IMPROVEMENTS IN QUOINS OR WEDGES FOR FIXING TYPE OR BLOCKS IN THEIR CHASES, AND IN APPLIANCES USED THEREFOR
Year: 1867

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Score at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th August
1867.
I, EDWARD SCORE, of St. John's Park, Hampstead, in the County of
Middlesex, Compositor, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN QUOINS OR WEDGES FOR FIXING TYPE OR BLOCKS IN THEIR
CHASES, AND IN APPLIANCES USED THEREFOR," to be as follows:-
My improvements relate to the application of metal quoins for locking type
or blocks in their chases in lieu of the wood wedges bitherto employed.
The present mode of locking up type by means of wood quoins has many
disadvantages, as the wood is liable to contract by heat, is soon destroyed by
the mallet, shooting stick, and hammer, and being considered comparatively
valueless the quoins are often lost. and form a constant item of expense for
renewals. This is obviated by the use of metal quoins, which may be numbered
according to their size and kept in separate receptacles, each "form" returned
from press containing its quota of quoins in addition to the other furniture;
there is also a great saving in wear and tear, and as they will last for an
indefinite time no expense is incurred beyond the first outlay. The quoins,
which may be made of wrought or cast iron, steel, copper, brass, lead, or other
metal or amalgamation of metals, are made rectangular and of a slightly taper
or wedge form as usual, and are hollowed in the centre and on each side or
otherwise lightened consistently with the strength desired, and have slightly

page_text: projecting ends on which the hammer acts for driving them into position. In
order to fix the quoins in position between the side or foot stick and the
framing of the chase I use an instrument or appliance which I term a
prizer," consisting of a lever handle of suitable length provided with keys at
each end-of different lengths to suit the varying widths of type chases; these
keys are bevilled off at each end, and may be placed at any angle in the heads
of the lever. In order to fix the type or blocks in the chases one of the keys
-on the end of the lever best adapted to the width of the chase is inserted in a
slanting position between the side or foot stick and the frame of the form,
when by a slight movement to one or other side the side or foot stick is
caused to bear on the type sufficiently to bring it to position, immediately on
which one of my improved quoins is slid longitudinally in the chase, say, about
Lalf an inch, when it becomes lodged therein and locks the type as desired,
the same operation being repeated for each quoin; the fixing of the quoins
may also be aided is desired by slightly tapping them into position with the
end of the key lever or with a hammer as usual. In many cases it will be
merely necessary to apply the "prizer" with one hand and with the other slide
the quoin forward as the pressure is applied. These "prizers" are intended for
use where metal foot.and side sticks are employed, but where wood is used for
this purpose the metal quoins may be gently driven into position with a hammer.
The quoins may be unlocked in a similar manner by simply inserting the -key
lever behind and slightly springing the footstick, when the quoins are free to
be removed.