Improvements in the Pump Mechanism of Linotype and analogous Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1896-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1896
[Communicated from abroad by CELESTINE SKATULLA, of Tribune Building,
Nassau Street, New York City, U.S.A., Engineer.]
Improvements in the Pump Mechanism 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:-
The present invention relates to improvements in the pump mechanism of
linotype and analogous machines; and consists broadly in combining with a suitable
jaw or clamping device, movable under the influence of the matrix line, devices for
preventing the casting action of the machine, and it is obvious that these stop devices
may be used as shown, in connection with the pump or with the driving clutches or
other controlling parts of the machines.
It is also obvious that the form of stop device and intermediate action may be
modified at will, provided a mode of action essentially such as herein described is
retained.
In the Mergenthaler linotype and other machines of its class, a slug or linotype
is produced by delivering molten metal from a melting-pot by means of a pump
therein into a mold, which is momentarily closed at the front by a series of
metal matrices and spaces, temporarily assembled in line against and across the
face of the mold, so as to produce on the casting in relief, letters to print a
line.
In order to secure proper action of these machines, it is necessary that the
matrices shall be held firmly and closely against each other and against the face of
the mold. This is accomplished by sustaining the line of matrices and spaces in a
yoke or elevator and by confining the line end wise between two jaws which
determine its length, the line being ordinarily justified or elongated to a pre-
determined length after it is seated between the jaws by means of adjustable or
expansible spaces.
If the matrix line as composed is shorter than the mold or if the spacing devices
fail to act properly or to sufficiently extend, or if for any other reason the matrices
fail to be presented in close order against the mold, there is a liability of the
molten metal flowing from the mold between them, and thus producing an imperfect
linotype.
The object of our invention is to prevent this occurrence, and to this end we
mount one of the matrix-confining jaws in such manner that it may yield under the
pressure of the matrices, and combine with it a stop mechanism to prevent the action
of the pump or other part of the mechanism. When the line of matrices is set or
adjusted to its full length, it carries the jaw backward to its normal position, and
the stop device fails to act. If, however, the line is for any reason shorter than it .
should be, the jaw, sliding endwise from its proper position, will act through
intermediate devices to prevent the operation of the pump, and consequently the
delivery of metal to the mold will be prevented.
In carrying the present invention into effect, the pump plunger is made to work

page_text: vertically in a cylinder in the metal pot and serves, when depressed, to drive the
molten metal therefrom, through the mouth of the latter into the mould in the
mould wheel. The plunger is connected to an operating lever which is depressed
by a spring and elevated at suitable intervals by cam connections or other devices
as heretofore.
The line of matrices is supported in front of the mould between a pair of jaws as
beretofore.
The pump piston is provided with a projecting arm or pin, and on the main-
frame there is supported a horizontally-swinging stop plate, having a notch therein,
so that when turned to present its slot beneath the pin, the pump will be permitted
to operate in the ordinary manner; but when turned to present the solid portion
beneath the pin, it will prevent the pump plunger from descending, and thus prevent
the casting action.
The stop plate is mounted on a vertical shaft, seated in a suitable bearing in the
main-frame and provided at its lower end with an arm, connected by a pivot to a
horizontally sliding bar, which is extended forward through suitable guides to the
front of the mold, where it is provided with a finger, pivoted so as to have
limited lateral motion, and pressed constantly to the left by a spring. The pot
is provided with a laterally extending stud, projected through a rod, which is
arranged to slide forward and backward through guides, on the sliding bar.
The spiral spring, encircles this rod, and acting on the finger support tends to
push the bar end forward and thereby turn or stop the plate to an inactive
position.
The clamping jaw is mounted to slide endwise slightly inward, beyond its
operative position, and is pressed constantly end wise by a sliding pin encircled
by a spiral spring, seated in any stationary part of the machine. At the outer end
of the jaw there is an extended and upturned finger.
The action of the parts is as follows:-
Whenever the line of matrices is properly seated between the jaws, and is of
proper length, it pushes back the clamping jaw, in which position the finger is
carried beyond the path of the finger on the sliding bar. Under this arrangement,
the pot, in swinging forward to the mold, acts through the spring to move the
sliding bar forward, thereby setting the stop plate in its inactive position, and
allowing the pump to work and all parts of the machine to operate as usual in
producing the cast.
If, however, the matrix line is for any reason shorter than it should be, or if it
fails to be presented properly between the jaws, the bar will be held end wise
by the spring in such position that when the pot swings forward, the finger on
the jaw will stand in the path of and arrest the advance of the finger and
sliding bar, thus holding the latter backward and keeping the stop plate in position
to prevent the action of the pump. The spring, being interposed between the pin
on the pot and the slide, allows the pot to swing forward, although the advance of
the slide is prevented.
It will be remembered that the finger is free to swing under pressure to the
right a limited instance. This lateral motion of the finger, which is notched in
the front end to receive the bevelled edge of the finger, is allowed in order that
the parts may be certain to engage.
The lateral motion of finger allows it to seat itself squarely and firmly against
the finger although the initial engagement between these parts may be very slight.
Were it not for lateral motion, there would be danger of the finger engaging
slightly on the edge of the finger and of its slipping past the same and failing to
act. The inward motion of the clamping jaw is very limited, so that it will in no
case pass to the left of the finger.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1895.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in the Pump Mechanism 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, Vendore
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 :-
The present invention relates to improvements in the pump mechanism of
linotype and analogous machines; and consists broadly in combining with a suitable
jaw or clamping device moveable under the influence of the matrix line, stop
devices for preventing the casting action of the machine. It is obvious that these
stop devices may be used as shown, in connection with the pump or with the
driving clutches or other controlling parts of the machines.
It is also obvious that the form of stop device and intermediate action may be
modified at will, provided a mode of action essentially such as herein described is
retained.
In the Mergenthaler linotype and other machines of its class, a slug or linotype
is produced by delivering molten metal from a melting pot by means of a pump
therein, into a mould, which latter is momentarily closed at the front by a series
of metal matrices and spaces, temporarily assembled in line against and across the
face of the mould, so as to produce on the casting in relief, letters to print a
line.
In order to secure proper action of these machines, it is necessary that the
matrices shall be held firmly and closely against each other and against the face of
the mould. This is accomplished by sustaining the line of matrices and spaces in a
yoke or elevator and by confining the line end wise between two jaws which
determine its length, the line being ordinarily justified or elongated to a pre-
determined length after it is seated between the jaws by means of adjustable or
expansible spaces.
If the matrix line as composed is shorter than the mould or if the spacing devices
fail to act properly or to sufficiently extend the line, or if for any other reason the
matrices fail to be presented in close order against the mould, there is a liability of
the molten metal flowing from the mould between them, and thus producing an
imperfect linotype.
The object of our invention is to prevent this occurrence, and to this end we
mount one of the matrix-confining jaws in such a manner that it may yield under
the pressure of the matrices, and combine with it a stop-mechanism to prevent the
action of the pump or other part of the mechanism. Any other moveable part of
the machine within reach of the line of matrices is, for the purpose of this
Specification, to be regarded as the mechanical equivalent of the matrix-confining
jaw in question. When the line of matrices is set or adjusted to its full length it
carries the jaw backward to its normal position, and the stop device fails to act.
If, however the line is for any reason shorter than it should be, the jaw, sliding
endwise from its proper position, will act through intermediate devices to prevent
the operation of the pump, and consequently the delivery of metal to the mould
will be prevented.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken as part of this
Specification and read therewith
Figure 1 is a sectional plan of the casting mechanism of a linotype machine
constructed according to. Letters Patent 145821800, to which the present improve-

page_text: ments have been added, the stop plate being shewn in proper position for preventing
the pump injecting metal.
Figure 2 is a sectional plan of the principal parts concerned shewing the stop
plate in the proper position for allowing the pump to inject metal.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the casting mechanism, line of matrices, matrix
vice and the present improvements, but omitting the mould wheel.
A is the frame of the linotype machine. B is the melting pot. C is the pump
plunger or piston, working vertically in a pump cylinder in the pot B and serving,
when depressed, to drive the molten metal from the pot through its perforated
mouth or spout into the slot or mould proper in the mould wheel D. The pump
plunger C is connected to an operating lever c, which is depressed by a spring c¹
and elevated, at suitable intervals, by cam connections or other devices.
E represents the line of matrices supported in front of the mould and confined
endwise by the two jaws, F and F, mounted in the face of the stationary vice
frame G. The matrix line is suspended in a vertically-moveable yoke or elevator H,
by which it is lowered into a position between the jaws and in front of the mould.
The melting pot is sustained by legs mounted on a horizontal shaft K, and is
combined with operating devices by which it is caused to swing to and from the
rear face of the mould, which latter is closed during the casting action, by the
mouth of the pot.
The foregoing parts, except in the points hereinafter mentioned may all be
constructed and arranged as in the Patent above mentioned.
In applying our invention in the form shown, the pump piston is provided with a
projecting arm or pin L; and on the main frame, there is supported a horizontally
swinging stop plate M having a notch m therein, so that when turned to present
the slot beneath the pin, as shown in Figure 2, the pump will be permitted to
operate in the ordinary manner; but when turned to present the solid portion
beneath the pin, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, it will prevent the
pump plunger
from descending and so prevent the casting action. The stop plate is mounted on
a vertical shaft m' seated in a suitable bearing in the main frame and provided at
its lower end with an arm m² connected by a pivot to a horizontally-sliding bar N,
which is extended forward through suitable guides to the front of the mould,
where it is provided with a finger n pivotted so as to have limited lateral motion,
and pressed constantly to the left by a spring n'. The pot is provided with a
laterally extending stud O, projected through a rod P which is arranged to slide
forward and backward through guides n² on the slide N. A spiral spring Q
encircles this rod, and, acting on the finger support, tends to push the bar end
forward, thereby turning the stop plate M to an inactive position.
The clamping or vice jaw F is mounted to slide endwise slightly inward beyond
its operative position, and is pressed constantly endwise by a sliding pin f encircled
by a spiral spring 1 seated in any stationary part of the machine. At the outer
end of the jaw there is an extended and upturned finger f³.
The action of the parts is as follows. Whenever the line of matrices is properly
seated between the jaws and is of proper length, it pushes back the jaw F to the
position shown in Figure 2, in which position the finger f' is carried beyond the
path of the finger n on the sliding bar. Under this arrangement, the pot, in
swinging forward to the mould, acts through the spring Q to move the slide N
forward, thereby setting the stop plate in its inactive position, and allowing the
pump to work and all parts of the machine to operate as usual in producing the
cast. If however, the matrix line is, for any reason, shorter than it should be, or if it
fails to be presented properly between the jaws, the jaw F will be held endwise by
the spring in such position, that when the pot swings forward, the finger ƒª on
the jaw will stand in the path of, and arrest the advance of, the finger n and slide N,
thus holding the latter backward, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and keeping the
stop plate in position to prevent the action of the pump. The spring Q being
interposed between the stud O on the pot and the slide, allows the pot to swing
forward, although the advance of the slide is prevented.

page_text: It will be remembered that the finger n is free to swing under pressure to the
right through a limited distance. This lateral motion of the finger, which is
notched in the front end to receive the bevelled edge of the finger f*, is allowed
in order that the parts may be certain to engage. The lateral motion of finger n
allows it to seat itself squarely and firmly against the finger f, although the
initial engagement between these parts may be very slight. Were it not for this
lateral motion, there would be danger of the finger 'n engaging very slightly on the
edge of finger f, and of its slipping past the same aud failing to act. The inward
motion of the jaw F is very limited, so that it will in no case pass to the left of the
finger n.
The invention consists broadly in combining with a suitable jaw or clamping
device moveable under the influence of the matrix line, stop devices for preventing
the casting action of the machine; and it is obvious that these stop devices may be
used as shown in connection with the pump, or with the driving clutches, or other
controlling parts of the machine. It is also obvious that the form of stop device
and intermediate action may be modified at will, provided a mode of action.
essentially such as herein described is retained, and that any yielding device
actuated by the matrices will be the mechanical equivalent of the yielding jaw.
We are aware that it has already been proposed to provide for the automatic
prevention of the injecting stroke of the pump when the matrix line is not in order,
being effected from the yoke, i.e., the moving organ whose function it is to place
the matrix line in the vice, but we believe that we are the first, to control the
casting mechanism by a jaw or other moveable part, acted upon by the elongating
line of matrices so that the matrices are made the means of determining whether
the machine shall cast or not.
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. In a linotype machine, a device to stop the casting mechanism independently
of the other parts of the machine combined with and controlled by a moveable.
matrix-confining jaw.
2. In a linotype machine the combination of the pump and a device to control
the action of the pump located at the end of the matrix line and operated by the
expansion of the line.
3. In a linotype machine, the combination of a moveable jaw or clamping device
actuated by the matrix line, a moveable pot, its pump, a stop device for the
pump, and yielding connections through which the jaw acts to control the stop
device.
4. In a linotype machine the combination of a moveable melting pot, its pump,
the stop device for the pump, the sliding plate to actuate the same, a device
attached to and moving with the pump and yielding connections between the last.
named parts, and a matrix-confining jaw co-operating with the foregoing parts
substantially as described and shown.
5. In combination with a sliding jaw, a swinging pot, its pump, the swinging.
stop for said pump, the slide N co-operating with the jaw, the spring to advance
the said slide and a connection between the pot and spring.
6. In the linotype machine and in combination with a yielding jaw, a stop device
having a laterally yielding finger to engage said jaw substantially as described and.
shown.
Doted this 92nd dow of Tannery 1896
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.