US2006860A

US2006860A - Control unit for linecasting and composing machines

Info

Publication number: US2006860A
Application number: US615592A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maurus T Goetz; Lester M Walden
Original assignee: Teletype Corp
Current assignee: AT&T Teletype Corp
Priority date: 1932-06-06
Filing date: 1932-06-06
Publication date: 1935-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1952-07-02

Description

July 2, 1935.

CONTROL UNIT oooo ou 19;l Sheets-Sheet 1 mvENToR' MA fm/5 T 60572 J BY 5575/? M. WALof/v July 2, 1935. M. T. Gol-:TZ ET AL. 2,096,860

CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed June 6, 1952- 4 SheeLS-Shf-ZelI 2 MUQU 7. 60572' E575? M. WALDEN HQ E Juy 2, 1935- M. T. Gol-:TZ ET AL 2,006,860

CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSINCT MACHINES Filed June 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR MAU/ws z G0572 BY 5575/? M. WALDE/v ATTORNE July 2, l935. M T GOETZ E]- AL CONTROL UNIT FOR LINE CASTING AND COMPOSING MACHINES Filed June 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet` 4 ,95) /lo k/OO lNvENToR MAN/Q05 7'. G0572 BY 5575A? M. WALow Patented July'2, .1935 -V t Y UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CONTROL UNIT FOR VLINECASTING, AND COMPOSING MACHINES Maurus T. Goetz and Lester li/I. Walden, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Teletype Corporation,-Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 6, 1932, Serial No. 615,592

25 Claims. (Cl. 199-31) Y vThe present invention relates to linecasting principal machine by a conveniently -locatedv and comprising machines and particularly vto power take-,off mechanism and is distributed improvements in automatic control units thereover a pair of shafts, to one of which is delegat- -for. .ed the operation yof the aforementioned record One of the objects of the present invention is reader and selectormechanism, while to the 5 to provide a mechanism eifective in the event of other is delegated the operation of the elevainterference with the movement of ythe matrix tor and its associated mechanisms.

assembling elevator to absorb harmlessly the It has become a widespread commercial pracpower applied thereto. tice to provideeach matrix with two matrix iml0 Another object of the present invention is pressions or mold faces usually ofthe same 10 to provide a duplex rail mechanism in the macharacter, but of different styles of type so trx assembling block that is controllable autothat by presenting ay matrix in either of two matically and thatassumes a set condition durpositions one or anotherV of these mold faces ing transit whereby displacement or scatteringmay be made to registeropposite the molding of assembled matrices is prevented. chamber in the linecasting machine. On being 15 The present invention contemplates improvereceived onto the assembling block, the individments in automatic control devices such as, for ual matrices are supported by a pair of sideexample, the device disclosed in copending apwardly extendinglugs which are integral thereplication Serial No. 600,606 nled March 23, 1932, with and which vrest upon either of two sets and referred to hereinafter as the copending of rails. The upper ofthe two sets of rails de- 2'0 application. termines the position in which the matrices For convenience in disclosing the present inshall be received, since the presentment or withvention a concise descriptionof the structure of drawal of the foremost portion of one of said the invention constituting the copending appliupper sets of rails at the ingress end of the ascation will be set forth herein, but for a more sembling block vresolves the entering position of 25 complete understanding of the details of the the matrices, after which, the latter progress structure reference should be had to the cited toward the other end of the block by sliding copending application. However, only such refupon the other of the set and the remainder erence is here being made as is believedfnecesof that rail upon which it started. In accordsary for a comprehensive presentation of the ancev with the present invention vit is contem- 30 invention. f plated to provide mechanism for presenting or The present control device admits of a comwithdrawing the determining rail upon which pact and unitary mechanism that is applicable the relative assembling position ofthe matrix to the keyboard of a standard linecasting and is dependent under 'supervision of the control composing machine, which will be referred to unit and iii-response to a predetermined signal. 35

generally hereinafter as the principal machine. InY addition to thus operating the rail automa- A plurality of actuators communicate with the tically-provision is also made `for using it. for individual release mechanisms of a principal a matrix lock-up device during ,such time as the machine and are brought into Selective operaelevator and assembling block are in transit in ,40 tion through the `instrumentality of, a code order that the matrices may be maintained in 40 bar selector mechanism. The selection of an an4 orderly alignment while they are carried actuator is accomplished by each of a plurality from the composing position to thevcasting posiof permutable positionments of a set of code tion. y bars under control of a record reader mecha- Under manual operation the matrix assembnism. f ling elevator of the principal machine is actu- 45 -In the preferred practice the record reader ated by means of a handle secured to theone mechanism contains a set of feelers functionend of the elevator operating shaft which traing to sense the successive transverse conditions verses the foremost portion of the keyboard. of a perforated control form. For each lon- The present improvement contemplates a power gitudinal track in the control form there isV drive connection through the selfsame opera- 50 associated one such feeler member which, upon ting shaft but vsince-the operation of the elevathe occurrence or absence of a` perforation in tor is of its nature accompanied by a possibleV a particular position in its track, causes a cor- Obstruction or interference means are provided responding movement of its associated permutafor disabling the drive connection by rendering tion or code bar. Power is taken from the it inelfective without altogether disjoining it.- 55.

2 aooaseo l Among the features of this invention which contribute to the aforementioned general objects particularly noteworthy ones reside in providing such a connection which is compact and positive in operation, which permits of adjustment to accommodate individual requirements and one which is almost entirely encased to assure safety to the attendant as well as to be least exposed t dust settlement and foreign deposit.

A more complete understanding of the present invention will be had from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a plan View of the keyboard of a principal machine with parts broken away, illustrating the application of an automatic control unit embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the power distributing mechanism forming part of the control unit with portions omitted to permit of a better illustration of the elevator control handle. r

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional View taken approximately on line 3 3 of Fig. 1 featuring the elevator control handle and the resilient connection therein.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating an operated position of the elevator control handle.

Fig. 5 is a detailed fragmentary elevational view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 but illustrating another operated position of the elevator control handle.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View through the keyboard of the principal machine illustrating the action from the automatic and manual actuators through and including the matrix release mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a left side elevation of the principal machine illustrating the elevator raising arm and the duplex rail mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the assembling block illustrating the mode in which the individual matrices are assembled for variously presenting their molding faces into casting position.

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of a portion of al line-casting machine featuring a modified form of assembling block rail shift mechanism.

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a line-casting machine partially in section featuring the modified structure also illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the double code shift mechanism adapted for use with the structure illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fig. -12 is a fragmentary perspective View of the interior of an assembling block illustrating the application thereto of a rail shift mechanism such as is shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view generally similar to Fig. 12 but illustrating a shift position of the rail.

Particular reference is had to the accompanying, drawings in the course of the following detailed description in which like reference characters designate similar parts throughout.

General description As explained in the copending application, pOwer for operating the control unit is obtained from the principal machine by means of a power take-off mechanism constituting generally a shaft I5, Fig. l, pulley driven from the intermediate shaft of the principal machine. VA pair subordinates shaft Il.

of tributary shafts i6 and II are driven from constantly rotating shaft I5 through gears I3 and I9 freely mounted upon their corresponding shafts I5 and Il. Each of these tributary shafts are provided with a spring loaded tooth clutch 2i and 22 and disengagement levers 23 and 2/1 whereby one or another of the two shafts is brought into operative engagement with its gear I8 or I9 which is constantly driven from the common driving shaft i5.

Shaft IG carries driving means which control and operate a record reader mechanism 225 and gear 25 which imparts motion to the selector mechanism, while shaft i l carries an elevator cperating cam 2l and a special clutch cam 28 the latter of which functions to control a single revolution clutch mechanism (not shown) which The two clutch control levers 23 and 243 are, as between themselves, intercontrolled, as more fully described in the copending application, whereby neither may be actuated until the other has completed its previous performance.

This intercontrol mechanism may be described generally as follows, having particular reference to Figs. l, 2 and 6: During the operation of the principal machine the major portion of the operative cycle is normally expended in performing composing machine control functions. At the conclusion of a predetermined number of matrix release functions there appears in the control form an elevator actuating code combination of perforations which causes the following response.

A definite alignment of notches 29 are presented opposite a selector bar 3i and the latter bar is thrust forwardly in the usual mode of selective operation to be more particularly explained in connection with the selector` mechanism hereinafter, engaging with a lug 32 formed integrally therewith one arm 33 of a T-lcver 34 pivotally mounted at 35, rotating the latter counterclockwise and against the tendencies of a spring 3B which normally urges it in an opposite direction, Figs. i and 2. Another arm 31 of lever 31E has pivotally connected to it a bai' 38 the remote end of which is offset and has a shoulder 39 adapted for cooperation with a corresponding shoulder lI of a spring actuated latch lever 2. The other arm Q3 of lever 34 is connected to a link which in turn is articulated to clutch release lever 23 of the record reader shaft i5 so as to pull it postively into effective position for disengaging clutch 2i but with loose joint connection in the other direction in which a spring (not shown) functions to return it.

Thus it will be understood that upon being selected bar Si rotates T-lever 34 counterclockwise causing it to be latched by lever 52 and holding disengagement lever 23 in its effective position. Bar 33, by being connected to one end of a floating lever 35, causes the latter to collide with one arm 46 of a bellcrank d?, the other arm 138 of which normally blocks clutch disengagement lever 2d of elevator shaft I'I, holding it in effective position, but upon the movement of bar 38 bellcranlf` fil is allowed to be moved out of effective position permitting clutch 22 to become engaged and imparting motion to the elevator cam shaft I'I.

Cam shaft i? proceeds through one revolution, coming to rest under control of a single revolution mechanism associated with its clutch 22, but during its cycle a cam 49 carried upon ticulated triggers 12 of timed release mechait acts upon latch 42 to release bar-38 and restore T-lever 34 to normal position. Clutch lever 23, however, isV not necessarily restored with it until the complete descent-of the elevator, operating through a linger I, which (t0 be completely described later) withdraws arm 52 of cradle 53 from blocking lever 23.

Control A control form 5ft is previously prepared in a keyboard perforating mechanism such as, for example, the one illustrated and described in copending application Serial No. 601,172 led March 25, 1932 after which it is threaded through the receiving die 55 of a record reader mechanism generally indicated 25. in progressing through the reader mechanism each transverse row of perforations in the form 5ft is simultaneously semed by a set of feeler `levers 55 and, in accordance with the setting thereof as received from the control form, a corresponding set of transfer levers 5l is also positioned and in turn imparts the setting to a corresponding set of code bars 58 through themedium of individual connecting rods 59. The tape Ellis fed intermittently through the record reader mechanism preferably by pawl and ratchet engagement (not shown) and is permitted a sufficient rest interval intervening said motions during which to transfer the reading or setting to the set of code bars 58 as just described.

Code bars 5S, as best seen in Fig. .2, are provided with variously spaced notches 2S! so distributed that upon each permutative positionment thereof oneand only one transverse alignment of notches 2S is afforded. Alternately and oppositely disposed adjacent said code bars 58 are a double alignment of selectable bars Si as well as the elevator selector bar 3i all of which are individually spring urged to engage the several code bars 5B and generally prevented from further movement by the interposition of 52 of one or more of the several code bars In accordance with each positionment of the several code bars, one of the selectable bars 6l or 3i is afforded a clearance by the alignment oi notches liiaforementioned and is permitted to enter into said alignment and to assume a position substantially as that illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 6 and hereinafter to be reierred to as the selected position.

immediately upon assuming selected position a particular bar Vi3! is driven rightwardly, .as viewed in Fig. 6, under the influence` of a common actuator bar 63 which in turn receives its motion from a pair of concurrently operating cams Se secured to and rotatable with a spreader cam shaft S5 and located at the opposite ends thereof. In its movement rightwardly bar 6i through its foremost portion collides with apdepending arm 66 of a bellcranlc member el, displaceably fulcrumed in alignment on a common shaft 68 with a plurality of other and similar nism's 'i3 to disengage their respective yokes 14. The mechanism from this point of operation, wherethe matrices are released until an instant shortly before they are received upon the assembling block l5, is well lrnown and is sumciently described in the copending application referred to so as not to be necessary to a clear understanding of the present invention.

Rail shift As the several matrices and space bands are released from their respective magazines they precipitate onto a conveyor belt and are carried into position on an assembling block .15, Fig. 8. As mentioned above, block 'l5 is provided with two sets of rails, the lowermost setof Whichl is permanent and preferably integrally lor-ined with the block l5, whilethe upper one il is comprised of two abutting sections on the forward or right-hand side as viewed in Fig. 7, vand a single integral section on the left-hand side.A

Portion 'lil of right-hand rail Ti is movable on blockv 'E5 and in accordance with its presentment or withdrawal, being in the foremost portion, determines the receiving position of subsequently released matrices. The rearmost section EQ (Fig. S) may also Vbe made withdrawable but need not be so since its relative position is not directly material towards determining thepositioning of the received matrices, for once they are supported by one or the other of the two sets of rails l' or 'il their movement during assembly causes them merely to slide onwardly upon whichever rail they are positioned. Through the upper position in the assembling block is maintained upon a pair of rails one of which is constituted by the movable section 18 describedV abovel it will be understood that satisfactoryresuits may be had with the use of but one rail, (the right-hand one) and that the inert leitvhand rail serves, merely, to balance the support position and some in the loweror 'where all of the matrices are assembled in the upper position and where thereafter it becomes desirable to change the line so as to have the entire line in the lower position with a structure such as the last mentioned it is necessary but to withdraw the entire rail and allow'all of the matrices to fall to the lower position.

One phase of the present invention resides in providing the means about to be described whereby the foremost portion i8 of the'movable rail vmay be automatically presented or withdrawn underLcontrol or" the selector mechanism of the control unit and thereby function respense to perforated signals in the control form.

In the preferred practice of the present invention the foremost portion '18, Fig'. '7, of the removable rail'has articulated to it one i355 of a T-lever 8l which is pivoted at 82. vArm 83 as well as the one Sti opposite to it veach carry an adjustment screw 85 for determining and acl- `iusting the limit of motion of lever Si while a third arm 86 is pivotally connected to a link 81 the opposite terminal offwhich is in turn pivoted to one end of a firstclass lever 88. Lever 88 is normally spring urged clockwise as illustrated in Fig.V 7 and is provided at the opposite end with a shoulder 5e. A release lever 9| pivoted at 92 is equipped with a cooperating shoulder 33 normally adapted by engagement with the rst mentioned shoulder 89 to maintain lever 83 in its extreme counterclockwise position whereat rail T8 is withheld as illustrated in solid lines. Upon being released, either manually through its upper end :it or automatically through its lower end S5, release lever 9| is rotated clockwise until its shoulder 93 failing to withhold lever 88 against the influence of its spring 96 causes thereby the presentment of rail 'i8 into its eiective or presented position as illustrated in dotted lines. The automatic release of lever di is brought about through the agency of a vertically fpivoted bar El one end of which is provided.

with a screw lill whereby its stroke may be adjusted and through which it engages the lower extremity Q5 of lever 9|. flhe other end of lever ISD is disposed in the path of a lug similar in all particulars to lug 32 of elevator selector bar 3| and is acted upon by the former in the same manner under control of a special signal.

It will be understood that in accordance with this form of the present invention a portion of an assembled line may be constituted of lower rail characters while the remainder of the line may be constituted of upper rail characters or the entire line may consist of either types of characters. On account of the v riation in thickness between some of the thin matrices and the relatively thick ones, and in the absence of any provision for moving the newly assemble' matrices well forward upon the block 75 as soon as they are received, the laterally shiftable rail of Figs. 7 and l0 may not function in the assembling of mixed upper level and lower level matrices under solely automatic control. This is true because the cutaway portion of the inert left-hand rail 'I1 if made large enough to permit the thickest matrix sufficient clearance so that it may drop to the lower level when the shiftable section 'i8 is withdrawn, will be too great to aiford the thin matrices any support which are last to be received in the upper or bold position and which are immediately followed by a rail shift operation intended to aiect only the following received matrices. For this reason the laterally shiftable rail is best adapted to solid line bold or roman composition and not to mixed composition for which purpose the longitudinally shiftable rail of Fig. 9 is better suited.

Lever e8 is carried upon a lifting arm 91 which is secured to the left end of elevator shaft 98 as viewed in Fig. l and has appurtenant to it a downwardly extending lug 9S, Fig. 7, to which is fastened one end of an expansible spring the other end of which is conveniently secured to a part of the framework. The extremity of arm 91 is pivot-ally connected to elevator |32 by a link V|03 through which it is pushed upwardly during the oscillation of shaft 98. Since lever 88 being pivotally supported by arm 9T must accordingly move with it, its shoulder 39 is freed from engagement with release lever 9| during operation of the elevator raising mechanism and under influence of spring 96 it is caused to rotate clockwise moving rail 18 into the presented position as distinguished from the other or withdrawn position. Thus it will be understood that during the operation of the elevator, rail 18 is invariably presented in supporting position whereat the latter overlies the lugs |05 of those matrices which are positioned on the lower rail 76 and locks them in so that after the upward movement of the elevator the sudden stop thereof will not dislodge them.

In descending, after having delivered its load of matrices, elevator |82 and its associated elements move from the dotted line position, as illustrated in Fig. 7, to the solid line position, and in so doing lever 88 carried by lifting arm 91 reengages with its shouldered portion 89 the c0- operating shoulder 923 of release lever 9|, automatically restoring thereby the movable rail 1S to its withdrawn position in preparation for a subsequent composing operation. It will be understood, therefore, that the normal position of the shiftable rail corresponds to the one illustrated in solid lines, while the alternative or operated position corresponds to the one illustrated in dotted lines.

Elevator disabling mechanism At the ight end of elevator shaft 9S, Fig. l, there is secured a manual operating handle |05 having associated t. erewith an auxiliary portion operating independently as a crank arm and freely supported on shaft 98 as also illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5. rEhe foremost extremity of portion iGS carries a follower roller lill norniahy adapted to rest upon cam 2 of elevator cam shaft while the rearward portion terminates with arcuate segment 09, eccentric with respect to elevator shaft 93 and varying therewith, but having a major radius at about point ii l which gradually diminishes towards a minor radius at about point I2. In cooperation with this arcuate portion |89 a rolleri HS carried foremost on a plunger Hd is constantly urged by a compression spring housed within the handle i. The force applied to plunger iid by spring |55 may be varied by turning adjustment screw H located at the heel portion of handle |95. This adjustment screw HEB includes a bushing Hl through which extends the head portion H3 of screw H6 and against which a flange H9 thereof constantly is abutted. A sleeve i2! is threaded upon screw i i8 and engages with its foremost portion the rear end of spring H5. By rotating adjustment crew Hf: in one direction or the other, sleeve |2| is moved longitudinally thereon and is caused to compress or expand spring 5.

Auxiliary portion or crank arm |06 has integrally formed therewith a sdewardly extending lug |22 best seen in Fig l. A screw |23 threaded through lug i 22 is adapted to engage a cooperating lug |25 formed integrally with the hub portion E25 of handle |235 so that in the counterclockwise movement or" handle U55 as viewed in Fig. 5 the engagement between the lug 24 and the screw |23 of lug E22 positively imparts similar motion to auxiliary member |56, though a counterclockwise motion originating with auxiliary member $13 does not impart a corresponding motion positively to handle ill-5 but only a yieldable force which moves handle in thc absence of sufficient resistance to its movement for causing the compression of spring ||5 by action of segment |89 against roller ||3. Be it understood th at in the event of any interference with the rotation of shaft 98 either through the blocking of handle |65 or a blocking of the elevator 92 the force imparted from driven shaft il through cam 2'. to auxiliary member is dissipated in compressing spring H5 and is ineffective beyond the auxiliary member it, while, Aon the other hand when cam 21 returns, arm |535 follows therewith through the action of spring |55 and roller |I3 upon surface in seeking to'intercept a minimum radius between itself and pivot |33.

Ale-ver i'e pivotally carried upon shaft 93 'is provided at its foremost portion with an extending finger 5| `and at' its rearmost portion with an arcuate segment S28. An elongated opening is provided in segment |28 which corresponds to a pair of intersecting circular holes |29 and ISI, and into one of which |29 there is normally urged a spring pressed detent |32, Fig. l. Arcuate segment 528 terminates with a sideward `extension |33 subjacent the handle |95, so as. to be engaged conveniently by an operator as a finger piece.

Finger 5| during the normal operation of the mechanism is adapted to press upon a cooperating extension |34 of the pivoted cradle member 53, best illustrated in Fig. 2. Cradle member 53 is normally spring-urged in a clockwise direction but is constrainedfrom movement in response to its spring |35 by the aforementioned engagement with finger 5|. Blocking arm 52 extending. from cradle 53 is adapted during the normal position to beheld abovethe extermity of disengagment lever 23 which operates upon clutch 2| of record reader shaft i8 to disconneet driving engagement between the driving and driven members thereo-f.

As soon as operating handle |Il5`is started into oscillation eithermanually or through the control unitk then finger 5| is raised out of engagementk with extension l|34'pernlitting cradle 5S to respond to the urge of its spring |55 and assume a position whereat blockingV arm 52 is presented behind disengagement lever 23.

The performance of'cradle 53 under control of finger 5I constitutes a secondary interlocking mechanism, the initial one beingV the latch bar BFS and its associated elements 31| and M. .Finger lever |25 responds as follows: i y

With the elevatorshaft started into' rotation cam 21 engages roller |31 urging it into the position vindicated Vin Fig. ll.V Assuming that the movement of the elevator is blocked, shaft @il resists the motion 'thus impartedy to it by auxiliary portion 55 through segment |99 and roller M3 and instead of yielding there to the force transmitted through auxiliary memberfiii en'- gages roller M3 of plunger ||4 compressing spring H5 within handle |05. It will be noted that the operative connection between cam shaft I1 and elevator shaft 98 is at no time broken nor discontinued but that a continued application of power subsiste throughout the entire cycle of operation and that the power source and actuating mechanism is at all times in readiness to function should the impediment be overcome or the interfering irregularity be adjusted.

Where the interference with the movement of shaft S8 is effective from the initial rotation thereof, finger lever |26 being secured to and rotatable with auxiliary member |96 describes a full angular motion until detent member .|32 becomes disengaged entirely from openings |23 and ISI and instead enters another opening |35 in segment |2Zi so that on the' completion ofV r0- tationlof shaft |1 finger lever |26 will remain in a position as indicated in dotted lines inv Fig. `3

through vthe engagement of vdetent |32 with orice |36 though crank arm'i follows cam 21 back to normal position.v Where, however, in-

steadf'of interfering with'the motion of .shaft et from the start, an impediment is encountered in the final portion of its angular movement only, detent member |32 -merely rides out of engagement withthe'lower opening |29 ofthe twointersecting `openings and rides into 'engagement with the other 53|.. In either event,` finger lever |25 isl restrained from returning rto its normal position with the detent |32 in registration with opening |29, and'though'the auxiliary member Mit is permitted to resume its normal position, finger .5| will, nevertheless, failA to engage extension i365 of cradle 53 Ywithout which blocking arm remainsv in its eifective position holding disengagement lever 23 against driven portion of clutch 2i and Ypreventing its reengagement. in this manner the interference which prevented the normal operation of elevator shaft 98 operates to prevent the further performance of the record reader 25 untilan attendant manually restores the mechanism into operative condition,which.he does by engagingv thumb piece |33 of finger lever |26 urging it back to its normal position. It will be vunderstood that before so doing the attendant will rst have remedied the cause for the interfere` encewith the'normal movement of the elevator mechanism.

Modifications In the modified form of the rail shift mechanism illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive, provision is `made whereby in addition to the advantages obtained by the practicey ofthe preferred form described above an additional advantage is had in enabling the mixed assembling vof matrices in any desired combination, that is, the incoming matrices areset at the respective levels individually. In accordance with rthis practice, Vas best illustrated in Figs. 9 and 12', a longitudinally shiftable rail |31 is provided with a spring element |38 for normally` urging `it leftwardly.

Rail iS'J at its inner surfacey which serves asl a support to incoming Amatricesterminates with an extended portion |3|l having an upturned projection which when the rail |31' is in its' normal position is presented as shown in Fig.

l2, but during the shiftedV position of rail |3'IV projection i3d is presented as indicated in Fig'. 13. 'Accordingly in either of its positions projection serves tol positively hold thosematrices that have already been selectively received while also to more definitely determine the position in which subsequentlyreleased matrices are received. k

As will be seen lin Figs. 12 and 13 the structure of the assembling V-blockispreferably made' to accommodate the'requirements of the improved rail i3?. rThe ingress portion of the block 15 is beveled as at |i affording a flared entrance to the matrices as they descend so that in case a matrix in dropping should happen notl to be properly aligned the flared ingress surface I4@ acting as adiminutive hopper serves torrealign it. In order to further assist in the reception of matrices it has also been found expedient to provide the foremost portion |53 of the block lo as a floating part being heldin position solely by a flat springv |56 which is secured to ity and also to the main portion of the block 15. By reason vof the .extensive length of spring IEB between the points" at which it is securedit permits not only of vertical exibilityand movement on the partofv portion IEQbut also'V of lsome horizontal motion as well thereby allowing CFI member |50 a certain amount of deflection in the'event it is struck by a descending matrix that is out of alignment.

The forward edge of the rail |31 is beveled as may be seen in Fig. 13and the adjacent corner of floating portion |50 is also thusbeveled. This is so provided in order that rail |31 shifting intoits position as illustrated in this figure, may cam member |56 upwardly and be permitted to lie completely beneath it. This practice of providing a displaceable ingress portion permits the rail |31 to have its full width throughout excepting the small extension |30 which otherwise would have to be considerably longer and consequently that much weaker and less able to withstand the strain of bufling the matrices upon their descent.

.Upon the selection of either of the elements |6I or |62 the lug |59 thereof engages its lever 51 thrusting the opposite end against its associated parallel bar |52 and rotating T-lever |48 in accordance therewith, while the other of the two parallel bars is simultaneously restored to its non-operating position by reason of its articulation to T-lever |48 as may be readily seen in Fig. 10. Thus, it will be understood that a special signal which selects one of the elements 6| or |62 will cause the presentment of shiftable rail |31 into one position while the selection of the other of the elements in response to another special signal will cause the presentment of shiftable rail |31 into the other of its positions.

General operation In Athe absence of any interference with the operation of the elevator mechanism the unit will respond as follows: The control form 54 is fed intermittently through the receiving die 55 of the record reader mechanism 25 where during the rest period intervening each such motion, the code combination of the transverse row of perforations is simultaneously sensed by the set of feelerV levers 56. Thereafter this code combination is transferred to the code bars 58 by the transfer levers 51 causing to be presented an alignment of notches 29 opposite `one of the selectable elements 6|. In timed relation to the setting of the code bars 56 cam shaft 65 is rotated clockwise as viewed'in Fig. 6 until its apices no longer spread the elements 5| whereupon the particular one opposite the aforementioned alignment of notches is permitted to assume its selected position, as illustrated in dotted lines in this ligure. Following this, common actuator bar 53 receives a measured stroke which by the interposition of the foremost portion of the selected elements 6| imparts said motion to the corresponding yieldable member 6E', in the case where the particular selection pertains to a matrix signal. Where, however, the particular selection does not pertain to the release of a matrix but instead relates to a preparatory function such as for example the shifting of the duplex rail 18 of theassenibling block 15 the forward movement of selected element does not engage a yieldable member 61 but instead, by its lug such as 59, causes the actuation of the particular function mechanism associated therewith.

Where the particular selection pertains to the operation of the elevator mechanism it causes a selective operation of bar 3|, Fig. 3, rotating T-lever 34 counterclockwise and latching bar 38 behind shoulder 4| of latch lever 42 and arresting record reader shaft i5 by presenting disengagement lever 23 in its effective position. Through its articulation with iioating levez 45 the rightward movement of latch bar 33 causes the engagement of the intermediate portion thereof with bellcrank member d6 thereby rotating it counterclockwise and withdrawing its blocking portion fili from behind elevator clutch disengagement lever 24. Thereafter shaft l1 is permitted to rotate one complete revolution and is again arrested by the action of disengagement lever 24 under control of a single revolution clutch mechanism completely disclosed in the copending application. During its revolution shaft l1 through the instrumentality of cam 2l raises the auxiliary arm |55 to the position indicated in Fig. 4 and thereafter allows it to return to its normal position as indicated in solid lines in Fig. 3. During the cycle of rotation cam 49 also carried by shaft l1 releases latch lever 42 permitting latch bar 58 under iniiuence of spring 36 to override the shoulder 4S and restore to normal position the T-lever 3l! and its associated elements.

The restorative motion of T-lever 3ft permits disengagement lever 23 of the record reader shaft clutch 2| to respond to its spring (not shown) and assume its ineffective position provided, however, that blocking arm 52 of cradle 53 is also in its ineffective position. Where, however, the free and complete movement of the elevator shaft 98 is interfered with finger lever |25 becomes dislodged from its normal position against the tendencies of detent |32 in holding it thereat and upon the return of the auxiliary arm |95 linger 5| of lever |26 fails to reengage the extension |34 of cradle 53 permitting the latter, through its arm 52 to continue to block the release movement of disengagement lever 23.

The restoration to normalcy of the mechanism, after it has been blocked by interference from movement of the elevator, is a manual adjustment as described above.

While the foregoing description has been drawn to a particular disclosure it will be understood that numerous modications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended not to be limited to the foregoing description, nor the disclosure "in the accompanying drawings but rather to include all matter as may be construed in accordance with the following claims.

What is claimed is: Y A

l. In a linecasting machine, a matrix convey- -ing mechanism, an automatic control mechanism, a source of mechanical power for operating said conveying mechanism in response to said control mechanism including a periodically operated power shaft, a conveying mechanism operating shaft, a handle for manually operating said last mentioned and a resilient conection contained within said handle for associating said power shaft tosaid conveying 'mechanism shaft and automatically rendered ineffective in the event of predetermined.resistance to movement by saidconveying mechanism shaft.

2. In combination with a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including a pe iodically driven shaft, a conveyor mechanism, manual control means for operating said conveyor mechanism including a handle secured thereto', and a yielding element contained within said handle constituting an operative connection between said shaft and said mechanism which element yields under predetermined resistance for absorbing the driving power.

3. In a linecasting machine, a conveyor, a shaft positively connected to said conveyor for operating it thereby, a crank arm carried by said shaft, an automatic control unit including a power driven shaft, a cam carried by said power shaft operable upon said crank arm for oscillating said operating shaft, and means `for storing the force imparted by said cam under control of predetermined resisting forces.

4. In a linecasting and composing machine, an automatic control unit including a periodically operating power shait, amechanism to be operated by said power shaft, and a connection between said shaft and said mechanism including a compression spring yieldable in a direction transverse tothat of said connection and continuously urging the movement of said mechanism.

5. In a linecasting and composing machine, an automatic control unitV including a plurality of individually selectable elements, a receptacle for receiving assembled matrices including a shftable rail for supporting 'said matrices, means directly operative by one oi said elements for moving said rail into 'one condition of operation, and a spring detent responsive to a predetermined condition of said receptacle for maintaining said rail in the other condition yof operation.

6. In a linecasting and composing machine an automatic control unit including a plurality of elements individually movable into selected position, a movable receptacle for receiving assembled matrices including a rail shiftable into effective ineiective positions, a lever movable with said receptacle for shifting said rail into each of said positions responsive to the selective movement ci one of said Velements for moving it into one position and thatanother of said elements for moving it into the lother of said positions.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which each of said elements is provided with means which during'itsv operation restores the other of said elements to normal position.

8. In a linecasting and composing machine, a carriage for receiving assembled matrices, an

arm for bodily lifting said carriage during periodic cycles of operation, a rail associated with said carriage for selectively supporting assembled matrices, mechanism. carried by said arm for alternatively positioning said rail, and an automatic control unit including a pair of individually selectable elements each operative to actuate said mechanism into one of its alternative conditions of operation.

9. In a linecasting machine, a holder upon which matrices are assembled, a lower matrix support for said holder, an upper matrix support ior said holder capable of selective withdrawal, a conveyor for transporting said holder, conveyor raising mechanism, shifting means for saidupper support carried by said conveyor raisingmechanism, and automatically controlled means vfor operating said shifting means.

' 10. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit including f a central operating mechanism, a record reader responsive to perfoi-ations in a tape for setting up element selective conditionaa plurality of individually selectable elements receiving operative motion from said mechanism and individual `selective clearance from said record reader, an assembling carriage including va supporting rail alternatively shiftable into different positions, and

receiving motion transmitted from certain 'ci said elements directly fork selectively shifting saidrail.

lLIn a linecasting and composing machine, a matrix assembling vblock includingV a main member affording a trackway into which are received an alignmentoi matrices in assembling operation, afloating ingress portion on said block, and a resilient securing member for holding said ingress portion in position on said block universally yieldable to permit said portion a limited-freedom of movement in accommodating incoming matrices.

l2. In a linecasting and composing machine,` a matrix assembling block including a lower rail for supporting received matrices at one level, a rshiftable upper rail for supporting received matrices at another level including a main member alfording `a slot into which said shiftable rail is adapted to reside, a portion on saidrail extended foremost therefrom so as to be disposed ata proper point for engagement with conveyor, a shaft rotatable for operating conveyor, a power driven mechanismincluding a periodically operative cam, an arm associated with said shaft for receiving motion from said cam, a resilient element connecting said larm and said shaft, and means'associated with said element for varying the 'stiffness thereof.

lll. In a line composing machine, a periodical yly operated apparatus, automatic means initiated by .signals for operating said apparatus including a driving shaft capable Aof imparting a motivating impulse, Ya driven shaft for receiving said impulse and delivering it .towsaid apparatus, and a resilient connecting means" Fil and releasing it as soon as such resistance is 15. In a line composing machine, an elevator, a matrix receiving block carried by said elevator, a shiftable rail for selectively supporting or rejecting incoming matrices, a spring for urging said rail into one position, agdetent for holding said rail in the other position against the tendencies of said spring, and a signal controlled mechanism for releasing said detent in response to certain signals.

16. In a linecasting and composing machine, a signal responsive control apparatus for initiating the functions of said machine, a conveying mechanism, a motive source under control of said apparatus for operating said conveying mechanism including a rotatable shaft, and a resilient connecting means between said shaftJ and said source capable of absorbing the driving power of said source under predetermined conditions and tending to restore normal conditions reactively.

17. In a linecasting and composing machine, a control unit for automatically initiating the functions of said machine, a conveyor, a shaft positively connected to said conveyor for operating it thereby, a crank arm carried by said shaft, a power driven shaft under control of said unit, a cam carried by said power driven shaft operable upon said crank arm for oscillatinfr operating shaft, and means for storing the force imparted by said cam in the event of predetermined resisting forces.

18. In a linecasting machine, a matrix con veying mechanism, an automatic control mechanism for releasing matrices to said conveying mechanism', a source of mechanical power for operating said conveying mechanism in response to said control mechanism, including a periodically operated element, means through which said conveying mechanism is actuated, a handle for manually operating said means to lift said conveying mechanism, and a resilient connection contained within said handle through which power is communicated from said element to said means and rendered ineffective automatically in the event of predetermined resistance to movement of said conveying mechanism.

19. In a linecasting and composing machine, a periodically operated organ, a source of motor power for actuating said organ including a drivenshaft, a driving shaft, a yieldable element associated withone of said shafts, and a cam member associated with the other` of said shafts for imparting driving power through said yieldable element having a component which may be varied in accordance with th angular slope or rise of said cam.

20. In a linecasting and composing machine, a periodically operated conveyor mechanism. va signal responsive control unit including a source of motor power for actuating said conveyor mechanism, a driven shaft for operating conveyor mechanism, la driving shaft associated with said driven shaft, and a coupling apparatus between said driven and driving shafts including an element associated with one of said shafts having a yieldable plunger, a cam associated with the other of said shafts cooperating with said plunger for imparting driving power therethrough between said shafts, the rise in the surface of said cam affording a component force which may vary with respect to the resiliency of said yieldable element.

2i. In a linecasting and composing machine, a periodically operated conveyor mechanism, a signal responsive control unit including a source of motor power for actuating said conveyor mechanism, a driven shaft for operating said `in accordance with the angular surface of said cam with respect to said plunger.

22. In a linecasting machine, a periodically operated organ, an automatic control apparatus responsive to certain stored signals for initiating into operation said organ comprising a driving shaft, an operating cam carried by said shaft, a driven shaft, an arm secured to said driven shaft, and means for communicating the power from said cam to said driven shaft comprisinga secondary arm loosely carried by said driven shaft and a yieldable connection between said secured arm and said loosely carried arm.

Z3. In a linecasting machine, a matrix conveying mechanism, an automatic control mechanism, a source of power for operating said conveying mechanism in response to said control mechanism including a periodically operated power shaft, a conveying mechanism operating shaft, a handle secured to said conveying mechanism operating shaft for manually actuating it thereby, a resilient connection contained within said handle, and a rotatable cam cooperating with said resilient connection for associating said power shaft to said conveying mechanism shaft, said connection automatically rendered ineffective in the event of predetermined resistance to movement by said conveying mechanism shaft.

24. In combination with a linecasting and a vcomposing machine, a control unit including a periodically driven shaft, a conveyor mechanism, manual control means for operating said conveyor mechanism comprising a handle secured thereto, a yieldable element contained within said handle, and a cam cooperating with said yieldable element and constituting an operative connection therewith between said shaft and said mechanism collapsible under predetermined resistance for absorbing within said yieldable element the driving power communicated by said cam.

25. In a linecasting and composing machine, an automatic control unit including a periodically operating power shaft, a mechanism to be operated by said shaft, and a connection between said shaft and said mechanism including a cam and la spring-pressed follower yieldable in a direction transverse to the force communicated by said power shaft and continuously urging the movement of said mechanism.

MAURUS T. GOETZ. LESTER M. WALDEN.