src="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@31704@31704-h@images@fig023b-300dpi.png" alt="Fig. 30. Quadruple Stand." title="" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}img"/> Fig. 30. Quadruple Stand. The cast-iron case brackets used on flat-top wooden cabinets and case racks are made in a variety of styles. They have advantages over the case supports formed by the top of side frames of the old style wooden stands shown in Fig. 21, in that they allow use of the space below the cases, and provide a more convenient placing of the upper case. The style of bracket shown on the stands illustrated in Figs. 23 and 30 allows the upper case to be brought nearer to the front, making it easier to reach all the boxes and yet leave ample room to get at the upper boxes of the lower case. The stand or cabinet may be placed close against a wall or other frame, as the upper case does not overhang at the back. The position of the inclined working cases on top may be fixed at any desired place on the top of the cabinet by changing the position of the brackets. One style of bracket (Fig. 29) is made to fasten to the extreme fore edge of the shelf, this bringing the front of the lower case out beyond the front line of the cabinet.

Fig. 31. Galley Brackets forming a rack fastened to wall. A number of years ago a tilting bracket (shown in Figs. 27 and 28) for the lower case was introduced and this has been used to some extent. The ostensible advantage of this is to allow the lower case to be tilted up from the front so that easier access is given to a galley shelf or other space under the case. This is a convenience in some instances, but the unstable nature of the case support is liable to be a disadvantage; a full case suddenly tilted is likely to cause types to be thrown into adjoining boxes; or a galley, leads, or other material on top of the case may slide down back when the case is tipped forward. A style of bracket which has proved serviceable is that shown on the case stand in Fig. 30.

Fig. 32. Galley Cabinet. Brackets for holding galleys are furnished in several varieties, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 31, etc. These are temporary rests for galleys, while the matter on them is waiting for return of proofs, for making up, etc. They are fastened to a wall or strong frame in some out-of-the-way place, or they may be fitted on special standards near the type cases or the make-up table. The galley cabinet, similar to that illustrated in Fig. 32, is a more expensive article of furniture for this purpose, but it is usually more satisfactory.

Wood Runs and Steel Runs

Early wooden case racks were fitted with strips of thin wood upon which the cases were moved in and out. These slender strips were not always of perfect grain and were difficult to attach firmly to the side frame. They warped and split easily, and the nails and screws with which they were fastened would work loose. In order to have them strong they had to be thick, and this thickness gave a wide space between the cases so that fewer cases could be kept in a given space.

To avoid these disadvantages case runs are now made of flat strips of steel fastened to the side frames of the rack or cabinet. In some cabinets they are fitted between side slats of wood, and a couple of perpendicular iron rods are run through holes in the slats and the steel strips from top to bottom of the rack, binding the pieces together and to the side frame, making a particularly substantial rack. Another style of steel run is made of a wider strip of iron bent the entire length into a right-angle shape. Screw holes on one side of this angle strip enable it to be fastened to the side frame, the other angle of the strip being used to support the case.

Extension Fronts and Backs

Fig. 33. Double Case Stand, showing the cases in rack pushed back from front, to permit exposure of all boxes when a case is pulled forward for setting type. In all composing-rooms there are many cases at which it is necessary to work for only a few moments at a time, to set a single line, or to make a correction, etc. In order that cases kept in racks or cabinets may be used quickly it is necessary that each one may be pulled out clear of the case above, so that all the boxes at the rear are accessible. In the old-style racks this was attained by having the runs several inches longer than the width of the case, and placing an upright strip or stop at the rear to allow the cases to be pushed back far enough to leave three or more inches of the run exposed in front. This front space is sufficient to support the case temporarily while it is pulled out from those above in full view. (Fig. 33.)

Fig. 34. Extension Front Case Rack. In many type cabinets, however, the practice is to keep the front of all cases flush with the front of the cabinet frame. This allows no front support for a case that is pulled out far enough to expose all the boxes, and so the side frames or rims of the cases are extended three or four inches back beyond the case itself. These extensions serve as stout arms at the rear of the case to hold it in the front of the rack when the case is pulled forward. When the case is carefully handled this plan serves the purpose if the extensions themselves are not drawn entirely clear of the case above. Its security depends somewhat upon the style of the runs and how carefully the cases fit their places. A disadvantage of this plan is that the cases having these long rear extensions are awkward to place when they are taken from their racks to be used on top of ordinary working stands.

The later method of providing for this is to place the cases further back in the rack, as in the old-style stand, and have the runs on the cabinet extended entirely to the front. This is the extension front, and in modern cabinets the rims are of thin steel, as already described. (Fig. 34.) With this arrangement the cases have no protruding arms and can be conveniently placed anywhere; standard cabinet cases can be placed on working stands or temporarily in any convenient case rack.

Furniture Racks