US2266072A

US2266072A - Typographical casting machine

Info

Publication number: US2266072A
Application number: US269833A
Authority: US
Inventors: James C Plastaras
Original assignee: Mergenthaler Linotype GmbH
Current assignee: Mergenthaler Linotype GmbH; Mergenthaler Linotype Co
Priority date: 1939-04-25
Filing date: 1939-04-25
Publication date: 1941-12-16
Anticipated expiration: 1958-12-16

Description

Dec. 1'6, 1941. J. c. PLAsTARAs l TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE 8- Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 25, 1939 vBY W, 7M "W A TTORNE Ys.

Dec. 16, 1941. J. c. PLAs'rARAs 2,266,072

TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1939 8 sheets-Sheet 2 has *31H5 /N VENTO/e fzz BY gwg WAM.

Dec. 16, 1941. J. c. PLAsrARAs 2,266,072

TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 /NVENTOR lll" M 4 .0

mM-gun A TTORNE V5,

De- 16, 1941. u. c. PLAs'rARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 1N VENTO/e A T ORNE Ys,

Dec 15, 1941. J. c. PLASTARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE s sheets-sheet s Filed April 25, 1939 AT O' NEYS.

/N VEN TOR l. @4MM Dec.- 16, 1941. J. c. PLAsT'ARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 SheetS-Sheet 6 [NVENTOR wmdm BY ATTO NEYS` Dec. 16, 1941. J, c, PLASTARAS 2,266,072

TYPOGRAPHIGAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec. 16, 1941. J. c, PLAs'rARAs TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Q[NVM/fol? 1( ATTO/e En' Patented Dec; 16, 194i TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINE James C. Plastaras, Laurelton, N. Y., assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation loi' New York Application April 25, 1939, Serial No. 269,833

2l Claims.

This invention relates to typographical casting machines, such as Linotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. 436,532, wherein a melting pot or so-called metal pot is arranged to deliver molten metal into a slotted mold and up against a composed line of matrices to produce a type bar or slug bearing on its edge type characters corresponding to the intaglio characters of the matrices.

Inthese machines, the molten metal is introduced into the mold by means of a spring-actuated pump piston or plunger arranged within the pot and controlled in its action by a rotary cam which, as well known, makes one complete rotation for each cycle of operation of the machine. The cam is so shaped as normally to maintain the pump plunger in a raised position out of action, and at one point in its circumference is formed with a depression which, at the proper time, permits the plunger to descend more or less gradually and uniformly under the influence of its actuating spring to iill the moldl with molten metal for the casting operation. The metal pot is formed with a throat having a passage leading upwardly from a well at the bottom of the pot to a mold engaging mouthpiece standing at a height above the level of metal in the pot and, hence. above the level of the metalin the throat prior to casting.

With this arrangement, upon the descent of the plunger to force metal from the pot into the mold, a large volume of metal has to be displaced to iill the throat before the actual introduction of the metal into the mold; and a corresponding volume of air is displaced and forced into the mold from the throat and exhausted from the mold as the latter fills with metal. The exhaust of air from the mold has always been troublesome because of the fact that the mold is artificially cooled and some of the air may become trapped by the formation of a iilm of solidified metal against the walls of the mold before the mold is completely iilled. The air which is trapped in the mold results in the production of a. slug having a porous or sporigy texture, rendering it unfit for use because of the likelihood of its breaking down or because of its having a de.. fective castingface in the event that air has become trapped in the regions of the intaglio characters punched in the matrices. Moreover, the pressure exerted on the metal by the plunger is not uniform throughout the metal injecting stroke of the plunger, due to the relaxation of the plunger-actuating spring, so that the metal enters the mold under a gradually diminishing pressure, and hence, at a gradually diminishing velocity.

Furthermore, these machines are equipped with molds of different sizes adapted to be selectively brought into use, and the same spring-actuated plunger is relied upon to inject the metal into the mold regardless of its size. Thus, the texture or density of slugs of different sizes is necessarily not uniform; and this condition is further aggravated by reason of the accumulation of metal oxide on the walls of the upper portion of the throat, the oxide deposit choking the throat passage and decreasing the volume and speed of the metal which can be forced therethrough under the pressure of a. spring of given tension. These and many other difculties are well known to the art, and it would serve no useful purpose to discuss the matterfurther.

The primary object of the present invention is to obviate the foregoing difliculties and, to this end, the invention provides an improved form of metal pot and metal injecting mechanism, as well as an improved form of pot mouthpiece wiper. In its broader aspects, the invention provides a metal pot and metal injecting mechanism adapted to subject metal in the pot to pressure and then suddenly release the metal for introduction into the mold while exerting a substantially uniform pressure thereon. More speclically, the

metal pot is mounted to move horizontally into and out of casting relation to the mold and is formed with a well located below the main body of metal therein. A short, nearly horizontal throat is provided, which communicates with the well through a relatively small circular port and flares laterally therefrom to the pot mouthpiecau. being divided by vertical partitions into a plu'- rality of separate passages of substantially uni-1 form cross-sectional area throughout their lengths. The port between the well and the throat is normally closed by a positively operated ball valve, which is opened and closed in timed relation to the operation of the plunger. The

ton, the initial movement of the plunger closes the metal inlet to the well and subjects the metal confined in the well to pressure.- Thereafter, the valve is suddenly opened and the plunger completes its stroke to inject the metal into the mold under uniform pressure and at a high velocity, forming a dense slug body having a casting face of complete, sharply defined characters by filling the mold and the intaglio characters in the matrices completely before the metal has an opportunity to chill and solidify.

The pot mouthpiece wiper is adapted to clean the mold engaging surface of the mouthpiece just before the latter engages the mold for the casting operation, and comprises a wiping element which is mounted to yield relatively to its support to avoid interference with the mold carrier when in casting position.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely by way of example and in preferred form, but obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar assuch limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the casting mechanism of the machine, partly in section and partly broken away to show the interior construction, the parts being shown in the position they occupy when out of casting relation;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the parts in casting relation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the melting pot and associated mechanism, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the plunger lever attaching block;

Fig. 5 is a front sectional elevation, .partly broken away, of the plunger releasing mechanism; A

Fig. 6 is a front elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, of the metal pot and associated parts:

Fig. '7 is a transverse section taken on the line 'l-'I of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows:

Fig. 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line iii-i of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on the line iI--II of Fig. 7, looking in the direction of the' arrows;

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the main cam shaft, some of the parts being broken away;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the yokes actuated by cams on the main cam shaft; and

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken through the air control valve box for the plunger operating piston.

Figs. 1 and 2 are contrasting views of the improved casting mechanism, showing the relationship of the parts when out of and in casting position, respectively. The line of matrices M is presented to the face of the slotted mold`A by the first elevator B, which is located in casting position by the banking of the adjusting screw b in the elevator head B1 against the top surface c of the vise frame C. The mold A is supported in a carrier A1 and, as usual, comprises a lowerbody portion a and an upper cap portion a1 spaced from the body by end liners (not shown) to form the mold cavity a.

In the present instance, the metal pot D is mounted on a carriage E supported in the machine frame F and adapted for horizontal fore and aft movement into and out of castingrelation to the mold A. At its four corners, the carl riage E is equipped with rollers e which ride in trackways f formed by channel members F1 of the framelF (see Fig. 6). The pump actuating mechanism G is supported above the metal pot D in fixed relation thereto by posts E1 rising from the\carriage E to which they are rigidly secured. Thel movement of the pot D and the control of the pump mechanism G is effected by a series of cams on a rotatable carn shaft H arranged at the side of the pot D and operating through iiexible connections which permit the movement of the pot D and pump mechanism G as a unit relatively to the cam shaft H. The cam shaft H is rotated from a suitable source of power through a gear H1 fixed thereto, making one complete rotation during each cycle of operation.

The metal pot D (Figs.3, 6 and 7) comprises an outer Jacket d which surrounds and is insulated by suitable material d1 from the crucible D1, containing the body of molten metal d. The bottom ofthe crucible D1 is formed to prorde a well D2 located below the body of metal d! and separated therefrom by a wall d. A metal delivery throat D3 is arranged in the front end of the well Dn and is secured therein by screws d* which clamp its flangedfront end d' to the flanged face d0 of the well, the throat D being spaced from the walls of the well D2 so as to be surrounded at all times by the molten metal in the well. A passage d" leads through the throat D3 from the well DI to a mouthpiece D* secured to the front face of the throat, the passage d" being relatively short and but slightly inclined upwardly toward lthe front where it communicates with a series of openings da formed in the mouthpiece D4. As seen in Flg.'1, the rear end of the throatDi is formed with a circular port d from which the passage d' flares laterally toward the front of the throat, the passage d'1 being divided by a series of vertical partitions d10 which are wedgelike in cross-section and define a plurality of channels d11 of substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughout their lengths leading to the mouthpiece D.

A cylinder D1i rises from the wall d3 which forms the bottom wall of the crucible D1 and the top wall of the well D1, and at a predetermined level said cylinder is formed with a pair of diametrically opposite ports d12 provided for the intake of metal d2 from the crucible into the well. A plunger D6 is arranged for reciprocation in the cylinder D5, and it is connected by a rod d to the plunger actuating mechanism G. the rod being pivotally connected at one end to the plunger D0 by a wrist pin d14 and the opposite end being formed with a slot d by which the rod is detachably connected to the plunger actuating mechanism. i

As seen in Figs. 7 and 11, a needle-valve D is screw threaded into two brackets d1 and d", formed on the inner wall of the crucible D1 and located one above the other, for adjustment vertically to locate its tapered end d1' relatively to an opening d1 in the wall d3. The valve D is locked in its set position by the tightening of a screw D9 which bends the ends of the brackets 1116 and d1I toward each other, the screw D being formed with a head d20 which engages the top surface of` the bracket d16 and a shank d21 extending through an opening in the bracket 111 and being screw threaded into an opening in the bracket d1". 'I'he opening d111 constitutes a bipass for the escape, o! metal from the well D2 to the crucible D1 to allow the plunger Ds to partake of a full stroke during each casting operation, regardless of the volume of metal injected into the mold.

A burner D" for heating the metal is arranged beneath the crucible D1 at a level below the bottom of the well D2, in order to heat not only the main body of metal d2 but also to keep the metal in a heated condition after it enters the well.

The reciprocation oi' the metal pot D is effected by a cam H2 fixed to the shaft H and formed in its peripheral surface with a trackway h1 (Fig. 1) adapted to receive a roller 11 journalled in the end of a short arm 11.1 of a bell-crank lever N pivoted to the machine frame F on a shaft 112 (Fig. 6). A long arm 112 of the lever N is connected to a rod 114 pivoted to one arm 115 of a bell-crank lever N1, the other arm 112 of which is connected to one end of a toggle link 111 having its opposite end connected to a lug e1 at the rear of the carriage E. The lever N1 is pivoted as at nel to the bifurcated head 11.'l of a bolt 11.8 extending through an opening in a xed block 11.9 and being held by a nut 11.12 threaded on the end of the bolt 118. The arm 113 of the bell-crank lever N is fastened to the rod 114 to slide relatively thereto and operate through a relief spring 1113, the end of the arm n2 and the spring 1112 being held between adjusting and locknuts 11.14 threaded on the rod n4. An adjusting yoke 11.15 is interposed between the head 11.7 of the bolt 1113 and the front face 1116 of the block 119, being formed with arms 11.1" adapted to straddle the block 11.9 vertically and carrying adjusting screws 11.11 which bear against parallel inclined surfaces 1119 on the block 11.9. The yoke 1115 is formed with a slot (not shown) which permits it to move vertically relatively to the bolt 112 when the nut 1112 is loosened. When the adjusting screws 1118 are vturned in one direction or the other, the yoke 1115 moves up or down as the case may be, and since the face 11.16 of the block 119 and the surface of the yoke 1115 engaging therewith are correspondingly inclined as shown, the resulting wedging action either moves the bolt 11.2 to the right or left, thus changing the location of the pivot 116 to adjust the pot D for a proper lock-up with the mold A in casting relation thereto.

As already stated, the pump plunger D6 is adapted to be reciprocated by pneumatically operated means, and for this purpose the pump actuating mechanism G comprises an air cylinder G1 supported above the pot D on a cross-head E2 (Figs. and 9) connected to the upper ends of the posts E1 rising from opposite sides of the pot carriage E. A double acting piston G2 (Fig. 1) is arranged within the air cylinder G1 and is adapted to be controlled by a valve V which admits air into the bottom or top of the cylinder G1 to move the piston G2 up or down. The opposite ends of the cylinder G1 are closed by removable caps y1 and g2 which are clamped in place against the ends of the cylinder G1 by bolts g2 passing through openings in bosses g4 formed on the upper cap g1 and extending downwardly exteriorly of the cylinder G1 with their ends threaded into openings formed in bosses a5 on the lower cap g2.

Theupper cap g1 is formed on its inner surface with a recess 17s into which a Asleeve g" is fitted and which sleeve receives the upper portion a of the piston G2. A compression spring g1 is arranged to surround the sleeve g" `and bears against a shoulder g1 formed on the piston G2. Below the shoulder g1, the piston (321s enlarged to provide a lower portion 911 in sliding engagement with the inner surface 912 of the cylinder wall. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, an air pipe 11 leads from the valve V to the upper cap g1, opening into the cylinder G1 within the sleeve g" and above the end of the upper portion g11 of the piston G2; and an air pipe 111 leads from the valve V to a port 012 formed in the side of the cylinder G1 and which leads into the interior thereof below the lower end of the piston G2.

The valve V (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 14) is secured by a bracket e5 to the cross-head E2 and comprises two sections 112 and 113 secured together by screws 114. The section 112 is formed with a recess 115 in its inner face to accommodate a slide 116 pressed against the inner face of the section 112 by a leaf spring 11I secured by a screw 11a to the wall of the section 112. Near its lower end, the,slide 11*s is formed with a drill hole 11s to accommodate a pin 111 formed on a plunger 1111 arranged to reciprocate in an opening 1112 at the bottom o f the section 113 to raise and lower the slide 11, the plunger 1111 normally being held in the lower position shown in Fig. 14 by a compression spring 1112. A removable cover plate 1114 secured to the outer face of the section 113 permits access to a compartment 1115 in which the plunger 1111 and spring 11111 are arranged, the arrangement simplifying manufacture and the assembling of the parts.

As shown in Fig. 1, an air intake pipe J and an air exhaust pipe K are connected to the section 112 of the valve V and communicate respectively (Fig. 14) with ports 1116 and 111", the former opening into the recess 115 of the section 112 and the latter opening into a recess 11111 in the Aslide 112. The pipes 11 and 111 leading from the valve to the top and bottom, respectively, of the cylinder G1 communicate with ports 1112 and 112 in the section 113 of the valve. 1n the position of the parts of the valve as shown in Fig. 14, communication is established between the intake port 111*1 and the port 1112 as indicated by the arrow, to supply air to the top of the cylinder G1, communication being established at the same time between the port 112 and the exhaust port 111" through the recess 1112 in the slide 11*1 to exhaust air from the bottom of the cylinder G1. When the plunger 1111 is raised, moving the slide 113 with it, communication is established through the recess 1118 between the exhaust port 111" and the port 1119 for the exhaust of air from the top of the cylinder G1. At the same time, communication is cut off between the exhaust port 1117 and the port 1122 through an opening 1121 formed in the slide 116 for the admission of air to the bottom ofthe cylinder G1. It may be well to state at this time that normally the valve parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 14 with a full head of air pressure maintained above thev piston G2, the slide 1111 being moved up` wardly but momentarily for the raising of the piston G2 to retract the pump plunger D6 afterl casting.

The piston G2 is held in its upper position against the head of air pressure and the tension of the spring g9 by -a .dog O (Fig. 5), which engages beneath a block P secured by a screw pin p to the lower end of a piston rod g depending from the piston G2 within the cylinder G1. The lower end of the block P is formed with an opening p1 (see also Fig. 4) to receive a flat headed pin p1 to which the upper end of theplunger rod i113 is adapted to be securedl upper end of the rod d1 fitting over the pin p1 and being held thereon by a pawl p3 pivoted to the block P on a pin `p4 and pressed against the top edge of the plunger rod-d1a by a compression spring p5. The dog O is supported on a roller O1 and carries a roller o which engages the bottom edge of the-head of the pin p1 in the block P. The opposite end of the dog O is pivoted at o1 to the end of one arm o2 of a bell-crank lever O1 pivoted at oa to the cross-head E1 and normally held in the full line position shown inFig. 5 by a spring o4 arranged between the cross-head l?.z and an upstanding lug o5 on the lever O1. The. other arm o6 of the lever O2 extends toward the side of (Fig. 3), the slot d15 in theposite side of the pin' a: and is actuatie to rock the lever X1 to close the valve X. With the relative movement permitted by having the hammer T1, it moves relatively to the lever '1a and com- Tfixed to the shaft tB and the bell-crank lever T2 free to pivot thereon, when the hammer is released by the trigger T1, the spring t1' exercises itself to swing the hammer relatively to the lever presses the spring t1. However, the spring t1' is so strong that. the initial movement of the hammer T acts through the spring t1 to rock the lever 'I2 until the arm t thereof engages `ethe pin :c and swings the lever X1 back to its the machine in position to be engaged by actuating means for rocking the lever O2 against the pressure of the spring o4 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 5 to retract the dog 0 and remove the roller o to its dotted line position clear of the block P and permit the descent of the plunger D6 for the casting operation. The active position of the dog O, that is, the extent to which it projects beneath the block P, is determined by an adjusting screw o" abutting against the cross head E2, the screw o? being threaded through an opening in the arm o11 of the lever O2 and locked f in set position by a nut o1.

The descent of the plunger D5 is adapted to control the opening of a ball valve X (Fig. 3) which closes the inner end of the throat passage d'1 in the well D2 of the metal pot D, and to this end a valve-opening hammer T is arranged to be released by a trigger T1 rockably mounted as at t with one arm t1 in the path of an inclined surface p on the block P, which surface p6 engages the trigger arm during the descent of the block and rocks the trigger T1 counterclockwise from its full line position, as determined by an adjusting screw t2 held by a locknut t3, to the dotted line position, moving the other arm t4 of the trigger T1 out of engagement with the hammer T and releasing the latter to open the valve X. The trigger arm t4 is relatively thick, being formed with an offset portion t26 (Fig. 8) with whichthe hammer arm t12 engages, so that when the hammer is released the arm t12 swings clear of the trigger arm t1 at one side thereof.

TheI hammer T (Figs. 3 and 9) is forked to provide arms t5 `and t6 and is fixed by a pin t7 to a rock shaft t8 passing through apertures in the arms tl5 and ts and journalled in bearings e1, e2 and e3 formed on the cross-head E1. Beyond the `iuncture of the arms t5 and t5 above the shaft t8, the hammer is formed with one arm t12 adapted for engagement with the trigger T1 and another arm t13 formed with an open-ended socket t14. A bell-crank lever T2 is pivotally mounted on the shaft ta betweenthe arms t5 and t6 of the hammer T, and its short arm t15 is formed with an open-ended socket t1, The open ends t1? and t1' of the sockets tl and t1, respectively, face one another, andthe sockets are adapted to accommodate a compressionfull line position and closes the valve X.

The lever X1 is vertically jdisposed and held against sidewise movement by the arm tu of the lever T1, the end t24 of which is bifurcated to receive the bent upper end :c1 of the lever X1. The lower end of the lever X1 is connected'to the valve X which is located in the well D, the lever extending through the body of metal d2 in the metal pot D and an opening d22 formed in a boss i123 rising from the wall d3 and being supported by a yoke :z:z passing through a slot :r3 in the lever and secured therein by a pin x4, the ends z5 (Fig. 10) of the yoke arms x engaging in a groove d:m formed in the outer surface of the boss d. The opening d'n is cylindrical, and near its lower end the lever is formed with a rounded portion .1:8 which, by its engagement with the Walls of the opening d1, permits the lever X1 to partake of a rocking movement. A finger extension as beyond the spherical portion x8 of the lever X1 projects into an opening x10 formed in the valve X and provides the connection between the valve and lever. The tendency of the valve X to float in the metal in the welly D2 maintains it well up on the end x3 of the lever X1, as shown in Fig. 3, and it is guided to a proper seatin'g as it is closed by four projections 124 formed on the inner end of the throat DJ around the port d. It is pointed out that even if the valve X did not float, there is not sufficient space between the valve and the bottom of the well to permit it to drop and thus become disconnected from the lever X1. In the assembly of the parts, the valve X is located in the well D2 before the throat D3 is in place, and the lever X1 then lowered through the opening i122 in the boss (123 to engage the end :r9 in the opening :1:10 in the valve. This is accomplished by turning the lever X1 so that the ends m5 of the yoke arms :c6 pass through diametrically opposite slots d31 leading to th'e groove d3 in the upper end of the boss d23 and then turning the lever X1 to the position shown in Fig. l0.

The operation of the pump actuating mechanism G is controlled by three cams H3, H4 and H5 (Figs. l, 2, 6, 12 and 13) fixed to the cam shaft H and operating through yokes h1, ha and be engaged by the operating cams H3, Hand I H5, respectively. 1 The outer ends of the yokes are connected to the lower ends of the rods h', h!I and h1, each of which is formed with a neck portion 1212 and a ball 11.13 and detachably connected to its respective yoke by tting the ball h13 into a recess 11.14 in the end of the yoke with the neck portion 11.12 arranged in an open-ended slot h, the recess and the end of the slot being closed by a movable cover plate 11.1 (Fig. 13).

The upper end of the rod h. is fitted with an adjustable end portion h1'1 having a ball connection with the valve actuating plunger o (Fig. 14) which moves the slide v The rod 1l.'l has a similar adjustable end n connected to a rock arm h1 (Fig. 5) pivoted to the frame as at h2, which arm operates through an interponent h21 to actuate the bell-crank lever 02 and retract the dog O to effect the release of the pump plunger D. The rod h11 is also provided with an adjustable upper end piece 11.22 which is slidably supported in an aperture formed in a bracket e4 (Fig. 8) beneath a crank arm t211 xed to one end of the rock shaft ti.v

The interponent h21 is carried at the upper end of a shaft 11.14 rotatably supported in brackets 11.25 and 11.2 and by the rocking of the shaft v11.24 the interponent is adapted to be moved into and out of operative yposition between the rocker arm 11.12 and the arm of the bell-crank O2, whereby it acts as a safety device to prevent the operation of the pump plunger. The rocking of the shaft h24 is controlled by the movement of the metal pot D 'into and out of casting relation to the mold A, being effected by two bumpers S.

and S1 xed in the frame F to engage an arm h2" on the shaft 11.24. When the metal pot D moves forwardly, it carries with it the shaft 11.24,

and as it moves into casting relation to the mold, the arm h21 strikes an adiusting screw s1 in the bumpers S1 and rocks the shaft h24 to locate the interponent 1121 in active position between the rocker arm 11.1 and the arm 0 of the bell-crank lever O2. In the event that, for any reason, the metal pot D does not move the full distance to lock the mouthpiece D4 up tightly against the mold A, the interponent 11.21 will remain in its inactive position and, even though the cam H5 actuates the yoke h2, shaft h1 and rocker arm 1119, the bell-crank lever O2 will not be actuated to retract the dog O and release the pump operating mechanism. When the pot D returns to its original position after the casting operation, the arm 11.21 strikes the end of an adjusting screw s in the bumper S1 and rocks the shaft 11.24 to movethe interponent 11.21 to its inactive position clear of the rocker arm 11.1 and lever arm os. The bumper S1 mounted so that it can be swung out of the path of the arm h2" when desired, in which event the interponent 11.21 will remain in its inactive position and the machine can be operated without casting.

The improved mouthpiece wiping mechanism W comprises a wiping element W1 mounted at the is pivotally v (Figs. 2 and 12). The leadingend of the recess 11.2a falls away sharply as at 11.2 to allow the roller w11 to drop abruptly therein, and the following end of the recess is formed to provide a surface 112 which gradually runs into the periphery of the cam H2 and on which the roller w'B rides to raise the yoke w" back to its original position. The roller w11 bears on the periphery of the cam H2 under the tension of a torsion spring w1 surrounding the shaft w3 and having one end'xed,

in the frame as at w11 and the other end fixed in a collar w12 fastened to the shaft w1 as by a set forward ends of a pair of arms w1 and to2 arto track on the periphery of the cam H2 fixed to the main cam shaft H. At a predetermined point in its periphery in the line of -travel of the -roller wa secured thereto by a bolt 109 and adapted The wiping element W1 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6) is journalled at its opposite ends in plates w14 pivoted on a shaft w15 extending between and fixed to the forward ends of the arms w1 and w2. Each plate w is formed with a slot tp in which a pin w1'1 formed on the respective arm w1 or w2 is adapted to ride, the ends of the slot limiting the movement of the plates w14. normally held forward in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 b y torsion springs w11 associated with each plate and arranged on the rod w12 with one end anchored as at w12 in each plate and the other end anchored in a ycollar 102 fixed to the rod w11. The wiping element W1 is normally held against a pin w21 on each of the plates w14 by a tension spring w22, anchored at one end to the wiping element W1 and at the opposite .end to a pin w23 on its respective plate w14, being free to move forwardly, however, against the pull of the springs w22. The reason for the movable mount-4 ing of the wiping element W1 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1, the wiping element W1 is in a position forthe wiping operation, which takes place just prior to casting. When the roller w drops into the recess h211 in the cam H2, allowing the yoke w? to drop, the spring w1 moves the arms w1 and w2 downwardly and the wiping -element W1 passes over in front face of the mouthpiece D4, bearing against it under the pull of the tension springs w22. After the wiping operation, and as seen in Fig. 2, when the pot D moves into casting relation to the mold A, the wiping element W1 strikes the mold carrier A1 and, moving as a unit with the plates w14, yields rearwardly against the tension of the springs w11. After the casting operation. when the metal pot D returns to its rearward position, the springs w1a exercise themselves to return the wiping element W1 to the wiping position, which is determined by the engagement of the pins w17 with the ends of the slots w141 as shown in Fig. 3.

In the operation of the machine, at the time lthe line of matrices M is located in casting position, theparts occupy the position shown in Fig. 1, with the line of matrices M, 'mold A and the pot mouthpiece D4 in horizontally spaced relation. At the start of the cycle of operation, the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 12, and as the cam H2 starts to rotatethe mouthpiece wiping operation is effected by the roller w11 dropping into the recess 12.2"3 in the cam H2 to allow the wiping element W1 to be moved down over the mold engaging face of the mouthpiece D4. The roller wa then travels over the surface ha of the recess 11.28 and back onto the periphery of the cam H2 to return the wiper W to the position shown. Continued rotation of the cam shaft H in the direction indicated by the arrow, causes shown in Fig. 2. This rocks the lever Nlcounterroller w8, the cam H2 is formed with a recess h2s 75 clockwise and, through the rod n4l lever N1 The plates w14 are straightens out the toggle link n10 and moves the carriage E forwardly, the pot D and plunger actuating mechanism G moving as a unit with the carriage E until the front face of the mouthpiece D4 is forced against the rear face of the mold A. As the carriage E completes its forward movement, the arm h" on the vertical shaft h1" strikes the screw s1 in the bumper S1 and the shaft is rocked to swing the interponent 11.21 at the upper end of the shaft into position between the rock arm 11.1 and the arm o@ of the lever O2 and couple the plunger releasing trip dog O to its actuating mechanism. In the meantime, the mold carrier A1 is moved to bring the front face of the mold A into engagement with the line of matrices M (see Fig. 2). It will be noted that the forward movement of the carriage E brings the wiping element W1 into engagement with the top rear edge of the mold carrier A1, but since the wiping element W1 is free to swing within the limits of the slots w1, it is merely rocked rearwardly out of its wiping position.

Continued rotation of the cam shaft H brings the low portion h3 (Fig. 6) of the cam Hls to the top, and the roller h1o carried by the yoke h4 rides down the inclined surface h3", allowing the yoke h4 and rod h.s to drop and break the engagement with the upper end h12 of the rod and the crank arm t25 fixed to the end of the shaft t. Just before the yoke h4 drops to its lowermost position, the roller h1 of the yoke h3 rides up on the inclined surface h311 of the cam H4 which controls the operation of the plunger D. The lifting of the yoke h3, and with it the rod k7, rocks the arm h1 vupwardly and, through the interponent b21, rocks the bell-crank lever O1 to retract the dog O (Fig. 5). This allows the piston G2 in the air cylinder G1 to descend under the influence of the I spring g1 and the head of air pressure constantly maintained above the piston G2. The initial downward movement of the piston G2 moves the plunger Do sufficiently to cover the ports d12 and shut oil communication between the body of metal d2 and the well D2, and also to exert pressure on the body of metal in the well D. However, just as the pressure on .the metal in the well D2 is built up, the cam surface p6 on the block P fixed to the lower end of the piston rod G3 completes its camming action on the arm t1 of the trigger T1 to rock the trigger arm t4 out of engagement with the arm t12.of the hammer T. The compression spring t19 then exercises itself to rock the hammer T counterclockwise so thatthe heads t21 and t211 thereof strike the pin .'v in the lever X1 a sharp blow to rock the lever X1 to its dotted line position and thereby open the valve X, the valve being held open by a compression spring h acting on the arm t25. It may be noted here that the hammer means of opening the valve X is employed both because of the pressure exerted on the metal in the well D2 and to open the valve X completely as quickly as possible in order that the volume of metal displaced for casting will be uniform throughout the stroke of the plunger D8.

The plunger D6 then continues its downward or metal injecting stroke under substantially the same uniform head of pressure to displace the metal in the well D2 and force it through the port d1 and throat passage d" into the mold slot a2 to form the slug, the plunger partaking of a full stroke (under the same uniform head of pressure) regardless of the volume of displaced metal used to fill the mold slot a2 by virtue of the metal bi-passing through the opening d19 (Fig. 75

raising the yoke h2 and the rod h6 fixed to the lower end of the plunger 1111 in the valve V (Fig. 14). This moves the valve plunger 1:11 and the slide v upwardly to establish communication, through the passage 1121, between the intake port 121 and the port 112 to admit air from the supply pipe J to the pipe v1 leading from the valve V to the bottom of the air cylinder G1 below the piston G2. At the same time, communication is established by the recess v1 in the valve slide vc between the port v" and the port v19communicating with the exhaust pipe K. The air entering the bottom of the cylinder G1 forces the piston G2 upwardly to retract the plunger D, air being exhausted from lthe top of the cylinder through the pipe u, recess v1a in the slide 11 and the port v1 communicating with the exhaust pipe K v When the plunger D6 is completely retracted, the dog O is returned to its operative position below the block P to hold the piston G2 in its upper position, and the roller h1u in the yoke h,2 rides down an inclined surface h on the cam H. allowing the yoke and rod h. to drop and return the slide v6 to the position shown in Fig. 14, admitting air once again to the pipe v leading to the top of the cylinder G1. After the start of the return stroke .of the plunger D, the roller h1 in the yoke h4 rides up an inclined surface h onto the periphery h43 of the cam H5, raising the yoke h* and rod ha and causing the upper end h22 of the rod hs to engage the end of the crank arm t25 to rock the shaft ta clockwise and return the hammer T to its original position, the arm t1 of the trigger t dropping down to engage the hammer arm t12. During the initial rocking of the shaft ts, the spring t19 tends to compress. but it is strong enough so that it rocks the arm it13 of the lever T2 counterclockwise against the crosspin a: to move the lever X1 and close the valve X, very little force being necessary for this purpose since the metal in the well U is not under pressure, as was the case when the valve X was opened. When the valve X is closed, the lever X1 then resists the movement of the lever T2, and continued rocking of the shaft ts compresses the spring t1 to place it under tension. It will be noted that \the retraction of the plunger D6 is commenced shortly before the valve X is closed, thus allowing `a back draft of the metal in the throat passage d" sufficiently to avoid its leakage through the mouthpiece openings dl when the pot D is moved out of casting relation to the mold.

The roller n on the bell-crank lever N rides on an inclined surface h (Figs. 1 and 2) of the cam H2 and is moved to the left to rock the lever N clockwise and return the pot carriage E to its original position shown in Fig. 1. As the metal pot D returns to its initial position, the arm h" on the vertical shaft h.24 strikes the screw s in the bumper S and rotates the shaft h24 to move the interponent h21 out from between the rocker h1* and the arm 0 of the bell-crank lever O. thus uncoupling the plunger releasing mechanism to preventV the release of the plunger D. 'Ihe cam shaft H then completes its rotation to end i the cycle of operation of the machine.

It will be seen now that the present invention affords an arrangement wherein the metal pot and plunger actuating mechanism, mounted on a common carrier adapted for horizontal movement on rollers, are easily moved as a unit into and out of casting position, the 'movement being quick and smooth. The injection of metal into the mold by subjecting it to a head of pressure while in the pot and then suddenly opening the valve to release it for introduction into the mold while maintaining substantially `the head of pressure built up before its release, fills the mold completely with metal flowing thereinto at a uniform high velocity and under uniform pressure. After' the mold is filled, the metal therein is maintained under the same uniform pressure until the plunger completes its stroke, with the result that, the mold having been filled completely andrapidly, the dense body of metal in the mold is afforded an opportunity to chill and solidify for a long enough period of time to prevent a back-draft of metal from the mold when the plunger is retracted. The pneumatic operation of the plunger, in addition to the improved result in casting which it affords, adds to the smoothness of operation of the entire casting mechanism, the necessary relative movements of the pot and plunger actuating mechanism found in the spring actuated devices being obviated along with the stresses and strains and wear of the parts resulting from the tensioning of the heavy plunger actuating spring. In the present instance, the mechanism is compact'and the partsA are, in the main, of light weight, since there is little or no heavy work to be done. Many other advantages will be manifest to those skilled in the art without specific recitation herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, and mechanism for injecting.

metal into the moldincluding a uid actuated plunger adapted to subject the metal to pressure and thereafter, when the maximum pressure has been built up suddenly effect the introduction of the metal into the mold under substantially uniform pressure. l

2. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, and mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a fluid actuated plunger adapted to subject the metal to a head of vpressure and thereafter suddenly effect the introduction of the metal into the mold while maintaining itA under substantially said head of pressure.

3. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuated plunger adapted to subject the metal to pressure and acting to exert substantially uniform pressure on the metal during the injection thereof into the mold, and means operable when the metal is subjected to pressure for effecting its introduction into the mold.

4. In a typographical casting machine, the com bination of a mold, mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuated plunger adapted to subject the metal to substantially uniform pressure during its metal injecting stroke, a valve adapted to be opened to effect the introduction of the metal into the mold, and means operative to open the valve when the metal is subjected to pressure by the plunger.

5. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuated plungver adapted to subject the metal to substanlaially uniform pressure during its metal injecting stroke, a valve adapted to be opened to effect the introduction of metal into the mold, and means operative to open the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal to pressure.

6. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, mechanism for injecting metal into the mold including a uid actuated plunger for displacing the metal to force it into the mold and adapted to subject the metal to substantially uniform pressure during its metal injecting stroke, a valve adapted to be opened to effect the introduction of metal into the mold,

means operative to open the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal to pressure, and means to render the plunger operative to partake of a full metal injecting stroke regardless of the volume of metal forced into the mold.

7. In a typographical casting machine, the

.combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, -a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, a fluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage.' said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber tc substantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a valve for closing said passage, vand means operative to open the valve by a sudden hammer-blow action thereon after the plunger has commenced its metal'injecting.

stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure.

8. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, a

fluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage. said plunger operating to s'ubject the metal in the chamber to a head of pressure and to maintain said head of pressure on the metal throughout its metal injecting stroke, a valve for closing said passage, and means operative to open the valve by a. sudden hammer-blow action thereon after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to the full head'of pressure. i

9. In a typographical casting machine, the

combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, a fluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged to` close said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of the n pivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure.

10. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, a fluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged to close said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and spring actuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of the pivot a hammer-like blow to open the `valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting strokev and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure.

11. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal confining chamber formed therein, a metal injecting passage leading from the chamber. a iluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged to close said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and connected on one side of the pivot'to the valve, and spring actuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of the pivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure, said valve opening means being controlled by a trigger arranged to be tripped by means operative in response to the movement of the plunger in its'metal injecting stroke.

12. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal coniining chamber formed therein, a metal injecting passageleading from the chamber, a fluid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged to close said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and spring actuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of the pivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure, said valve opening means being controlled by a trigger arranged to be tripped by means operative in response to the movement of the plunger in its metal injecting stroke, and means acting positively to close the valve after the mold has been lled with metal.

13. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot having a metal conilning chamber formed therein, a -metal injecting passage leading from the chamber, a iiuid actuated plunger for injecting metal into the mold through said passage, said plunger operating to subject the metal in the chamber to substantially uniform pressure throughout its metal injecting stroke, a ball valve arranged to close said metal injecting passage, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and connected on one side of the pivot to the valve, and spring actuated means operative to strike the lever on the opposite side of the pivot a hammer-like blow to open the valve after the plunger has commenced its metal injecting stroke and subjected the metal in the chamber to pressure, said valve opening means being controlled by a trigger arranged to be tripped by means operative in response to the movement of the plunger in its metal injecting stroke, andmeans acting DQitlvely to close the valve and reset the valve opening means when the plunger is retracted after completing its metal injecting stroke.

14. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal potl movable from inactive to active position to cooperate with the mold for casting, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metal therefrom into the mold, means for holding the plunger against operation, means connected thereto for effecting the release of the plunger, and means actuable by the movement of the metal pot from one position to the other to couple and uncouple the plunger holding and re` leasing means.

15. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot movable from inactive to active position to cooperate with the mold for casting, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metal therefrom into the mold, means for holding the plunger against operation, means connected thereto for effecting the release of the plunger, and means for coupling and uncoupling the plunger holding and releasing means, said means being uncoupled when the metal pot is in inactive position and being coupled thereto by the movement of the metal pot into active position.

16. In a tyDOgraphical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot movable into and out of casting position relatively tothe mold, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metal therefrom into the mold, means for operating the plunger to inject metal into the mold, means to hold said operating means inactive, means .to

actuate said holding means to release the plunger operating means, and an interponent movable to andl from active position for coupling and uncoupling said actuating means and said holding means, said interponent occupying its inactive positionwhen the metal pot is out of casting relation to the mold and being moved to its active position when the metal pot moves into casting relationto the mold. y

17. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a mold, a metal pot movable into and out of casting position relatively to the mold, a plunger in the metal pot for injecting metal therefrom into the mold, a nuid operated piston for actuating the plunger, a trip dog for holding the piston against movement to operate the plunger, means actuable to release said dog, and an interponent movable into and out of active position to establish a connection4 between the dog and its releasing means, said interponent being moved into active position by the movement of the metal pot into casting position.

18. A combination according to claim 1'1, wherein the interponent is iixed to a rock shaft,

and including two bumpers mounted in the machine and adapted to be engaged by an arm on the rock shaft during the movement of the metal pot, one bumper being located for engagementl pot, one bumper being located for engagement with said arm when the pot moves into casting the metal pot accurately in casting position when the toggle is expanded.

21. A combination as in claim 20, wherein one end of the toggle is secured to an anchoring member fastened to a xed part of the machine, and an adjustable wedge-shaped interponent is provided to vary the location of the anchoring member relatively to the part of the machine to which it is fastened.

JAMES C. PLASTARAS.