US1277598A - Slug-casting machine. - Google Patents

Description

T. W.'JOH NS.

SLUG CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l6, 19H- 2 SHEETS-SHEET l- INVENTOR. 8Y A @nnwwd ATTORNEY:

Patented Sept. 3, 1918.

T. W. JOHNS. SLUG CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6. I917. I

1,277,596, Patented Sept. 3,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. U

Q3 00 a Q N N w [HIHHIIIIIMHHIH J mm W INVENTOR. 4% 77 By M W a A 7 4 K a ATTORNEY:

s are nrcn THOMAS W. JOHN-S, OF BROOKLYN. NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 MERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SLUG-CASTING MACHINE.

newness.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 3 1918.

Application filed August 16, 1917. Serial No. 186,486.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. J OI-INS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Slug-Casting Macl1ines, 0f which the.following is a specifica tion, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to typographical machines such as linotype machines of the gen eral organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States No. 436,532, to O. Mergenthaler, wherein molten metal is forced from acasting pump into a slotted mold against a composed line of matrices to produce a printing slug or vlinotype, which is subsequently removed from the mold by an ejector advancing from the rear and driving the slug before it into a receiving galley at the front of the machine.

In these machines, it is frequently nec essary to vary the length of the mold slot in order to produce slugs of different lengths, and this involves a corresponding change in the width of the ejector, which of course must be narrow enough to enter the mold. In practice, it occasionally happens that the attendant, through ignorance or carelessness, fails to perform both of these two necessary operations, but insteadreduces the length of the mold slot without correspondingly reducing the width of the ejector, which therefore is almost certain to damage or in ure the parts.

It is the aim of my present invention to obviate these objections and to protect the parts against injury, even in the event of the failure of the attendant to make the required adjustments. To this end, specifically, I employ a locking device to hold themold disk normally against rotation and thus to prevent the adjustment of the mold slot, and provide connections whereby the unlocking of the mold disk simultaneously effects the disconnection of the ejector from its oper ating devices and the locking of the casting pump,v means also being employed to hold the parts in this condition until the ejector is changed and drawn forward by hand into the mold slot after the rotary adjustment of the disk. If the ejector fails to enter the slot because of its excessive width or for any other reason, the parts remain unaffected,

but if it enters, then they are released and restored to their normal condition upon the subsequent withdrawal of the ejector. In other words, although the machine itself is allowed to complete its usual cycle of operation, both the ejector and the pump are rendered inactive whenever or before the mold apparatus is adjusted, and these parts cannot be restored to action until the ejector is adjusted and caused to enter the new mold slot, thus making it necessary that the blade be of proper width, and avoiding any injury to the parts if the ejector is larger than the mold. These and other features will more fully appear in the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown "my invention merely in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to a machine of the class stated, but obviously it is susceptible of various alterations and modifications which will still be comprised within its spirit. Generally speaking, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvements as applied to a linotype machine {and a Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the parts in different positions.

The slug casting molds A, having slots of different lengths. are carried by the disk B, which is rotatably mounted upon the supporting slide B so as to present the active mold first in a horizontal position for casting and subsequently to locate it in the vertical position shown in' Fig. 1, where it stands in front of the ejector C, attached to the slide G which is arranged to be reciprocated forwardly and backwardly within the mold slide B first, to drive the ejector through the mold to remove the slug therefrom and, then, subsequently to withdraw the ejector from the mold, when the parts come to rest. The movement of the ejector slide C is effected by means of the pivoted upright lever C connected thereto by the link C and which is rocked to and fro by rotary cams on the main shaft of the machine. The periodic rotations of the mold wheel B are controlled by the driving pinion B operated through the usual connections-from the main shaft.

The pinion B is arranged to be pulled forwardly by hand to break its connection with its driving shaft, and when thus dlsconnected, it is turned independently to setthe disk B with one or another of the molds thereon in active position, after which the pinion is re-connected to its shaft, all as shown and described in the Randall Patent N 0. 758,103. It is in this way that the mold apparatus is adjusted to effect a change of mold slot, although such adjustment mlght be effected in any other manner, 6. 9., in the case of a single mold, by the employment of interchangeable filling pieces or liners.

In the present instance, the ejector C is of the form shown and described in the Rogers Patent No. 967 ,97 6, comprising a series of independent blades or sections arranged edge to edge and any selected number of which may be connected to the slide C at will, such connection being controlled by the vertically adjustable member O which is operated in the usual way from the hand lever C The ejector is thus adapted to be changed in width to correspond to any length of mold slot employed. There are other ways in which this change or adjustment of the ejector may be effected if desired, as, for instance, by detaching the blade from the slide and substituting another of the required width, or by employing a set of integral blades of the different required widths which can be adjusted laterally to connect any selected one thereof with the ejector slide.

The parts so far described are all of well known construction, and except as hereinafter pointed out constitute in themselves no part of my present invention. As before stated, it is the aim of my invention to insure the corresponding adjustments of the mold apparatus and the ejector, and to avoid injury to the parts inthe event. that the attendant should fail to reduce the size of the ejector in changing from a larger to a smaller mold; and the manner in which these results are accomplished will now be operating lever C As a result, by raising and lowering the link C it may be disengaged from or reengaged with the operating lever C at will, thus breaking or making the operative connection of the ejector with its power-operated devices. The raising and lowering of the link is effected by a vertical D engaging the lower edge of the link. To I operate the rod D, there is employed a long foot leverD pivoted centrally, as at D to a fixed part of the framework, and having its rear end passing loosely between a pair of pins D on the rod, and presenting atits forward end a treadle portion D exposed at the front of the machine. Under this arrangement, the attendant by pressing down upon the foot lever may, through the above connections, effect the instantaneous disconnection of the ejector (Fig. 2).

To insure this disconnection of the ejector before effecting a change of mold slot, there is provided a locking pawl H which holds the mold disk B against rotation until the foot lever D is operated. This locking pawl is carried by an arm H projecting laterally from the foot lever, and a spring H con nected to the lever tends constantly to hold the pawl in engagement with the teeth of the mold disk. It is apparent, therefore, that no adjustment of the mold disk to effect a change of mold slot can take place until the foot lever is operated, which then not only releases the mold disk but conjointly therewith effects the disconnection of the ejector from its power-operated devices. (Fig. 2).

lVhen the foot lever D is thus operated, means are provided to lock it inits operated position so as to maintain the disconnection of the ejector until it is properly adjusted in width to correspond to the new length of mold slot selected by the rotary adjustment of the mold disk. In the present instance, this feature is realized by attaching to the lower end of the vertical rod D a pivoted gravitating or spring actuated pawl E, which when the rod is raised swings forwardly above a fixed lug or shelf E thus holding the rod in its raised position and consequently maintaining the ejector link disconnected from the operating lever C (Fig. 2). Also attached to the rod D is an actuating link F having an operating hand lever F exposed at the front of the machine within reach of the operator. This actuating link F is pulled forwardly when the rod D is in its raised position, so as to'rock said rod forwardly about the pin D as a pivot, and tl'irough the medium of the ejector link C and the slide C to draw the ejector C forwardly from its normal position of rest. If the ejector has been changed or is of proper width, it will enter the mold as the rod D is rocked forwardly, and this rocking of the rod will trip the pawl E by swing ing'it rearwardly beyond the lug ll (see dotted lines of Fig. 2), thus allowing the rod to fall and the ejector link C to drop and become engaged with the operating lever C upon the subsequent withdrawal of the ejector from the mold (Fig. 1). If, on the other hand, the ejector has not been changed or is too large to enter the mold, the ejector cannot be drawn forward and hence no rocking movement of the rod D takes place, so that the pawl E remains engaged with the lug E and maintains the ejector link disengaged from the operating lever C The effect of this arrangement is that when the ejector is disconnected from its power-operated devices, the parts are locked in this condition until the ejector is drawn forwardly, which can only be done when it is of the proper width. In this way, it becomes necessary for the operator to test out the size of the blade before the parts can be restored to action, although this restoration is effected automatically when the ejector is of proper width and is drawn forwardly into the mold. If desired, the ejector link 0 may be provided at its rear end with a hook 0 to engage the pin a of the operating lever C when the link is moved forwardly by the rocking of the rod D, and thusto limit the forward movement of the disconnected ejector.

It has been mentioned above that the disconnection of the ejector is effected without interfering with the operation of the machine itself, which is allowed to complete its usual cycle of operation while the ejector remains inactive. Since the machine is thus allowed to operate, it is evident that the casting pump would also be actuated to force the molten metal into the mold in the usual manner, and in such event, the ejector being out of action, the slug would remain in the mold and cause injury to the parts. Means are therefore provided to lock the casting pump against action simultaneously with the unlocking of the mold disk and the disconnection of the ejector, so that if the machine is thereafter operated no" damage can result. Only the pump plunger K and its operating arm K are herein shown, as the construction and operation of the pump are well known in the art. There is associated with the actuating lever K as usual, a pivoted locking dog K one end of which is adapted to engage beneath a lug K" pro-i jecting laterally from the lever, and. the other end of which is engaged by the conical end of a vertical rod K passing through a bracket plate K attached to the justification lever J. The spring K attached to the properly, all as well understood in the art. In the present instance, the dog K and rod K are utilized to lock the pump against action when the ejector is disconnected from its powenoperated devices. For this purpose, the rod K? is arranged in engagement at its lower end with a lug or shelf K projecting laterally from the foot lever D beyond its pivotal point. As a result, when the foot lever is depressed to unlock the mold disk and to disconnect the ejector, it simultaneously raises the rod K*, which throws the dog K beneath the pump actuating lever K and locks it against movement (Fig. 2), the parts being held in this condition until the ejector is drawn forward in the manner before described, due to the connection of the foot lever with the rod D carrying the pawl E. It follows, therefore, that the mold slot cannot be changed until the casting pum is first locked against action, and that the pump cannot be unlocked until the ejector is properly changed to accord with the new mold slot or drawn forwardly thereinto, which latter operation effects the unlocking of the pump automatically.

As during the normal operation of the machine it is necessary that the mold disk B be free for rotation means are provided to effect the disengagement of the locking pawl H therefrom during its automatic periods of rotation. In the present instance, this is accomplished by extending downwardly from the arm H a hook-shaped member H to engage beneath the usual justification lever J, it being pointed out that during the operation of the machine the justification lever is depressed at times preceding. the rotation of the disk, as is well understood. The automatic disengagement of the locking pawl H will, because of its rigid connection with the foot lever D, rock the latter idly about its pivot, which is permitted by a sufficient amount of play between the connected parts.

In order to clean the back of the mold and for other reasons, it is sometimes desirable to disconnect the mold slide B from its operating devices and to draw it forwardly by hand. In performing this manual operation, it is customaryto disconnect the ejector from its operating devices also, because ofthe fact that the ejector slide is carried by the mold slide. This second operation is rendered unnecessary in the present arrangement by extending downwardly from the mold slide B an arm L formed with a cam piece L which is arranged to engage a coiiperating cam piece L located on the foot lever D iirthe rear of its pivot. Consequently, when the mold slide is drawn forwardly, the engagement of the two cam pieces rocks the foot lever upwardly at its rear end, and through the medium of the rod D raises the ejector link C out of engagement with the operating lever in precisely the, same manner as if the foot lever were depressed by the attendant.

The operation of the several parts will have been understood from the foregoing description. It sullices to say here that in making a change of mold slot, it is necessary for the operator to depress the foot lever D to unlock the mold disk, and this depression of the foot lever through the connections described effects the locking of the pump and the disconnection of the ejector from its power-operated devices, the parts being maintained or locked in this condition by the pawl E which remains active until the ejector is drawn forwardly and caused to enter the mold, when the parts are restored upon the withdrawal of the ejector from the mold. If the ejector is not so manipulated either because of its excessive width, or for any other reason, the pump remains locked and the ejector disconnected, even though the machine is allowed to operate.

As previously stated, I have shown my invention merely in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to a specific style of machine. However, many modifications and alterations therein, and in its mode of application, will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departure from its scope. It will also be observed that while the several features of my improvel'nents are all involved in ac complishing the objects aimed at, many of them are such as might be used to advantage either individually or in other combinations. locking of the casting pump by the unlocking of the mold disk preparatory to its adjustment, and that of preventing the unlocking of the pump until the ejector is drawn forward into the mold, might be useful alone or apart from their association with the features involving the disconnection of the ejector by the unlocking of the disk and the automatic ire-connection of the ejector when it is caused to enter the mold, or vice versa. Again, the feature of automatically disconnecting the ejector from its power-operated devices when the mold slide is drawn forwardly by hand could be used alone or in other combinations as well, and the same is true of the locking device for the mold disk, etc. It is therefore to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to any features of construction or combinations of said features, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States. is as follows:

1. In a slug casting machine, the com- Thus,-the feature of effecting the.

bination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector to remove the cast slugs and capable of being rendered inactive at will, and means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until the ejector is rendered inactive.

2. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector to remove the cast slugs, poweroperated devices connected to the ejector and capable of disconnection therefrom at will, and means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until the ejector is dis connected from its power-operated devices.

3. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector to remove the cast slugs, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, and connections whereby the release of the mold apparatus renders the ejector inactive.

4. In a slug casting machine, the com bination of a mold apparatus adjustable tc provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector to remove the cast slugs, poweroperated devices connected to the ejector, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, and connections whereby the release of the :mold apparatus effects the disconnection of the ejector from its power-operated devices.

5. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector to remove the cast slugs, poweroperated devices connected to the ejector, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, means for disconnecting the ejector from its power-operated devices, and a common actuating device or foot lever connected to both of said means and adapted when operated to effect the release of the mold apparatus and the disconneotion of the ejector.

6. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, a casting apparatus capable of being rendered inactive at will, and means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until the casting apparatus is rendered inactive.

7. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, a casting pump having locking means there for, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, and connections between the two said locking means whereby the unlocking of the mold apparatus efi'ectsthe locking of the pump.

8. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of difierent lengths, a casting apparatus, an ejector, means whereby the casting apparatus and the ejector may be rendered inactive at will, and means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until both the casting apparatus and the ejector are rendered inactive.

9. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, a casting apparatus, an ejector, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, and connections whereby the release of the mold apparatus renders both the castingapparatus and the ejector inactive.

10. In a slug casting machine, the combination with a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, a casting pump, an ejector, and power-operated devices connected to the ejector, of locking means to preventthe adjustment of the mold apparatus, locking means to prevent the action of the pump, means for disconnecting the ejector from its poweroperated devices, and a common actuating device or foot lever connected to all of said means and adapted when operated to effect the unlocking of the mold apparatus and conjointly therewith the locking of the pump and the disconnection of the ejector.

11. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector changeable to correspond and capable of being rendered inactive at will, means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until the ejector is rendered inactive, and means to prevent the action of the ejector until its proper change has been effected.

12. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector changeable to correspond, poweroperated devices connected to the ejector and capable of disconnection therefrom at will, means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until the ejector is disconnected from its power-operated devices, and means to prevent the reconnection of the ejector until its proper change has been effected.

13. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of difierent lengths, an ejector changeable to correspond, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, connections whereby the release 7 of the mold apparatus renders the ejector inactive, and means to prevent the action or the ejector until its proper change has been effected.

14:. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector changeable to correspond, casting apparatus capable of being rendered inactive at will, means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until the casting apparatus in rendered inactive, and means to prevent the action of the casting apparatus until the. proper change of the ejector has been effected.

15. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold apparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of different lengths, an ejector changeable to correspond, a casting pump having locking means therefor, locking means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus, connections between the two locking means whereby the unlocking of the mold apparatus efiects the locking of the pump, and means to prevent the unlocking of the pump until the proper change of the ejector has been efiected.

16. In a slug casting machine, the bination of a mold comapparatus adjustable to provide mold slots of difl'erent lengths, an ejector changeable to correspond, casting apparatus, means whereby the casting apparatus and the ejector may be rendered inactive at will, means to prevent the adjustment of the mold apparatus until both the casting apparatus and the ejector are rendered inactive, and means to prevent the action of these parts until the proper change of the ejector has been effected.

17. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a slotted mold, an ejector to remove the slugs therefrom, means for rendering the ejector inactive at will, and means to prevent the subsequent action of the ejector until it is first caused to enter the mold. slot.

18. In a slug, casting machine, the combination of a slotted mold, an ejector to re move the slugs therefrom, power-operated devices connected to the ejector, means whereby the ejector may be disconnected from its power-operated devices at will, and means to prevent the subsequent re-connection of the ejector until it is first caused to enter the mold slot.

19. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a slotted mold, an ejector to remove the slugs therefrom, power-operated devices connected to the ejector, means whereby the ejector may be disconnected from its power-operated devices at will, and means to maintain the ejector so disconnected, said means being arranged to be released by the movement of the disconnected ejector into the mold slot.

20. In a slug casting machine, the combi nation of a slotted mold, an ejector to remove the slugs therefrom, casting apparatus, means for rendering the casting apparatus inactive, and means to prevent the subsequent action of said casting apparatus until tile ejector is first caused to enter the mold s 0t.

21. In a slug casting machine, the combination with a slotted pump, an ejector, and power-operated devices connected to the ejector, of means for locking the pump against action and for disconnecting the ejector from its poweroperated devices, and means to maintain the parts in this condition, said means being ar ranged to be released by the movement of the disconnected ejector into the mold slot.

22. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold, an ejector to remove the slugs therefrom, power mechanism for the several operative parts including the ejector, and means for disconnecting the ejector therefrom while allowing the machine to complete its cycle of operation.

2;. I11 a slug casting machine, the combination of an ejector slide, a power-operated lever, a link connecting the slide and lever and arranged to be shifted out of engagement with the latter, a movable rod con- .nected to the link to effect such shifting tliereof, an automatic pawlcarried by said rod to hold it in its moved position, and an actuating member connected to the lifting rod for drawing the disconnected ejector forwardly, for the purpose described.

24 In a slug casting machine, the com bination of an ejector slide, a power-operated lever, a link comiecting the slide and lever and arranged to be shifted out of engagement with the latter, a lifting rod connected to the linkto effectjsuch shifting thereof, a pivoted foot lever for operating the rod and exposed at thefront of the machine, an automatic pawl carried by the lifting rod to hold it in its raised position, and a hand-actuated member also connected with the lifting rod for drawing the disconnected ejector forwardly for the purpose de scribed.

25. A structure as specified in either of claims 1 to 16, characterized by the fact that the adjustable mold ap aratus therein re ferred to COIIlPl'lSOS a plurality of differentsized molds carried by arotar Y disk or wheel which may be set in different positions to bring any selected one of the molds into action.-

26. In a slug casting machine, the com bination of a rotary mold disk or carrier adapted to berotated periodically during the operation of the machine, a locking device normally engaged with the mold disk,

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mold, a casting and automatic means for momentarily disengagingthe locking device from the mold disk during the periodic rotations of the latter.

27. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a rotary mold disk or carrier adjustab e when the machine is at rest to bring different molds into use, rotating mechanism for the mold, a locking device inde pendent of the rotating mechanism to prevent the adjustment of the mold disk, and manually operated means to disengage said locking device.

28. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold slideadaoted to forwardly by hand when disconnected from its actuating parts, an ejector slide carried by the mold slide, power-operated devices connected to the ejector slide, and means actuated by the forward manual movement of the mold slide for disconnecting the ejector slide from its power-operated devices.

:29. In a slug casting machine, the com bination of a mold slide adapted to be drawn forwardly by hand when disconnected from its actuating parts, an ejector slide carried by the moldslide, a power-operated lever, a link connecting the ejector slide and lever and arranged'to be shifted out of engage ment with the latter, and connections whereby the forward movement of the mold slide effects such shifting of the connecting link. j j i e 30. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a mold slide adapted to be drawn forwardly by hand when disconneeted from its actuating parts, anejector slide carried by the mold slide, a poweroperated lever, a link connecting the ejector slide and lever and arranged to be shifted out of engagement with the latter, a vertically movable rod connected to the ejector link to effect its disengagement from the lever, a pivoted foot lever for operating the movable rod and provided back of its pivot with a cam piece, and anarm depending from the mold slide and provided with a cam piece to cooperate with that on the foot lever when the mold is drawn forward by hand and effect the disconnection of the ejector slide from its power-operated lever.

In testimony whereof, I have'aflixed my signature.

THOMAS W. JOHNS.

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