US591948A - Matrix-bar and method of making same - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. S. GAPEHART. MATRIX BAR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

No. 591,948] 4 Patented Oct. 19,1897.

fimaasc I 17224 22502. W jglemnderfl M M2617 (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. S. CAPEHART. MATRIX BAR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

No. 591,948. Patented Oct. 19,1897,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

.ALEXANDER S. OAPEHART, OF BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA.

MATRIX-BAR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,948, dated October 19, 1897.

Application filed January 14,1897 Serial No. 619,204. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER S. CAPE- HART, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bismarck, North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Matrix-Bars and Methods of Making the Same, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

In the monoline type-setting and line-casting machine the circulating matrix-bars are each provided in one edge with intaglio or female type-characters, and in the opposite edge with alining notches corresponding in number with the number of intaglio or type characters. In Letters Patent No. 529,440, issued to me November 20, 1894, as assignor to the Monoline Composing Company, I describe a method of manufacturing matrixbars of the kind referred to, but which in some respects, particularly as to the specific form or shape of recesses to contain the intaglio or type characters shown in the patent, is objectionable, in that it is difficult to hold the dies accurately in proper position during the manipulations of the matrix-bar blank in carrying out the method of manufacture. It is very desirable, and I may say indispensable, in this art to place all the intaglio characters with exactness relatively to the sides of the matrix-bar blank and the edges of the recesses in which these characters are placedin order to obtain matrix-bars which will secure the high perfection required in the printing art. In manufacturing the form of matrix-bar shown in the patent referred to, a blank is provided in one edge witha plurality of recesses and in the opposite edge with a corresponding number of notches, and a series of dies having relief type-characters are inserted into the recesses in such manner that the cameo or relief type-characters lie at the places where the intaglio characters are to be produced. The bar and frame compose what is called a composite plate in which the only openings are the unfilled portions of the recesses into which copper deposits are to be made. All portions of the composite plate on both faces are covered or waxed with a coat or film of insulating material excepting those points where the copper deposit is to be made. The composite plate is then suspended in a bath and forms a cathode which is electrically connected to the proper ole oiterminal of a battery. The other pole of the battery is connected with copper electrodes and the circuit being closed electrodeposition commences from both sides and the copper deposition is gradually built up in the openings around thecarneo or relief faces of the type as far as permitted by the insulating coat or film until the recesses are solidly filled and the cameo faces of the type are reproduced in intaglio in the solid copper filling. Subsequentlythe plate is removed from the bath, the dies and matrix-bar are removed from the frame, and the dies are withdrawn from the matrix-bar. After the cameo type and type-bodies 14:, which constitute the dies, are placed in position relatively to the matrix-bar blanks, the cameo type are easily displaced or disarranged, which results in imperfectbars, or bars possessing objectionable irregulart ties that render them unavailable for practical use.

The chief objects of the present invention are to improve'the manufacture of matrixbars for line-casting machines and to provide means whereby the dies employed for producing the intaglio characters by electrodeposition of,copper or equivalent metal will be firmly and substantially held or maintained in correct position without liability of greater or less displacement after adjustment, for the purpose of producing perfect matrix bars with intaglio characters in one or both edges, and preventing or diminishing the liability of manufacturing imperfect bars, or bars possessing irregularities as regards the contour or arrangement or location of the intaglio or type characters relatively to one another and to the parallel sides of the bar, 7 These objects are accomplished in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- A Figure 1 is a plan view showing the matrixbar blank and dies arranged in cooperative relation to produce intaglio or female typecharacters in the twoopposite edges of the bar according to my present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing, for the purpose of explanations hereinafter made, a matrix-bar partially completed. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View, taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 2,

showing two recesses prior to the insertion of the dies and the formation of the intaglio characters therein. Fig. 4 is a similar view, taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 2, showing the electrodeposit of copperin the recesses to produce intaglio characters in the opposite edges of the bar; and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the matrix-bar blank to more clearly show the improved construction or shape of the recesses.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring first to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, wherein The numeral 5 indicates the body of the matriX-bar, which is preferably of brass. This bar is constructed in each edge with any desired number of recesses 6, located at the points where the intaglio or female type-char-- acters are to be provided. Instead of forming the edges of the recesses divergent or beveled and undercutting these edges, as is described and shown in my patent alluded to, I construct or form each of the recesses with rectilinear parallel edges 7 and 8. cesses extend through from one side of the bar to the other and are open at the front or outer portions, as in the former construction. The bottom of each recess is wedge-shaped, or substantially in the form of an inverted V, which is accomplished by beveling the metal, as at 9 and 10. The sides of the bar, at each recess, are provided with approximately semicircular cavities o'r depressions, as at 12 and 13-, the edges of which merge into and form continuations of the rectilinear or straight parallel edges 7 and 8. The wedge-shaped or beveled parts 9 and 10 and the semicircular cavities or depressions 12 and 13 provide for the anchorage of the copper deposit in a simpler and more economical manner than the prior construction, due in a large measure to the facility with which the parallel edges '7 and 8 and semicircular cavities or depressions 12 and 13 can be produced. These parts are more readily constructed than the undercut and beveled edges shown in the patent mentioned, but in addition thereto the rectilinear or straight edges 7 and 8, formed parallel, as shown, performa function which the beveled edges fail to successfully performthat is, the rectilinear parallel edgesof the recesses snugly and squarely fit against the bodies 14 of the dies and firmly and substantially hold or maintain the dies in correct position, after adjustment, in such manner that after bein gaccurately set in position they are not liable to be disarranged or displaced during the manipulation of the parts in the production of the intaglio characters.

By utilizing the rectilinear, parallel sides of the dies in combination with the rectilinear parallel edges of the recesses as means for adjusting the cameo or relief type-characters and holding or maintaining the dies and matrix-bar blank in correct fixed relation The re- 2 the employment of extraneous or other means for holding the dies and bar in fixed relation,

which'would be objectionable and perhaps impracticable.

The matrix-bar blank is shown provided with similar recesses in its two edges, and with anchoring cavities or depressions in its opposite side surfaces, whereby two sets of dies may be employed for the purpose of producinga matrix-bar having intaglio or female type-characters anchored in both of its edges. Where such bars are manufactured they are reversible, so that the characters in either edge may be used in casting slugs or typebars. Such bars should each be provided at one end with duplicate hooks 15 and 16, or equivalent means, to enable the bar to be reversed and practicably manipulated by the distributing mechanism of the type-setting and line-casting machine. The hooks 15 and 16 may be formed on'a single shank 17, or each hook may have its own independent shank. These hooks may be variously con-- structed and arranged, and, if desired, other devices may be provided for distribution par-- poses.

The matrix-bar blank constructed as described is placed centrally in a rectangular opening of a frame 18, of brass or other metal suitable for the purpose in hand, and the dies 1% are inserted into the straight-line entrances of the recesses. Any number of recesses may be formed in each edge of the bar according to the number of intaglio or female type-characters required. The feet of the dies may, and preferably do, rest against the longitudinal edges of the opening in the frame 18, Fig. 1, and, if necessary, quads or spaces, as at 19, may be inserted between the dies or be formed with the latter. The end or ends of the frame-opening may have proper fillingpieces inserted, as in my patent referred'to, for the purpose of confining the dies and bar in position.

The composite plate, comprising the parts set forth, is covered or waxed with a coat or film of insulating material except as to the places where the deposit of copper is to be made, and this plate is suspended in a suitable bath to form acathode which is electrically connected with one pole of a battery. The other pole of the battery is connected with copper electrodes placed in the bath in proper relation to the recesses in the matrixbar blank, all substantially as in my Patent No. 529,440, so that when the circuit is closed electrodeposition commences at both sides of the bar and the copper deposit enters the recesses, as at 20, about the cameo or relief type-characters, which are reproduced in intaglio in the solid copper fillings. The plate is then removed from the bath and the dies are withdrawn from the recesses, leaving the matrix-bar with a plurality of intaglio char acters in copper fillings 20, anchored by the cavities 0r depressions 12 and 13, in the bottoms of the recesses in each edge of the bar.

For the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the anchorage and efiectually preventing displacement of the copper or other electro deposited fillings 20 at the bottoms of the open side recesses I provide the wedge shaped parts 9 with depressions or recesses 21, preferably, but not necessarily, in the form of transverse holes or perforations, into which the copper or other electrodeposited metal enters in such manner that the fillings are effectually, securely, and permanently interlocked with the bar.

Although I have described and shown the matrix-bar with intaglio characters in each edge thereof, I do not wish to be understood as confining myself thereto, as the intaglio characters may, if desired, be produced in one edge only.

The matrix-bar herein illustrated is designed with reference to its use in the monoline type setting and casting machine; but my invention is useful in the manufacture of matrix bars or plates adapted to other machines for casting printing or type bars. An important part of the present improvement resides in the straight-line entrances of the recesses where intaglio or type characters are placed, for the purpose of firmly and securely holding the type-dies in fixed position after adjustment, and this part of the improvement is advantageous whether the intaglio characters are produced by electrodeposition or otherwise. If the type-dies stamp the typecharacters in the bar, the straight-line entrances will accurately guide the dies.

The matrix-bars are usually measured by their length, width, and height, and therefore I prefer that the brass matrix-bar blanks be produced of such dimensions that the height of the recesses, or height of the bar, will be somewhat greater than when the bar is completed for use, the extra height being cut off or otherwise removed on the lines 22, for example, if it be desired to reduce the height of the bar. If the extra height referred to is removed, the matrix-bar would form no part of the mold in the line-casting machine, except as to the face-bodies of the type cast upon the slug. Conversely, if the extra height be not removed, the straight edges of the recesses in the matrix will form a part of the mold in casting the type-characters on the slug.

By constructing a matrix-bar with intaglio characters in its two edges, according to my invention, I am able to provide a bar having the faces of the typecharacters in one edge different from the face of the type-characters in the other edge, which is advantageous and useful. For example, I may place full-faced seven-point letters in one edge of the bar and body-type eight-point letters in the other edge; or the intaglios in one edge may represent one size of type and have Latin faces,

I while the intaglios in the opposite edge may represent the same or a different size of type and have German faces. Or one edge of the bar may contain six-point letters, while the opposite edge contains seven-point letters. It will be understood that all the intaglios-in both edges of the bar are designed for and available as intaglios in casting lines or type.

As regards the straight-1i ne entrances in the matrix-bar, I do not confine myself to the employment of the anchoring cavities or recesses, nor to the beveled sides of the bottoms of the recesses. It will be obvious that the straight-line entrances into one edge of the bar will serve as infallible guides for cutting alinin g notches in the other edge of the bar.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A matrix bar having a plurality of straight-line entrances in its edge at the several points where intaglio or type characters are formed, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. A matrix-bar having a plurality of recesses open at the front and both sides and constructed to engage and firmly and squarely hold the type-dies in the formation of intaglio or type characters in the bottom portions of the recesses, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. A matrix-bar having a plurality of recesses in its edge, containing intaglio characters and constructed with rectilinear, parallel edges which engage and accurately hold the type-dies when the intaglio characters are formed, substantially as and for the purposes described.

4. A matrix-bar having a recess in its edge, containing an electrodeposited intaglio character and constructed with edges which engage and firmly hold the type-die in accurate position to form the intaglio character, substantially as and for the purposes described.

5. A matrix-bar having a plurality of recesses in its edge containing eleetrodeposited intaglio characters and constructed with straight-line entrances, substantially as and for. the purposes described.

6. A matrix-bar having a plurality of recesses in its edge containing anchored intaglio fillings and constructed with rectilinear, parallel edges which engage and firmly hold the dies when the intaglios are formed, substantially as and for the purposes described.

7. A matrix-bar having a plurality of recesses in its edges containing intaglio characters and provided with rectilinear, parallel edges for guiding and firmly holding the intaglio-forming dies, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. A matrix-bar having straight-line entrances containing .electrodeposited intaglio characters, and anchoring cavities or depressions in the side surfaces of the bar below or beyond said entrances, substantially as and for the purposes described.

9. A matrix-bar having edge recesses con- IIO taining electrodeposited intaglio characters, and anchoring cavities or depressions formed in the opposite side surfaces of the bar, substantially as and for the purposes described.

10. A matrix-bar having straight-line entrances in its edge, containing electrodeposited int-aglio characters, and substantially semicircular anchoring cavities 0r depres sions in the opposite side surfaces of the bar, the edges of said cavities or depressions formin g continuations of the edges of the straightline entrances, substantially as and for the purposes described.

11. A matrix-bar having an edge recess open at the front and sides, containing an anchored, electrodeposited intaglio, and constructed with parallel edges to guide and ALEXANDER s. CAPEHART.

Witnesses:

GREGORY PHELAN, GEO. W. ROOSEVELT.

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