IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DISTRIBUTING TYPE
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Brower Thompson, of Brooklyn, New
York, United States of America, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR DISTRIBUTING TYPE."
Sealed the 16th June 1871, and dated the 6th March 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Brower Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 6th March 1871.
I, DAVID BROWER THOMPSON, of Brooklyn, New York, United States
of America, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DISTRIBUTING TYPE," to be as follows:-
The column of type to be distributed is placed in a "galley" whence
the type are presented to a separator of the column by the line, which
line is set in motion by a line follower or pusher in a direction trans-
versely with the column toward a detaching blade to detach the types
one by one from the line. Each type so detached then finds its way to
the first of a series of cellular divisions or type cells, in number not
less than the number of characters to be distributed, and thence it is

page_text: automatically lifted up and conveyed to and placed by a manipulating
frame flatwise in the division or type cell constituting the next of the
series while another type is taken in by the first, and so on.
Protruding into the type cells are small pins or feelers corresponding
in number and location with indentations expressly formed in the edge t
of cach type, in varying location thereon to distinguish them one from
the other, and capable of moving in a direction parallel with the edge
of the type, that is, in lines perpendicular to the sides thereof. Said
type cells are also furnished with lovers which hold the types at times
against the feelers aforesaid, which feelers when finding that their 1
number and location do not correspond with the number and location
of the indentations on the type retain such type till scized by the
carrying frame and conveyed to the cell next in order, and so on, till
cach type or character shall have found its corresponding feelers, where-
upon they automatically withdraw from the type cell and from the 1
type therein, and thereby release the type, permitting it to be finally
discharged into the receptacle provided for that character, or into a
channel leading thereto.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said David Brower Thompson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 5th September 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DAVID
BROWER THOMPSON, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand cight hundred and seventy-one, in the thirty-
fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said David Brower Thompson, Her special
licence that I, the said David Brower Thompson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said David Brower
Thompson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any

page_text: time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DISTRIBUTING TYPE,”
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said David Brower
Thompson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause
the same to be filed, in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Brower Thompson, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being made to the Drawings
hereto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thercon (that is
to say):-
My improvements relate chiefly to combinations of devices for feeding
the type both in column or page and by the line, with other devices
which separate the type from the column and take them one by one
and present them to mechanism for ascertaining the character they
bear, which mechanism also conveys them to, and deposits them in,
the several receptacles respectively provided for the various characters.
The object of the Invention is to simplify the operations, reduce the
cost, and enhance the efficiency of such machinery.
And said Invention may be said to consist in the combination with
a selecting mechanism, substantially such as hereafter described, of a
competent feeding mechanism to take the type in column, separate
them, and present them one by one to the selecting mechanism.
Also in certain new and useful arrangements and combinations of
the various parts of the said feeding and of the selecting mechanism,
as herein-after set forth.
Also in arranging the selecting mechanism in a frame set on
trunnions in order that it may be clevated for access to the parts
beneath.

page_text: In the Drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of that end of the machine
where the feeding apparatus is located, and illustrates said apparatus ;
Fig. 2 is a reversed and sectional view showing the construction and
illustrating the operation of the selecting mechanism; Fig. 3 is a top
view of the selecting mechanism and part of the feeding apparatus as
seen from points perpendicular to the angle of the inclination of tho
front thereof represented in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top view of the same
as seen from points perpendicular to the inclination thereof as aforesaid.
A represents the driving shaft from which all movements are derived;
B represents a galley for receiving and holding a column or page of
type, having a slide B³ moved by a weight B³ attached to a cord that
passes over a pulley at the side of the galley. At the end of the galley is
a vertical plate or abutment C, being part of the frame of the machine
and sustaining various parts of the feeding apparatus. Said plate
abuts against and closes the end of the galley, and the column is
forced toward it by the galley slide B'. Immediately adjacent to the
abutment C, and working up through the bottom of the galley, is a line
lifter D consisting of a vertical slide in thickness not exceeding the
width of the type, and of width equalling that of the column, the office
of which is to separate from the column the line of type nearest the
abutment and lift the line to the position indicated by the dotted
lines (of type) in Fig. 1. The lower edge of this line lifter is cut off
diagonally, and when about to lift a line of type rests on a horizontal
bar E near the front end thereof, which is also cut off in a like diagonal
line, representing inclined planes. The lifter D is actuated by the
motion of the bar E, communicated thereto by a rack-E' operated by a
ratchet pinion E³ on the driving shaft, and when elevated said lifter
is hold up by a latch or hook E, Fig. 2. which takes under a lug D'
on the lifter, see Figs. 1 and 2. The rack is connected at the rear end
to the bar E by a pivot, thereby allowing of a vibratory motion of the
forward end thereof which slides through a guide F made fast by its
upper side to the galley. This guide has inward bent lips or bearers 1
(Fig. 2), which take under pins 1 projecting from each side of the
rack and bear it up, withholding it from contact with the pinion E
during the retreat of said rack and until the proper time arrives in the
operation of the machine for engagement with its pinion E, at which
time the pins 4 emerge from the end of the guide, as about to do in
Fig. 1 and allow the rack to drop and engage with its pinion E², a single

page_text: revolution of which advances the rack E' and with it the bar E tho
required distance to effect the elevation of the line lifter D. During the
last part of the advancement of the rack its pins 4 are taken up by
yielding inclines 5 at cach side of the rack being made fast to the guide F,
5 which yielding (as seen dotted in Fig. 1) to the pressure of the pins 4,
as the rack advances let the pins pass between the inclines 5 and
bearers 1, whereupon said inclines react and close against the under
side of the bearers 1 and thus form a continuation thereof beyond the
forward end of the said guide, and when the rack retreats the pin (as
O scen dotted) rides over the front end of said bearer to the upper side
thereof, Fig. 1. It will therefore be understood that while the rack is
advanced by the pinion E a given distance it is also then disengaged
from said pinion by the act of advancing, and in the act of retreating
it is re-engaged therewith as heretofore specified. The retreat of the
5 rack is effected in unison with and during the forward movement of
a sliding plate H, Fig. 1, which lies parallel with and follows or pushes
the elevated line of type toward a device or blade G for detaching tho
types one by one from the line for delivery to the selecting mechanism.
A part of this line follower is seen in Fig. 4. The advancement of the
O line follower is produced by the force of a weight I applied through
a cord passing over a pulley on a standard I³ to the upper extremity of
a lever I pivotted at 6 to part of the abutment C and having attached to
it a pawl catch J notched underneath to take over the rear end of the
line follower. Such weight is required to exert sufficient force to over-
5 come the friction of the lever I, the rack E¹, the line follower H, and
the line of type in its guides keeping the line in motion as the types
are detached one by one therefrom, and also straining a minor spring H',
Fig. 2, the purpose of which is to retract the follower H after the
delivery of cach line, as scen in Fig. 1. While the line follower
O advances, the lower end of the lever I is drawing back the bar E and
rack E¹ (pivotted thereto at 8) and the pawl catch J approaches a stop
roller 9 on the abutment C, and as the last of the types of the delivery
line are being detached and it becomes necessary to lift another line,
a dog H on a plate H³, Fig. 2, made fast to the follower, strikes the
5 upper end of the latch Es unhooking it from the dog D' on the lifter D,
which lifter instantly descends to the bar E; at the same moment the
pawl catch J comes in contact with the roller stop 9 which lifts the
pawl catch and disconnects it from the follower H when the lever I,
still obeying the impulse of its weight completes the retreat of the

page_text: rack E' which falls on and is re-engaged with the pinion E as aforesaid.
As the follower H is released from the pawl it is at once returned by
the minor spring H' to. the position for starting a new line, whereupon
the slide B' follows up with the column and brings such line over the
line lifter. All the above movements of the lifters descent the return
of the line follower, and the re-engagement of the rack with its pinion,
take place at nearly the same instant, and their respective positions at
this juncture are shown in Fig. 1. After this the first turn of the
driving shaft A and pinion E advances the rack E' and bar E, and
raises the line lifter D, elevating the next line of type. The elevated
line is supported in guides on either side, consisting of the abutment C
on one side and on the other by a cross bar K which also lies across
the end of the column of type and prevents the line lifter from raising
more than one line at once. At every revolution of the driving shaft,
as the line of type is advanced by the line follower, a single type is
removed from the end of the delivering line by the detaching blade G,
Fig. 1. Said blade is slightly thinner than the type. It is arranged
to slide in suitable bearings G' and is operated by a lever 11 moved in
any convenient manner, and in this instance by a revolving cam on
the driving shaft through a rock shaft and lever M' to draw it back,
and by a strong spring 12 which shoots it forward. The outer bearing
of the blade G projects over the end of the delivering line of type, which
abuts against it (Fig. 4), and the operation of the detaching blade is
to force out the last type of the line from between such line and the
aforesaid outer bearing of the blade, and into an open recess beyond
the end of the abutment C, which recess is occupied by a vertical
channel way L, Figs. 2 and 4, that is capable of a vibratory motion
being hinged at the lower and I to the frame of the machine, and
at the upper end said channel is cut away on the side next to the
detaching blade for the admission of each type as it is separated and
removed from the line. Such type just previous to being thus removed
is held against the end of the galley by several flexion springs, seen
nt O, Fig. 1. One or more of these springs, usually the upper one, is
short, and when the line has been reduced to two or three type the short
spring falls behind them and supports them, as illustrated in Fig. 1,
while the lifter D descends for another line. The channel L whenever
a type is discharged therein receives a vibratory motion to complete the
clearance of the type, and such typo is prevented from leaving the
channel and from turning therein by a spring and yielding mouth

page_text: Having now shown the construction and operation of that part of my
Invention used for feeding in the types to the machine, I will next
proceed to describe the mechanism by which each type is manipulated
in ascertaining the character thereof, selecting it from the remainder,
finding its place, and discharging it therein. Each type when received
into the channel L soon finds its way (though not instantly) to the first
in order of a scrics of divisions or type cells called a receiving cell,
located immediately under the mouth of said channel. Said type cells
correspond in number with that of the characters to be distributed and
are arranged on the front of a bar P, Figs. 2, 3, and 4. As these cells
and the devices for each are all substantially similar, to avoid useless
repetition, I have represented the machine as broken away and a part
removed in Figs. 3 and 4. The frame of the machine has longitudinal
beams Q, Q', and lateral beams Q, Q³, which at the rear side are
provided with trunnions 15 set and turning in upright supports, whereon
the machine may be erected or inverted for inspection of the parts
beneath. The front of the machine is elevated, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2,
and hence the types when placed in the cells will naturally incline
backward and lie against the face of the division bar P, in other words,
on the backs of their cells. These cells formed between ribs p¹ are each
sufficiently wide to take in the type flatwise and also receive the extre-
mitics of levers 7 which reach across the face of the bar P occupying
one side of the cell, but the bodies of said levers are at right angles
thereto and lie across the top of the longitudinal beam Q on which they
vibrate, having pivots fixed therein working freely in said beam, as
illustrated in Fig. 2. Immediately adjacent to the ribs p' and arranged
for being protruded into the cells are small pins t, Figs. 2 and 4, made
fast to holders T having stems T that pass through the beam Q (one
stem to cach lever r), the first object of which pins is to feel or test
each type when placed in the cell and ascertain its character, and they
also perform other offices. The number, location, and thickness of the
testing pins varies in each type cell and is determined by the number,
location, and depth of nicks formed on each type on the edge thereof
to distinguish them one from the other. The levers are forced toward
the type in the cell by means of yielding fingers 17, acting on angular
rear portions of the levers, and said levers are moved and held back by

page_text: springs V. Such back motion is governed in extent for adjustment to
adapt the machine to work type of different widths by means of stops
on an adjustable strip 18 secured by screws passing through slots therein
into the frame Q, Q. The yielding fingers 17 are fixed to a rock
shaft 20 having at one end an arm 21 reaching up to and actuated by 6
a revolving cam 23 represented in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The testing
pins are forced into the type cells by a vibrating bar W operated by
camis 24 (see Fig. 4), the bar in turn acting on the heads of the stems T
of the pin holders and spiral springs around the stems retract thom.
Projecting upward and outward from said stems are arms 2, Figs. 2 1
and 4, which arms when the testing pins are forced forward are caught
and held (for a moment) by suitable catches V on the side of cach
of the levers, while the types are being placed in the cells and tested.
The operation of scizing the types, conveying them to and placing
them in the testing cells, is performed by a manipulating or carrying 1
frame Y and co-operating devices thereon. Said frame may be described
as consisting of upper and lower type plates Y, Y', having recesses in
their front edge to correspond with the typo cells and firmly secured to
or cast in one with end blocks Y, Y', which latter also servo for the
bearings of the carrying frame. Said frame has a reciprocating motion a
endwise for the purpose of conveying the type from opposite one cell
to the front of the next, and the types are lifted out of and laid in the
cells by a lateral motion of the frame. The longitudinal movement is
produced by a revolving crank pin X' and slide working in a slotted
branch of the frame extending from the end block Y* (sco Fig. 1 and a
dotted lines in Fig. 4). Said crank pin is fixed in a crank 26 on the
upper end of a vertical shaft having at its lower end a bevel gear 27,
meshing in and driven by a like gear wheel on a socondary shaft A'
operated from the main shaft A by spur wheels, as seen in Fig. 3.
The crank 20 has a collared screw passing through it into the shaft and
thereby the throw of the crank, and hence the stroke of the frame
endwise may be shortened or lengthened to adapt the machine to any
given width of type. The lateral motion of the frame is produced by
face cams 28, acting on studs on the sides of L form slides 29, fitted
to slide on the outer side of the cross beams Q, Q. The carrying :
frame is furnished with clamping bars f, f', to assist in handling the
type, one arranged below and mado fast to the lower recessed type plato
and projecting slightly forward to form a shelf, and the other abovc,
"

page_text: and hinged at its rear edge to constitute a flap or leaf, and projecting
over and beyond the recesses of the upper type plate Y. As the types
are carried forward by the carrying frame their lower ends rest on
the lower clamping plate or shelf f¹, and they are firmly held
thereto by the leaf f having an clastic under surface just over
the type which bears on and holds them with a yielding pressure
exerted by a spring V', and when about to be deposited in the cells the
leaf is lifted by a cue X³ on its rear edge coming in contact with a
cam plate 30 fixed to the frame Q³. Said type are also held under
control by an outside appliance to keep them snugly in the recesses of
the type plates Y, Y¹, and guide them when being finally discharged
from the cells. This purpose is served by a face plate X³, Fig. 2, (not
shown in front view to avoid confusion). The plate may extend the
entire length of the carrying frame; its shape is such as to form its own
guide, being bent outward and back over the shelf f¹ on which it slides
in and out as operated by part of the lateral motion of the frame Y,
which after placing the types in the cells backs away and leaves the
plate resting on the face of the bar P. An alternative of the face plate
may consist of a number of spring fingers arranged on an operating rock
shaft and acting on or acted upon by a suitable stop on the main or the
carrying frame to relieve the pressure from the type when they are to
be discharged. Beneath each type cell and extending out in front of the
machine are suitable channels, see Fig. 4, one for each character, and
as the types are discharged from the machine at each revolution of
the main shaft a pusher 31 worked by a cam on the bevel gear 27
(Fig. 3) pushes forward the line of type in the channel.
Operation. At the time the type is received into the channel L the
spike 13 on the carrying frame Y while the latter is in the act of moving
laterally outward, strikes a projection 14 on the channel imparting a
vibrating motion thereto, and as said frame so moves outward the upper
recessed plate Y forms a gate or cut off preventing the type then in
the channel from entering at the instant the first or receiving cell &
under the channel, but when the said frame moves back the type escapes
into the said cell and behind the face plate X* (Fig. 2). In the outward
movement aforesaid of the frame the recessed or type plates Y, Y¹, take
the type and lift it out beyond the ribs p' and by the longitudinal motion
convey the type opposite the next adjacent cell. Meantime another
type has been taken into the channel and stands on the frame Y in

page_text: readiness to occupy the receiving cell just vacated, and escapes into such
cell when permitted by the motion of the frame as in the former case
a fresh typo passing into the receiving cell at every revolution of the
machine, and at every revolution lifted out and passed along to the
testing cells and their manipulating devices which accept and dischargo
the type or types into their final places or reject them, whereupon the
same motions of the frame take up all type so rejected and convey them
to other cells to be again tested, and so on until cach type has been
placed in the cell adapted to accept it, and from thence released and
finally discharged.
The acceptance or rejection of a given type is determined and accom-
plished as follows:-At cach outward (or lifting) movement of the
frame the testing pins are forced into the cells throughout the whole
series and are held there by catches V on the rear of the levers 7,
falling behind arms on the stems T of the pin holders T, and at such
inward or depositing movement of the frame Y the levers throughout
the whole series are moved toward the testing pins. When the location,
depth, or number of the pins in the cells does not correspond with that
of the indentations on the type, as illustrated by type X, Fig. 3, such
typo is rejected and detained in the cell awaiting the next arrival of
the carrying frame to be conveyed to another cell for an additional test.
But when the location of the said pins does so correspond as indicated
by types c and 'Z, such type is accepted. The said indentations or nicks
in the types permit such type to pass to and lic against the division
rib p', causing the outer end of the lever to move laterally in that
direction a distanco sufficient to disengage the catch V on the rear
thereof from the stem of the holder of the pins in that cell, when said
pin or pins instantly withdraw from the cell, discharging the type into
the receptacle beneath the cell provided for that character, therefore the
type c soon finds its place of discharge, whereas type Z would traverse
the whole series of divisions.
Dodont

page_text: Second. The combination with the line follower of a major spring or
weight to move the line of type forward toward the detaching blade,
and a minor spring or weight to throw back the follower when the line
is exhausted.
Third. The combination of a pinion and a rack operating through
inclined planes with the line lifter to impart the upward motion thereto.
Fourth. The combination with the line lifter of the catch H and
tripping dog Es for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the line follower, major spring or weight,
and rack, with a lever, pawl, catch, and fixed stop to trip the pawl
operating together, substantially as specified.
Sixth. The combination with the line lifter and follower of flexion
springs described to control a number of type of one line during the
descent of the lifter for another line.
Seventh. The combination with the line follower and detaching
blade of the vibrating channel way, specified for the purposes set forth.
Eighth. The combination with the vibrating channel way of the
adjustable spring mouth piece.
Ninth. The combination with the carrying or manipulating frame
adjustable in stroke, as described, of the adjusting strips and stops
thereon for adapting the machine to work different widths of type.
Tenth. The combination with the selecting mechanism described of
the feeding apparatus specified or any equivalent thereof.
Eleventh. The arrangement of the machine on trunnions, so that it
may be erected or inverted for access to the parts beneath.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Brower Thompson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of August,
A.D. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
0 Witnesses,
EARLE HENRY SMITII.
DAVID BROWER THOMPSON. (L.S.)