US530279A - Matrix-making machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. LANE., MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

No. 530,279. Patented Dec. 4, 1894. e

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(No Model.)

' MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

Patented Deo. 4, 1894.

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M LANE MATRIX MAKING MACHINE. No. 530,279. Patented Dec. 4, 1894. M

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M. LANE. MATRIX MAKING MACHINE.

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(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6j M. LANE. .I MATRIX MAKINGr MACHINE.

No. 530,279'. Patented De'A, 189A.

uli LZ-@jun e 5. IIHIIIIHTMIHH UNITED STATES f PATENT OFFICE.

MARCUS LANE, or EREEPoRT, ILLINOIS.

MATRlx-MAKI-Nc MACHINE.

'SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,279, dated December 4,1894. Application filed December 27. 1892. Renewed May 1, 1894. Serial' No. 509,719. (No model.)

To' all whom it `may concern:

Be it known that I, MARCUS LANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Freeport, in the county of Stephenson and State of Illi,- nois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Matrix-Making Machines; of which the following is a specification. i n n Y My invention relates to improvements `in a type-writing or matrix making machine, in which type characters, in relief, upon pivotal type-bars are actuated from a key-board to imprint uniformly in a certain fixed tield across which the material to receive the characters is caused to travel. i

`My object is to provide a machine of an improved construction of the class named to be used either as atypewrit-er, or in making matrices upon a bed of plastic material, which material, when `allowed to harden, may aord a surface provided with a mold or intagliomatrix of each character impressed so that a tereotype platemay be cast or molded thererom.

While, as before stated, my machine is adapted for either typewriting or matrix making, the machine shown in the drawings is intended Inore particularly for the latter purpose, and for that reason the description is confined to a matrix making machine. With slight substitution of details hereinafter pointed out the machine may be adapted for typewriting.

Referring to the drawings-Figure l is a partly broken and partly sectional -plan view of my improved machine; Fig. 2, a longitudinalcentral section of the 4same taken on line 2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3, an enlarged section taken on line 3 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 4, a sectional planview Ataken on line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a broken view illustrating a bearing detail of the construction; Fig. 6, a broken perspective view of one of the details of the spacing mechanism, the view showing two adjacent differential spacing plates, separated toillustrate `their construction; Figs. 7 and 8, enlarged broken sectional v views of portions of the spacing mechanism,

governs the depth of impression of the type, in twopositions respectively; Fig. 11, a sectional view of one of the type holders, the section being taken on line 11 of Fig. 12; Fig. 12, a face View of one of the type in position in a type-holder; Fig. 13, a broken detail view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the impression governing mechanism, the section being taken on lin-e 13 of Fig. 9; Fig. 14., a detail view of a dial with a movable pointer thereon; Figs. 15 and 16, broken sectional plan views taken upon lines 15 and 16 respectively of Fig. 2; Fig. 17, a detail plan view of a laterally sliding carrier frame upon which is mounted the movable carrier bed for the matrix holder;`Fig. 18, a detail side elevation of the matrix bed and matrix bed carrier; Fig. 19, an end elevation of theframe shown in Fig. 17; Fig. 20, an enlarged sectional view of the end portion ot a reciprocatingrod forming part of the spacing mechanism, the section being taken on line 2O of Fig. 16 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; `and Fig. 21, an enlarged broken section taken on line 21 of Fig. 2, and` viewed in the direction ofthe arrow. n

A is the stationary part or frame of the machine comprising a base A sides A2 A3, keyboard platform A4, shelf A5, top-board .A6 and back-board A7.

K represents thekeys, or properly the keyboard of the machine.

For the purpose of illustration and to prevent confusion the key-board is shown in the drawings to be provided with forty type operating keys, divided into two sets of twenty each located respectively at opposite sides of a set of central keys, provided for spacing purposes.` One type key is provided for each type, and the type'` may be more or less in number than is shown. In practice I prefer to provide eighty-four type barsand characters and eight space keys, the latter being the number shown upon the key-board in Fig. 1.

Presuming that the `type to be employed in this machine is what is `known in the art as ten point long primer of eight units to the pica em, I prefer to provide the key-board'as follows: Keys of typeofthe sameequivalence in units are located together, and at the sides of the space keys of the same number of ICC units. In the key board shown the first line marked t t contains keys of type of two units. The half of the next line marked t contains keys of type of three units. The other half of the same line, and all of the next line, both designated by the small letter t2, are the keys of type of four units. The next line' marked t3 contains keys of type of five units. The half of the next line marked t4 contains the keys of type of six units, and the other half of the line, marked t5, contains the keys of type of seven units.

s is aspace key of one unit; s,a space key of two units, the equivalent of the type keys in the line t; s2, a space key of three units; 33s, space keys of fourunits; s4, a s-pace key of ive units; S5, a space keyof six units, and sthe space key of seven units,-all the space keys corresponding in units with the lines of typekeys with which they are placed adjacent.

Each key comprises a head i" upon a stem r', and each stem passes through a separate key lever r2, which is pivoted to a bearing r3 suspended from the top board A, At its rear end each lever r2 is pivotally connected to a lever r4 which between its ends is pivoted to the main frame.

Each type or die B is preferably of steel and secured in the end of a type-holder B pivotally mounted between its ends upon a type-bar B2, which near its opposite end is pivoted to the main frame at T5. At the end of its short arm each type bar is pivotally connected by means of a link r6 to the end of one of the levers r4.' In the top-board A6 of the main frame is a semi-circular opening 0c, and

the type bars are pivoted in the bearings T5, arranged around the semi-circular edge of the opening m. Near the opening @c is a cushioned rail 0c against which the type bars. rest when in normal position, as indicated in Fig. 2. The type bars extend radiallyfrom an opening y, at the center of the arc described byy the semi-circular edge of the opening x, and when swung upon their pivots rs the type holders strike into the opening y. The opening y is in a yielding stop, or type receiving lever q, which is pivoted at q to the under side of the board A6 and projects beyond the edge of the opening The lever g is held between its ends normally against the under surface of the top-board A6 by a confined spring q2.

When a key is struck the head v' is depressed With its lever r2, causing the latter to swing upon its pivot r3, swing the lever r4, and draw down the link r6 to swing the type bar and type holder in the direction of the dotted circle in Fig. 2, causing the type-holder to strike into the opening y of the type receiving lever q.

The material which receives the impression of the type and aords the matrix is preferably a plastic substance capable in a comparatively short time of becoming very hard from exposure; or it may beacomparatively hard substance capable ofreadily receiving an indentation, and of hardening still further under the action of heat or other agency.

The material X which is to receive the indentations is spread or otherwise inserted in a matrix holder p, and must afford a smooth plain surface. The matrix holder' p may be a metal plate, of the form in cross section shown in Figs. 2 and 18, removably secured upon a movable carrier bed 0 provid ed on its under side with guide projections o adapted to surround and slide upon horizontal guide rodso2 extending longitudinally of the machine. 'lhe guide rods ozare upon a sliding frame 03 provided, at opposite ends of its rear edge, with guide openings 04 of smooth bore to slide upon a guide rod o5 mounted upon the platform A5 of the machine. Near its forward edge the frame o3 is provided with internally threaded guides o6 adapted to receive a worm shaft o7 held against longitudinal movement in bearings o8 at opposite ends of the platform A5, as shown most clearly in Fig. 16. At one end of the worm shaft 07, beyond its bearing 08, is a hand-Wheel o9, by means of which the worm shaft may be turned to cause the sliding frame o3 to move in either direction transversely of the machine.

On the top-board Ai is a casing C in which is housed a spring actuated train of gear wheels or clock gear; the spring being upon an arbor z, to be wound up by a suitable key, and the final wheel of the gear being a disk C on the outer side of the case. The train of spring actuated gears is notillustrated in detail for the reason -that it is of common construction. Its function is simply to give to the disk C a progressive movement on its axis whenever it is' released, as hereinafter' described. On opposite sides of the disk C',

and in the relative positions shown in Figs. 9 and l0, are pins n n', the pins n being on the outer side of the disk, and the pins n on the inner side thereof.

Pivoted to the side of the case C above and to one side of the disk C is a swinging arm n2 formed on its forward edge with a cam surface n3 terminating at an abrupt shoulder n4. At its lower end the swinging arm 'n.2 is provided with a longitudinal slot n.5 through which it is pivotally connected, by means of a pin 17.6, to an oscillating and longitudinally reciprocatingdepressing lever a7. The depressing lever n.7 is provided at its rear end portion with a longitudinally extending slot ns through which passes a pin W9, fastening the lever pivotally to the side of the case without interfering with its longitudinal reciprocation. Fastened at one end to a pin n10 on the side of the case and at its opposite end to a lug n on the lever pr1.7 is a spring i112, which tends normally to draw thev lever a7 forward. Confined and reciprocated in a guide als, on the side of the case C, is a plungernMr provided at its lower end with a head als'. The lever a7 is maintained normally raised to the IOO lIO

top of the slot a5, in the arm n2, by a finger l spring n, and the plunger rests at its head n.15 normally upon the upper side of the lever nl. The upper end ofthe plunger n is formed with a cam surface fn. Fastened at its upper end upon the rear side of the plunger nu and pivotally connected at its lower end to the receiving lever q is a rod p18. When the mechanism described is in its normal position the lowest pin n, on the diskC'-, bears upon the cam n3 adjacent to the abrupt shoulder n4; andthe lowest pin n bears against the `side of the plunger 'n14 adjacent to the cam surface nl?. At its forward end portion the depress-V ing lever nl is provided with an impact face w19. In practice the face um extends in aplane about one hundredth part of an inch below the lower edge of the lever nl; but in the drawings (Figs. 9 and 10) it is somewhat exagger-` ated for the purpose of illustration. a Below the impact face ntwhen the lever is in its normal position, is a stop w20 in the form of a pin projecting from the side of the case C.

The object of the mechanism described is to regulate with absolute certainty the depth of the impressions made by the typeupon the surface of the matrix material.

Each type-holder B', as before stated, is pivoted between its ends upon the end of its type bar B2, and it is held normally by a spring T7 in the position to cause its free end, containing the type, to strike into the openingy of the receiving lever. On each type-holder adjacent to its pivot is au annular shoulder rs below which theitype-holder is of reduced diameter, as shown. 'lhe reduced portion of the type-holder moves readily through the opening y, but its movement is stopped by the engagement of the shoulder r3 with the surface ofthe receiving lever q about the opening y. In its movement from the rail fr to the opening y the endof the type-holder de-4 scribes a circle, as before stated, of which its bearing T5 is the center, but in moving downward in the openings y the type-holder must` extendin a plane perpendicular to the surface of the matrix material. After entering the opening y the type-holder is guided by the opening to move in a vertical plane, at a tangent to the circle described in its previous movement, and in doing this the type-holder turns upon its pivot against the resistance of the spring r7. On the upper end of the typeholder is an adjustable set screw r9, for a purpose hereinafter described. a

In operation when a type-key is struck the respective type lever B2 carries its type-holder to the opening y, causing the lower part of the holder to pass through the said opening until the shoulder rsistrikes the receiving lever. The impact of the shoulder against the receiving lever depresses the latter, against the resistance of the spring q2, and draws down the rod n.18, and, with the latter, the plunger n and lever nl, against the resistance of the spring nw.` The downward movement of the plunger 'n.14 releases the `pin n', engaging the plunger, and permits the disk C', to be revolved by the spring-actuated gear housed in the case C. The pin n at the cam 'n3 is moved to release the arm n2, causing the depressing lever p7 to plunge forward under the action of its spring n12 over the top of the set screw r,- and the passage of the pin n across the cam surface n depresses the plunger rtl4, a certain predetermined distance, to press the impact face 'n.19 of the lever nl upon the set screw Maud thus force down the type-holder to press` the type into the sistance of the spring nu, until the disk U is stopped by the engagement of the next pin n with the side of the plunger nl# Below each operating lever r2 forward of` its pivot r? is a spring rw (Fig.v 2) which bears against `the lever r2 and operates, when the key is released, to raise the lever to its normal position.

u The action of the mechanism which regulates the depth of the impression made upon the matrix material is very quick, so that whenv the operator releasesthe key last struck the type-holder willhave been released and thrown upward by the depressing lever, and the type-bar and type lever swung back to their initial positions by the IOO action, primarily, of the spring q2 and secondarily` by thatof the spring rw.

d It is-desirable inmatrix making that there shall be as littledisplacement as possible of matrix material, around the intaglio, under theimpact of the type in making impressions, and it is found in practice that less displace` ment of material occurs when the impression is made by repeated and comparativelygentle impacts than under a single strong impact of the type. The link and lever connections between the operating levers rzand type-bars B2 are such that whenv a key is depressed the type-holder is swung with a greater force than 'is considered desirable in ordinary typewriting machines,owing to their construction, and a without any greater exertion of force by the operator. This is particularly desirable for manifolding. l

` When the shoulder rs strikes the receiving lever q it springs the latter downward until the impact face/rt19 of the lever a7 strikes the stop n.20. This permits the type in practice to enter the matrix material a distance approximating say one-hundredth part of an inch. Farther than this, therefore, the type will not enter the matrix material underl the direct force exerted from the key. To engage the top of the type-holder the `impact face nm passes beyond the stop 01,20, and the second impact exerted under the action of the spring mechanism housed in the casing C,

forces the type Asay one-ftieth yof an inch into the matrix material making a total depth of impressions of about one-thirty-third of an inch, which is regarded as sufficient. The depth of impressions under the impacts stated may be varied if desired by raising or lowering the frame carrying the matrix material, adjusting the set screws r9, or increasing or diminishing the extent of projection of the impact face n.19. When the device is used as a typewriter it may be regulated in either way described to meet the requirements of manifolding when the typewriter is used for that purpose.

The matrix bed p, as before stated, is mounted upon a bed-plate arranged to travel upon the guide-rods 02, in a direction longitudinally of the machine, and the bed-frame is mounted to travelin the direction transversely `of the machine by turning the worm rod o7. Each time an impression is made upon its surface the matrix material must travel a sufcient distance below the openingy to present a new surface of the extent desired for the next impression; and the movement of the matrix bed for this purpose is accomplished by the mechanism now to be described. Bearing against the rear edge ofthe bed-frame o is a rod o10 movable longitudinally through guides 011011 (Fig. 2) upon a bracket 012 extending from the rear of the machine. Journaled in the bracket 012 is asheave 013. A cord 014 secured at one end to the under side of the platform A5, extends over the sh eave 013 and is fastened at its opposite end to the free end of the rod 010. Between the platform A5 and sheave o13 the cord carries a weight 015 which is suspended upon a pulley 016 running on the cord. The action of the weight 015 is to draw the rod o10 forward and through the latter to move the bed-frame o in the forward direction. If desired a suitable spring may be employed, as the recognized equivalent of a weight, to advance the rod 010. The rod 010 presses against the rear side of the bed-frame, and to permit the latter to be moved transversely of the machine without strain upon the rod, the rod 010 carries wheels 017 which engage the rear side of the bedframe 0 and permit the latter to character is struck, and an impression made upon the matrix material, the bedframe must be moved a distance equal to the space occupied by the character, and the space between characters, ywhich in all cases between the letters forming a word will be the same. The characters in a font of type are each made to occupy a certain number of units of space;

`that is to say the narrowest characters occupy two units, and the widest characters, provided for in the machine shown, occupy seven units of space, the units in the present instance' being one-eighth of a pica em or oneforty-eighth of an inch. Therefore, each time a letter or character in the first line t of the key-board is struck the bed-frame must move a distance equal to two units to bring a fresh surface of the matrix material below the opening y in which the next character may be impressed, the distance being increased to three units when keys t are struck, and so on.

Each type-holder B is provided with a socket Z capable of receiving the type of the character of largest number of units in the font. One side of the socket is a straight wall or surface Z against which the type must be set irrespective 0f its Width. Entering the said socket from the opposite side of the typeholder are set screws Z2, which operate to tighten the type in place and maintain it in contact with the said surface, or registering wall, of the socket Z. The type being placed against the registering walls of the type-holders, the sockets of all of which are the same, the, initial point or line of each letter will strike upon the same point, in the matrix material, with relation to the opening y; and the forward or initial point of each intaglio will thus be at the initial point or line of the first unit of space in the field below the said opening. As each character, in order to make an upright intaglio, must extend at a different angle to its radial type bar, I make the type-holders in two sections Z3 Z4, the upper section Z3, which is pivoted to the typebar, having a socket Z5 in its under-surface to receive the upper reduced end Z6 of the lower section Z4. The lower section contains the type, and it may be turned axiallyin the socket Z5 to adjust the type to any desired angle with relation to the type-bar, and when adjusted it may be tightened by a set-screw Z7. Thus all the type-holders may be constructed alike.

Extending below each transverse line of keys of the same equivalence on the keyboard, is a swinging spacer-plate Zo mounted at its rear edge upon a shaft Zo which is pivoted in bearings on the under side of the key board platform. Below the spacer plates k and toward opposite ends of the latter are two stationary and longitudinally extending strips or arms k2 provided in their upper edges with serrations affording inclines k3. The topmost point of each incline is directly below a shaft k', and each plate k is adapted to swing upon its pivots down in the direction of the coincident inclined edges of the arms 7a2. The plates Zr. below the spacer key s, and full lines t t2 and t3 of character keys, are pivoted in bearings 104 (see Fig. near opposite edges of the under side of the key-board platform. Under the line t t2 I and line t4 t5 the spacing plates are divided at points between the spacer keys s2 s3 and S5 s6, respectively, where bearings 7a4 are provided in proper position to receive the adjacent ends of the shafts. (See Fig. 15.) At the inclined edges k3 are bracket pieces las, having threaded openings containing set screws k6 against the tops of which the spacing plates are adapted to strike. The set screws may be adjusted to limit the distance to which the free ends of the spacing plates may be swung in the downward direction. Each shaft k is provided with a downward extending arm k12, (sce Fig. 8,) and connected at opposite ends respectively with the arm k12 and side of `a stationary part of the machine, is a spring k7 operating normally to maintain the free edges ofthe plates k against the lower ends of the stems r of the keys. 0n each plate k (extending the full length` of a line of keys) is a downward extending projection los, which may be stiffened by a rib kg. At the lower end of each projection las is a backward extending toe la. All the projections ksarein one longitudinal line. The plates 7c which extend below the half lines of character keys t2 and t5 (four and seven` units, respectively) are provided at their ends adjacent to their pivots near the center of the key-board with plates'la11 whichextend beyondthe ends of the plates 7c. On the adjacent plates la, which extend below the lines t t4 of type` keys, are projections ks, like the projections ks above described, and provided with similar toes k1". The plates k1? extend across the adjacent projections ks, as shown in Fig. 7.` Below the line of projections ks, and extending longi-` tudinally ofthe machine, is a spacing bar t provided in its upper` edge with notches or recesses z" into which the said projections ks extend. The bar fi is movable longitudinally through guides t2 on theframe ofthe Ina-` chine, and is held normally at the forward limit of its movement, with the rear edges of its recesses t" against the toes 1010, by a spring i3 attached at one end to a downward extend-` ing portion 4 of the bar, and atits opposite` ends to a part of the main frame, (Fig. 3.)

Journaled in the frame ,adjacent to the bart' is a ratchet wheel h, upon a shaft h carrying apinion h2. The bearings of the shaft h are upon abifurcated standard A8 which between l its forks aords a vertical guide for a block or spacing cam-frame D. The guide AS is formed with guide recesses g, and upon opposite sides of the cam frame D, near its rear vertical edge, are guide projections gadapted to move in the guide recesses g. On the forward edge of the frame D is a rack D', which meshes with the pinion h2 on the shaft h. The rear edge of the frame D is made tapering to afford a cam D2. 4

Whenever a key is pressed down, its stem r bears upon a plate .c and swings the latter down upon its pivots causing the toe'klo, on its projection ks, to engage the spacing bar c' and move thelatter backward against the rekeys, as describedfthe dog turns the ratchet wheel.` The turning of the ratchet wheel turns the pinion h2, and by the engagement of the latter with the rack D moves the cam frame D in the vertical direction. 'llhe different parts of the spacer mechanism are so constructed, with relation to each other, that when the space keys is struck down the plate k below the said key will be stopped, by the set screws k6 below it, when it has swung a predetermined distance. In swinging this distance the toe kw moves the bar t', against the resistance of the spring 3, j ust far enough to turn the ratchet wheel h a distance equal to one tooth of the ratchet, which in thepresent instance is one-twelfth of au inch. The difference in diameters between the wheel h and pinion h2 causes the latter when the ratchet Wheel is moved one-twelfth of an inch to raise the rack D', and consequently the frame D,onetwentyfourth of an inch. The roller m on the bed plate o, which carries the matrix material, bears against the cam surface D2 of the frameD, being held thereto by the weight 01'5 before described. The cam surface D2 is so constructed with relation to the block that in the rise of the latterone-twentyfourth of an inch the movable bed frame is permitted to move forward one-fortyeighth of an inch, that being one unit measurement. The roller m prevents' the frame D from bcing retarded in its forward movement by the `pressure against it of thebed frame, and re- D. The set screws k6 below the space plates against which the stems of the two unit keys strike, are sufficiently lower than those of the single unit spacer to permit the plate lc to turn twice the distance,and move the bar t, ratchet wheel h, pinion h2 and block D twice the distance, and permit the carriage to move a dis- -tance of two units. `The set screws lo@ under the three, four, ve, six and seven unit spacer plates are set proportionately lower, so that the bed frame will `be moved three units under the action of a three unit key, and so on. It will thus be seen that as a key is struck the lcam frame will be raised to permit the matrix bed frame to feed forward a distance equal to the number of units represented by the key. It is necessary, however, that the bed frame shall not move when released by the `cam surface D2 until after'a character 'has beenstruck and an intaglio made in the matrix. To prevent this movement of the bed frame I provide stop mechanism, which engages the underside of the traveling bed frame when, a key is moved in the downward direction and holds the same until the key is` released. j j

The` frame, or cam-facedA stop, D, is progressively movable in the sense that after it has been raised, when a keyis struck, it does not retract, but remains stationary until again advanced by the striking of a key. Thus it moves progressively one step at a time, the length of the step in each operation being governed by the number of units of space represented by the key struck, to stop the bed frame when the latter has been advanced by its feed a corresponding number of space units.

Secured to the platform A5 is a bracketf having an upward and forward extending arm j and a downward and forward extending arm f2; and adjacent to the bracketfis a forward and slightly downward extending bracket e. The arm f2, of the bracket f, and the bracket e are bifurcated at their free ends (Fig. 2l) to afford the bearings e e2f3fL for a rock shaftf5. On the shaftf5 between the bearings f3 f4 is an arm f, and extending through a guide f7, at the top of the arm f', is a vertically reciprocating plunger fs provided with a friction head fi. A link flo is pivotally connected at opposite ends, respectively, to the lower end of the plunger f8 and to the free end of the arm f6. On the link f1@ is a toe fu, which, in the turning of the shaft as hereinafter described, limits the distance of the movement of the shaft, arm f6, link f10 and plunger in one direction. On the shaft f5 between the bearings e and e2 are an upward projecting lug es, having a laterally projecting pin c4, and a downward projecting lug e5. Extending downward from the bearing e2 and forming a rigid portion of the bracket e is an arm e having a forward projecting finger e7 and laterally projecting finger e8. Pivoted to the free end of the lug e5 is a rod e9 which works through a guide opening e10 in the end of the finger es, asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. Around the rod e9 and confined between the head of the rod, at the lug e5, and the finger e8 is a spring en. Pivoted at one end to the rear end of the rod i is a rod d provided at its free end with a curved hook or fin-ger d', a socket d2, an abrupt surface cl3 and a cam surface d4. The rod d normally engages at its socket d2 the pin e4 on the lug e3; and a spring d5, connected at one end to the finger e7 and at its opposite end to the rod d, tends to maintain the latter down in its normal position. When the bar 'i is moved backward,as before described, it moves the rod d, causing the abrupt surface d3 on the latter to bear against the pin e4 and turn the lug c3 and the rock shaft f5 in the backward direction. This movement of the shaft f5 swings the lug c5 downward, reciprocates the rod e9 through the guide e10 and compresses the spring en. The turning of the shaft f5 in the backward direction, therefore, is against the resistance of the spring e, The backward turning of the shaft f5 also turns the lug f6 in the backward direction, and causes the link f1 to raise the plunger f8 until the toe f11 strikes the adjacent surface of the arm f of the bracket f. The head of the plunger is directly below the under surface of the matrix bed plate and when raised, as described, engages and holds the latter.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The matrix material X is placed in the ma.- trix bed jp, the matrix having a smooth and preferably polished upper surface. The matrix bed p is placed upon the movable bed frame o and secured thereon by means of the thumb screws X', shown, or other suitable means. The cam block D is forced down or raised as may be required to bring the surface of the matrix material, at which the impressions are to start, below the opening y of the receiving lever. The keyof the first letter or character to be impressed upon the matrix surface is struck, causing the type-holder of that character to be swung over t-o the receiving lever and strike the latter with its shoulder rs to make an initial impression, as before described. The striking of the shoulder against the receiving lever releases the depressing mechanism operated from the disk C', causing the type-holder to be engaged, depressed and released, all as before described. In the meantime, the respective spacing plate 7e will be turned by the stem r of the key to move the bar t', ratchet wheel h and pinion h2, as before described, to raise the cam block D the proper proportionate distance with relation to the number of units of the character impressed. In the same backward movement of the bart' the stop mechanism, described, is operated. When the single unit space key is struck the rod d swings the shaft and plunger upward without producing disengagement. of the abrupt surface d3 with the pin e4. The backward movement of the rod, however, is double the distance when a two unit key is struck and treble the distance when a three unit key is struck, and so on. When the key of a letter of more than one unit is struck the rod d is forced backward and the shaft f5 swung until the toe f strikes the under surface of the armf, as before described. The shaft can' turn no farther, and the socket portion d2 of the rod disengages itself from the pin e4, and the rod slides at its cam surface d4 along the pin, a distance depending upon the distance to which the rod is moved under the action of the key, the extent of movement varying according to the number of units represented by the key. The engagement of the cam surface d4 with the pin e4 in the meantime prevents the shaft from returning to its initial position to release the plunger or stop from the base of the matrix bed until the key is released and the rod t' moves in the forward direction. The striking of a space key operates the spacing mechanism, as described,'

and causes the bed frame to be moved a distance corresponding with the number of units represented by the space key.

In order that the operator may be aware IOO IIO

at all times of the number' of units he may have left between the last character struck and the end of the line, I provide a dial or space-indicator E in a conspicuous place upon the machine, preferably above the case C. The dial E is marked around-its edge with units, and upon a shaft c at the center of the dial is an indicator c which registers with the unit marks and indicates the relative position of the character struck upon the lines. The shaft c is connected by speed reducing gearing with a drum c2. On `the shaft cis a clock spring c3 which tends to maintain the indicator at the initial position upon the dial. A cord c4 is attached at one end tothe lower end of the cam frame D and extends thence Movement of the cam frame D in the upward direction causes the cord c4 to be drawn in the direction of unwinding from the drum to `turn the latter and, through the intermediate gear and shaft c, to turn the indicator.` The parts of the mechanism are so adjusted with relationto each other that the rise of the cam frame under the action of the single unit spacer will cause the indicator to move one unit upon the dial, the rise of the Vcam frame under the-action ofa two unit key, to move the indicator the distance of two units upon the dial, and so on. The operator being aware of the number of units in the line that he is printing, will be able to note, for the purpose of j ustiflcation, by the position of the indicator upon the dial, the number of units which he may still count upon. When the first line is filled with characters and it is desired to start a new line, the dog i5 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel h and the operator by placing his hand upon the top of the cam frame D presses the latter down, thus causing the matrix bed to be moved until it reaches its initial position,

which will be shown by the indicator .on the dial. Assuming, for example, that-the line to be printed is upon a 12mo page having a width of twenty-six pica ems or two hundred and eight units, the initial starting point for every line will be at unit No. 208 on the dial. Before commencing a new line it is necessary that the carriage o3 upon which the matrix and matrix bed frame are mounted shall be moved transversely of the machine to the left to bring a new surface for the line to be produced. If the lines are tobe ofthe distance apart which in the art is known as 4 solid matter (that is to say not leaded) the ing with the surface of the matrix-material;

and a typewriter ribbon `may be mounted in the usual way to move across the lield in which the type strike.

While the machine shown and described is the one I prefer to employ, it is subject to modification, in the matter of details of coustruction, without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the claims.

What I 'claim as new, and desire to sec-ure by Letters Patent, isy 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the type carrying typebars, of a traveling bed frame for the material to be impressed, feed mechanism tending normally to advance the said bed-frame across the field in which the type strike, a movable stop for the said bed-frame, a keyboard containing a key for each type, spacing stop actuating mechanism operated by the said keys to move the said stop iu the direction away from the bed-frame a distance according to the number of space units repsented bythe key struck, and bed-fra me engaging mechanism, operated bythe said keys to hold the bed-frame against movement under the pressure of its feed while a key is depressed and to disengage the saidvbed-frame when the key is released, whereby its feed may act substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

, 2. In a machine ofthe character described, the combination with the type-actuating key board and traveling bed for the material to beimpressed,of a feed for advancing the said bed, a progressively movable cam-faced stop with which the said bed is caused by its feed normally to engage, and differentially oper'- ating spacer mechanism between the said stop and key-board serving whena key is depressed to move the said stop to retract its cam-face and cause the bed to beadvancedr by its feed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the type carrying typebars, key board containing a key for each type, movable bed-frame for the material to be impressed, and feed mechanism operating normally to advance the said bed-frame across the `field in which the type strike, of a movable stop having a cam surface D2 which the said bed-frame is caused by its feed normally to engage, and spacer mechanism communicating with the said stop and actuated when a key is depressed to move the said stop, whereby the bed-frame is moved along the said cam-surface, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. l

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the type-carrying type- IOL.

izo

bars, key-board containing a key for each type, movablebed-frame for the material to be impressed, and feed-mechanism operating normally to advance the said bed-frame across lthe field in which the type strike, of a n1ov-A able frame D having a cam-surface D2 which the said bed-frame is caused by its feed normally to engage, a rack on the frame D, gear mechanism engaging the said rack and actuated, when a key is depressed, to raise the frame D to permit the bed-frame to be advanced by its feedvmechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5.' In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the type-carrying typebars, bedframe for the material to be impressed, and bed-frame feed-mechanism, of a movable stop having a cam surface D2 which the said bed frame is caused by its feed normally to engage, operating-gear mechanism for the said stop, a key-board containing keys for the type, and having the keys of type of the same equivalence in units grouped together, and a movable spacing plate foreach group communicating with the -said gearmechanism, and actuated, by the depression of a key of its group, to move the said stop a predetermined distance, whereby, when a key is struck, the said stop is moved to permit the said bed-frame to be advanced upon the said cam-surface a distance according to the number of units represented by the key, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the type carrying typebars, key-board, movable bed-frame for the material to be impressed, and bed-frame feedmechanism, of a movable cam, affording a stop for the said bed-frame, spacing mechanism, between the key board and cam, operating when a key is struck to advance the said cam to permit the said bed-frame to be advanced by its feed mechanism,.and means for disengaging the cam from the spacer mechanism, whereby it may be returned to its initial position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a machine of the characterdescribed,

the combination, with the movable spacingcam-frame, and key board, in which keys of type of the same equivalence in units are grouped together, ot' operating mechanism for the cam-frame, comprising a rocking spacing-plate, below each group of keys, to be rocked by movement of any of the keys of its group, differential stop mechanisms forthe said plates, a longitudinally reciprocating bar, advanced and returned with the rocking movement of said plates, and gear-mechanism, between the said bar and cam-frame, operated by said bar to move said frame, substantially as and for the purpose setv forth.

S. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the type-actuating keyboard and traveling bed for the material to be impressed, of a feed for advancing said bed, a progressively movable cam-faced stop, a roller upon the bed normally engaging said cam-faced stop, and differentially operating spacer mechanism between the said stop and key-board serving when a key is depressed to move the said stop to retract itsA cam-face from the roller and cause the bed to be advanced by its feed, substantially as Jand for the purpose set forth.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the bed-frame for the material to be impressed, of means for feeding the said frame in one direction, and means for advancing the said frame in a direction at right-angles to the first said direction, comprising a rod mounted in guides on the machine,`means for advancing the rod, and a Wheel upon the rod normally engaging the said bed-frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l0. The combination with the type and type-bars, of holders, for the type, made in sections, one of which is axially adjustable with reference to the other, and means on the holder for securing the sections together, in adjusted position, substantially as described.

l1. In a machine ofthe character described, the combi nat ion, with the sWinging'type-bars, type holders thereon, means for operating the type-bars to strike With the type in a certain fixed field, movable bed-frame for the material to be impressed, and means for feeding the said bed-frame intermi-ttingly across the said field, of means for governing the depth of impressions made by the type in said material,comprisingadepressinglevernormally out ot' the path of the type holders operating mechanism for the depressing lever, a yielding stop, in the kpath of the type holders, operating when struck thereby to actuate the depressing lever operating mechanism to move the depressing lever and cause the latter to advance, engage, depress and then release the type-holders, substantially as described.

12. In a matrix making machine, the combination with4 the movable type-bars, typeholders thereon, operating keys for the typebars, and matrix material, of means for causing the type, when a key is actuated, to strike repeatedly and to successively increasing depths into the matrix material, whereby each intaglio is formed by repeated impacts of the type, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a matrix making machine, the combination, with the swinging type-bars, typeholders thereon, means for operating the typebars to strike with the type in a certain fixed field, movable bed-frame for the matrix material, and means for feeding the said bedframe intermittingly across the said field, of stop-mechanism against which the type-holders strike operating to check the advance of the type-holders, when the type has entered the matrix a distance less than that necessary to form the completed intaglio, and typeholder depressing mechanism, actuated under the impact of the type-holders against said IOO IlO

'stop-mechanism, to engage, depress and then release the type-holder,to complete the intaglio, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. t

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination of ,the disk C and rotating means therefor, stops 'n n thereon, swinging arm n2, having the stop engaging cam 'n3 and abrupt shoulder n4, spring actuated depressing lever n, plunger 'w14 having the stop engaging cam n resilient receiving lever q, and rod n connecting the plunger and lever q, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with the movable bed-frame carrying the material to be impressed, spacing bar c', and means for actuating the same, of bed-frame engaging mechanism, comprising, in combination, the rod d connected with the bar t' and having the shoulder d3 and cam d4, shaft f5, eccentric stop e4 on the shaft engaged by the rod d, bed-engaging plunger board and ratch,`operating to move thesaid 3 5 ratch a distance according to the number of units represented by the key struck, and gear mechanism engaging the said cam and actuated by movement of said ratch to move the cam adistance governed by the distance of 4o movement of the ratch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. Y l MARCUS LANE. In presence of- M. J. FROST, W. N. WILLIAMS.

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