Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1906-03-29

Under; plunger for pushing a single
line of dead matter into the channe
when the weight is raised, which
plunger is operated by an arm con.
nected with second arm; and a de-
vice for making the parts operate
whenever an empty channel comes to
the loading point as the distributing
cylinder revolves. These parts are al
driven by single shaft, on which are
the two cams and the releasing me-
chanism. A galley of dead type be-
ing placed on the bracket, with face
of type outward, the distributor is
started. If the matter being distrib-
uted is loaded the leads are withdrawn
by the plunger as it returns, and are
dropped into receptacle below the
loader. The pawl being disengaged,
as before described, the vertical shaft
now rests until another empty channel
presents itself to be loaded The col
umn of dead matter is moved forward
by spring, bringing the next line in
the galley into position to be loaded
All these movements are performed
during the interval between each for
ward step of the cylinder. They are
made quietly, and without strain upon
the type, each line being separated
from the column in the galley before
being carried into the channel by the
pluunger.
! The distributor is not delayed by
| the loading, but rotates at its normal
speed. If every channel in the dis
tributing cylinder should be empty
when it is started, the loader will fill
all in three quarters of minute. In
practice, however, there are generally
but few lines to be loaded in each
revolution of the cylinder.
| The lower case letters and other
characters principally used are located
in the lower cylinder directly in front
of the operator, and as they become
filled or emptied ne stops or starts
the distributor by moving a convenient
tly located lever. When the galley
of dead type becomes empty, it is the
work of but moment to take it off
and substitute a full one of either
loaded or solid matter. The sorts
in the different channels distribute in
about the proportion required by the
operator. This depends somewhat upon
the character of the matter which is
being set and distributed; so provision
is made for quickly removing from
it's channel in the lower cylinder any
sorts which distribute faster than re-
quired, or for replenishing the supply
of sorts which do not distribute rapid
ly enough. Galleys for containing a
reserve supply of sorts are kept in a
cabinet sent with the machine. On
the setting mechanism is keyboard
with ninety keys-one for each chan
mel in the cylinder-each key being
connected by levers and wires with a
small plunger at the bottom of it's par
ticular channel. The front end of the
plunger rests Immediately behind the
foot of the bottom type in it's channel,
the plunger being less in thickness
than the type. When key is dep
ressed on the board, its corresponding
plunger is moved forward carving
one type out ahead of it. The keys
work very lightly, and their action
is practically instantaneous.
When elected by the plunger, as
described, the type is pushed upon the
flat surface of the disc which encir-
cles the bottom of the cylinder, it's
upper surface being on level with
the bottom of the channels. The disc
revolves rapidly, and the type elected
upon it are swiftly carried to the
righthand side of the machine, where
a switch or guide defects the type
off the disc and upon travelling fiat
belt, running parallel with the edge
Of the disc at this point, by which the
type is carried forward to a point dir
ectly back of the keyboard and some
what above it. About half way be-
tween where the type leaves the disc
and the point to which they are con-
veyed to the belt, is little device
called the separator, consisting of two
rolls revolving rapidly in direction
opposite the motion of the belt.
There is just distance enough be-
tween the two rolls to permit the free
passage of single type. If the op-
orator plays two type which reach
this point side by side, one passes be-
tween the rolls, the other is held
back until this channel is clear,
when it follows. After passing the
separators the type are guided, one at
time, to what is called the packer.
on entering the packer the type run
on cam, by which they are lifted
a roller, bearing on piece called the
hook; which is pressed forward by q
spring, holds the type lightly against
the inner wall of the channel. A part
known as the hammer now pushes ag.
ainst the foot of the type and carries
it forward to proper position. The
packer is capable of handling over 81,
hundred type per minute. Type sue
: ceed each other in the packer, forming
words in continuous line, which ex
tends across the back of the keyboard
the face of the type in this line being