IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' QUOINS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' QUOINS." A communication from abroad by
Henry Adolph Hempel and Joseph Anthony Dingens, both of Buffalo, New
York, United States of America.
Sealed the 8th November 1878, and dated the 21st May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' QUOINS." [A
communication from abroad by Henry Adolph Hempel and Joseph Anthony
Dingens, both of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.]
This Invention relates more especially to that class of printers' quoins which are
used in pairs, and provided with gear racks, so that both quoins can be tightened
simultaneously by means of a pinion inserted between the gear racks of the quoins.
The said Invention comprises a particular construction of the quoins to render
them simple, strong, and compact, as herein-after set forth.
The said improved quoins have their contiguous faces inclined, so as to slide
one upon the other in tightening the quoins.
The inclined faces of the quoins are formed by a central inclined rib or feather
connecting at the butt end or head of the quoin with a central groove formed by
two projecting lugs. The lugs of one quoin cross the inclined feather of the other
quoin when the quoins are placed face to face, thereby retaining the quoins in their
proper relative position laterally when the quoins are tightened, and preventing the
quoins from displacing the type or springing the form.
Two rack bars are arranged on both sides of the feather of each quoin, and parallel
with the face thereof. The rack bars are arranged at such a distance from the face

page_text: of the inclined feather that a pinion can be inserted between the two rack bars, and
caused to mesh with both simultaneously, so that both quoins are actuated at the
same time by turning the said pinion. The latter is formed in or secured to the
end of a rod, preferably made of steel, and provided with a hand lever for conve-
niently operating the said pinion. The said lever is provided with a flattened end,
which can be inserted between the chase and the form, when by a slight turn of
this flattened end the form is compressed, and made ready for the application of the
quoins.
The said quoins when arranged face to face occupy the least space from back to
back; they are placed in this position between the chase and the form, when the
aforesaid pinion is inserted between the rack bars. By turning the said pinion in
one direction both quoins are moved simultaneously in opposite directions, and
caused to ride upon their inclined faces until they exert the desired pressure upon
the form, and finally lock the same in the chase.
It is obvious that by turning the said pinion in the opposite direction the quoins
are loosened, and the form is unlocked.
The said improved quoins are duplicates of each other, so that any two quoins
picked up at random by the printer will fit together, thereby the locking of forms
is greatly facilitated and expedited.
The construction of each quoin with a central rib, and a corresponding groove at
the head of each quoin enables the quoins to be finished in a drop press, thereby
obviating the necessity of hand work for that purpose.

page_text: said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th Novem-
ber 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRINTERS' QUOINS." A con-
munication from abroad by Henry Adolph Hempel and Joseph Anthony Dingens,
both of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates more especially to that class of printers' quoins which are
used in pairs and provided with gear racks, so that both quoins can be tightened
simultaneously by means of a pinion inserted between the gear racks of the quoins.
Tho said Invention comprises a particular construction of the quoins to render
them simple, strong, and compact, as herein-after set forth.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 is a plan of a form locked up by means of the said improved quoins.
Figure 2 is a side view of a pair of the said improved quoins; Figure 3 is an end
view of the same.
Figure 4 is a face view of the said quoins.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the locking pinion and lever; Figuro 6 is an end view,
and Figure 7 a plan or top view thereof.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
A represents the chaso; B, the form; and C, straight pieces of furniture; D, D,
represent a pair of the improved quoins, having their contiguous faces so inclined
as to slide one upon the other in tightening the quoins.
The inclined faces of the said quoins are formed by a central inclined rib or
feather e, connecting at the butt end or head of the quoin with a central groove f
formed by two projecting lugs g, g, as shown. The lugs g, g, of one quoin cross
the inclined feather e of the other quoin when the said quoins are placed face to
face, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, thereby retaining the said quoins in their
proper relative position laterally when they are tightened, and preventing their
displacing the type or springing the form, as will occur frequently in tightening
quoins having no such means for preventing the lateral movement of one quoin on
the other.
h, h, are two rack bars arranged on both sides of the feather e of cach quoin, and
parallel with the face thereof. These rack bars are arranged at such a distance
from the face of the inclined feather that a suitable pinion I can be inserted between
the two rack bars, and caused to gear with both simultaneously, so that both quoins
are actuated at the same time by turning the said pinion. The latter is formed in
or secured to the end of a rod J, preferably made of steel, and provided with a hand
lever K for conveniently operating the pinion. The lever K is provided with a
flattened end K', which can be inserted between the chase and the form, when by a
slight turn of the flattened end K' the form is compressed, and made ready for the
application of the quoins D.
The said quoins when arranged face to face, as shown in Figure 2, occupy the
least space from back to back. They are placed in this position between the chase
and the form, when the pinion I is inserted between the rack bars h, as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 2. By turning the said pinion in the direction of the arrow
the quoins will be moved simultaneously in opposite directions, and caused to ride
upon their inclined faces until they exert the desired pressure upon the form, and
firmly lock the same in the chase.
It is obvious that by turning the pinion I in the opposite direction the quoins
will be loosened and the form unlocked.
The said improved quoins are duplicates of each other, so that any two quoins
picked up at random by the printer will fit together, whereby the locking of forms
is greatly facilitated and expedited.

page_text: The construction of each quoin with a central rib and a corresponding groove at
the head of each quoin allows the same to be finished in a drop press, thereby
obviating the necessity of hand work for this purpose.
The said quoins are readily and cheaply made of suitable metal, preferably cast
steel or malleable cast iron; they occupy very little space in the chase, and they are
readily tightened and released, forming a very durable and efficient piece of printers'
furniture.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,-
First. A pair of quoins having their contiguous faces inclined, and provided with
parallel rack bars adapted to be moved simultaneously in opposito directions by a
pinion inserted between the said rack bars, as shown and described.
Second. A pair of quoins having their contiguous faces each provided with an
inclined rib or feather, and a corresponding groove arranged at the head of each
quoin, as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. A pair of quoins having their contiguous faces cach provided with an
inclined central rib or feather, a corresponding groove arranged at the head of each
quoin, and rack bars arranged on both sides of the inclined feather, as and for the
purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lako, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.