US1891075A - Typographical composing machine - Google Patents

Description

1932- w. ACKERMAN 1,891,075

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filgd Sept. 50, 1950 5 sheets-Sneak 1 I Dec. 13, 1932. w. ACKERMAN 1,891,075

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed sept. 30, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I ZNVENT OR 5/ W/ M ,4m

Dec. 13, 1932. w. ACKERMAN TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 30, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENITOR Patented Dec. 13, 1932 'NtTtfitE WILLIAM ACKERE'IAN, QF TOXVNEBS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNGR T0 MERGENTHALEE LINOTYIPE COllLTPANY, A GORE ORATION OF NEW YORK TYPOGRAPHICAL C'OEPOSING MACHINE Application filed September 30, 1830. Serial No. 485,466.

This invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States to O. Mergenthaler, llo. 36,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a slotted mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

More particularly, it relates to that class of machines capable of handling matrix fonts differing as to the size and number of characters, such for instance as the seventy-two or fifty-five character display fonts and the ordinary ninety character text fonts now in use. In machines of this class, the keyboard mechanism includes means whereby the finger keys may be operatively connected to the magazine in use to effect the release of corresponding matrices of the contained font, whether the latter be a text font or a display font. This feature is important, since the matrices of the display fonts (being much thicker than those of the text fonts) are differently spaced in the magazine channels and are usually arranged in a difierent order as to character. A keyboard mechanism of the kind mentioned is fully set forth in the Kennedy Patents Nos. 1,397,967 and 1,397,97 l, and my own prior Patent No. 1,626,773 to which reference may be had if desired.

The present invention contemplates an improved form of keyboard mechanism for accomplishing somewhat the same results. In the embodiment illustrated the keyboard mechanism comprises a series of key-controlled operating members (in the form of vertically movable slides operated by the customary power driven cam yokes in response to the actuation of the finger keys) a corresponding series of escapement actuating inc-ml ers, and two series of intermediate motion transmitting members, together with permanent connections in the form of rocking bails between certain selected motion transmitting members of the two series, whereby the connected members will be operated in unison. One of the series of motion transmitting members (being of the same number) affords a set of direct connections between the key-controlled members and the corresponding escapement actuating mem bers when an ordinary ninety character font is in use, while the other series'of motion transmittingmembers (being of lesser num ber) affords, through the medium of the rocking bails, a set of indirect connections between the key-controlled members and the escapement actuating members, when a seventy-two character font is in use. The firstinentioned series of motion transmitting members (that of the higher number) is arranged in constant operative relation to the key controlled members, and means are provided for establishing an operative relation between the escapement actuating members and .one or the other set of motion transmitting members according to the magazine in use. 1

The particular form and arrangement of the parts, as well as their mode of operation, will be best understood from the'detailed description to follow, although it maybe here pointed out that one of the principal advantages of the improved arrangement comes from the fact that the two series of motion transmitting members are permanently connected by the rocking bails in contradistinction to my prior patented arrangement, wherein the bails are required to be ad usted 'into and out of engagement with the parts with which they cooperate, A further advantage resides in the location of the adjustable connections between the key-controlled cam yokes and the escapement actuating members, which not only avoids unnecessary complication in the keyboard mechanism, but in addition enables the parts to be operated with greater ease and certainty.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example and obviously many changes and variations may be made therein without departing from its spirit. It

H set for a seventy-two character font;

Fig. at is a front elevation of the keyboard mechanism Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a detached portion of the keyboard devices;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4 and showing how the keyboard may be connected to an auxiliary magazine; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view, showing the relation between the keyboard devices and the respective magazines.

In the embodiment illustrated the inven tion has been shown as applied to a machine of the auxiliary magazine variety, such as the commercial linotype Model 14, or the commercial linotype Model 26. The matrices X of the main fonts are stored in two superposed main magazines A and A while the matrices Z of the supplementary fonts are stored in one or more auxiliary magazines B, the latter being arranged at the side of or in tandem with the main magazines. The main magazines are arranged to be raised and lowered in the well known manner by the operation of the hand crank S so as to bring any selected magazine into operative relation to the assembling and distributing mechanisms, and the same is true of the auxiliary magazines B, when more than one is employed. As the assembling and dise tributing mechanisms form no part of the present invention, they need not be dealt with further, although it may be understood that they should be capable of handling the different matrix fonts employed.

The magazine A is provided with ninety grooved channels spaced apart in the usual way to adapt them to contain the matrices of an ordinary ninety character or text font, whereas the magazine A is provided with seventy-two grooved channels spaced apart in a different manner (see Fig. 7) to adapt them to contain the matrices of a special seventy-two character or display font, these two standard fonts being merely selected for purposes of illustration. Parenthetically, it may be stated that an extra channel may be and ordinarily is added to each magazine for the accommodation of the usual double 6 attachment. The auxiliary magazine B is of usual form and requires no special descripeenovs tion, it being understood that it is intended to contain matrices of any kind to supplement those of the main fonts.

Each of the main magazines is provided with a series of matrix releasing escapements a which, when the magazine is brought into operative position, are actuated through the medium of pivoted levers E by a series of vertically movable reeds E, which latter are in turn actuated through the motion transmitting members later to be described from a lower series of short vertically movable reeds E These short reeds E are operated by yokes or levers E arranged in banks and provided with cams or eccentrics E adapted under the influence of trip dogs to cooperate with underlying power driven rollers in. The trip dogs E, as usual, are actuated by a series of vertical slides E guided in a fixed part of the keyboard frame and operated by finger keys or key levers E The auxiliary magazine 13 is likewise provided with a set of matrix releasing escapements but in this instance the actuation of the cscapements is effected by means of a second series of vertically movable reeds B having their upper ends co-terminus with those of the main reeds E and acting on the escapements through intermediate pivoted levers (not shown) which are duplicates of the levers E. See, however, the Kennedy Patent No. 1,561,24et for further detaiis if desired.

Arranged at the rear of the two sets of es capement actuating reeds are a series of transverse substantially U-shape rocking bails G adapted to connect corresponding actuating reeds of the two sets, such that, when any given one of the main recdsE is raised by the actuation of the associated finger key, the motion thereof will be transferred through the connecting bail G to the corresponding auxiliary reed B 'When the reeds of the two series are thus connected, however, the main reeds E occupy the position indicated by the dotted lines in :2. where they are shown as having been swung rearwardly to locate their upper ends in line with notches or clearance spaces E formed on the lower edges of the pivoted levers E. hen the reeds E occupy their forward position. as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, they are disconnected from the bails G, and thus from the reeds B and are positioned solely in operative relation to the levers E, all as more f described in the Kennedy Patent No. 1,511.2 above referred to.

Coming now the present invention, the improved keyboard arrangement is such that the finger keys may be operatively connected to either the display magazine A or the text magazine A so that like matrices of the two series. i. e. matrices having like characters, may be released from their respective magazines by the operation of the same finger keys the magazine channels.

notwithstanding their difierent location in This is accomplished by the employment of two series of motion transmitting members C and D, and a single series of connecting bails F. There are as many members C in the series as there are channels in the text'magazine A, namely, ninety, and similarly there are as many members D and bails F as there are channels in the display magazine A namely, seventytwo. The bails F serve to connect all of the members D of the seventy-two seri s with as many dififerent membersC of the ninety series, the particular members C affected depending upon the relative location of like matrices in the two magazines (see diagram of Fig. 7

As will be noted from Figs. 2 and 3, the two series of motion transmitting members C and D are arranged one behind the other in parallel relation, being slidably supported in a fixed frame H. However, in order to make room for the bail arms, the members D are staggered with reference to the members C so as to stand opposite the spaces between the members C; but at their upper ends the members D are turned inwardly, as at (Z, to lie directly in the planes of the members C so as thus to be able to actuate the same escapement reed E as will presently be described.

The bails F, of which there are six tiers, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are all enclosed within a fixed box or housing J, being mounted to turn on fixed pivot rods J Each bail presents two arms F and F the shorter arms F being engaged in notches C formed in the rear edges of the motion transmitting members C of the ninety series, and the longer arms F being extended forwardly between adjacent members C and engaged in notches D formed in the rear edges of the motion transmitting members D of the seventy-two series. The various bails thus provide permanent connections betweenthe members D and as many different members C so that the connected members of the two series are always caused to operate in unison. In this connection it may be noted that the lateral spacing of the bail arms F and F varies as between the different bails according to the relative location of like matrices in the two magazines and as illustrated in the diagram of Fig. 7. In other words. the raising of any one of the affected members C will effect the raisingof the connected member D although the two members will be offset laterally with reference to each other.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the motion transmitting members C are arranged directly above the short reeds or reed sections E and, because of their fixed location in the machine, Wlll malntam a constant operative relation with such key-controlled reed sections; and,

since the members D are permanently connected to the members C bythe rocking bails F, the members D will consequently be operated whenever the corresponding members C are operated in response to the actuation of the finger keys. The upper reeds or reed F;

sections E however, are not so fixed in the machine but are adjustably mounted so that they may be brought into operative relation to either series of motion transmitting members C and D. Thus, in Fig. 2 the reeds E are shown as located above or in engaging relation to the members C; whereas, in Fig.

3 they are shown as located above or in engaging relation to the members D. In the former position the members C serve to establish a set of direct connections between the finger keys and the escapements of the text magazine A, while in the latter position, the members D serve'to establish a set of indirect connections between certain selected? mally fixed so as to serve as a pivotal point, T

while the lower rod M is slidable forwardly and backwardly in guideways M of a fixed supporting frame 0. The rod M is connected by short links M to apair of small bell-crank levers M fixed to a transverse rock shaft M journaled in the frame O and one of the bell-crank levers (that at the right in Figs. 2 and at) is connected by a long link M to the rear end of a hand lever M pivoted to the side of the keyboard frame. The arrangement of the parts is such that, when the hand lever M is depressed, it will shift the rod M rearwardly and locate the reeds E above the motion transmitting members C to accord with the selection of the tent magazine A; and, when the hand lever is lifted, it will shift the rod M forwardly and locate the reeds E above thc motion transmitting members D to accord with the selection of the display magazine A The keyboard connections for effecting the release of the display matrices in the magazine A are clearly shown by the diagram of Fig. 7, wherein the letters at the top indicate the location of the matrices in the magazine; while the letters at the bottom indicate the finger key layout or the location of the upper reed sections E controlled by the finger keys. From this diagram it will be easy to trace the connections from any finger key to the corresponding escapement of one or the other of the two magazines. In particular, the diagram will indicate clearly the form or extent of the different bails employed in connecting the corresponding motion transmitting members C and D of the two series. It is pointed out that the magazine A has a group of five channels located at the extreme right beyond the last channel. of the magazine A, these channels containing the matrices bearing the character Z and the hyphen, quotation, apostrophe, and dollar marks. To provide for the actuation of the escapements of these oiiset channels, five more escapement levers E are added to the series as well as live additional reeds or reed sections E these particular reed sections being operated by the appropriate motion transmitting members D from the corresponding members C through the five longest bails shown in the diagram. Except for these five additional levers E and reeds E the bails F operate upon one or another of the regular series of levers E and reeds E employed in releasing the matrices from the main magazine A.

It remains to be described how the same keyboard may be adapted to r lease matrices from the auxiliary magazine B. By referring again to Fi 2 and 3 it will be observed that the upper supporting rod M for the reeds E is carried by a frame N slidable forwardly and backwardly in the fixed frame 0 by a hand grip N According to this arrangement, when the grip N is pulled forwardly, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, the reeds E stand in operative relation to the levers E but clear of the bails G, leading to the auxiliary reeds B whereas, when the hand grip is pushed rearwardly, as indicated by the dotted lines in said figure, the reeds IE will stand clear of the levers E but be brought into engaging relation to the bails G, it being noted that in either of their adjusted positions the reeds E maintain their operative connection with the motion transmitting members C. In this connection it may be stated that, before adjusting the reels E in the manner just described, the hand lever M should first be depressed to position them in operative relation to the members C so that the latter may be used in operating the bails rat-her than the members D, although of course the arrangementcould be otherwise, if desired. Since there are only thirty-tour channels in the auxiliary magazine, it obviously is not necessary that the whole series of reeds E be adjusted into and out of e11- gaa'ement with the bails G; and in such case the rod M may be formed in two sections, one located in the fixed frame 0 and the other located in the adjustable frame N (see Fig. 6).

As previously stated, the invention has been shown herein only in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to amachine of the class mentioned and obviously many n'iodil'ications and alterations therein and in their mode of application will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from its scope. It should therefore be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific construction or arrangement of the parts except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, the combination of a key-controlled operating member,

two actuating members, two permanently connected motion transmitting members arranged therebetween, one of said members being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating member, and means for establishing an operative relation between either of said motion transmitting members and the corresponding actuating member.

2. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, the combination of key-controlled operatingmember, two actuating members, two motion transmitting members arranged therebetween, a rocking bail to which the latter members are permanently connected and whereby both are operated in unison, one of said motion transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating member, and means for establishing an operative relation between either of said motion transmitting members and the corresponding actuating member.

3. In a keyboard mechansm for typographical composing machines, the combination of a key-controlled operating member, two actuating members, two motion transmitting members arranged therebetween, a rocking bail to which the latter members are permanently connected and whereby both are operated in unison, one of said motion transmitting members being arrangeu in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating member, and means for adjusting the actuating members to locate either one in and the other out of operative relation to its corresponding motion transmitting member.

4. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, the combination 01 a series of key-controlled operating members, a series of actuating members, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members, permanent connections between certain selected motion transmitting members of the two series whereby the connected members will be operated in unison, one of the series of motion. transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operatingmembers, and means for establishing an operative relation between either series of motion transmi ting members and the actuatin: members.

5. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines. the combination of a series of key-controlled operating members, a series of actuating members, two

series of intermediate motion transmitting members, permanent connections between certain selected motion transmitting members of the two series whereby the connected members will be operated in unison, one of the series of motion transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating mem bers, and means for adjusting the actuating members to locate them in operative relation to either series of motion transmitting members and out of direct operative relation to the other.

6. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, the combination of a series of key-controlled operating members, series of actuating members, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members, rocking bails connecting certain selected motion transmitting members of the two series whereby the connected members w'llbe opera ed in unison, one of the series of motion transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the hey-controlled operating members, and means for establishing an operative relation between either series of motion transmitting members and the actuating members.

In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, the combination of a series of key-controlled operating members, a series oi actuating members, two series of bail-connected motion transmitting members arranged therebetween, one of said series being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating .merabers, and means for adjusting the actuating members to locate them in operative relation to either series of motion transmitting members and out of direct operative relation to the other.

8. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines. the combination of a series of key-controlled operating members, a series of actuating members, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members arranged one behind the other, pernanent connections between the motion transmitting members of one series and as many different laterally offset members of the other series, one of the series of motion transmitting members being arranged in con stant operative relation to the key-controlled operating members, and means for establishing an operative relation between either se ries of motion transmi ting members and the actuating members.

9. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical composing machines, the combination of a series of key-controlled operating members, a series of actuating members, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members arranged one behind the other, the members of one series corresponding in num ber with the key-controlled operating members, and those of the other series being of less number, permanent connections between the motion transmitting members of the latter series and certain selected laterally ofi'sct members of the former series whereby the connected members will be operated in unison, the higher numbered ser'es of motion transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the hey-controlled operating members, and means for establishing an operative relation between eitlierseries of motion transmitting members and the actuating members.

10. In a keyboard mechanism for typographical. composing machines, the combination of a series of key-controlled operating members, a series of actuating members, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members arranged one behind the other in staggered relation but with the upper ends of adjacent members located in the same vertical plane, rocking bails connecting the motion transmitting members of the front series with certain selected laterally offset members of the rear series, said bails each presenting ashort arm engaged with the rear edge of the associated member of the rear series, and a long a in extended forwardly between adjacent members of the rear series and engaged with the rear edge of the corresponding member of the front series, the rear series of motion transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating members, and means for adjusting the actuating members to locate them in. operative relation to either series of motion transmitting members and out of direct operative relation to the other.

11. A combination as in claim 4, characterized by the fact that the key-controlled operating members therein referred to are operated by power mechanism under control of the finger keys.

12. A combination as in claim 5, characterized by the fact that the actuating members therein referred toare also adjustable into and out of engaging relation to one or another set of escapement actuating devices while maintaining their engagement with the motion transmitting members.

13. In a typographical composing machine adapted to be equipped with interchangeable magazines containing matrices occupying difierently located channels according to character, the combination of a series of keycontrolled operating members, a series of escapement actuating members, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members, permanent connections between certain selected transmitting members of the two series whereby the connected members will be operated in unison, one of the series of motion transmitting members being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating membersand affording a set of dircct connections between said key-controlled members and the escapement actuating members, and the other series of motion transmitting members affording a set of indirect connections between the key-controlled operating members and the escapement actuating members, and means for establishing an operative relation between the escapement actuating members and one or the other series of motion transmitting members according to the magazine in use.

14. A combination as shown in claim 13, characterized by the fact that the permanent connections between the motion transmitting members of the two series are in the form of rocking bails.

15. A combination according to claim 13 wherein the magazines contain different numbers of matrix columns and characterized by the fact that the number of motion transmitting members in the two series is made to correspond to the number of matrix columns in the different magazines.

16. A combination as in claim 13, characterized by the fact that the permanently connected motion transmitting members of the two series are located in laterally offset relation to accord with the different location of the matrix columns in the magazine.

17. A combination as in claim 13, characterized by the fact that the key-controlled operating members therein referred to are in the form of' short reed sections operated by power under control of the finger keys, and

that the two series of motion transmitting members are arranged above said reed sections so as likewise to be operated by power.

18. A combination as in claim 13, characterized by the fact that the escapement actuating members are in the form of two sections arranged to be adjusted into and out of operative relation to each other for the purpose described.

19. A combination as in claim 13, characterized by the fact that the selection of one or the other series of motion transmitting members is effected by means of a hand lever arranged alongside of the keyboard.

20. In a typographical composing machine adapted to be equipped with interchangeable main magazines containing matrices occupying differently located channels according to character, as well as with an auxiliary magazine located at the side of the main magazines, the combination of a. series of escapement actuating members for the main magazines, a series of escapement actuating men'ibers for the auxiliary magazine, a series or key-controlled operating members arranged below the escapement actuating members for the main magazines, two series of intermediate motion transmitting members arranged above the key-controlled operating members, permanent connections between certain selected motion transmitting members of the two series whereby the con-' nected members will be operated in unison, one of the series of motion transmitting memhere being arranged in constant operative relation to the key-controlled operating members and affording a set of direct connections between said key-controlled members and the escapement actuating members for tie main magazines, and the other series of motion transmitting members affording a set of indirect connections between the key-controlled operating members and said escapement actuating members, means for establishing an operative relation between the escapement actuating members and one or the other series of motion transmitting members accordin to the main magazine in use, means for adjusting the escapement actuating members into or out of operative relation to the escapements of the main magazines while maintaining their connection with the motion transmitting members, and connections between the escapement actuating members of tne main magazines and those of the auxiliary magazine, said connections being adapted to be made and broken as the actuating members for the main magazines are adjusted out of and into operative relation to the escapements of said magazines.

In testimony whereof, this specification has been duly signed by:

WVILLIAM AGKERMAN.

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