US2166719A - Typographical slug casting machine - Google Patents

Description

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m i/vme H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1938 la l l l I 1 Jul is, 1939..

1939- H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 8, 1939. H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING. MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1958 '4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July l8, 1939. H. ELLIS TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 22, 1938 4 Shets-Sheet Patented July 18 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TYPOGRAPHICAL SLUG CASTING MACHINE Application January 22, 1938, Serial No. 186,331 In Great Britain March 9, 1937 15 Claims.

This invention relates to typographical casting machines in which a slug or type bar is cast from a line of hand composed matrices which are conveyed to and from casting position while sup- 5 ported in a carrier to which the appropriate movements are imparted during each casting cycle.

The working of machines of this kind, as heretofore constructed, either solely for the use of hand composed matrices or for the use of both hand and machine composed matrices, has involved manual operation in connection with the insertion or removal of the composed line, or in connection with both insertion and removal thereof. It has been necessary to carry out such manual operation or operations at a period between successive casting cycles, thus reducing the rate of output of the machine and occupying operator's time which might otherwise be devoted to the work of composition. For instance, in certain known machines, each matrix line is manually transferred to the carrier from the hand stick in which it has been composed, before the casting cycle is initiated, and is manually removed from the carrier at the completion .of the cycle. In other known machines, the hand stick itself with the composed line therein is similarly applied and removed. According to other known arrangements the matrix line is manually transferred from the hand stick to a machine organ which serves to convey it towards the carrier for subsequent transfer thereto, and after the completion of the casting cycle, it manually removed from another organ of the machine to which it has been delivered by the carrier.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the loss of time occasioned by such manual operations. With this object in view, the invention consists in a typographical slug casting machine 40 comprising a device for receiving a line of matrices, casting a slug thereagainst, and thereafter delivering the matrix line therefrom, all such movements being performed in time relation, wherein means are provided for inserting a hand composed line of matrices into the machine and for delivering that line of matrices to a point adjacent to or within easy reach of the point of insertion. The apparatus may also comprise means whereby a composed line may be presented, during a preceding casting cycle, to an organ of the machine by which it is subsequently conveyed directly to the carrier. The invention may be conveniently carried out in conjunction with casting machine mechanism of the kind usually employed for dealing with lines of machine composed matrices, and the mechanism is preferably arranged to permit of the insertion of the composed lines into the machine to be effected independently of the timing of the casting cycle.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of one of its constructional forms, and this description will be more readily followed by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent in front elevation the relevant parts of a machine embodying the invention, some parts being in different working positions in these views; and

Figures 4 and 5 represent respectively in side sectional elevation and perspective, on an enlarged scale, details of apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3.

In carrying the invention into effect in one convenient manner shown in the drawings as applied to mechanism of the kind usually employed for dealing with lines of machine composed matrices, the matrix carrier is in the form of a vertically movable transporter or first elevator I which, during each casting cycle, is moved first downwardly from its normal line receiving position, to present a line to a slotted mould for casting, and secondly, upwardly to a line delivery position above its normal level and subsequently again downwardly to the normal position ready for the reception of the next line. As usually arranged for dealing with machine composed matrices, the elevator in its line receiving position is aligned with a so-called transfer slide 2 which receives the composed line from another organ of the machine and moves laterally to introduce the line into the elevator and to initiate the casting cycle.

For this purpose, the transfer slide is normally held by a catch against the action of a spring by which its operative stroke is effected, the presentation of the line to the slide releases the catch, and the subsequent movements of the slide away from and back to the line receiving position are cam-controlled.

In applying the invention to such apparatus, as shown in the drawings herewith, the machine organs which normally deal with a machine composed line prior to its reception by the transfer slide are dispensed with, and a platform or shelf 3 is provided in such a position in relation to the transfer slide 2 that the composed line may be introduced into the transfer slide by positioning a hand stick 4 on the said shelf. With the hand stick so positioned, the release of the transfer slide brings about the transfer of the line from the shelf to the elevator, when the elevator is in the line receiving position. The release of the transfer slide may be effected automatically by the positioning of the hand stick on the shelf, but as shown, an independently actuated releasing device is provided.

The apparatus shown comprises guides and 6, mounted on the shelf 3, between which the hand stick 1 is placed upon the shelf and pushed inwards by the operator to a bar 7 (Figure 4). The bar I and a bar 8, to the left of guide 5 together form a channel in alignment with the channel 5 of the first elevator I which receives the matrix line.

A finger I8 is secured to the transfer slide bar II and projects downwards'between the bars I and 8 on the side of the hand stick'remote from the first elevator. A releasable latch I2 connects this finger III at the top to a fixed portion of the machine.

In order to prevent the hand stick from being forced from the transfer channel when the first elevator I is not in proper position to receive it,

there is provided (Figure 5) a stop member in the form of a bar I3, carried by, and adapted to slidehorizontally fore and aft in, a block I4 secured to the channel 8, the inner end of this slide bar I3 being adapted to project through a slot into the channel formed between members "I and'8, and a spring being provided urging the bar "I3 inwards, i. e., towards the rear of the machine, in which position it obstructs the channel and prevents passage of a hand stick. A like bar I5in'the block I' l'is'adapted to slide horizontally left and right, i. e., atright angles to the bar I3, and a groove cut'in and at 45 relatively to the centre line of one of the slide bars I3 and I5 engages with a tongue or ridge formed on, and at 45 to the'centreline of, the other'of the bars I3 and I 5. By this means it is arranged that movement of thebar I5 from left'to'right (looking at the machine from the front) causes movement of the bar I3from rear towards the front, thus removing the "stopping projection of the bar I3 from the transfer channel against the action of its spring.

A cainlever I6 is pivoted at I! to a fixed part of the machine and rests at its lower end in a fork formed in the left hand end of the slide In a block I8 secured to the first elevator head is a "square-sectioned rod I9 'slidable fore and aft,and carrying on one side a cam roller 20, and on the other side ac'am roller 31," the roller 31 being adjacent to the forward end of the rod I9'which projects fromthe block I8, while the roller 28 projects through 'a slot in the side of the block I8. When the slide rod I9 is in its rearmost position (which it occupies when the first elevator is in'its normal line-receiving position) the roller contacts with the cam lever I6, holdingit in anti-clockwise displacement on its pivot I1 and thus holding the slide bar I5 displaced to the right, so that the bar I3, as described above, is held withdrawn from the transfer channel and a line of matrices or a hand stick can pass into the first elevator.

Upon descent of the first elevator carrying the line, the roller 20 releases the lever I6 and the stop bar I3 is moved inwards, to close the transfer channel, by its spring. A cam 38 secured to the vise cap has an inclined surface in line with the roller 37, and upon engagement of the roller 31 with this surface, as the firstelevator the machine frame. cured to the delivery slide bar, lifts the catch after a casting, the first elevator rises the roller 20 passes the lever I6 and does not actuate it. Secured to a fixed part of the machine adjacent to the uppermost or line delivery position assumed by the first elevator head, is a cam 39 having a surface in line with the roller 31 and inclined in a sense opposite to that of the cam 38, so that as the first elevator reaches its uppermost position, engagement of the roller 31 with this cam 39 causes rearward movement of the slide bar I9, thus bringing the roller 20 again into line with the lever I6. In these circumstances, when the first elevator again descends to its normal line receiving position the roller 20 displaces lever I6, withdrawing stop bar I3 and thus opening the transfer channel to allow passage of the next line or hand stick.

AknoblO on the block I 4 has on its shaft an eccentric collar or disc 40a adapted to engage, when the knob is turned, in a slot 4| in the forward'end'of the slide bar I3. Such engagement takes place (when desired) when the bar I3 is in 'its forward position, and serves to hold the bar I3 out of its operative position to stop thetransfer channel.

Means may be provided in the first elevator head-tosecure a lineof matrices therein, such as a spring controlled bolt (not shown) in the channel'of the first elevator, chamfered on the side first engaged by the transferred hand stick, so that it yields as the hand stick enters the firstelevator and thereafter springsback behind the hand stick to prevent return movement thereof. An upstanding chamfered projection on thebolt may engage a stud, fixed to the machine frame, when the elevator is raised to the delivery position, to depress the bolt and thus allow delivery of the hand stick from theelevator.

When thefirst elevator'reach'es its uppermost or delivery position, the hand stick is removed therefrom by the-delivery slide 2| which is providedwith a stop catch 22, slidably attached to A projecting block 23, se-

as the slide bar moves from the right to its normal leftmost position, on account of the cam surface shown on the catch,the catch thereafter dropping again beside the block 23 to prevent movement of the delivery slide, until the first elevator is raised to the delivery position and lifts the catch 20 about its pivot 24.

An angle member 25 attached to the delivery slide bar has an inclined surface 26 adapted when the delivery slide moves to the right to engage the end 21 of a rail 28 which is pivoted at 29 to the walls of the delivery channel and normally held against a stop 30 in a substantially horizontal position by a spring 3I (Figure 1). This engagement tilts the rail 28 which has received or partially received the hand stick and comes into line with a delivery chute 32 so that the'hand stick enters this smoothly and after sliding down the stroke under gravitational force comes to rest against a buffer 33, ready for removal by hand. A small leather-faced buffer is secured to the sidewall above the rail 28 to engage'the upper edge of the forward end of a line or hand stick and thus prevent it from overshooting the rail. When the rail 28 pivots, the line is moved out'of contact with this buffer, which does not therefore impede further progress down the chute 32.

In operation a hand stick is placed on the shelf 3 between the guides 5 and 6, and slid backwards against the bar I, the operator thereupon depressing a button 34 whereby to release the finger l0 and the transfer slide, and thus to commence the operation of the machine, the parts being moved by cam operation in substantially known manner. The initial positions of the parts are shown in Figure 1. The transfer slide H, moved by lever 35 carries'the hand stick into the first elevator (provided the elevator is in the correct position and the plunger l3 does not therefore prevent this movement) where it is held by the bolt!!! (Figure 2). The first elevator carries the hand stick to the mould for casting, and thereafter to the delivery channel, the catch 22 being lifted to release the delivery slide, which is moved to the right (carrying the hand stick) by lever 36'. This movement results in delivery of the hand stick to the pivoted rail 28 and the chute 32 (Figure 3) as previously described, and the various parts return to their positions in readiness for the next operation under action of their cams.

It will be noted that the final delivery of the hand stick is at a point adjacent to, or within easy reach of, the point at which the lines are initially presented, so as to be easily accessible to the operator supervising the circulation of the lines.

It is to be understood that while the invention can be most advantageously carried out by transferring the hand stick with the composed line to and from the elevator, as described, if desired the hand stick may be formed to permit a line of matrices to be removed therefrom by the transfer slide.

The constructional form of the invention above described is advantageous in permitting the objects of the invention to be attained with the use of a known form of casting mechanism. It will be recognised, however, that the invention is not restricted in this respect, as line-transfer devices may be arranged to co-operate with a line carrier, having any desired cycle of movements appropriate to the location of the linereceiving, line-delivering and casting stations provided, and various modifications of the form herein described may be introduced as they become desirable, in order to carry the invention into effect under different conditions and requirements which have to be fulfilled without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, I declare that what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent is:

l. A typographical slug casting machine comprising means for receiving a hand-composed line of matrices to be inserted therein, means for conveying said line to a slug casting position; means for casting a slug against said matrices, and means for thereafter returning said line to a stationary support within easy reach of the point of insertion.

2. A typographical slug casting machine comprising means for receiving a hand-composed line of matrices to be inserted therein, means for conveying said line to a slug casting position, means for casting a slug against saidmatrices, means for thereafter returning said lines to a stationary support within easy reach of the point of insertion, and means ensuring cyclic association of said line conveying, slug casting and line returning operations.

3. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 2, wherein said means for receiving the line of matrices to be inserted are arranged to allow insertion of the line before completion of the casting cycle.

4. A typographical slug casting machine comprising a shelf upon which a hand-composed line of matrices may be placed within the sphere of operation of a transfer slide whereby it is moved into the machine proper, means for casting a slug against said matrices, and a chute by which the line is delivered, after the slug casting operation, to a stationary support adjacent to said shelf.

5. A typographical slug casting machine comprising means for receiving a hand-composed line of matrices to be inserted therein, means for conveying said line to a slug casting position, a member adapted normally to receive the line so transferred, means to prevent such transfer of the line if the member to receive it is not in proper position, means for casting a slug against said matrices, and means for thereafter returning said line to a point within easy reach of the point of insertion.

6. A typographical slug casting machine comprising a first elevator, a shelf upon which a hand-composed line of matrices may be placed within the sphere of operation of a transfer slide whereby it is moved into said first elevator, stop means moved into the path of said line of matrices in order to prevent movement of the line into said first elevator when the latter is moved away from its line receiving position, means for casting a slug against said matrices in the first elevator and means whereby after the casting operation the line is delivered to a point within easy reach of said shelf.

7. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 6 comprising means for releasing said stop and thus allowing transfer of the line, automatically as said first elevator assumes its line receiving position.

8. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 6, wherein said stop means comprise a bar urged towards its line obstructing position by a spring, a cam roller being provided on said first elevator whereby the bar is automatically moved and held out of operation when said first elevator assumes its line receiving position.

9. A typographical slug casting machine comprising a first elevator, a support upon which a hand-composed line of matrices may be placed for transference into said elevator, means for effecting transfer of said line from said support into said first elevator, means for moving said first elevator firstly into a position for casting a slug against said matrices and thereafter to a position in which said matrices are ejected from said first elevator, means for casting the slug and means for ejecting said matrices when said first elevator is in the appropriate position, means for securing said matrices in said first elevator after insertion until the latter reaches the line ejecting position, and means for conveying an ejected line to a point within easy reach of said support.

10. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 9 wherein said matrix securing means comprise a spring bolt in the first elevator, adapted to be released by an inclined surface provided on a fixed part of the machine, with which a part of said bolt engages as said first elevator assumes the line ejecting position.

11. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 1 comprising a first elevator adapted to receive said line and convey it firstly to a slug casting position and thereafter to a delivery position, a delivery slide for ejecting the line from said first elevator at the latter position, and means for locking said delivery slide against operation until said first elevator is in the line delivery position.

12. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 1 comprising a first elevator adapted to receive said line and convey it firstly to a slug casting position and thereafter to a delivery position, a delivery slide for ejecting the line from said first elevator at the latter position, and a catch adapted normally to engage said line delivery slide and prevent operation thereof, and to be released from such engagement by the first elevator as the latter assumes its line delivery position.

13. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 4 comprising a pivoted rail member to ensure smooth delivery of a line of matrices after the casting operation into said chute.

14. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 4 comprising a first elevator for carrying said line to the slug casting and line delivery positions, and a pivoted rail member between said first elevator, in its line delivery position, and said chute, adapted to receive the line ejected from said first elevator and to tilt it into line with the chute.

15. A typographical slug casting machine according to claim 4 comprising a first elevator for carrying said line to the slug casting and line delivery positions, a delivery slide for ejecting the line from said first elevator in the latter position, and a pivoted rail member normally in line with said first elevator in its line delivery position, adapted to receive an ejected line, and to be tilted by engagement therewith of said delivery slide so as to bring the line of matrices into alignment with said inclined chute.

HERBERT ELLIS.

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