MOVABLE SPACER FOR THE MECHANICAL COMPOSITION OF MATRICES FOR LINECASTING MACHINES
United States Patent 3648829
A tapered plate is provided for use in conjunction with the tapered axially movable spacer shaft and the fixedly positioned spacer head of a Linotype machine. The spacer head is protected and prevented from contacting the matrices when the shaft and the plate are assembled on opposite sides thereof. Axial movement of the assembly assures proper word-to-word spacing. The oppositely facing tapered surfaces of the assembled shaft and plate are always parallel regardless of their axial position relative to the spacer head. Means are provided for loosely coupling the plate and the spacer shaft with a permissable range of relative angular movement thereof.
US Patent References:
/1046468.html
Kent - December 1912 - 1046468
Space band
Lobit - April 1927 - 1626003
/1046468.html
Kent - December 1912 - 1046468
Space band
Lobit - April 1927 - 1626003
Application Number:
05/024203
Publication Date:
03/14/1972
Filing Date:
03/31/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
B41B11/00; B41B11/04
Field of Search:
199/22,51,67,68
Primary Examiner:
Wright Jr., Ernest T.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. Spacer means for use in the mechanical composition of matrices in a Linotype machine, said spacer means comprising the combination of:
1. Spacer means for use in the mechanical composition of matrices in a Linotype machine, said spacer means comprising the combination of:
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The movable spacers heretofore employed in the mechanical composition of matrices for Linotype printing generally consists of two elements, namely: a tapered shaft having the apex facing upwardly, and a small head, shaped like a plate, which is guided and slides relative to said shaft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
As it is known, the spacer is positioned between two adjacent matrices of any two successive words in a composition line, so that the spacer's head comes in contact with one of the two matrices, while the tapered shaft comes in contact with the other matrix. In this manner and with suitable vertical displacements of the tapered shaft with respect to the head (which remains fixed), it is possible to obtain the correct spacing, between words, of the line of matrices. This results, through the introduction of molten lead in the elements provided on the Linotype machine, in the creation of a line of typographic characters.
However, the use of these known movable spacers, has serious disadvantages, due to the fact that, during the phase in which the line is formed, the molten lead may come in contact with the head of the spacer, thus forming a layer of material on the surface of the head proper. This may cause the alteration of the exact shape of the character located next to the head, narrowing the "eye" or width of the character, or causing the formation of a crest which during printing operations causes the formation of the so-called "ruling" or "striping" or the formation of a vertical line laterally to the character near the head. Furthermore, the deposition of lead on the head of the spacer causes, with continuous use, an accentuation of the wear of the matrices and, consequently, a reduction in their life, besides rendering necessary, every 4 hours, the cleaning of the spacers with consequent losses in time, labor and efficiency. Finally, it often becomes necessary to remove the lead deposited on the head of the spacers by means of known nature which, however, jeopardize the soundness of the structure of the spacer, thus increasing its wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for an improved movable spacer for the mechanical composition of matrices for Linotype machines, which spacer, besides the tapered shaft and head of the type mentioned, comprises also a tapered plate positioned in front of the shaft so that the head is positioned protectively between the shaft and the plate. The plate is provided at its lower extremity with a thickening shaped like a transverse, partial dove tail, so as to engage, upon suitable play, a corresponding seat provided in the shaft. This will permit angular displacements and will keep the plate parallel to the shaft, so as to permit, in cooperation with the head, the spacing between words.
The scope of the invention is, therefore, to provide an improved movable spacer which will completely prevent the deposition of lead on the head and to protect the head between the shaft and the plate so that the latter two will also be free from lead deposits during the composition of the lines.
There are considerable advantages to be derived from the present invention, namely:
a. The necessity of frequent cleaning of the spacers is obviated, with consequent time savings;
b. The possibility of excessive wear by the spacer of the matrices is greatly reduced, with consequent longer life of the matrices;
c. The spacer itself is not worn by the forced and continuous removal of layers of lead deposits by means of suitable removing tools which attack and damage the surface of the spacer;
d. Also avoided is the possibility of lead deposits on the surfaces of the spacer, thus assuring perfect characters without defects and perfect printing without striation and undesirable imperfections.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof and from the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial view of a typical Linotype machine;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the spacer of the invention, in enlarged side view, during operation;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the spacer; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of the spacer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawing, the improved movable spacer of the invention comprises a tapered shaft 1 which is guided and slides longitudinally in a manner known per se on a head 2. On the lower part of the shaft 1 there is a transverse seat 3 shaped like a dove tail. The spacer also comprises an auxiliary plate 4, also tapered, having its apex facing upwardly and having in its lower extremity a transverse thickening 5 shaped like a dove tail. The thickening 5 is seated with considerable and suitable play in the corresponding seat 3 of shaft 1, while the upper extremity of said plate 4 remains free.
The plate 4 is superimposed, in front, on shaft 1, so that head 2 is lodged between the two. Furthermore, plate 4 is engaged at its lower end to the shaft 1, but its connection is such that it may be displaced angularly when the shaft 1 is moved with respect to the head 2 during the spacing operation between words. Due to a pin 6, the plate 4 cannot become disengaged from the shaft 1.
The tapered configuration of head 2, shaft 1 and plate 4 is such that, regardless of the position taken by the shaft 1 and the plate 4 with respect to the head 2 (which is stationary), there is always a parallelism between the shaft 1 and plate 4.
The plate 4 has its upper portion slightly bent outwardly, so as to assure the adherence of its whole surface both against the head 2 and against the shaft 1.
The above-described spacer is positioned between adjacent matrices 7 and 8 of each pair of successive words in a composition line, as it is conventional with Linotype machines. The matrices 7 and 8 are thus in contact with the shaft 1 and, respectively, with the plate 4, while the head 2, which is guided by the respective ears 2' so as to engage itself as it is provided by the machine, remains protected between the shaft 1 and the plate 4.
In this manner during the fusion of the line obtained in the conventional manner, it is not possible to have a deposition of lead in the head 2, while the vertical displacement of the shaft 1 and the plate 4 with respect to the head 2 assures the perfect spacing between the matrices 7 and 8 of the words and prevents the deposition of lead on their respective surfaces.
The movable spacers heretofore employed in the mechanical composition of matrices for Linotype printing generally consists of two elements, namely: a tapered shaft having the apex facing upwardly, and a small head, shaped like a plate, which is guided and slides relative to said shaft.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
As it is known, the spacer is positioned between two adjacent matrices of any two successive words in a composition line, so that the spacer's head comes in contact with one of the two matrices, while the tapered shaft comes in contact with the other matrix. In this manner and with suitable vertical displacements of the tapered shaft with respect to the head (which remains fixed), it is possible to obtain the correct spacing, between words, of the line of matrices. This results, through the introduction of molten lead in the elements provided on the Linotype machine, in the creation of a line of typographic characters.
However, the use of these known movable spacers, has serious disadvantages, due to the fact that, during the phase in which the line is formed, the molten lead may come in contact with the head of the spacer, thus forming a layer of material on the surface of the head proper. This may cause the alteration of the exact shape of the character located next to the head, narrowing the "eye" or width of the character, or causing the formation of a crest which during printing operations causes the formation of the so-called "ruling" or "striping" or the formation of a vertical line laterally to the character near the head. Furthermore, the deposition of lead on the head of the spacer causes, with continuous use, an accentuation of the wear of the matrices and, consequently, a reduction in their life, besides rendering necessary, every 4 hours, the cleaning of the spacers with consequent losses in time, labor and efficiency. Finally, it often becomes necessary to remove the lead deposited on the head of the spacers by means of known nature which, however, jeopardize the soundness of the structure of the spacer, thus increasing its wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for an improved movable spacer for the mechanical composition of matrices for Linotype machines, which spacer, besides the tapered shaft and head of the type mentioned, comprises also a tapered plate positioned in front of the shaft so that the head is positioned protectively between the shaft and the plate. The plate is provided at its lower extremity with a thickening shaped like a transverse, partial dove tail, so as to engage, upon suitable play, a corresponding seat provided in the shaft. This will permit angular displacements and will keep the plate parallel to the shaft, so as to permit, in cooperation with the head, the spacing between words.
The scope of the invention is, therefore, to provide an improved movable spacer which will completely prevent the deposition of lead on the head and to protect the head between the shaft and the plate so that the latter two will also be free from lead deposits during the composition of the lines.
There are considerable advantages to be derived from the present invention, namely:
a. The necessity of frequent cleaning of the spacers is obviated, with consequent time savings;
b. The possibility of excessive wear by the spacer of the matrices is greatly reduced, with consequent longer life of the matrices;
c. The spacer itself is not worn by the forced and continuous removal of layers of lead deposits by means of suitable removing tools which attack and damage the surface of the spacer;
d. Also avoided is the possibility of lead deposits on the surfaces of the spacer, thus assuring perfect characters without defects and perfect printing without striation and undesirable imperfections.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description thereof and from the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial view of a typical Linotype machine;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the spacer of the invention, in enlarged side view, during operation;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the spacer; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of the spacer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawing, the improved movable spacer of the invention comprises a tapered shaft 1 which is guided and slides longitudinally in a manner known per se on a head 2. On the lower part of the shaft 1 there is a transverse seat 3 shaped like a dove tail. The spacer also comprises an auxiliary plate 4, also tapered, having its apex facing upwardly and having in its lower extremity a transverse thickening 5 shaped like a dove tail. The thickening 5 is seated with considerable and suitable play in the corresponding seat 3 of shaft 1, while the upper extremity of said plate 4 remains free.
The plate 4 is superimposed, in front, on shaft 1, so that head 2 is lodged between the two. Furthermore, plate 4 is engaged at its lower end to the shaft 1, but its connection is such that it may be displaced angularly when the shaft 1 is moved with respect to the head 2 during the spacing operation between words. Due to a pin 6, the plate 4 cannot become disengaged from the shaft 1.
The tapered configuration of head 2, shaft 1 and plate 4 is such that, regardless of the position taken by the shaft 1 and the plate 4 with respect to the head 2 (which is stationary), there is always a parallelism between the shaft 1 and plate 4.
The plate 4 has its upper portion slightly bent outwardly, so as to assure the adherence of its whole surface both against the head 2 and against the shaft 1.
The above-described spacer is positioned between adjacent matrices 7 and 8 of each pair of successive words in a composition line, as it is conventional with Linotype machines. The matrices 7 and 8 are thus in contact with the shaft 1 and, respectively, with the plate 4, while the head 2, which is guided by the respective ears 2' so as to engage itself as it is provided by the machine, remains protected between the shaft 1 and the plate 4.
In this manner during the fusion of the line obtained in the conventional manner, it is not possible to have a deposition of lead in the head 2, while the vertical displacement of the shaft 1 and the plate 4 with respect to the head 2 assures the perfect spacing between the matrices 7 and 8 of the words and prevents the deposition of lead on their respective surfaces.