US2135919A

US2135919A - Electric control device for linotype machines

Info

Publication number: US2135919A
Application number: US186136A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph V Streeter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-01-21
Filing date: 1938-01-21
Publication date: 1938-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 1955-11-08

Description

Nov. 8, 1938. R. v. STREETER 2,135,919

ELECTRIC CONTROL DEVICE ECR LINCTYPE MACHINES' Filed Jan. .2l. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 8, 1938. R. v. sTRl-:ETER

ELECTRIC CONTROL DEVICE FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Nov. 8, 1938 ELECTRIC CONTROL DEVICE FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES Ralph V. Streeter, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application January 21, 1938, Serial No. 186,136

12 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanism for lifting the assembling elevators of type-casting machines and particularly to power-operated, electrically controlled elevator-lifting apparatus.

In the usual conventional forms of type-casting machines such as the Linotype machine, the assembling elevators are lifted by application of muscular effort on a manually operated lifting lever. With such machines the manually operated lifting lever constitutes an undesirable obstruction and operation thereof'causes fatigue of the operator.

It is an object of my invention to provide a power-operated mechanism for lifting the assembling elevato-r of a type-casting machine.

Ano-ther object is to provide such a mechanisrn wherein application of lifting effort may be initiated by manipulation of an easily operated manual control element and automatically terminated at the pro-per point in the cycle of operation of the type-casting machine.

Still another object is toprovide such a mechanism of an electrically controllable nature.

A further object is to provide such mechanism of light, compact, simple, inexpensive, easilyv installed and easily operated construction.

These and other objects and'advantages of the invention will more fully appear in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and, in which:-

Fig. l is a front view of a portion of a typecasting machine having an embodiment of my invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a side View of my mechanism to enlarged scale and disposed as in Fig. 2;

Fig. Il is a front view;

Fig. 5 is a side view of my mechanism as viewed from a direction opposite that of Figs. 2 and 3; and

Fig. 6 is an electrical connection diagram of the control circuit of my mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of my invention is shown associated with a Linotype type-casting machine L having a key vboard 1, a vertically movable assembling elevator 8, a camroll shaft 9, and a line delivery shaft III. An assembling elevator lever handle II is mounted on an assembling elevator lever shaft I2, which carries an assembling elevator lever I3 connected to the assembling elevator 8 through a link I4. The assembling elevator 8 in the conventional machine is raised by depressing the handle II, and returns to its normal lowered position responsive to the pull of gravity when the handle II is released. When the assembling elevator 8 has been raised to its upper-most limit of movement the line delivery shaft lll rotates in a counter-clockwise direction through a moderate angle as the type matrices are removed from the assembling elevator 8. When the line delivery shaft IIl has rotated in a counter-clockwise direction through a suitable angle, the handle I I may be released to permit the assembling elevator 8 to drop responsive to the pull of gravity. The camroll shaft 9 rotates continuously while the machine L is in use in such direction that the upper side thereof, as viewed in Fig. l, moves rearwardly; that is the shaft 9 rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from a direction corresponding to. the direction from which the machine L is viewed in Fig. 2. To partially counterbalance the weight of the assembling elevator `8 a helical tension spring I5 is connected between a lug I3b formed on the hub I3a of the assembling elevator lever I3 and an anchoring pin I6 mounted on a suitable portion of the machine L. All of the above mentioned parts of the machine L are constructed in accordance with conventional practice.

In accordance with my invention I provide a frame consisting of a plate I'i disposed in a vertical plane parallel to the front of the machine L and having a leftwardly projecting extension I'Ia through which apertures I'Ibare formed. The frame plate II is mounted on the machine L in a suitable location by means of screws IB passing through the apertures I'Ib and screwthreadedly anchored in suitable internally screwthreaded apertured portions of the machine L. Forwardly projecting members I9 and 20 are formed on the plate Il and have journalled in apertures therein an operating shaft 2l disposed to the left of and co-axiall'y of the cam-roll shaft 9 of the machine L.

Electromagnetically controlled friction clutch means is provided Vbetween the cam-roll shaft 9 and the operating shaft 2`I. For this purpose a disk '22 formed of magnetic material is mounted on the Vleft-hand end of the camroll shaft 9 by means of a hub 22a formed on the disk 22 and securedon the shaft 'Sjby means 'of a set screw 22h. For .cooperation with the magnetic disk 22 an electromagneticcore 23 is provided on the right-hand end of the operating shaft 2l. The core 23 includes a pair of pole pieces 23a and 23h, both disposed eccentrically relative to the axis of vthe sha'ftJZl andhaving free ends disposed closely adjacent the face of the disk 22. An electromagnetic winding is provided for the purposeof magnetically energizing the pole pieces 23aand 232). This electromagnetic winding-"may'consist of a coil 24'mounted on the pole piece'23b. Obviously energization of the coil 24K will magnetically energize the pole pieces 23a and 23h. The polepieces 23a and 23h willbe attracted to the disk 22 andvthroughpurposely permitted end play of the operating shaft 2| will shift-into engagement with and adhere tothe disk 22 so as to'be in frictional engagement therewith to produce transmission of rotary mechanical power from the cam-roll shaft '9 to the operating shaft 2|.

Means operated by the operating shaft 2| is provided for applying lifting effort to the assembling elevator 8 and this elevator lifting mechanism may be constructed as follows: A secondary shaft 25 disposed on an axis parallel `to and vertically spaced from the axis of the operating shaft 2| is provided. 'I'he secondary shaft 25 is journalled in suitable apertured projections 26 and 21 formed on the frame plate I1 near the lower extremity thereof. A sprocket 28 is frictionally mounted on the operating shaft 2| and a sprocket 29 is mounted on the secondary shaft 25. An endless sprocket chain 30 is trained over the

respective sprockets

28 and 29. Obviously when the operating shaft 2| is driven from the cam-roll shaft 9 the forwardmost run of the chain 33 will move upwardly. A member 3| secured at its upper end to the assembling elevator 8 is connected in its lower portion to the forward or upwardly movable run of the chain 30. The member 3| may consist of a bar extending downwardly from the assembling elevator 8, as shown in Fig. 2, to a level below the lower sprocket 29, then extending rearwardly, then extending upwardly to a point somewhat above the lower sprocket 29, and then extending rearwardly. The last mentioned rearwardly extending portion 3|a of the member 3| may be formed into an element adapted to be engaged in one of the open spaces of the chain 30, as indicated in Fig. 3. It should be apparent that rotation of the operating shaft 2| by power delivered thereto from the shaft 9 will result in the assembling elevator 8 having lifting effort applied thereto. When this lifting effort has been lapplied for a sufficient length of time to enable the assembling elevator 8 to reach its upper limit of movement, the shaft 2| will be forced to slip relative to the sprocket 28 but will maintain a torsional force on the sprocket 28 so as to hold the assembling elevator at its upper limit of movement. If the electromagnetic coil 24 be subsequently de-energized the above mentioned torsional force will be removed and the assembling elevator 8 will descend responsive to the pull of gravity and Vin descending will return the chain 30 to its normal position.

Means is provided for transmitting electrical energy to the coil 24 which, as previously pointed out, rotates with the operating shaft 2|. For this purpose an annular current collector or slipring 32 concentrically mounted on a wheel 32a formed of electrical insulating material is provided. The slip-ring 32 is connected to one end of the coil 24, and the other end of the coil 24 is connected to the magnetic core 23 so as to be grounded to the frame plate |1 through the operating shaft 2| and the members I9 in which ,the shaft 2| is journalled. The wheel 32a carrying the slip-ring 432 is `i'noun'tel on 'the shaft 2| between the projecting member 20 and the magnetic core 23. A generally .horizontally disposed plate 33 formed of insulating material is disposed with its medial portion above the slipring 32. The rear end of the'plate 33 is swingably attached as by means of a hinge 33a to the upper end of the plate. |1 so that the plate 33 of insulating material is vertically shiftable relative to the slip-ring 32. An electrical contact element 34 is secured to the lower side of the medial portion of the insulating plate 33 in such Vposition as to rest upon the uppermost portion of the slip-ring 32 when the plate 33 is held downwardly by the force of gravity. The electrical contact element 34 is adapted to be connected to one terminal of a suitable source of electrical energy, the other terminal of which may be connected to the plate |1. With such connections it should be apparent that lifting the insulating plate 33 will cause de-energization of the coil 24 and that the coil 24 may be energized by permitting the plate 33 to be lowered responsive to the pull of gravity.

Means is provided for normally maintaining the insulating plate 33 in a raised position thereof to maintain the coil 24 in de-energized condition. For this purpose a bracket 35 is mounted on and projects upwardly from the plate 33. The upper end 35a of the bracket 35 projects forwardly to constitute a stop element. A moderate distance below the shaft 2| a forwardly projecting bracket 36 is formed on the plate |1. A generally vertically extending dog 31 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the free end of the arm 36 so that the dog 31 is swingable forwardly and rearwardly. The upper end of the dog 31 is adapted to engage a lower side of the stop element 35a when the insulating plate 33 is in its raised position so as to maintain the insulating plate 33 in its raised position. In order to yieldably keep the dog 31 in engagement with the stop element 35a, a helical tension spring 38, shown in Fig. 5, is connected between the medial portion of the dog 31 and an anchoring element 38a mounted on the insulating plate 33 at a suitable point thereon. To assist gravity in maintaining a downward force on the insulating plate 33 a helical tension spring 39 is connectedv between the insulating plate 33 and the rigid arm 36 situated therebelow.

Remotely controllable means is provided for shifting the dog 31 out of engagement with the stop element 35a to permit downward movement of the insulating plate .33 and consequent energization of the coil 24. For this purpose a U- shaped magnetic core 40 is disposed at the side of the dog 31 opposite the bracket 35 with the pole faces of the core 40 facing the forward side of the dog 31. The dog 31 is, of course, constructedA of magnetic material. The core 40 is secured to the forward end portion of the insulating plate 33. For energization of the core 40 an electromagnetic coil 24 is mounted on the upper leg thereof. Obviously energization of the coil 4| will result in the dog 31 being attracted by the core 40 and pulled out of engagement with the stop element 35a.

An electrical connection diagram of an electrical circuit for use in connection with the electromagnetic coils 24 and 4| is shown in Fig. 6, A suitable source of electrical energy such as the battery B is provided. One terminal of the battery B may be connected to the frame plate |1 and will be connected therethrough to one end of the winding of the coil 24. One end of the winding of the coil 4I should also be connected by suitable means to the frame I'I. The ungrounded terminal of the battery B may be connected to one terminal of a switch 42 which may be mounted, as shown in Figs. Vl and 2, in a suitable convenient location adjacent the keyboard 'I of the machine L. The remaining terminal of the switch 42 is connected to the contact element 34 carried by the insulating plate 33 so that the coil 24 will be energized by lowering of the plate 33 and deenergized responsive to the raising of the plate 33. The above mentioned remaining terminal of the switch 42 may be connected to thevremaining terminal of the coil 4I through a key switch 43, which maybe mounted in a suitable convenient location closely adjacent the keyboard as indicated in vFigsrl and 2. Momentary closure of the key 43'by an operator of the machine L will cause momentary energization of the coil 4I to pull the dog 3l out of engagement with the stop element 35a. The plate 33 will then drop to cause energization of the coil 24 as previously described. Energization of the coil 24 will cause establishment of a frictional driving connection between the shaft 9 and the operating shaft 2| so as to cause lifting effort to be applied to the assembling elevator 8, whereupon the assembling elevator 8 will rise. When the assembling elevator 8 has reached its upper limit of movement, the coil 24 will still be energized, and accordingly a torsional force will be maintained on the sprocket 28 to hold the assembling elevator 8 at its upper limit of movement.

Means is provided for causing de-energization of the coil 24 when the line delivery shaft has effected a suitable part of its counter-clockwise angular displacement occurring responsive to the assembling elevator reaching its upper limit of movement. An arm 44 is provided on the forward end of the line delivery shaft I0 and normally projects therefrom to the right and somewhat downwardly. A vertically extending push rod 45 has a screw threaded lower portion 45a, extending through a suitable aperture in the free end portion -of the arm 44. Adjusting nuts 46 are screw threadedly mounted on the lower portion 45a of the rod 45 respectively above and below the arm 44 so that upward movement of the arm 44 will be transmitted to the rod 45 through the upper one of the nuts 46. The upper portion of the rod 45 extends through an apertured forwardly disposed portion of the insulating plate 33. Ata point normally somewhat below the plate 33 an enlargement 45h is formed on the rod 45 to constitute a collar or plate engaging element. After the assembling elevator 8 has reached its upper limit of movement certain operations of the machine L take place responsive to the assembling elevator reaching its upper limit of movement, and such operations of the machine L are accompanied by counter-clockwise rotation of the line delivery shaft I0 through a moderate angle. Such movement of the line delivery shaft Ii) causes lifting of the arm 44 and the rod 45. As movement of the shaft I0 progresses the collar`45b comes into engagement with the plate 33 and lifting of the plate 33 occurs as a result of the further movement of the shaft I 0. As the plate 33 reaches its raised position the dog 31, which has been engaged with the forward side of the stop element 35a under pressure of ythe spring 38, will be pulled by the spring'38 into en gagement with the lower side of the stop element 35a to maintain the plate 33 `in a raised position until such .time asthe electromagneticcoil 4I `is again energized.

' From the above lit is seen'that my mechanism is capable* of .utilizing mechanical power to raise the assembling elevator 8 responsive to manipulation of. an easily operated electrical switching key 43,

and rthat after application of lifting effort to the .assembling elevator has' been initiated by the key l 43, such lifting effort is terminated automatically in response to Aoperationof the type-casting machine L-at a suitable predetermined point in the cycle of operation of the type-castingzmachine L.

Obviously zwith my mechanism placed in operative association with a machine such as the machine-L, the assembling elevator lever handle II may be removed and hence the obstruction constituted by the handle I I may be eliminated.

It is apparent that I have invented a novel, compact,and-eifective lifting mechanism for the assembling elevator of a type-casting machine convenient electricall control thereof.

While my mechanism has been illustrated and described. as applied to a particular type of typecaStingmachine, it should be apparent that the mechanism is readily adapted for use in connection with other types of type-casting machines and also withmany machines other than typecasting machines.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be kmade invtheform, details, arrangementand proportionsl of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination witha type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for vertically moving said elevator including, a rotatable operating shaft,

a rotatable body of magnetic material disposed co-axially of said shaft and adapted to be connected to a source of rotary mechanical power, an electromagnet mounted on said operating shaft closely adjacent said/body and adapted, whenV energized, to adhere to said body to frictionally connect the same to said shaft, mechanism driven by said operating shaft to apply lifting eifort to'said elevator, an electrical contact element connected to said electromagnet, a vertically movable memberabove said element, a second-electrical Acontact element Ymounted on said member and adapted for engagement with said rstmentioned contact element tothere- -with comprise a switch, said switch being connected inseries with said electromagnet, releasable Ameans normally supporting said member in raised position lto maintain said switch open, means manually actuatable to release said supporting means to effect closure of said switch, and means operating responsive to movement of said elevator tc raise said member vwhen said machine hasreached apredetermined point in its cycle of operation, said supporting means being constructed to resume support of saidmember when Vsaid member has. been placed in a raised position thereof.

' 2; In combination witha type-casting machine having a vertically `movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for moving lsaid elevator including, a` rotatable operating shaft, an .electromagnetic clutch associated with said shaft and adapted Vfor frictionally connecting the same .t0 a source of rotarymechanical power, mechanism driven by said operating shaft to apply :lifting effort to -said elevator, 1an:annular.electric cur- `and'that my mechanism is adapted for easy and y rent collector insulatedly mounted on said operating shaft and electrically connected to said electromagnetic clutch, a vertically' movable member above said collector, an electrical contact element carried by said member and adapted for engagement withsaid collector and connection to a source of electrical energy, releasable means normally retaining said member in raised position to maintain said contact element out of engagement with said collector, manually actuatablemeans for releasing said retaining means to permit dropping of said member, and means operating responsive to movement of said elevator to raise said member when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of operation, said retaining means being constructed to resume its retaining position when said member has reached ar-aised position thereof.

3. In combination with a type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for vertically moving said elevator including a rotatable operating shaft,

ka rotatable body of magnetic material disposed ing effort to said elevator, an annular electric current collector insulatedly mounted on said operating shaft and connected to said electroma-gnet,

a vertically movable member above said collector, an electrical contact element carried by said member and adapted for engagement with said collector and to be connected to a source of electrical energy, releasable means normally retaining said member in raised position to prevent engagement of said element with said collector, manually actuatable means for releasing said retaining means to permit dropping of said member, and means operating responsive to movement of said elevator to raise said member when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of operation, said retaining means being constructed to resume a retaining position thereof when said member has reached a raised position thereof.

4. In combination with a type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power operated means for moving said elevator including, a rotatable operating shaft, an electromagnetic clutch associated with said shaft and adapted to frictionally connect the same to a source of rotary mechanical power for transmission of mechanical power therebetween, mechanism driven by said operating shaft to apply lifting effort to said elevator, electrical switching means adapted for use in controlling energization of said electromagnetic clutch, a vertically shiftablemember for controlling said switching means and arranged to be respectively lowered and raised to close and open said switching means, releasable means normally holding said member in its raised position, manually actuatable means for releasing said holding means to permit dropping of said member, and means operating responsive to movement of said elevator to raise said member when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of operation, said holding means being constructed to resume its holding condition when said member has reached its raised position. 5. In combination with a type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for moving said elevator including, a rotatable operating shaft, an electromagnetic clutch associated with said shaft and adapted for frictionally connecting the same to a source of rotary mechanical power for transmission of mechanical power therebetween, mechanism driven by said operating shaft to apply lifting effort to said elevator, electrical switching means adapted for use in controlling energization of said electromagnetic clutch, a vertically shiftable member for controlling said Y switching means and arranged to be lowered'and raised to respectively close and open said switching means, releasable means normally holding said member in its raised position, manually remote controlled electromagnetic means for releasing said holding means to permit dropping of said member, and `mechanism operated in response to movement of said elevator to raise said member when said machine has reached a predetermined point Yin its cycle of operation, said holding means being constructed to resume its holding condition when said member has reached its raised position.

6. In combination with a type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for moving said elevator including, a rotatable operating shaft, an electromagnetic clutch associated with said shaft and adapted for frictionally connecting the same to a source of rotary mechanical power for transmission of mechanical power therebetween, mechanism driven by said operating shaft to apply lifting effort to said elevator, electrical switchr ing means adapted for use in controlling energization of said electromagnetic clutch, a vertically shiftable member for operating said switching means arranged to close and open said switching means when respectively lowered and raised,

a stop element on said member, a dog normally engaging said stop element to hold said member in its raised position, electromagnetic means for shifting said dog out of engagement with said stop element to permit dropping of said member, manually controllable means for electrically energizing said electromagnetic means, mechanism operated in response to movement of said elevator to raise said member when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of operation, and resilient means urging said dog toward its position of engagement with said stop element.

7. In combination with a type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for'moving said elevator including, a rotatable operating shaft, Va clutch associated with said shaft and adapted for frictionally connecting the same to a source of rotaryvmechanical power for transmission of mechanical power therebetween, manually controllable means for effecting engagement of said clutch, a sprocket on said operating shaft,a sprocket chain trained over said sprocket, means connecting said elevator to said chain for raising of said elevator responsive to engagement of said clutch, and mechanism operating responsive to upward movement of said elevator for effecting disengagement of said clutch when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of opl eration.

8. Incombination with a type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, power-operated means for moving said elevator including, a rotatable operating shaft, a clutch 75 associated with said shaft and adapted for frictionally connecting the same to a source of rotary mechanical power for transmission of mechanical power therebetween, manually controllable means for effecting engagement of said clutch, a sprocket on said operating shaft, a second sprocket arranged to rotate about an axis parallel to and vertically spaced from said operating shaft, an endless sprocket chain trained over said sprockets, means connecting said elevator to the run of said chain which rises responsive to engagement of said clutch, and mechanism operating responsive to upward movement of said elevator for effecting disengagement of said clutch when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of operation.

9. In combination With a keyboard-operated type-casting machine having a vertically movable assembling elevator, a line delivery rock shaft, and a continuously rotating cam-roll shaft, electrically controllable means for vertically moving said elevator including, an operating shaft rotatably supported in axial alignment with said roll shaft, a body of magnetic material mounted on the end of said roll shaft adjoining said operating shaft, an electromagnet mounted on said operating shaft closely adjacent to said body and adapted, when energized, to adhere to said body for frictional transmission of rotary power from said roll shaft to said operating shaft, a sprocket on said operating shaft and a second sprocket therebelow mounted for rotation about an axis parallel thereto, an endless sprocket chain trained over said sprockets and having one run thereof connected to said elevator for raising the same responsive to rotation of said operating shaft, a slip-ring insulatedly mounted on said operating shaft and electrically connected to said electromagnet, a vertically movable member above said slip-ring, an electrical contact element on said member adapted for engagement With said slipring, a source of electrical energy for said electromagnet connected to said element, a stop element on said member, a spring-pressed dog normally engaging said stop to hold said contact element out of engagement with said slip-ring, electromagnetic means for shifting said dog out of engagement with said stop element to permit engagement of said contact element with said slipring to energize said electromagnet, manually operatable means for energizing said electromagnetic means, a generally horizontally projecting arm on said rock shaft arranged to swing upwardly responsive to rocking of said rock shaft in response to upward movement of said elevator, a vertically extending elongated element swingably connected at its lower end to the free end of said arm, said member having an aperture therethrough and the upper portion of said elongated element being extended through said aperture, and an element formed on said elongated element at a point normally spaced below said member and adapted to engage and lift said member to disengage said contact element from said slipring and enable engagement of said dog with said stop after said elevator has reached the upper limit of the desired range of movement thereof whereupon said elevator may descend in response to the pull of gravity.

10. In combination with a type-casting machine having an assembling elevator vertically movable between limits, power-operated means for lifting said elevator including, normally inoperative apparatus for applying lifting eiort to said elevator, manually controllable means for rendering said apparatus operative, frictional means interposed in said apparatus to slip and yet maintain lifting effort on said elevator after the same has reached its upper limit of movement, and mechanism operating responsive to reaching by said elevator of said upper limit to render said apparatus inoperative when said machine has reached a predetermined point in its cycle of operation subsequent by a predetermined length of time to reaching by said elevator of said upper limit.

11. In combination with a type-casting machine having an assembling elevator vertically movable between limits, power-operated means for lifting said elevator including, means for applying lifting effort to said elevator, a rotary element connected to said means for driving the same in a lifting operation thereof, means for rotating said element renderable operative manually, frictional means interposed between said shaft and said lifting means to slip and yet maintain lifting effort on said elevator after the same has reached its upper limit of movement, and means operating automatically to render said r0- tating means inoperative responsive to and at a predetermined length of time after reaching by said elevator of its upper limit of movement.

12. In combination with a type-casting machine having an assembling elevator vertically movable between limits and the usual line delivery shaft, power-operated means for lifting said elevator including, means for applying lifting effort to said elevator, a rotary element connected to said means for driving the same in a lifting operation thereof, means for rotating said element renderable operative manually, and means connected to said line delivery shaft to be operated responsive to rotation thereof to render said rotating means inoperative at a predetermined time after said elevator has reached its upper limit of movement.

RALPH V. STREETER.