US1958809A - Low quad mold control mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May l5, 1934. Ah BECK m- AL 1,958,809

LOW QUAD MOLD CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l May 15, 1934. A. H. BECK Er Al.

LOW QUAD MOLD CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May '16, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May l5, 1934. A. H. BECK Er AL 1,958,809

LOW QUAD MOLD CONTROL MECHANISM Filed May 16, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lun Patented May 15, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Arthur H. Beck and Frank C. Botz, Jefferson City, Mo.

Application May 16, 1932, Serial No. 611,724

5 Claims.

This invention relates in general toautomatic type casting and composing machines and more particularly has reference to a method of, and means for, actuating the mold mechanism used for casting low quads in such machines.

In one type of automatic type casting and composing machines in common use, the mold used for casting high and low quads is provided with an upper and a lower mold blade. In casting type and high quads, the upper and lower mold blades are latched together and the lead is cast against their aligned ends. To cast low quads, the upper and lower mold blades are unlatched from each other, the lower surface of the upper mold blade being used to form the top of the quad while the end of the lower mold blade is used to form one of its sides. Such unlatching is eiected in these machines by a lever called a mold blade latch bell crank. This bell crank has been in turn controlled by a complicated mechanism operated by differential movement of the upper and lower centering pin spring abutments, caused by the use of a steel space matrix which prevents the normal descent of the centering pin.

This interference with the descent of the centering pin mechanism results in an undue compression oi the centering pin spring, causing an increased pressure and strain on the adjacent parts. Several further disadvantages are caused thereby. Increased wear on the mold is caused by this added pressure. The battering or breaking away of the point of the centering pin under such increased pressure prevents it from reacting properly in the cones of the type matrices, causing a lvery serious disadvantage in the resulting poor alignment of the type. Accordingly, the previous mechanism for controlling the mold blade latch bell crank not only is cumbersome and very complex, but considerably shortens-` the life of various essential parts of the type casting machine, causes poor results to be obtained, necessitates early replacement of parts, and is otherwise disadvantageous.

A major object of this invention, therefore, is a method of, and apparatus for, the control of the mold blade latch bell crank which will eliminate the disadvantages of the structures now in use for that purpose.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the steel low quad matrix now used to prevent the centering pin from descending as far as it does in a matrix for casting type, and to use in its place a low quad matrix which will not so interfere with the descent of the centering pin.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a controlling mechanism for the mold blade latch bell crank which will operate with suchva novel type of low quad matrix.

A further object of this invention is to prevent the battering or breaking away of the point of the centering pin, to lessen the wear upon the mold, and to prevent the strain on the parts which result from the use of the present devices for controlling the mold blade latch bell crank,

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fluid pressure control of the mold blade latch bell crank of an automatic type casting machine.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to our improvements, the invention consists in the steps, parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising our invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In carrying out the principles of our invention,

the usual steel low quad matrix is replaced by a novel type of matrix provided with a cone that extends into the matrix further than does the cone in the usual matrix for casting characters or high quads. rlhis avoids the undue compression of the centering pin spring with the resulting disadvantages already outlined above, and causes an additional descent or throw to the centering pin and its adjacent parts. This added throw operates the mold blade latch bell crank by apparatus to be more fully described hereinf,

after. As already noted, such apparatus is preferably of a fluid pressure type, and greatly simplifies the structure of this particular part of the automatic type casting machine. v

In order to make our invention more clearly understood, we have shown in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practical eifect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation,

have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of that part of an automatic type casting machine that is commonly called the bridge, showing our invention associated with the parts now used in such machine.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the position of certain parts just before a character or high quad is cast.

Figure 3 is a similar sectional view showing the ico VRcss position of the same parts preparatory to casting a low quad.

Figure 4 is a perspective View showing in detail the form of rocking lever used in our invention to coact with the lower centering spring abutment. y

Figure 5 is a sectional View, taken upon the section indicated by the line 5 5 in Figure 2, showing the detail of certain parts of the machine,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the mold blade and the parts associated therewith.

Figure 7 is a view, taken in longitudinal section, of the novel matrix used in my invention for casting low quads, and Figure 8 is a similar longitudinal section of the present matrix used to cast high quads or characters, for comparison therewith.

Before considering in detail the structure shown in the drawings, it is believed best to review briefly some of the general factors involved. The usual metal type used by printers is composed of an elongated, rectangular block called the body, at the upper surface of which, called the face, is found the character to be printed. Thus, the character is integrally superposed on the plane formed by the upper surface of the body, and this plane is uniform when a number of type are set up. For spacing, two types of spaces termed high and low, are used. Such spaces will for convenience be termed quads herein, which is intended to include both the spaces and the quadrats used in printing. The high quads are similar to the body portion of type used to print characters, and their upper surface is even with the plane previously referred to. In certain types of work, such as in making electrotype plates, high quads should be used. The low quads, which, as their name implies, are not as long as the high quads, give an increased clearance between their upper surface and the paper, and are used in certain other types of work. Naturally, provisions are made in the casting apparatus for casting both kinds of quads.

The face of type for characters and high quads are formed by casting suitable metal against the bottom surface of a matrix, indicated by the numeral 1 in the drawings. Such bottom surface or face of the matrix has indented therein the character which it is desired to cast. The matrices, one for each character, are cariied in a matrix case 2, in turn supported by a sliding frame 3, which slides in the carrying frame 4, By this arrangement, operated in a manner well known to the art, the matrix case may be moved to bring any desired matrix under the centering pin 5 and over the mold aperture. The centering pin is then lowered by the bridge lever 6, the point of the centering pin entering a conical recess 7 in the end of the matrix to center it and hold it firmly against the mold, indicated generally at 8. Figure 2 shows the parts in this position, the other matrices, matrix case, etc., being omitted for clearness.

The type is cast in a rectangular recess 9 in the mold, one side of this recess being formed by a surface of the cross block 1G. The opposite side of the recess is formed by the ends of the lower mold blade 11 and upper mold blade 12, which have a snug but sliding fit in a slot formed in the mold 8. By drawing this blade out the desired distance, the different widths or set size of the type may be accommodated. The remaining sides of the recess 9 are formed by the sides of this slot.

As shown in Figure 2, the ends of the upper and lower mold blades are kept in alignment for casting characters or high quads, and, as this constitutes the majority of the work, they are latched together in this relationship by the mold blade latch 13. Figure 3 shows the posiiton of these parts in casting low quads. The upper and lower mold blades have been unlatched from each other, the upper blade held in its closed position and the lower blade drawn out the desired distance. It will be seen that the lower surface of the upper mold blade now fo-rms the top boundary of the recess. The operation of unlatching the blades and holding the upper one closed is accomplished in a Well known manner by the mold blade latch bell crank 14.

From the drawings, it will be noticed that the connections for moving the centering pin 5 operate through a centering pin spring 15, provided with an upper centering pin spring abutment 16 and a lower centering pin spring abutment 17. The matrix heretofore used for casting low quads was not provided with the conical depression found in the other matrices, and prevented the point of centering pin from descending any lower than the upper plane surface of the matrix. This caused a compression of spring 15 when the centering pin descended upon such a low quad matrix, with a resultant relative movement of the centering pin spring abutments 16 and 17. Heretofore such relative movement of these abutments was utilized, through a complicated train of mechanism, to operate the mold blade latch bell crank 14. Numerous disadvantages-of this prior controlling mechanism have already been pointed out at the beginning of this specication.

In the illustrated form of our invention we use, for casting a low quad, a special type of low quad matrix 18, shown in Figure 7. The differences between it and the usual composition matrix, shown in Figure 8, may be readily appreciated by a comparison of thesev two figures. In the novel low quad matrix 18, the conical recess 19, while similar in shape to the recess 7, extends some distance further with the matrix. We have found that in extending it six points deeper, suitable operation will result, but such distance is, of course, merely given by way of example.

The extra deep recess 19 not only prevents any 2.5 compression of spring 15 in casting a low quad, but permits the centering pin to descend even farther than does the usual composition matrix. This added throw brings two pins 20, located at opposite sides of the lower centering pin spring abutment, into operative engagement with a bifurcated rocking lever, 2l. This lever, which may have a magnifying action to increase the motion caused by the additional descent of the pin, is mounted on a bridge bracket 22, in turn supported on the bridge 23. An adjustable stop screw 24, with a locking nut 25, is provided at a convenient part of the lever 21 to hold it in the desired inoperative position against the tension of spring 26. The rocking lever is also provided 140 with an adjustable valve actuating screw 27, having a locking nut 28. This screw cooperates with an adjacent valve stem 29.

Preparatory to operation, the screws 24 and 27 are adjusted so that the rocking lever 21 has l145 the inoperative position shown in Figure 2. As there shown, when the centering pin descends into the recess 7 of the usual composition matrix, the pins 20 may touch, but will not operate the rOCkng lever, When the centering pin descends 150 ioo into the recess 19 of the novel low quad matrix 18, however, the lever 21 will be operated, as shown in Figure 3, to lift the valve stem 29.

Mounted on bracket 22 are certain fluid pressure devices, including a valve having a valve head 30 connected to and movable with the valve stem 29 and resiliently held against its cooperating valve seat` The valve controls the ilow of fluid to the motor composed of cylinder 31 and plunger 32. In the form illustrated, the fluid used is compressed air, and is led from any convenient source by pipe 33 to the valve chamber 34. The chamber 35 below the valve head is connected by the closed passageway 36 to the interior of cylinder 31. A passageway 37 is provided to permit free access from chamber 35 to the atmosphere, and is exposed by a shoulder 38 on the valve stem 29 when the valve is in closed position.

Normally, the valve is held closed by spring 39 and the inside of the cylinder 31 is connected to the atmosphere through passageways 36 and 37. But when the screw 27 on lever 21 lifts the valve stem 29 the passageway 37 is shut off and the valve 30 opens to admit compressed air through passage 36 to the inside of cylinder 3l, moving plunger 32 to the right, as viewed in Figure 5. When lever 21 returns to its inoperative position, the valve 30 closes, and shoulder 38 exposes passageway 37 to release the compressed air therein.

Pivotally mounted on a downward extension of bracket 22 is a lever 40 that at one end contacts and has operative engagement with the mold blade latch bell crank 14. At its opposite end, the lever is provided with an adjustable contact screw 41, provided with a lock nut 42. Through this lever, the movements of the plunger 32, just described, operate the mold blade latch bell crank to unlatch the upper and lower mold blades and hold the upper mold blade in its closed position. When the air pressure behind the plunger is released, the restoring resiliency of the bell crank 14 acts through lever 40 to push plunger 32 into its inoperative position in cylinder 31.

It will thus be seen that We have provided a novel control mechanism for actuating the mold blade latch bell crank of an automatic type casting machine, which replaces the low quad matrix and the cumbersome and complicated device heretofore used for that purpose. With our device the undue compression of the centering pin spring previously occurring when casting low quads is avoided, together with the resultant strain on the parts, the battering of the point of the centering pin With subsequent poor alignment of the type cast, and the additional wear of the parts under the added pressure.

While We have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, we wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the precise details of construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims. Thus, one of the pins 20 may act directly upon the valve stem of a valve corresponding to valve 30; the cylinder 31 and plunger 32 may be so placed as to act directly upon the mold blade latch bell crank 14; the fluid pressure may be caused by a vacuum or a liquid, in lieu of compressed air; and the novel low quad matrix may be used to operate other types of control mechanisms, including mechanical controls. Such changes are suggested, merely by way of example, to illustrate the different constructions that Would occur to one skilled in the art in modifying the illustrated form of the invention while still embodying the principles thereof.

We claim:

1. Control mechanism for a part of an automatic type casting machine which comprises a centering pin, means permitting the centering pin to descend, in the operation in which such part is involved, a distance different from that in other operations, fluid operated means for actuating said part, and means associated with the centering pin to cause such different descent to operate such fluid operated means.

2. Control mechanism for the mold blade latch bell crank of an automatic casting machine, which comprises a centering pin, a matrix permitting the centering pin to descend, in casting operations, a distance different from that in other casting operations, a part moving with the centering pin, fluid pressure means for actuating the mold blade latch bell crank, and means causing such part to operate the fluid pressure means on such a different descent.

3. Control mechanism for the mold blade latch bell crank of an automatic casting machine, which comprises a centering pin, a matrix permitting the centering pin to descend, in casting operations, a distance different from that in other casting operations, a fluid pressure motor for actuating the mold blade latch bell crank, a valve controlling the flow of fluid to such motor, a part moving with the centering pin, and means operated by such part for opening said valve upon such different descent of the centering pin.

4. An attachment for automatic type casting machines to operate the mold blade latch bell crank which comprises a supporting bracket, a fluid motor thereon, a valve thereon for controlling the ow of Huid to the motor, means thereon whereby the fluid motor actuates the mold blade latch bell crank, and other means thereon whereby a part moving with the centering pin actuates the valve.

5. An attachment for automatic type casting machines to operate the mold blade latch bell crank which comprises a supporting bracket, a fluid motor thereon, a valve thereon for controlling the ilow of fluid to the motor, a lever thereon whereby the fluid motor actuates the mold blade latch bell crank, and a second lever thereon whereby a part moving with the centering pin actuates the valve.

ARTHUR H. BECK. FRANK C. BOTZ.

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