Improvements in Type Blocks and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 12th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
Improvements in Type Blocks and the like.
I, HERBERT DRAKE WHITELEY of 522 Great Cheetham Street, Higher
Broughton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Pattern Maker, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the type blocks as used for printing purposes, and refers
more particularly to type blecks for bill post printing. Hitherto these blocks have
been entirely of wood, with the figure or letter to be printed, carved, or engraved
out of the solid face; an operation both slow and expensive. Furthermore such
engraved letter or figure being in wood very soon looses its sharpness of outline,
and requires renewal.
Now my invention has for its object to facilitate and cheapen the mode of
producing said type blocks, and to render the same more durable, and for that
purpose I make such blocks with letters, figures or printing faces of zinc, lead, or
similar hard and suitable mouldable material, and in the making of such type
facia I embody a process of simultaneously attaching the same to the wooden
block.
or
In accordance with my invention I take a plate, with its upper face planed to a
true surface, and upon such plate I attach a frame (hereinafter called the moulding
frame) corresponding on its inner outline (which is slightly bevilled outwards) to
the reverse of the letter or figure required to be moulded. The sectional depth or
thickness of this frame corresponds to the depth of facia to be produced. Around
the frame are small studs, or pegs which extend upwards, forming a "nest"
guide for the introduction of the wooden block intended to form the backing of
the metal type. In such block and from front to back is a hole (or holes), and
with the block placed face downwards within the aforesaid guide pins or pegs,
surrounding the moulding frame, and allowed to rest upon the moulding frame
face, and securely held thereon, the metal to form the type facia in a molten or
fluid state is poured through the said hole in the wooden block, the air being
allowed to escape through small vent holes also formed in the wood, and thus it
will be seen that as the metal runs into the space within the moulding frame
(corresponding as aforesaid to the type to be moulded), and as such metal sets, or
cools it will produce the desired type facia, and simultaneously attach such facia
to the block by reason of the metal being allowed to fill the hole in the wood,
which being of a slight taper, or dovetail, serves to fix the type in a most secure
and
permanent manner.
In this way we produce a metal faced block in a cheap, and efficient manner, and
possessing greater hardness and durability than wood.
The surface of the plate on which the type is moulded, is as aforesaid made as
true a plane as possible, so that the type when moulded shall present a true printing
surface, without further treatment.
It will be obvious that a number of type (say a "fount" of type) might be
moulded on the one plate, with a corresponding number of moulding frames, or
with one frame for all,"
My improved method or process of making the type permits of a great variety
of effects or surface decorations to be produced in printing, as by filling the spaces

page_text: of the moulding plate with raised portions, say in the form of ribs, stars, or similar
embellishments, the type facia will be moulded with such embellishments recessed
therein, and consequently in printing will leave unprinted surfaces where such
recesses occur.
If desired the moulding frame may be formed in the moulding plate itself and
with a continuous surrounding frame to locate the block.
To more effectually secure the type facia I form holes at an angle with the plane
of the type, which when filled with the metal of the type form "claws or produce
an "anchor" effect on the wood.
In letters or figures such as O the central part of the moulding frame is pinned
or formed on the plate.
I, HERBERT DRAKE WHITELEY of 522 Great Cheetham Street, Higher
Broughton, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Pattern Maker, 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 :-
My invention relates to the type blocks as used for printing purposes, and refers
more particularly to type blocks for bill post printing. Hitherto these blocks have
been composed entirely of wood, with the figure or letter to be printed, carved, or
engraved out of the solid face, an operation both slow and expensive. Further-
more, such engraved letter or figure being in wood, very soon loses its sharpness
of outline and requires frequent renewal.
Now my invention has for its object to facilitate and cheapen the mode of
producing said type blocks, and to render the same more durable, and for that
purpose I make such blocks with letters, figures or printing facia of zinc, lead, or
similar hard and suitable mouldable material, and in the making of such type
facia I embody a process of simultaneously attaching the same to the wooden
block.
And in order that my invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect, I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, illustrating the
various forms or phases of my improved type block, and will now proceed to
describe the same with the assistance of the various figures and letters of reference
marked thereon.
Fig. 1 illustrates a type block as produced by my invention.
Fig. 2 is an edge view or plan.
Fig. 3 illustrates the backing of the block separately, and as prepared for the
attachment of the type facia.
Fig. 4 illustrates the type facia as it would appear after being moulded to the
backing and the backing afterwards removed.
Figs. 3 to 6 illustrates in plan and sectional elevation the means I employ for
moulding the type facia.
Figs. 7. 8. 9. 10 and 11 illustrate modifications of my invention.

page_text: In accordance with my invention I take a plate (A) with its upper face planed
to a true surface, and upon such plate I fix a moulding frame (B), or, as I prefer
it, form such frame (B) out of the solid face of the plate (A), and such frame
corresponds to the reverse of the type facia to be moulded. This moulding frame
or raised part is also of a sectional depth or thickness corresponding to the required
depth of type facia, which, plus the depth of the wooden or other backing (C) (see
Fig. 3), equals the standard height of type printing blocks.
Around the moulding frame are small upright studs or pegs, or a, by preference,
continuous edging (D) forming a "nest" or guide for the introduction and location
of the backing (C) as shewn in Fig. 6. In this block or backing (C), previous to its
being put into the casting box, one or more holes (E) is formed extending from
front to back of the block, and having a slight taper as shewn, or of a greater
width at one end than at the other. In addition to such holes (E) are several
smaller holes or vents (F), spread over the surface of the block, and at varying
angles. When so treated the block is ready to receive the type facia, and is then
placed, with the wider end of the hole (E) uppermost, upon the moulding frame (B),
the pins or pegs aforesaid, or the sides (D) causing it to come in exact register
with the intended type facia. In such position the block is securely clamped by
the hinged cover (G). When so clamped, the metal or other substance to form the
type facia in a molten state, is poured through the hole (E), which readily finds
its way into and fills the spaces of the moulding frame (B), the air being driven
forward and making its escape through the holes (F), and as such metal sets or
cools it naturally produces the desired type facia, and by being allowed to fill the
holes (E) and (F) it also serves to simultaneously and effectually attach such facia
to the backing (C) as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2.
To remove the newly formed type block, the cover (G) is thrown back on its
hinge, and the edging (D) removed (which may be formed in halves and pinned to
the plate (A)), or the block is simply lifted up, the sides or edges of the moulding
frame being slightly bevilled to allow of this, as well as to give a bevilled edge to
the type.
In this way I produce type-faced blocks in a cheap and efficient manner, and
possessing greater hardness and durability than wood.
In lieu of moulding a single letter a number (say a "fount" of type) might be
moulded on one plate, with a corresponding number of moulding frames, or with
one frame for all, as shewn in Fig. 7, in which view the moulding frames are shewn
pinned on to the plate (A).
In lieu of the holes (E) and (F) passing from front to back of the block (C)
they may extend to the sides or ends of the block.
My improved method or process of making type facia permits of a great variety
of effects or surface decorations to be produced in printing, as, for instance, by
filling the spaces of the moulding plate or plates with raised portions, say in the
form of ribs, stars or the like, the type facia will be moulded with such
embellishments recessed therein, and consequently in printing will leave unprinted
surfaces of corresponding form where such recesses occur, as shewn in Fig. 11.
A further adaption of my invention consists in forming type facia in curved
form, so as to permit of continuous printing, and in such connection may readily
be employed in the printing of textile fabrics. In Figs. 9 and 10. I shew a type
roller made in accordance with this latter adaption of my invention, and intended
to produce a coarse pattern for calico printing, and to form a substitute for an
expensively engraved copper roller. The metal is run through a central cone (H)
and through transverse opening (I), and the air escapes through holes (J). The
moulding or casting box is (by preference) formed in four segments 1, 2, 3 and 4
clamped by bolts and nuts on to the wooden backing, or centre (K). The
formation of the moulding surface on the inner side of each segment may be
effected by the usual engraving machinery, or a supple moulding frame may be
applied.

page_text: Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :-
1. Type blocks and the like with metal facia simultaneously formed and inter-
moulded with or attached to a wooden or other backing, as set forth.
2. A backing or block for type, formed with holes (E) and (F) or their
equivalent as and for the purposes set forth.
3. Moulded type facia having the formation shewn in Fig. 4 or its equivalent, as
set forth.
4. The moulding apparatus shewn in Figs. 5. 6 and 7 as and for the purposes set
forth.
5. The modification of my invention as shewn and described with reference to
Fig. 11.
6. Cylindrical or similarly curved type facia produced by segmental moulding
boxes or frames and cored inner backing as set forth and illustrated in Figs. 9
and 10 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 11th day of November 1806
HERBERT DRAKE WHITELEY,
By John G. Wilson & Co., Rgd. P.A.,
55 Market Street, Manchester, Agents.