Improvements in the Space Bars of Linotype and analogous Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1896-Accepted, 29th Feb., 1896
Nassau Street, New York City, U.S.A., Eng
Improvements in the Space Bars of Linotype and analogous
Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 6 Serjeants Inn, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Sole Proprietors of and Manufacturers, Vendors and
Licensors under the Linotype Patents, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means for spacing out or justifying lines of type
matrices or type dies, more particularly the former.
It is intended, more especially, for use in the well-known Mergenthaler linotype
machine, in which a line of matrices temporarily assembled, and bearing the
characters required in a line of print, are presented in connection with intervening
spaces, against the face of a mold, into which the type metal slug or linotypes is
cast against them.
The invention has in view the twofold object of spreading out the line to the
required length and of closing the mold at the point where the spaces occur, so as
to prevent the leakage of metal, into the line between the matrices. To this end it
consists in a compressible stepped space, that is to say, a space of two or more
thickness at different points in its length, constructed in a peculiar manner.
Approximate but not exact justification may be effected by thrusting the spaces
endwise through the line, so as to bring their thicker or thinner portions into the
line. The expansion and contraction is designed to provide for that slight space
or variation in length which is not provided for by the step.
The improved space bar consists of a bar or strip of metal of a width
corresponding with the matrices with which it is to be used and the supporting
ears at the upper end. The upper portion of the bar is comparatively thin and has
parallel opposite faces, while the lower end is of considerable thickness and also
has parallel faces.
An elastic metal plate is connected to the bar by centrally located rivets or other
suitable fastening. This spring plate is bent outward away from the bar, towards
its outer edges, but has its forward edge turned sharply inward in the form of a
lip, to overlap the edge of the bar. The lower portion of the spring plate has its
lip made of greater width than the lip along the upper portion. It will be observed
that the lip bridges over the space between the edge of the bar, and the edge of
the spring plate, so that when the space bar is seated between the matrices and has
its forward edge presented with the matrices to the molds, the lip prevents the
metal from flowing in between the bar and the spring plate. The space bar thus
constructed is, it will be observed, compressible, so that it may be crowded into a
narrow space, when narrow spacing is required in the line, and that, on the other
hand, it will expand so as to fill out a wider space when the line is unusually short
and requires excessive elongation.
Obviously, the space must not be permitted to expand to such extent as to
permit the lip to leave the edge of the bar and expose the intermediate opening. It
is for this reason that we make the space of two or more thicknesses, the thin end

page_text: serving for variable spacing within moderate limits and the thick end serving for
spaces of greater width.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1895.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in the Space Bars of Linotype and analogous
Machines.
We, THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED, of No. 6 Serjeants Inn, Fleet Street,
in the City of London, Sole Proprietors of and Manufacturers, Vendors and
Licensors under the "Linotype" Patents, 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 means for spacing out or justifying lines of type
matrices or type dies; and is adapted for use more especially in the well known
linotype machine invented by Mergenthaler in which matrices respectively bearing
the characters, required and the desired intervening spaces are temporarily
assembled in line and have there and then presented against them, a mould in
which a linotype or printing bar is cast by the injection of metal.
The object of the present invention is twofold:-(a.) To space out and justify
the line of matrices and (b.) To close the mould where the spaces occur so as to
prevent leakage of molten metal from the mould into the line of matrices and
between the matrix words.
The improved space bar is compressible and is self expanding. It consists in a
peculiar and distinctive combination of a body flat on one side and increasing in
thickness along the other side from top to bottom, by steps having inclined risers; a
resilient plate stepped to correspond with the body; a connection between the
two from top to bottom; and a lip or bent edge along one or both edges of the
resilient plate adapted to overlap the respective edge of the body. The resilience
of the plate above mentioned is operative only in a direction from the body.
Consequently always acts to move the respective half of it away from such body.
It is the total resiliences residing in all the space bars in a given line of matrices,
that completes the spacing out and effects the justification of such line.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved space bar, looking at the stepped
side of it and shewing it:
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same bar from the opposite side :
Figure 3 is a horizontal section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2:
Figure 4 is a horizontal section along the line 4-4 of Figure 2:
Figure 5 is a vertical sectional elevation along the line 5-5 of Figure 2:
Figure 6 is a horizontal section through a line of four words spaced and justified
by three of the improved space bars.
A is the body of the space bar. It consists of a strip of metal corresponding in
width with the matrices (or their equivalents) with which it is to be used. Its top
end is provided with supporting ears a, a. This correspondence in respect of both
width and the supporting ears are present in the linotype space bars previously
patented and used.
The upper portion of the body A is comparatively thin and has parallel
opposite sides the lower portion of it has parallel sides likewise and is

page_text: comparatively thick. The sides of the said two portions are connected by an
incline or riser a¹.
B is a plate of resilient metal. In respect of both length and width, it
preferably, corresponds with both the rectangular part of the upper portion of the
body A, and with the lower portion of it. The upper and lower portions of the
plate B are likewise connected by an incline or riser 6 corresponding with the incline
or riser a¹.
The figures shew a space bar having two thicknesses one above and one below the
inclines or riser. It is to be understood that the present invention includes any
desired number of thickness duly graduated, each two being connected by an
incline or riser. The plate B is rigidly held to the body A by a central linear
connection. The connection in question may be of any suitable type provided that
it is in the direction of the length of the bar. It is shewn as consisting of a line
of rivets C, C. Instead of standing in planes parallel with the respective surfaces
of the body A, the plate B is bent away from the latter equally on both sides of
the linear connection above described, so that both halves of it stand at an angle
with the opposite portions of the said body. Both side edges of the plate B are
bent towards the body A thereby forming a lip b which stands in front of each
edge of the latter and close up to it. The outer edge of a lip is parallel with the
opposite side of the body A, the width of the lip being consequently proportionate
to the thickness of the said body. It is to be noted that the resilience of the
plate B is due to the nature of its material and not to an external spring.
Each lip b bridges over the open space between the body A and the plate B, so
that, when a space bar is seated between two matrices and the mould presented to
the line of matrices and space bars, the respective lip prevents the molten metal
leaking between the matrix words into the line.
The improved space bar constructed as above described is, it will be observed
compressible as well as being self-expanding. Consequently, it may be crowded
into a narrow space when narrow spacing is required in the line, and will, on the
other hand, expand so as to fill out a wider space when the line, being unusually
short, requires excessive elongation. Obviously, the space must not be permitted
to expand to such an extent as to permit the lip b to leave the edge of the body A,
for that would expose the space between the said body and the plate B to the
molten metal. That is why the improved space bar is made of two or more
thicknesses, the thin end serving for variable spacing and justifying within
moderate limits, while the thick end serves for spaces between the matrix-words
of greater width.
It is to be noted that, the resilient plate B is described as carrying a lip 6 on
each side edge. We prefer to make it so, in order that a reversal of a space bar
in the space bar magazine or during the process of composition, shall not prevent
it closing the portion of the mould opposite it, when the said mould is advanced to
it. If such reversal is excluded, the requirements of the invention are met by a
lip in only one side edge.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a linotype machine, the combination, of a body consisting of a bar or strip
of metal and a resilient metal plate arranged substantially as shewn and described,
so as to form a compressible and self-expanding stepped space bar.
2. In a linotype machine, a compressible and self expanding stepped space bar
consisting of a body; a resilient plate; a connection in the direction of the length
of the body, holding the two together; and a lip along the edge of the resilient
plate adapted to stand in front of the respective edge of the body; as and for the
purpose set forth.
3. In a linotype machine, the combination in a compressible and self
expanding stepped space bar, of a body; a resilient plate and lips along the

page_text: respective edges of the resilient plate, a series of two or more steps producing
a series of as many varying thicknesses in the space bar, as and for the purposes.
set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1896.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.