said apparatus. Figs 4, 5, and 6 are detail views drawn to an enlarged
scale.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter referred to.
a a are a series of type arms or levers that may be equal in number to the
pieces of a complete font of type. Each carries at its upper end a type or type
piece b secured by screwing or otherwise, and hinged at its lower bent end to the
circular frame or ring c of the machine, conveniently by means of a continuous
wire or pin d extending through and around the ring c. e e² are pieces of inclined,
wedge-like or equivalent form (as for example curved) formed with or attached to
the arms or levers a (Fig 6) or to the band or wheel j when teeth or projections k*
are formed with or attached to a as in Figs 2, 3, 4 and 5-g g are finger keys
connected by means of the rods g¹ and pins or pivots g' to the arms or levers a,
and h h are springs connected at one end to the arms or levers a and at their other
ends to the ring or piece h¹ carried by the pillars i, and serving to maintain the
arms or levers a with their type pieces b in their raised or upward position as
shewn in Figs 2 and 4 when not depressed by the finger keys g.
The said arms
or levers a are preferably arranged in a circle as indicated by Fig 1, and, as shewn,
are so connected and, arranged that each type piece when in its depressed or
downward position shall be brought to the same point. To more clearly indicate
the construction and arrangement of the type arms or levers and their attached
parts, and, to prevent confusion, a few only of them are shewn in the drawings.
is an oscillating band or wheel preferably arranged and supported below and
exterior to the fixed ring c by means of pins or bolts ¹ in such manner as to be
capable of a short circular or oscillatory motion in one direction in opposition to
and in the contrary direction by the operation of a spring k. k¹ is a screw working
in a nut carried by the ring c, and normally in contact with a projection or
pin, secured to the band or wheel j, with which moves, there being a slot in
the ring c in which works; the object of the arrangement being to limit the
extent of the oscillation of the said band or wheel as will be readily under-
stood, according to the size of the font of type employed, k* k* are teeth or

page_text: projections carried by or formed in one with the band or wheel j as shown in Fig 6,
or with the arms or lever a (see Figs 2, 3, 4 and 5) if the pieces e³ be carried by
the band or wheel j. It will be understood that in the arrangement shewn in
Figs 2, 3, 4 and 5 the teeth or projections * act against the inclined or wedge-
shaped pieces e, but in the reverse arrangement (Fig 6) the inclined or wedge-
shaped pieces e act against the teeth or projections * carried by the band or
wheel j.
is a ring-frame or spider carried by the frame of the machine and provided
with a hole in its centre through which the type pieces b pass, when depressed
the arms or lever then coming into contact with the top of the said ring and
ensuring that the impressions formed in the stereotype matrice shall all be of
uniform depth and evenness.
o is the bed plate of the machine provided with ways p on which a cradle q is
capable of travelling transversely to form lines of words or impressions. The
cradle is itself provided with ways q' for carrying and guiding a carriage or table r
longitudinally to form column of words or impressions on the stereotype matrice r¹
carried by the carriage or table r. s is a ratchet disc or drum at one side of the
machine carried by the shaft or spindle s' grooved at 82 a cord or band 83 passes
round the groove 82. The ends of this cord or band s³ are secured to the opposite
ends of the cradle q at 8 (fig 3) the cord or band itself being guided as shown in
fig 1 by means of the small rollers 8. t is a cord or band secured to the ends of
the carriage at t¹, t¹ passing over rollers t2 attached to the ends of the cradle q
and also round a wheel or drum u as shown in fig 2.
The wheel or drum is carried by a shaft u supported in bearings in the
cradle q, and provided with a ratchet wheel u². vis a pawl or detent carried by
the oscillating band or wheel j and normally taking into the teeth on the ratchet
disc or drum s as shown.
w. w are two pairs of pillars supporting the frame carrying the type arms or
levers a and attached parts, above the carriage r and stereotype matrice the
pair of pillars w also serving to support a bearing w² for the upper end of the
shaft 8.
The operation of the apparatus above described is as as follows:-Supposing
the carriage r supporting the stereotype matrice 1 for receiving impressions to
be in the position shown in dotted lines in fig 1 or that in which a line of words
is about to be impressed in the matrice, then upon depressing a finger key y an
arm or lever a carrying a type piece b is immediately depressed into its downward
position, shown in dotted lines in fig 2, the said arm or lever coming into contact
with the top of the ring frame or spider b and causing an impression to be made
in the matrice 1, by the type piece b of a definite depth. This downward move-
ment of an arm or lever a will cause its attachment e² or * as the case may be,
to come into contact with the corresponding attachment k* or e² of the band or
wheel thereby moving it in a rotary sense to an extent depending upon or
corresponding with the width of the letter, figure or other character just impressed
in the matrice, the partial rotation or motion being made in opposition to the
action of the spring or springs k.
This forward motion of the band or wheel; will cause the pawl or detent v to
slip over a definite number of teeth of the ratchet disc or drum 8.
Upon the pressure being removed from the depressed finger key g its arm or
lever a and its attached parts will immediately be raised to their upward position
by their spring h, the band or wheel j being simultaneously moved in a backward
direction by its spring or springs k and causing the ratchet disc or drums with
grooves to move in a rotary sense to a small extent thus advancing the cradle g
and with it the carriage or table and stereotype matrix r', a distance equal to
the width of the letter or character last impressed in the matrix. The above
described operations are repeated for each impression of a letter character or space
in a line the last operation bringing the ratchet wheel w³ underneath the pawl
or detent vand raising it (the pawl) upon its (the wheel) own periphery,

page_text: By now depressing the M quad key the backward motion of the band or wheel jt
will be imparted to the ratchet wheel u' and through the shaft u¹ to the grooved
wheel or drum u causing it to wind up the cord or band t on the side X and to
unwind it on the side Y the result being to advance the carriage r on the cradle q
a distance equal to the depth or size of the font of type in use, as will be readily
understood. The pawl or detent v is now thrown out of gear with the ratchot disc
or drum s which is then rotated by the winch handle w in an opposite direction
to that imparted to it by the pawl v. Thus the cradle will be carried back to the
starting point for another line and the operations above described will then be
repeated, and so on, for each succeeding line-In the modified machine represented
in Figs 7 and 8, which are respectively a plan or top view and an end view partly
in transverse section, the cradle q and carriage are actuated by means of screws.
o is the bed-plate of the machine carrying the ways p for supporting the cradle q
which in turn carries a carriage r as before. x is a transverse screw carried by the
end frames p* of the ways p.
It carries at one end a ratchet wheel x' suitably
arranged to be operated in one direction by the pawl or detent on the oscillating
band or wheel j₁ indicated in Fig 7 by the dotted circle. Projections at q', q² on
the cradle q are caused to enter the screw thread of the screw x.
It will be readily seen from the above description that each backward motion of
the band or wheel will impart a smooth and direct step-by-step motion of the
required extent to the cradle q to form a line of words upon the completion of
which the cradle is returned to its original position for another line by means of
the handle 2 or it may be returned by a spring. y is a longitudinal screw carried
by the ends of the cradle q and engaging with one or more projections y¹ on the
carriage r. y is a ratchet wheel carried at one end of the screw shaft y for the
purpose of rotating it a short distance on the completion of a line of words and
advancing the carriage r a short distance equal to the space depth or size of the
font. The ratchet wheel is rotated as follows: As the cradle moves in the direction
of the arrow (Fig 8) and when near the end of its travel the ratchet wheel y passes.
over the fixed spring catch or pawl 2 depressing it slightly and allowing it to slip
over a certain number of teeth depending upon its relative position to the ratchet
wheely. It will thus be readily seen that when the cradle is returned to its
former position by the winch handle x2 or otherwise, the catch or pawl will
partially rotate the ratchet wheel y² to a small extent and advance the carriage for
another line. The catch or pawl z is carried by the piece capable of screw
adjustment as shown whereby it may be caused to engage with a greater or lesser
number of teeth on the ratchet wheel and thus rotate it to a greater or lesser
extent depending upon the size of the font of type employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
1. The use, for producing stereotype matrices, of apparatus wherein type or type
pieces, means for operating the same, a table or support for material to forin a
matrix or mould, and means for operating the same, are so arranged in connection
with suitable finger keys, that the act of depressing a finger key, and allowing it
to return to its normal position, shall cause the corresponding type or type piece to
produce an impression in the material of the matrix or mould, and the table or
support with the said material upon it to be moved into position to receive another
impression in the same line as the preceding impression, substantially as herein-
above described.
2. The use, for producing stereotype matrices, of apparatus of the kind referred
to in claim 1, so arranged that at the proper time for the commencement of a new
line the act of depressing and releasing a particular key (the M quad key) will
cause the material of the matrix or mould to be moved into position for the
commencement of such new line, substantially as hereinabove described.
3. The use in combination, for producing stereotype matrices or moulds, of type
or type pieces b, arms or levers a, finger keys g, a band or wheel ; operated by

page_text: projections from the said arms or levers a and by a spring or springs, a carriage or
table for supporting material to form a matrix or mould, and means whereby when
one of the finger keys is depressed and allowed to return to its normal position
such carriage or table is caused, by the action of the band or wheel j, to move the
said material into proper position to receive an impression, substantially as herein-
above described and illustrated.
4. The use in combination, for producing stereotype matrices or moulds, of type
or type pieces carried by arms or levers operated by finger keys, a table or support
for material to form a matrix or mould, a band or wheel such as ; for the purpose
specified to which movement in a rotary sense is imparted when a finger key is
depressed, and means whereby the extent of such movement of the said band or
wheel can be regulated or adjusted to suit the size of the font of type desired to bo
used, all substantially as described and illustrated.
5. The use, for producing stereotype matrices or moulds, of the improved
machine constructed, arranged and operating as hereinabove described with
reference to and shewn in Figs 1 to 6 inclusive; or modified as represented in
Figs 7 and 8 of the Drawings.