NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR AND ARRANGING TYPES FOR PRINTING APPARATUS FOR PURPOSES." MANUFACTURING PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

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LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Wicks, of Glasgow, in the County. of Lanark,
North Britain, for an Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR
AND ARRANGING TYPES FOR PRINTING
APPARATUS FOR
PURPOSES."
MANUFACTURING
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Wicks at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1881.
FREDERICK WICKS, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain. "NEW
OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AND ARRANGING
TYPES FOR PRINTING PURPOSES.
My Invention relates to new or improved machinery or apparatus for manu-
facturing types for printing purposes, and has for its object to cast or form the said
types with great rapidity and facility, and also, if desired, to arrange them in their
proper order, according to their kinds, for use in composing machines, or for
otherwise being composed or set up.
According to the said Invention a wheel or disc has in it a series of moulds, in
number according to the number of kinds of types to be made, the said moulds
radiating from the centre of the said wheel or disc, or being arranged around or
near to its edge. The matrices by which the types are formed are encased within
these inoulds so that they can slide therein. The periphery of the wheel or dise
being caused to revolve presents the orifices of the moulds in rapid succession
before a reservoir of molten type metal, and this molten metal is caused to pass
into the moulds as they pass therebefore. The said metal may be caused to pass
into the said moulds by creating a vacuum therein, which may be effected by
forming on or connecting to each matrix a projection which comes into contact
with a cam surface just before the matrix and mould with which it is in connection
passes before the reservoir of molten metal, so that the matrix which formerly
occupied the mould or space to receive the metal is withdrawn therefrom to allow
the said metal to run into. the mould. There may be a pump or equivalent

page_text: arrangement for injecting or pressing the metal into the moulds. Arrangements
are made for cooling (such as by water boxes) the types as the wheel or disc of
moulds revolves, and dressing knives or their equivalents may be combined to
trim the ends of the cast metal, to nick the types and otherwise finish them.
Mechanism is provided for injecting the letters and preparing the moulds for new
casts; this may be effected by means of a cam surface acting in the reverse manner
from that previously described, so as to move up the matrices and inject the types.
The matrices, herein before described as sliding or moving backwards in the
moulds to allow them to receive the molten metal and forwards to eject the types,
will have the dies or counterparts of the letters or signs (which are to be cast or
formed upon the respective types) upon their ends, which form the bottoms of the
moulds, or in place of this there may be a disc or wheel with a number of dies or
counterparts of the types to be formed on its periphery, so that the metal cast in
the moulds will be afterwards stamped or formed with the proper letters or signs
by these dies or counterparts. Mechanism is provided consisting of a wheel or
band for receiving the said types and passing them forward, so that letters or signs
of the same kind are brought into line or one upon the other.
The mo ulds and matrices, or dies, or counterparts may be so arranged that the
series of moulds around the disc or wheel will correspond with a complete fount,
and thus at each rotation of the wheel or disc each line of types so made
at each such rotation is successively received upon the wheel or band, and
the lines then raised so that the next succeeding line is placed thereunder by the
action of the last mentioned wheel or band, and the types of the same kind will
thus be arranged all together in vertical lines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick Wicks in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th October
1881.
FREDERICK WICKS, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain. "NEW
OR IMPROVED MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING AND ARRANGING
TYPES FOR PRINTING PURPOSES."
My Invention relates to new or improved machinery or apparatus for manu-
facturing types for printing purposes, and has for its object to cast or form the said
types with great rapidity and facility, and also, if desired, to arrange them in their
proper order, according to their kinds, for use in coinposing machines, or for
otherwise being composed or "set up."
According to my said Invention a series of moulds (in number according to the
number of kinds of types to be made) is arranged so that the orifices of the moulds
are presented in rapid succession before the outlet from a reservoir of molten type
metal, the said molten metal being caused to pass into the moulds as they pass
therebefore. The said metal may be caused to pass into the said moulds by
creating a vacuum therein, which may be effected by forming on or connecting to
a plunger or slider fitting and sliding in each mould a projection which comes into
contact with a cam surface just before the plunger or slider and the mould with
which it is in connection pass before the reservoir of molten metal, so that the
said plunger or slider which formerly occupied the mould is withdrawn therefrom
to allow the said metal to run into the mould. There may be a pump or equivalent
arrangement for injecting or pressing the metal into the moulds. Arrangements are
made for cooling (such as by water boxes) the types in the series of moulds, and
dressing knives or their equivalents may be combined to trim the ends of the cast
metal, to nick the types and otherwise to finish them. Mechanism is provided for
ejecting the letters and preparing the moulds for new casts; this may be effected
by means of a cain surface acting in the reverse manner from that previously
described, so as to move up the plungers or sliders and eject the types.
The plungers or sliders, hereinbefore described as sliding or moving backwards
in the moulds to allow them to receive the molten metal and forwards to eject
the types, may have the dies or counterparts of the letters or signs (which are to
be cast or formed upon the respective types) upon their ends, which form the
bottoms or inner ends of the moulds, or in place of this there may be a disc or
wheel with a number of dies or counterparts of the types to be formed on its
periphery, so that the metal cast in the moulds will be afterwards stamped or
formed with the proper letters or signs by these dies on counterparts.
Mechanism is provided consisting of a wheel or band for receiving the said
types and passing them forward, so that letters or signs of the same kind are
brought into line or one upon or behind the other.
The moulds and matrices, or dies, or counterparts may be so arranged that the
series of moulds around the disc or wheel will correspond with a complete fount,
and thus at each rotation of the wheel or disc each line of types so made at each
such rotation is successively received upon the wheel or band, and the lines then
raised or moved forward so that the next succeeding line is placed thereunder or at
the back thereof by the action of the last inentioned wheel or band, and all types
of the same kind will thus be arranged altogether in line.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed
more particularly to set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, reference being had to
the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say,
Figure represents in elevation partly in section, and Figure 2 in plan the
general arrangement of a machine constructed according to my invention; Figures 3

page_text: to 9 represent the wheel or series of moulds wherein the casting of the types is
effected, and details thereof. The other Figures are details and diagrams of various
parts and modifications as hereinafter described.
The wheel or disc A has in it a series of moulds a, in number corresponding to
the number of kinds of type to be made, the said moulds radiating from the centre
of the said wheel A. The said moulds may be formed in the said wheel or disc in
any suitable or convenient manner. As shewn in the Drawing they are formed by
means of plates a² set apart from each other so as to leave a space between them
of a width equal to the length from top to bottom of the particular kind of letters
and signs to be formed. The thickness of the plates is in accordance with the
width or breadth from side to side of the particular letter or sign to be cast in the
space between two adjacent plates. Figure 9 represents the periphery of one half
of the wheel A, shewing variations in the moulds there illustrated in accordance
with the various breadths of types to be produced in the said moulds. A ring a³
covers the plates a² and forms the upper part of the spaces or moulds a. The
matrices by which the types are formed are upon the ends of sliders or plungers b,
fitting accurately, and capable of sliding in the said moulds a. The said plungers b
are formed with or have attached thereto projections or blocks 62. Figure 4
represents in side elevation, Figure in end elevation, and Figure 6 in plan one of
these sliders or plungers for a thin type; and Figures 7 and 8 are a similar side
and end elevation of a slider or plunger for a thick type. In the end elevations,
Figures 5 and 8, parts of the wheel A and plates a² are drawn in section to shew
the moulds in which the said sliders or plungers work, the ring a³ forming the
top of the mould being omitted from these Figures 5 and 8. The said wheel or
disc A is mounted upon a fixed axial pin or carrier c, there being fixed to the said
wheel or disc a worm wheel & (see Figure 1) gearing with a worm e upon a shaft E
receiving motion of revolution from any convenient motor. Upon the axial pin c
is mounted a fixed piece of carrying two cams or eccentric pieces f³ and f³, the
cam being in the path of the hinder or inner ends of the blocks 62 and the
cam being in the path of the forward or outer ends of the said blocks 62. These
cams are shewn in Figure 3 in the position which they occupy. The pot G
containing the molten metal is situated near to the wheel A, and its outlet consists
of a piece g, shewn separately in horizontal and vertical longitudinal sections
respectively in Figures 10 and 11, the latter Figure shewing also a part of the
wheel A. The outlet end of this piece g in contact with the periphery of the
wheel A, as shewn in Figures 3 and 11, so that when the said wheel revolves
the openings of the moulds are successively presented before the said outlet. The
metal is kept in a molten condition in the pot G by any suitable method of heating
as, for example, by burning a mixture of gas and air beneath it, and the said
molten metal is pumped by the double acting pump G2 into the channel g² of the
piece g, and thence into the moulds from the exit opening at g³, which is preferably
contracted to form a long narrow slit, as shewn in Figure 11, and has a narrow
projecting margin to bear upon the wheel A. The quantity of metal thus pumped
into the channel g² is greater than is requisite to fill the moulds, and the surplus
metal will consequently pass. back into the pot by the return channel g and pipe g'.
Thus a constant circulation of molten metal is kept up before the periphery of the
wheel A. Any suitable pump or forcing apparatus may be employed. In that
illustrated the plungers are valves alternately opening inlet and outlet passages
to and from the pump (the said passages being marked g' and 9 respectively).
The plungers of the pump are marked g³, both they and the valves 9 being driven
by cams on the shafts h, which may receive their motion through toothed gearing
from the shaft E. The outlet piece g is inserted in a recess in the bottom of the
pot G, through which passages are formed, respectively opening communication
between the outlet gs from the pump and the passage g, and between the
passage g and the pipe 95. A weighted lever, as at k, may be employed to press
upon the back of the projecting sides of the fore part of the piece g to keep it in
close contact with the periphery of the wheel A.

page_text: The knife is provided in contact with the periphery of the wheel A to trim
the ends or feet of the types as they pass therebefore.
The series of moulds a may be arranged in other ways if desired than hori-
zontally as described. The wheel A may for instance revolve on a horizontal axis,
the moulds being placed parallel thereto on or near to the periphery of the wheel.
When the machine is in action, motion of rotation being given to the wheel A,
the mouths of the moulds a are presented in succession before the outlet g³ for the
moiten metal from the pot G. The cam 3, by reason of the blocks 2 bearing
against it, cause the plungers b to be withdrawn as the moulds pass before the said.
outlet, so that a vacuum is formed in the moulds, into which the molten metal
passes and receives the forms of the desired letters or signs from the matrices on
the plungers. When the blocks 62 come opposite the cam f the plungers b are
forced outwards and expel the types. Figure 19 is a diagram shewing a portion
of the edge of the wheel A, and the types being received upon a receiving gallery
or table p. The wheel A may be kept hot by a flame of gas and air, or by other
means so situated that the periphery of the wheel is heated thereby just before it
passes before the outlet g³. A water casing n or equivalent cooling device may be
situated as shewn in Figure 2, so that the periphery of the wheel is cooled just after
it leaves the said outlet g³. The types received upon the gallery or table p (omitted
from Figure 1) are taken by any suitable means to their receptacles, or they may
be arranged in their proper order according to my Invention by the following
means, which I will describe with reference to the diagrams Figures 12 and 13,
which respectively represent an elevation and plan of the arrangement. the types
there represented being of large size, few in number, and all of the same size, in
order to render the delineation more simple and the better understood. The types
are projected by the plungers b towards a travelling endless band p, provided with
a number of projections p² situated at a distance apart, equal to or slightly greater
than the space occupied by a complete series of types issued during one revolution
of the wheel. The band p will travel at such a rate that a projection will pass
over a distance equal to the length of band between two projections during one
revolution of the wheel of moulds, so that a projection will come opposite the first
type of the series delivered from the said wheel, and the same letters will therefore
occupy the same relative positions upon the band p between any two projections.
The band p is carried past a galley or receiver Q, of a width equal to the space
occupied by the series of types issued by the wheel during each revolution, the said
band p passing through slits q2, 93, in the sides of the said galley or receiver. The
slot q2 in the side whereat the types enter is of sufficient length to admit the types
upon the band p, but the slit q3 at the further side is only of sufficient length to
allow the passing of the band p and its projections p², and consequently each series
of types carried between each projection p² of the band p is stopped by the said
further side, and the next succeeding projection raises the series of types, and any
other series which may have been received in the galley, and makes room for the
next series carried between this last mentioned projection and the next one, and so
on. The types it will thus be evident are eventually arranged in lines, the indi-
vidual types of each line being alike. The band p is mounted upon and caused to
travel by the grooved pulleys p³, the said band and pulleys being formed with
recesses and projections to engage together. The band is supported between the
pulleys by a table pt, which may have an extension at p³, partly encircling the
wheel A to ensure the proper reception of the types. If it be desirable to arrange
the types with their faces upwards in a horizontal or approximately horizontal
galley in place of in vertical lines, this may be effected by mounting the band p
upon pulleys or rollers so situated that the band is in a horizontal position at the
wheel A, and gradually assumes a vertical or approximately vertical position at
the other end, a ledge to support the types being formed on the plate sustaining
the band, or the same object may be effected by placing between the wheel of
moulds and the receiving galley or table a stationary receiving strip or carrying
guide. p (Figure 2), which is bent gradually into a vertical or nearly vertical
P

page_text: position, and the band p with the projections p2 thereon will be arranged to travel
at the end of this strip or guide and before the entrance end of the receptacle or
galley q, for the type is set in a horizontally or slightly inclined position. Figure 14
represents in elevation, Figure 15 in elevation at right angles thereto, and Figure 16
in plan, this arrangement of the band p and galley q. The galley q is shewn set at
a slight angle inclining downwards from the receiving end. The projections p on
the band p are formed so that there is a gentle inclination or gradual rise from the
band to the apex of each projection. The said band p is endless, and is carried in
a groove in the peripheries of the revolving pulleys or wheels p³, p³, the said
wheels and bands being furnished with projections and recesses to engage together,
so as to cause the band to travel with the wheels. A grooved guide piece ?
receives and supports the band p between the wheels p³. The types are delivered
from the moulds upon the strip or guide 26, and are moved forward by successive
types until they arrive at the band p, there being a slot or nick (x, Figure 16) in
the end of the said strip p to allow of the passage of the band and its projections.
The band p, the strip or guide po, and the wheel A are so relatively arranged, and the
speeds of the said wheel and band are so regulated the one to the other that each
series of types delivered from the wheel at each revolution is eventually received
upon the hand between two projections thereof, and is drawn forward by the band,
essentially as herein before described with regard to the other arrangement, Figures 12
and-13. Figures 19 and 20 are respectively diagrams shewing in plan drawn to a
larger scale, a portion of the one end of the strip or guide.p which receives the types
from the wheel A, and of a portion of the other end of the said strip, and of the
galley into which the types are received, the said Figure 20 also shewing the
band p travelling at the upper end of the said galley q A series of types is
shewn upon the said band p between the projections p2 p², which series is just
about to be stopped by the side of the galley at q3 from travelling with the said
band, the projections p2 passing through the opening q³ in the said side not large
enough to allow the types to pass. As the band travels onwards therefore the said
series of types and those which preceded them will be pushed forward along the
galley by the next projection p², and so on during the operation of the machine.
The galley q is preferably grooved as shewn in the transverse section at Figure 17,
and more clearly in the transverse section of a portion of the said galley drawn to
a larger scale in Figure 21, the said grooves forming step like guides inclining
toward one side of the galley, one guide for each kind of type. To facilitate the
removal or manipulation of the lines of types these guides may become deeper as
they descend, as shewn in Figure 22, which is a section some little distance down
the galley, and in Figure 23, which is a section still further down the galley. The
said guides may also increase in width as they descend, if it be desired that the
lines of types be separated laterally. To support the types sliding weights & may
be placed in the galley to support the first types of the lines, as shewn in Figure 16,
and also in Figure 18, which is a longitudinal section of the galley q.
In the hereinbefore described-arrangement the letters or signs of the types are
impressed upon the inner ends of the castings by matrices or dies upon the ends of
the plungers b, but it will be evident that they may be impressed upon the other
or outer ends of the castings whilst they are yet in the moulds by forming the
said matrices or dies upon a wheel corresponding to the wheel A, so that the
The
matrices each come opposite one of the moulds a when the wheels are rotated.
matrix wheel is so mounted that the peripheries of the wheels are in contact at a
part of the periphery of the wheel A after it has passed the outlet g3 from the
melting pot and before the cam f³ begins to act to eject the type, the said matrices
stamping or impressing upon the ends of the castings in the moulds the requisite
letters or signs. The wheels will of course be arranged with the requisite pressure
between them to give the necessary force for so impressing the said matrices into
the metal, and a stop (which may be a continuous ring) will be placed at the back
of the series of projections 62 to restrain the inward motions of the plungers and
Where the
give the requisite support against the pressure of the said matrices.

page_text: matrices are upon the plungers 6 this inner restraining ring may be used with
advantage and may be arranged so that the types are cast slightly longer
than the correct length, the knife shaving off the ends when they have been
ejected to a degree corresponding to their excess of length, so that the types are of
the proper length when received upon the band or guide.
66
In Figure 3 the series of moulds do not extend completely around the wheel A.
The vacant space during the revolution of the wheel will sychronise with the
projections p2, and it may in part be occupied by a "large quod" mould. The
quods" cast therein will eventually be received upon the projections p², and being
unable to pass through the slots at 92, (through which the types enter) owing to
that slot being obstructed by the said projections, the said "quods" will be
dislodged into any suitable receptacle. A "quod" upon a projection p² and about
to be so dislodged is shewn at t in Figures 16 and 20.
The apparatus for arranging the types shewn in the general elevation and plan
Figures 1 and 2 is like that described with reference to Figures 14 to 23. The
pulleys or wheels 73 in this arrangement are shewn as being driven by a worm
upon the shaft E gearing with the worm wheel p² upon the axis of the said
wheels p³. One of the pulleys or wheels in the 'arrangement Figures 12 and 13
may be driven in a similar way. To retain the type upon the guide p in position,
a strip or strips, as at vin Figures 16, may be employed at any portion or portions
thereof, to be pressed upon the types by springs.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner, in or under which the same is, or may
be used, or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The machinery or apparatus for continuously casting or forming types for
printing purposes, the essential feature of which is a series of moulds arranged so
that the said moulds are continuously or successively presented before the outlet from
a reservoir of molten metal, and so that the types are continuously or successively
ejected from the said series of moulds, essentially as herein before described with
reference to the wheel A shewn in the accompanying Drawings.
Second. The combination of the wheel of moulds A, of the plungers b, and the
means for withdrawing them from the moulds when the said moulds are to receive
the molten metal, and for thrusting the said plungers forward to expel the cast
types from the moulds, essentially as herein before described.
"
Third. The apparatus for pumping the molten metal into the moulds, that is to
say, an apparatus wherein a constant circulation of the molten metal is maintained
in or through the outlet orifice in front of the series of moulds, essentially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 10, and 11, of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The combination with machinery for continuously casting types of
apparatus for arranging the same, essentially as herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying Drawings, also the
modifications thereof described with regard to Figures 14 to 23 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Wicks, have hereunto set my band
FREDERICK WICKS. (L.S.)