US630396A - Linotype-machine. - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 8, "3%. B. NADALL. LINOTYPE momma.

(Appliutioa filed WW. 1!, 189B.)

.is settled by i larvae States lil l ATENT tries.

LINQTYPEHMACHINE. I

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 630,396,

Application filed November ll, 1898. Serial No. (196d 65..

dated August 8, 1899. Nomodett Be it known that I, BERNE NAlL-XLL, ol (iiicago, (l lnglewood in the State of lllinois, at present residing at If) Sloekport road, Altrinchain, in theconntyof Chester, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Connected with Linotype-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a iul'hcle'ar, and exact description ol the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it. appertaius to make and use the same. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in and connected with the matrices of linotype-machines, and especially with the matrices of the celebrated lllergenthaler linotype-machine. The object of it is to diminish the thickness of the matrix-bodies of an Italic font.

It must be understood that the body of a Mergenthaler matrix is a rectangular plate having a formative character-cavity in one edge of it adapted to serve as the mold for the face of the respective character on the linotype. The thickness of that plate is thewidth of the character plus a margin on each side equal to half the white that there is to be in the printed line between that character and each adjoining one, the two margins taking the form of side walls to the cavity. As an Italic character is wider over all, or between perpendiculars, spondingRoman one, it follows thata matrixbody for the former has been thicker hitherto than one for the latter. Thus take the case of the two capitals A13. On matrixbodies each of whose sides is one plane the position of the left side ofthe B-matrix body that of the adjacent serif and the position of the right side of theA-inatrix body by that of the to'p of the A. The present invention consists in there being a rabbet in each side of the matrix-body, one I above and one below the middle of the formative cavity, so that the top half of the A- matrix body above mentioned shall Iit into the rabbet in the li-matrix body, while the bottom half of the Banatrix body shall fit into the rabbet in the bottom half of the A- matrix l edy. one on (20h side of the matrixdmdy,

The elteet of the two rabbets, isto so to spealgthan the cox-re l bend the latter twicc-tln'ough a right angle through the formative cavity. 'lhesame effect is gained it each bend is atan obtuse instead of a right angle, both angles being equal. In the lat [or case the central portion ofthe matrik-body behind the formative eavity is inclined to the same angle as the character. However, for the reason that it is, practically easier to r'abbct the matrix-bodies by removing matrix material than by bending them the invention is described from that point of view.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken as part of this specifi cation and reznl-therewith, Figure 1 is ancievation of a line of matrices for tho'words North Sea as they above mentioned. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of one of the same matrices looking at it from the left hand of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a single matrix separated from its fellows. Fig. l is an elevation of a line'of modified matrices likewise for North Sea as they hang'in the same machine. Fig.5 is aside elevation of one of the same matrices 1001 ing at it from the left hand of Fig; 4. V Fig. 6 is an elevation of a single matrix of the same line separated from its fellows. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a short quad, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a long one.

Referringto Figs. 1 to 3, is the rectangular metal plate or matrix-body above mentioned, 1 7 the shoulders orlngs by which each matrix is suspended in the machine and alined, y the notch in the rear edge 1 y the formative cavity at the bottom of the said notch and in which the typeface is east, and y the V-shaped notch in the top end, all as heretofore. This notch may be toothed or not, according as to whether the improved matrices are to be sent through the distributor or into the sorts-box after the casting operation.

A comparison'of the figures illustrating the present specification with those of the speci- Jieation of Letters Patent No. 9,739 of 1895 will mark the absence of the side wall from each side of the formative cavity y". According to the present invention the body 1 has two rectangular rabbets 11 one on each side of it and both of the same depth. Each hang in the machine an Italic character from the perpendicular to, 1

say, the left hand, is equal to the obliquity of the other half to the righthand. The rah- I bets preferably extend across the matrix-body y from the edge 3 to the opposite one, as shown in Fig. 2, the shoulders being also preferably rectilinear and at right angles with those edges, as illustrated;- but the invention admits of variations in gljpse respects.

All the matrices being rabbeied on both sides, it follows that both ends of a line of such matrices will be uneven. To enable those ends to receive the pressure of the visejaws of the justifying and casting mechanism, as well as to enable the uneven ends of a portion of a line in the improved Italic matrices to fit up to the other portion or portions of that line in Roman matrices, quads y f are provided for the respective ends. They are of the same shape in all respects as the matrices with which they cooperate, excepting that they are rabbeted on only their inner side faces. Theirouter side faces y are plane surfaces, and they have neither notches 3 nor formativecavities y. The width of the quads from their outer faces 1/ to the inner and opposite ones may be as narrow'as is practicable-that is to say, a quad y whose only duty is to fill up an upper rabbet 3 need not be thicker than the projection of the shoulder 3 is wide, while a quad *1 that must fill 'up a lower rabbet y and carry a pair of top shoulders y and a notch 31 must be as thick as the width of a shoulder 1 .plus the minimum thickness of a shoulder y.

This point will be clear after a description of the modification illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8. According to it the upper and lower rabbets 111 411 do not extend up to the plane that intersects the formative cavities y, but only about up to the tops and bottoms thereof,

preferably past the bottoms and not as far as the tops, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 to 6.-

lhe shoulders 11 in the said plane become impossible and are replaced by inclines 3 which are at the same angle throughout the font in order that each matrix may be capable of fitting metal-tight up to any other. The short quad. y to fill up the upper rabbet y extends as far as the junctionof an incline 1 with the respective matrix side beneath it, but not farther than that, and is of the same thickness as the depth of the upper rabbet 11 which it fills. The long quad 3 must fill a lower rabbet 11 up to the junction of the incline 1 with the matrix side above it, and must also carry top shoulders 1 and notch 9 To enable it to do that, a supplementary plate 11 carrying the said shoulders and notch and of the same area as a quad y or if above described, is made fast to or incorporated with it.

The term Italic is to be understood as including all fonts whose general contour is a sloping one, as compared with the upright one of a Roman font.

The distinguishing feature or characteristic of my matrix is the arrangement of the two ends so that they are offset, or, in other words, so that they stand out of line with each other, thus permitting the application of an inclined or irregular character at the junction of the offset operations. I

In order that the matrices may be practi cally handled by the composing, casting, and distributing mechanism of alinotype-machine and that they may properly serve their purpose therein, it is necessary that the offset or inclined portion shall occupy only the middle portion of the matrix, or, in other words, that it shall be restricted as nearly as possible to the space occupied by the character or matrix proper and that the matrix-body shall present at each end a long vertical portion of parallel outer faces.

I am aware that type have been formed with their body portions inclined from the vertical and with laterally-protruding lips at the upper and lowerends to enter corresponding notches in the adjacent type. This construction is not applicable to; a matrix for a linotype-machine.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A linotype-matrix, laterally inclined or offset solely at; the middle to receive the character or matrix proper, and having its side faces extended upward and downward in vertical lines from theoffset portion.

2. A linotype-matrix having its middle portion only inclined or offset laterally, to contain the matrix prop r, and having the long ends of equal and uni orm thickness extended upward and downward respectively from the offset portion.

3. A matrix consisting of two rectangular sections joined directly together to form an offset on each side, the character or matrix proper being located at the point of juncture between the two sections.

4. In combination with a linotype-matrix having an offset portion at the middle and vertical upper and lower ends, a complementary quad of equal ength with the matrix, having on one side a continuous vertical face and on the opposite side faces offset to correspond with the matrix.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

nnnnn NADALL.

Witnesses:

Cults. S. Woonnorrn HARRY It. Cox.

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