Year: 1886

page_text: I, JOHN BROWN ELLIS, of 9, Woodbine Square, Leeds, in the County of York,
Letter press printer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In letter press printer's "chases" as at present constructed great difficulty is
frequently experienced in "locking up" the type in larged sized bill chases so as
to prevent it "falling through" when a large amount of metal or other type is
in use.
"
Now this invention is designed to overcome this difficulty, and to provide a
"
chase that can be readily, expeditiously, and more securely "locked up," and
at the same time save a large amount of labour as well as preventing the possibility
of the type "falling through."
"
My invention consists in forming in one side and one end of the "chase &
recess or groove of suitable depth extending the whole distance of the inner
length and width of such side and end. In the opposite side and end are also
formed deeper recesses, or grooves, or slits, which only extend a portion of the
length of the side, and end. Into the herein described recesses or grooves are
passed so as to slide freely the ends or tongues of the side and foot sticks. The
side and foot sticks are also provided with recesses or grooves extending their
whole length, and of the same width and depth as those in the "chase." A tongue
or projection is formed or provided on the ends of the side and foot sticks of the
same width as the recesses or grooves in the "chase;" but one of the tongues or
projections on the foot stick is much longer than the other one to allow of it
passing through a long slot hole formed in the side stick prior to its entering into
one of the shorter recesses or grooves of the "chase." This tongue or projection
of the foot stick is of such a length as to permit of the side stick working or
sliding freely when it is required to "lock up" the type.
"
I also provide or form on each end of the cross bars or reglets" a tongue or
projection which passes into and slides in the recesses or grooves of the "chase'
and side stick.
The "chase," side stick, foot stick, and crossbars or "reglets" are by preference
formed or made of metal.

page_text: By means of the herein described recesses or grooves and projections in or on
the chase, cross bars or "reglets," side and foot sticks I am able to securely " lock
up" a large amount of small type with ease and facility, and as the number of
cross bars or "reglets" are increased the corresponding amount of space and bulk
of type (between each "reglet") is reduced, and the danger of the type falling
through" is prevented.
"
"
The type when set up and inserted in the chase between the side and foot
sticks may be "locked up" by any convenient means.
I would have it understood that in some cases tongues or projections may be
provided on the sides and ends of the chase, and also on the side and foot sticks
in place of the grooves; when this is the case the recesses or grooves would be
provided on the ends of the crossbars or "reglets," and also on the ends of the
side and foot sticks; but I do not prefer to use this method as I do not think it
will be found to be so convenient as that herein before described.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Letterpress Printer's Chases.
I, JOHN BROWN ELLIS, of 9, Woodbine Square, Leeds, in the County of York,
Letterpress printer 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:-
-
In letterpress printer's chases as at present constructed great difficulty is
experienced in expeditiously, and at the same time securely “locking up" double
demy and larger sized poster formes, as well as general broadside work, which
contain a mass of small metal type. Frequently such formes have either to. be
set up
on the machine table, or have to be carried to and from the machine
room on a letter board. Even in cases where they can be got to "lift," it is no
uncommon occurrence for them to "fall through" whilst in transit; thus, in either
case, involving a great loss of time and labour.
"
Now this invention is designed to overcome these difficulties, and to provide a
chase that can be readily, expeditiously, and more securely " locked up," and at
the same time preventing the type from "springing" or "falling through."
And in order that the invention may be more completely understood reference.
is given to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1. is a part sectional.
elevation of a grooved chase made up for the narrow way of the sheet.
Figs. and 3 are respectively transverse sections on lines w, w, and x, x, fig. 1.
Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively vertical sections on lines y, y, and z, z, fig. 1.
Fig. 6. an elevation of a grooved chase made up for the broad way of the sheet.
Fig. 7. an elevation of reglet or crossbar.
Figs. 8 and 9. are respectively an elevation and section of a chase having ribs
instead of grooves.
The chase as shown at Figs. 1 and 6 is drawn in the position it would be when
the compositor is inserting and "locking up" the forme, that is, the compositor
would stand at P, and the sidestick would be at his right hand, and the footstick
the furthest from him.
Like parts in all the views are marked with similar letters of reference.
A is the frame or chase proper which is made of metal, preferably wrought iron.
In the inner edges a, a, a³, a' are cut or formed grooves, recesses, or slits
a, a, a, a of any desired shape and depth. On reference to the drawings it will
be seen I have shown square or ☐ shaped grooves, but I do not limit myself to
this shape. The grooves a and a are made respectively to extend the whole
length, or nearly so, of the inner edge of the side a and end a', whilst the grooves
or slits a and a' are much shorter and only extend a portion of the length of the
inner edge of side a and end a³ as shown. In some cases it may be found
necessary to continue the grooves into the corners, but I prefer to have them about
a quarter of an inch from each corner, so as to strengthen the chase as much as
possible. B is the sidestick, C the footstick, and D the reglets or crossbars, all of
which are moveable and formed of metal, preferably of wrought iron. On each
end of the sidestick B, footstick C, and reglets D is formed or cut a tongue, tenon,

page_text: or projection of such a shape as will fit and slide freely in the herein described
recesses or grooves; but the tongue or tenon c¹ of the footstick C is much longer
than any of the others to permit of it passing through a long slot hole b³ formed
in the sidestick B-prior to its entering the short groove or recess aⓇ in the
frame A. This tongue is of such a length as will allow of the sidestick B
working or sliding freely when it is required to "lock up" the forme. In and
running the whole length of the sidestick B. and footstick C are cut or formed
grooves 6' and c³ of the same shape and configuration as those in the frame A.
The tongues or tenons on the side and footsticks are inserted in the grooves in
the following manner; the tongues 6 and 61 are inserted respectively in the
grooves a and 'a", whilst the tongue c passes into groove a' and the opposite and
longer tongue c¹ before entering short groove a passes through slot hole 6% in the
sidestick B, thereby assisting in steadying and binding the moveable parts together
which adds to the security of the "locking up" of the forme. It will readily be
Been that by forming or cutting grooves a, a, b, c, respectively in the side a,
end a¹, sidestick B, and footstick Ca chase is provided having grooves extending
the whole length (or nearly so) of the four edges of the parts coming in contact
with the type, so arranged that the projecting ends or tongues dď of the reglets
can be inserted and held in position in the grooves whichever way the chase is
made up.
At the same time those edges of the frame A and moveable side and
footsticks against which the "locking up" device operates are preserved firm and
solid,
Any required number of reglets D may be employed, but for a double demy or
double royal chase, three will usually be found sufficient when the forme is made
up for the broad way of the sheet, and four when made up for the narrow way.
The type is inserted in the chase in the spaces between the reglets in the ordinary
manner, and "locked up" by any convenient means placed in the spaces E and F.
The "locking up" device forces the sidestick B and footstick C respectively in-
wards and downwards whereby the type is pressed against the side a and end a¹
of the frame A, and by means of the tongues or tenons on the sidestick, footstick,
and reglets passing into the grooves as herein described the forme is prevented
from "springing" or "falling through."
"
By cutting or forming grooves in the frame A, and forming tongues or tenons
on the sidestick, footstick, and reglets as herein described the largest formes, or
those containing a large quantity of small metal type such as Auction Sales Bills,
Election Adresses, and the like, also skeleton formes for colour work, and those
"set up
with large wood type can be "locked up " with the greatest ease and
facility without any risk of the type "springing" or "falling through;" and by
the use of metal sidesticks, footsticks, and reglets instead of wooden ones as
hitherto the cost of renewal of such articles (a considerable item in large poster
work) is avoided.
Chases as at present constructed with solid edges, and, in which wooden side-
sticks, footsticks, and reglets are used, may be easily and readily grooved as
herein described, and tenons or tongues may be formed on the ends of those parts
that fit into the grooves at a small cost, so as to add considerably to their effective-
ness, but I do not think that wooden sidesticks, footsticks and reglets will be
found to be so servicable as metal ones. .
.
In Fig. 6. which shows a forme set up for the broad way of the sheet, the
sidestick B acts as the footstick, whilst the footstick C serves as the sidestick.
In some cases it may be found necessary to form tongues or projections G on
the sides and ends of the frame A and on the edges of the side and footsticks in
place of the grooves; when this is done recesses or grooves H are provided in the
ends of the footstick, sidestick, and reglets in place of the tongues or tenons; as
illustrated at Figs. 8 and 9.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that I am

page_text: aware that chases have been employed for newspaper work having short grooves
at three of the corners for the reception of the side and footsticks, but to
these I make no claim; as no provision is made for the footstick in these chases
to pass through the sidestick into the frame, or for the reception of the ends of
the reglets in the edges of those parts coming in contact with the type, but what
I claim is:-
First. The manufacture and use of a letter press printer's chase substantially as
herein described and illustrated, consisting of a grooved or recessed frame A,
moveable grooved side and footsticks passing through each other and provide
with tongues or tenons on their ends for entering the grooves or recesses in the
frame A, and moveable reglets one end of which passes into the groove in the
framework whilst the opposite end is inserted in the groove in the side or foot-
stick, whereby a forme can be securely "locked up" in the chase either the broad
or narrow way of the sheet.
Second. In a letter press printer's chase a frame A or chase proper having
grooves or recesses of any desired shape and depth cut or formed in its inner
edges substantially as illustrated and for the purposes herein set forth.
Third. In a letter press printer's chase, the side and footsticks B and C grooved
as described and having tongues or tenons formed at each end for entering grooves
in the frame A, one tongue c¹ of the footstick C being of such a length as will
permit of it passing through a slot hole 68 in the sidestick B before entering the
groove in the frame, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Fourth. In a letter press printer's chase, the reglets or crossbars having
tongues, tenons, or grooves formed on their ends substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.
Fifth. A letterpress printer's chase having ribs or projections formed on the
inner edges of the sides and ends for receiving the grooved ends of the foot and
sidesticks and reglets, substantially as described and illustrated at Figs. 8. and 9.
Sixth. The combination of the various parts forming the letter press printer's
chase as a whole, constructed and arranged substantially as herein set forth and
illustrated.