Improvements in the Moulding Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1895-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Moulding Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
We, JOHN PLACE, Engineer, and THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED,
Sole Manufacturers, Licensors and Vendors under the "Linotype " Patents, both
of No. 6 Serjeants Inn, Fleet Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in the moulding mechanism of linotype
machines and the object of it is to provide improved means for stopping off the
mould when a linotype or a series of linotypes shorter than the maximum length,
is or are required.
The actual mould of a linotype machine as heretofore constructed, consists of
several pieces held together in a way proper for producing a block having a central
cavity through it of a definite length sized to form the body of the linotype.
One jaw of the vice which holds the line of matrices and space bars, is adjust-
able but the actual mould must be replaced by another having a cavity of the
proper length, each time that the length of the linotype is to be altered. Modifi-
cution of the width of the ejector blade is also necessary.
According to the present invention, the adjustable jaw above mentioned is
provided with a web of the proper thickness and length to form the filling piece
or "liner" of the respective end of the mould. For that purpose, the web
projects from the jaw in question in the direction of the mould. The cavity in the
latter is made large enough to receive it when a linotype of maximum size is
required. The operative edge of the web is permanently aligned with the face of
the adjustable jaw. Beyond that, its general shape is immaterial.
Dated this 21st day of December 1894.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.
UNI MLM DE PLATION.
Improvements in the Moulding Mechanism of Linotype Machines.
We, JOHN PLACE, Engineer, and THE LINOTYPE COMPANY, LIMITED,
Sole Manufacturers, Licensors and Vendors under the "Linotype " Patents, both
of No. 6 Serjeants Inn, Fleet Street, in the City of London, do hereby declare
the nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
Our invention relates to improvements in the moulding mechanism of linotype
machines, and the object of it is to provide means for stopping off the mouth when
linotypes shorter than the maximum length, are required to be made in the
machine.
The actual mould of a linotype machine, consists as constructed heretofone, of
four miembers-a top member, a bottom member and two end members or "liners,"
all of which are held together in a way proper for producing a block having a

page_text: mould cavity through it of definite length and otherwise sized to the dimensions
of the linotype bodies. One jaw of the vice in which is held the assembled line
of matrices and space bars, is automatically adjustable in respect of the working
distance between it and its fellow, but the said actual mould must be replaced by
another having a mould cavity of another length each time that linotypes of
another length are to be made. A corresponding change in the width of the ejector
blade is also necessary, when the line is longer than the one cast before.
According to the present invention, the above mentioned adjustable jaw is
provided with a projection of the proper dimensions to form the filling piece or
liner" of the respective end of the mould block, which "liner" projects from the
jaw in question in the direction of the mould cavity. Consequently, the adjustment
of the jaw above mentioned, effects the corresponding alteration in the length of
the mould cavity. And as it is the maximum length of the mould cavity which
is always exposed to the action of the ejector blade, no change of the latter is
called for.
Referring to the accompanying figures which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith.
•
Figure 1 is a part sectional side elevation of the vice and moulding mechanism.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the vice and vice frame.
Figure 3 is a part sectional plan of Figure 1 after the removal of the top member
of the mould block.
a is the mould wheel and b is the mould block fast thereto. The mould wheel
and block receive the same intermittent rotary motion as heretofore, e.g., as
described in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 14582 of 1890. The motion
of approach to and retrogression from the assembled line of matrices and space
bars on the part of the said wheel and uld block, is necessarily longer than
heretofore, by the length of the projection from the adjustable jaw, to provide for
:he wheel being clear of the said projection during the time that it is rotating.
c is the mould cavity in the block b.
d is a stationary block or abutment behind (speaking as from the front of the
machine) which, the assembled line of matrices and space bars is temporarily held
by the vertically moveable yoke-see Specification 14582 of 1890,--and up against
which the said yoke and line are pressed by the mould block b at the end of the
above mentioned motion of approach. This abutment d is supported at the top
of a frame e which is attached to the main frame of the machine, and is, in this
Specification, referred to as the vice frame.
fg are the two jaws of the vice. It is between them that the line of matrices
and space bars is clamped longitudinally. One of these jaws, the one fon the
right hand of the operator,-is, as far as the present invention is concerned,
stationary.
The jaw g is moved back longitudinally from its fellow upon a suitable guide
surface h, by a horizontally moving member of the machine (not shewn in the
figures) and which engages with an upstanding finger g' thereon. Further, the jaw
is toothed along its front face at g' to adapt it to be engaged by a spring actuated
pawl g as the series of teeth is pushed past the latter. This engagement is
necessary to prevent the premature return of the jaw g up to the jaw before the
line of matrices and space bars is inserted between them, as described in the said
Specification 14582 of 1890. This jaw y is returned to the stationary jaw f. by an
arm i. This is swung towards the right hand of the operator by any suitable
spring or equivalent mechanism. The top of the arm i has a finger j pivotted upon
it. The upturned tip, j, of this finger engages in a hole in the underside of the
jawg and is kept engaged therein by a spiral spring k in tension on the rod i
between the opposite end of the finger j and a block fast upon the arm i. This
returning mechanism replaces the spring po of the Specification 14582 of 1890.
I is the projection or moveable liner ou the rear face of the jaw g. The length of
it rearwards from the rear face of the jaw is equal to the width of the mould
cavity c, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The thickness of it is exactly

page_text: equal to the corresponding dimension of the mould cavity; while the width of it
is enough to prevent it giving way under the pressure generated in the mould
during the cast, and to generally in combination with the other two dimensious,
enable it to act as the liner at the left hand end of the mould cavity. The
operative edge of the liner is necessarily aligned with the face of the jaw g.
m is a distance piece fixed between the top and bottom members of the mould
block at the left hand end of it, the fixed liner acting as a distance piece at the
opposite end of it. The inner edge of the distance piece m serves as a stop for the
adjustable liner l.
It is evident that the present invention necessitates the elongation of the monid
cavity. The maximum length of this latter must be the length of the longest
linotype the machine is to turn out, plus the width of the adjustable liner m,
whatever that may be.
The line of matrices and space bars is gripped as in a vice between the jaws f, g,
and this is effected by means of a screw n supported in a horizontal bearing in
which it is capable of only a rotary motion about its axis, and engaging in a nut
or block o adapted to slide upon the surface h behind the jaw g. There is fast on
the left hand (outer) end of the screw, a toothed segment which is actuated by
a vertically reciprocating rack-bar q. The latter is operated at and during the
proper time and term, from or by any suitable moving member of the machine.
is an arm projecting from a disc axially fast to the segment p and screw n, in the
proper position to be acted upon by the end of the rack-bar g and to slide upon
the face of the said bar, as the latter moves up or down after its teeth are
disengaged from those of the segment p. This arm serves as a lever against
which the rack-bar 9 acts with great advantage to assist in turning the screw ; and
it further serves as a rest or stop to bear against the face of the rack-bur
prevent backward rotation in the said screw and to thus relieve the ends of the
segnient teeth from the customary friction and wear to which they would be
subjected by the said rack-bar sliding against them. When the latter is fully
elevated and when the parts are subjected to the severest strain by the wedging
action of the space bars exerted during the act of justifying the line of matrices
and space bars in the vice, the screw is held firmly by the arm resting against
the smooth face of the rack-bar 9.
to
s is a pin standing up from the pawl y and in the path of the yoke above
mentioned when it descends with its line of matrices and space bars. is a rod
presenting its top likewise up in the said path. The engagement of the yoke with
the pins frees the jaw g from detention by the pawl g, while that with the rod t
frees the mechanism which in its turn allows the casting to take place. The said
mechanism, as well as the connecting mechanism, are not included in the figures
for the reason that they are not affected by the invention.
The operation of the present invention will be understood by a reference to
Figures 1 and 3. We will assume that, yesterday the machine was casting
linctypes of the maximum length. In that case, the moveable liner / was back
against the stop m, each time a line of matrices and space bars was held by the
yoke between the jaws f and g, and for any variation in length of linotype that
yesterday's work demanded, the said liner might as well have been a fixture. But
to-day's work is on shorter linotypes-the length indicated in the figure between
the liners and 6' in Figure 3. The mould cavity adapts itself automatically to the
changed requirement, because throughout both the motion of the jaw g from the
jaw due to the action of the above mentioned horizontally moving inember of
the machine, as well as throughout the gripping motion imparted by the screw n,
the liner is carried by the jaw g, their operative faces being always in line.
After the cast, the mould wheel a is put through its motion of retrogression, at
the end of which it is clear of the moveable liner l, so that an ejector blade of the
maximum width can enter and clear the mould cavity c of everything in it whether
that be a full size linotype, or a short one with, perhaps, a waste piece cast between
the liner and the stop m.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of an adjustable vice jaw and liner projecting therefrom, as
set forth.
2. The combination of adjustable vice jaw, liner fast thereto and having its
operative face aligned with that of the said jaw, and a mould block having a cavity
adapted to receive the said liner; as set forth.
3. The combination of mould wheel, mould block having a maximum cavity
adapted to receive the adjustable liner, mechanism for imparting the necessary
motions of approach and retrogression to the said wheel and block, adjustable vice
jaw and adjustable liner fast thereto; as set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1895.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.