Improvements in Automatic Type Distributing Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 8th July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Type Distributing Apparatus.
We, ALEXANDER FRASER, of Old Fishmarket, High Street, Edinburgh, in the
County of Mid-Lothian, North Britain, Printer, and FRANK ROSE, of 75, Cathles Road,
Balham Hill, Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :--
This invention relates to the distribution of printing types formed with notches
across one edge in different positions for different denominations of type, from pages
of such types after having been used for printing, into cases channelled to receive,
types of different denominations in its respective channels and of the like denomina-
tion in each channel, for renewed use in composing, and has particular reference to
certain improvements upon the invention and applicable to the apparatus for which
Letters-Patent No. 8504 of 1894 were granted to us, and designed to improve the.
working of such apparatus.
In such apparatus, referring particularly to the second modification described in
the Specification of such Patent to which the present improvements are more
especially applicable, the types to be distributed are, in the form of a page placed.
upon its side edge, placed in a vertical or nearly vertical galley, so that the types
lie in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position therein and the lines of types are
arranged vertically in column-like formation, and are collectively advanced in the
galley so that each column, in turn, is caused to pass into alignment with a column
groove, into which it is then horizontally advanced forwardly of the page, and in
which it then gravitates with the types of the column still lying horizontally in
superposed relation, and from the bottom of which the lowermost types are
individually and successively separated by being further advanced endwise onto a
horizontal platform arranged parallel with and in advance and laterally of the galley
and adapted to be raised and lowered, and along which platform the separated types,
while still occupying a horizontal position, are simultaneously shifted laterally, step
by step, until they respectively are in the desired location in relation to their
respective distribution channels, by selecting mechanism consisting of rigid jaws and
co-acting pronged feelers which, collectively, are adapted to be lowered onto the
platform, when in its raised position, and to grip and support those types which are
not in the desired relation to their respective distribution channels, without so acting
upon those types which are in such relation, whereupon the platform supporting the
ungripped and located types is lowered below the plane of the gripped types and the
located types are collectively caused by a reciprocating bar and roller to be transferred
from the platform and tilted erect into the entrances to their respective distribution
channels, whereupon and upon the platform being raised to its type receiving level,
the grip supported unlocated types are laterally traversed a step forward on the plat-
forin and are again released thereon by the selecting mechanism, which is then raised
and retrograded a step for a repetition of the operation, and so on.

page_text: The present improvements have special reference to improved arrangements and
combinations of devices for effecting the following respective functions of such
apparatus; namely;-for holding the lower types of the column of types in the
galley column groove while the lowermost one is being separated therefrom and
controlling the types as they are individually separated from the column of types
until they are taken under the control of the type selecting mechanism; for
selecting the types and for actuating the type selecting mechanism; for dressing
the printing types on the rising and falling platform and for projecting such located
types therefrom and for actuating the type dressing and projecting mechanism;
for raising and lowering the platform; for transferring the types from the platform
and guiding them to their respective distribution channels; and to means for
separating the spacing types from the printing types prior to distributing the
latter.
In order that the application of such improvements may be completely
understood, we will describe the construction and operation of the improved
apparatus as a whole and with reference to the accompanying drawings, on
which ;-
Figures, 1, and 1^, together represent a front elevation of the apparatus, parts of
Fig. 1, being represented as broken;
Fig. 2, represents a part plan of the apparatus at the galley end, the galley and
the type selecting mechanism being removed, but the part of the galley wherein
the type column groove is situate being shown in section at the part where the
lowermost types of the column are individually pushed out therefrom, and part of the
Fig. being broken away to show under parts;
Fig. 2, represents a part plan of the apparatus at its other end, the type selecting
mechanism being removed;
Fig. 3, represents a transverse vertical section through the galley column
groove, on the line, I-I, Figs. 1 and 2;
Fig. 3, represents a like section on the line, 2-2, Figs. 1, and 2, showing the
galley in end elevation ;
Fig. 3, represents a like section on the line, 3-3, Figs. 1, and 2, the galley
being removed;
Fig. 3, represents a like section on the line 4-4, Figs. 1, and 2, the
galley and the type selecting mechanism being removed;
Fig. 3, represents, in part, a like section on the line, 5-5, Figs. 1, and 2;
Fig. 3, represents a like section on the line, 6-6, Fig. 14;
Fig. 4, represents a back elevation of part of the galley mechanisin represented
in Fig. 34;
Fig. 5, represents a broken longitudinal vertical section on the line, 7-7, Fig. 34,
showing, in front elevation, the type selecting mechanism and the platform by which
the located types are lowered to the means by which they are transferred to their
respective distribution channels;
Fig. 6, represents (on an enlarged scale) a transverse vertical section of the type
selecting mechanism on the line, 8-8, Fig. 5; and
Figs. 7, and 74, represent back elevations of the type selecting mechanism, Fig. 7,
representing it at the moment immediately preceding its action in feeling the
types; and Fig. 7A, representing it at the moment immediately succeeding such
action and the subsequent lateral shifting of the gripped and ungripped types,
showing the unlocated types as gripped and supported thereby and the located types
are being lowered by the platform into position for transfer to their respective
distribution channels.
A, is the galley (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, and 5,) which is arranged vertically or nearly
so and consists of a plate having a fixed bottom fence, A¹, between which and an
upper adjustable fence, A2, the page, a', of types to be distributed is placed on its
lower side edge, with the lines of types arranged vertically in column form, (Figs. 1,
and 5,) and with all the types lying horizontally (Fig. 3,). A³, is a pusher drawn by

page_text: cords, a, passing around pulleys, A4, and acted on by a spring barrel, a", or other
suitable means, adapted to press the page of types laterally towards the column
separating device and so as to press the respective vertical lines or columns of the
page, in turn, into alignment with such device and with a column groove.
B, is the column groove (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4,) which is formed in the galley somewhat
in advance of the position occupied by the page of types, by a projecting end part, a,
and by an opposite lower projecting part, a, and by an opposite upper part, I, which
is hinged to the part, a, at 2, and is formed with a flange, 3, adapted to abut against
the adjacent part of the face of the type page, a7, and extends down to the level of the
galley fence, A¹, where it abuts against the fixed part, a, and can be turned up
about its hinge to facilitate access to the column groove.
The column groove
extends from the galley-top downwardly to a point at which each type in succession,
is separated from its next adjacent type, as hereinafter described, and the respective
vertical lines or columns of the page of types are, (when shifted into alignment
therewith by the pusher, A³,) separately advanced into the groove, forwardly of the
page of types, by a column separator, B³, Figs. 1, 34, 3, and 4. The column
separator is made as an open rectangular frame, and is guided in the galley frame,
and is, intermittently, reciprocated therein, horizontally, by an eccentric, B+, on a
shaft, C, which, intermittently, is driven from the main shaft, H, of the apparatus,
by a countershaft, N, and sprocket wheels, H', n¹, n², N³, and connecting pitch
chains, N, N, the eccentric, B, working in a circular opening in a plate, B5, made
with slots, b, engaging with pins, B, projecting from the column separator, B3, and,
by the aid of springs, B, reciprocating the separator once for each revolution of the
shaft, C. The column separator remains in the forward position shown (Fig. 3,)
while any types remain in the column groove in front of it, and, during such time,
arrests the type page, a', and prevents the next adjacent column of types in the
galley from being laterally shifted, but, when the types in the column groove have
descended so far that there are none directly in front of the column separator (Fig. 3,)
the separator is withdrawn by the semi-rotation of the eccentric, B, until its front
edge comes into alignment with the front of the galley plate, A, and back of the type
page, a, and it then allows the pressure of the page pusher, A³, on the type page, a',
in the galley to cause the first adjacent column thereof to be laterally shifted against
the galley part, a, and into alignment with the column separator, which, on its return
forward movement, effected by the completion of the rotation of the eccentric, B+,
advances such column into the column groove.
This intermittent operation of the eccentric, B+, is caused to be effected as
follows As the individual types are successively separated from the bottom of the
column of types in the column groove, as hereinafter described, the column of types in
such groove gravitates therein, and, when the column has descended far enough
(when its top one clears the line of the galley fence, A¹, and the bottom edge of the
column separator,) for a fresh column of types to be transferred from the galley to the
column groove, an adjustable screw pin, D1,(Figs. 1, 3 and 4,)-carried by a bracket, D²,
projecting from a plate, D, which slides in a guiding groove, do, in the outer
wall, a, of the column groove, and is connected by pins, B, working in a slot, 68, in
such wall, with a follower, B³, (Figs. 1, 3, and 3*,) which rests on the type column
and descends therewith,-acts on a detent lever, D³, which has been holding, but now
releases a clutch lever, D+, controlling a clutch, C₁, (Figs. 1, 3, and 4,) on the
shaft, C, and a spring, C², makes the clutch engage with a counter-part clutch, clo, on
the boss of a small barrel, C3, which winds a cord or small chain, 15, passing round a
suitably located upper pulley, D6, and attached to the slide, D, and thus causes the
slide to be drawn up. As the slide rises, a projecting piece, D7, (Figs. 1, 3ª, and 4,)
pivoted to it, acts on the inside of a clutch lever, DDS, controlling a second clutch, C+,
on the shaft, C, making it engage with a counterpart clutch, c, formed on the boss
of the eccentric, B4, whereupon, the eccentric makes a single revolution withdrawing
and advancing the column separator, as hereinbefore described, and, as it completes
its revolution, a projection, 67, on its boss moves the clutch, C₁, out of gear with the

page_text: eccentric clutch, c¹¹. When the slide, D, again descends, the piece, D³, turns up in
passing the lever, DS, and without acting on it. The winding-up action of the
barrel, C3, is stopped by a piece, D, on the bottom end of the slide, a bevelled
point, do, on the piece encountering the outside of the lever, D+, and making it move
the clutch, C, out of gear with the clutch, clo, whilst the lever, D, is caught and
held by the lever, D3, which is held up by a spring, . By these means, the transfer
of the several columns of types from the galley to the column groove is automatically
effected in the required succession. The hinged side, 2, of the galley column groove
is fitted with a removable slip of glass, A7, to allow the column of types to be seen and
any obstruction to be cleared.
The types are successively separated from the bottom of the column of types in the
column groove by a pusher, B1, (Figs. 2, 3, and 3*,) secured to a slide, B2, which is
reciprocated in side guides, b3, by a rod, b', actuated by a cam or eccentric, 65, on the
shaft, N. To prevent the frictional contact of the bottom type, while being pushed
from under the type column, from carrying the next upper type with it, the base
plate, 4, on which the bottom of the galley parts, a, a', rests, and on which the types
as separated from the column groove are delivered, is fitted, on one side of the galley
column groove, with a fixed block, 5, and, on the other side of the column groove,
with a guiding block, 6, serving to locate a series of thin superposed presser plates, 7,
(Figs., 2, 3, 4 and 5,) which accommodate different thicknesses of type, and are step-
cut at their outer ends which are respectively pressed against by springs, 8, (a
separate spring acting on each of the plates,) which, while the lowest type is being
separated from the column by the pusher, B₁, press the plates, 7, inwards of the
column groove and against the next lowermost type or types therein causing the
latter to be retained in position, the presser plates, when the pusher, B, returns,
after having pushed out the lowest type, being collectively withdrawn from pressing
against the types, so as to allow of the descent of the column thereof in the column
groove, by a lever, 9, which is centred on a pin, 10, and is provided with a roller, 11,
bearing against the face of a cam, 12, on the shaft, N, and is connected to a spring, 13,
the lever, when actuated by the cam, acting on a pin, 14, connected with the presser
plates, and collectively withdrawing the same from pressing inwards of the column
groove, and, when actuated by the spring, 13, allowing the springs, 8, to press the
plates inwards of the column groove.
As each type emerges from the column groove, it is steadied and prevented from
jumping or tilting by a light spring, 15, (Figs. 2, 3, 3, and 5,) mounted at the fore
end of a lever, 16, which is centred on a pin, 17, and is provided with a roller, 18,
bearing against the edge of the cam, 12, and is connected to a spring, 19, the spring
end, 15, of the lever, 16, when actuated by the spring, 19, bearing gently on the
emerging type, and, when actuated by the cam, 12, being raised clear of the type
after it has emerged from the type column.
Upon the type being released from the pressure of the steadying spring, 15, it lies
alongside two blocks, 20, and is further held by a spring finger, 21, (Figs. 2, 3, and 5,)
which is centred on a pin, 22, and is borne down on the type by a spring, 23, until
the moment the type is to be acted upon by the selecting mechanism, when the
same movement of the lever, 9, which withdraws the presser plates, 7, and allows the
types to fall in the column groove, also raises the type holding end of the finger, 21,
allowing the type under it to be acted upon by the selecting mechanism, as herein-
after described.
The types as thus separated one by one and at regular intervals from the column
of types in the column groove and received in a horizontal position on the base plate
are then shifted laterally onto a long horizontal platform, F, (Figs. 1, 1, 2, 24, 34,
3, 3, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 7,) which runs parallel with the face of the galley in advance
and laterally thereof, and is narrower than the lengths of the types, and is adapted to
rise and fall as hereinafter described, and along which platform the type so ejected
from the column groove together with any others already on the platform are laterally
shifted step by step by said selecting mechanism until the types are respectively

page_text: shifted into the desired relation to their respective distribution channels, when they
are transferred thereto as also hereinafter described.
The platform, F, is supported by an under bar, 24, which is guided by slots, 25, in
end bearings, pl, forming part of the machine frame, and is connected to springs, 26,
in tension, and is raised by levers, 27, (Figs. 1, 14, 2, 24, 3B, 30, 3D,) which are centred
at 28, in brackets, 29, secured to the machine frame, and are provided with rollers, 30,
bearing against cams, F, on the shaft, H, the cams being timed to raise the platformn
and to keep it raised (as represented in all the figs. referred to in connection with
the platform, excepting Fig. 7) while the types thereon are being shifted along it,
and to allow of the platform being lowered, (Fig. 7) by the springs, 26, for the
transfer of the located types to their respective distribution channels, as here-
inafter described, while the unlocated types are supported by the selecting
mechanism.
The type selecting mechanism (Figs. 1, 14, 34, 38, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 7,) is arranged
above and parallel to the platform, and is formed with a feeler bar, J, and with a
co-acting gripper bar, P. The feeler bar has centred on its back face, as at j¹, a series
of feeler levers, J, the depending ends of which are made each with one or more
prongs, J2, corresponding to the notches of a particular type, and the upper ends of
which are engaged by springs, 32, which encircle the centre pins, 1, and take a bearing
against pins, 33, projecting from the bar. The gripper bar, P, is formed with rigid
jaws, P¹, adapted to act each one in concert with an opposite feeler lever, J'. The
gripper bar is held to the feeler bar by screws, 34, and also by collars, 35, but is
slotted at 36, where the screws, 34, connect the bars, to allow of its receiving a limited
longitudinal movement independently of the feeler bar, and is formed or fitted with
projecting parts, 37, adapted to engage with the upper ends of the feeler levers and
to open the latter apart from the fixed jaws of the gripper bar, in the independent
movement of the gripper bar, in the one direction, and to limit the closing movement
of the feeler levers towards the fixed jaws, which is effected by the springs, 32, in
such movement of the gripper bar in the other direction.
The two bars, J, P, are guided in open slots, 38, made in the end bearings, pl,
with facility of endway and of rising and falling movements together therein, and of
the said independent endway movements of the gripper bar.
The independent endway movement of the gripper bar, in the one direction, serves to
open apart the type selecting mechanism, and the return endway movement of such
bar causes the closing of such mechanism, while the endway movement of the two
bars together, in the one direction, and when the selecting mechanism is closed, and
which is effected while the selecting mechanism is resting on the platform,
serves to traverse the types laterally along the platform away from the galley
column groove, as aforesaid, and the return endway movement of such bars
together, when the selecting mechanism is open, and which is effected when
the selecting mechanism is raised clear above the types resting on the platform,
serves to retrograde the selecting mechanism a step, to repeat its cycle of
movements.
Both the endway movements of the two bars together and the independent endway
movements of the gripper bar, are effected by parts of a groove, 39, in a cam, P³, on
the shaft, H, acting on a roller, 40, applied to the gripper bar, the feeler bar, J, being
held from endway movement, when so required to be, by rims, 41, 42, with which
the cam is formed acting on a roller, 43, applied to such bar, and the outer one of
which runs when acting on such roller and conjointly with the outer or opposite edge
of the groove, 39, acting on the roller, 40, cause the two bars to be positively held
while they are gripping the unlocated types and the platform carrying the located types
is being lowered, so as to avoid any liability of the gripped types being dropped until
the platform has returned to its type receiving level.
The two bars are raised and lowered together, their rising movements being effected
by pairs of compound levers, 45, 46, (Figs. 1, 1, 2, 2ª, 3, 3ª, 3B, 3%, 3D, and 5,) each
pair being operated by a cam, P, on the shaft, H, the primary lever, 45, of each pair

page_text: being centred on a pin, 48, projecting from the machine end frame, p", and carrying
a roller, 49, acted on by the cam, P+, and being provided with a roller, 50, adapted to
engage with the projecting end of the secondary lever, 46, of the pair, which is
centred on a pin, 51, projecting from the machine end frame, and is formed, at its
acting end, with a flattened run, 52, adapted to engage with the underside of a
roller, 53, applied to the gripper bar, P, and to serve as an antifriction bearing to the
two bars, I, J, in their endway movements, both when they are in their raised position
and when they are in their lowered position. The lowering movements of the
bars, P, J, are effected, when the cam, P4, and levers, 45, 46, so allow, by springs, 54,
connecting the bar ends with fixed parts of the machine frame.
In association with the platform there is arranged a type dressing and type
projector bar, Q, (Figs. 2, 24, 3, 30, and 3",) which partakes of the rising and falling
movements of the platform, but has limited independent movements towards the
platform, by one of which, after each lateral shifting of the types along the platform
and while they are not engaged by the selecting mechanism, the types are dressed
between such bar and an opposite fixed bar, Q, and are maintained in position on the
platform until the next engagement of the selecting mechanism therewith, and by
the other of which movements the located types on the lowered platform are projected
therefrom onto the means for traversing them to their respective distribution
channels, as hereinafter described.
The bar, Q, is rubber faced, at 55, to avoid injury to the faces of the types, and
extends almost to the end of the platform, F, (Fig. 2) but does not so extend at the
end adjacent to the galley column groove (Fig. 2,) being replaced, at such end, by a
separate projector bar, 56, hereinafter described.
The bar, Q, rests on brackets, 57, secured to the platform under-bar, 24, and is
held thereto by screws, 58, but is formed with slots, 59, which permit of its receiving
said limited independent movements. The type dressing and the type projecting
movements of the bar, Q1, are caused by cams, Q, on the shaft, H, which work
against rollers, 61, carried in bearings, 62, secured to the adjacent edge of the bar,
the return movements of which latter are effected by springs, 63, connected to
supports, 64, secured to the bar. The fixed bar, Q, is solid in the plane of the raised
position of the platform, but, in the plane of the lowered position of the platform, it
is formed with through openings, 65, which are flared at the entrance and are situate
opposite the respective located types when the platform is lowered, and into which
openings the types are then projected endwise onto the means for transferring them
to their respective distribution channels by a quick jerking movement of the bar, Q¹,
caused by the cams, Qº.
As, however, the spacing types are shorter than the printing types, and would,
consequently, not be dressed and projected by the bar, Q1, and as it is desirable to
speedily eliminate the spacing types to minimize the number of the necessary
selecting actions on the printing types, the spacing types, as the mixed types are
laterally shifted along the platform, are separated from the printing types and
delivered to their respective distribution channels before the printing types are
respectively selected and distributed to their distribution channels.
To effect this, there is arranged opposite the first few of the pairs of feeler
levers, J¹, and grippers, P1, which latter are correspondingly pronged, a like number
of fingers, 66, (Figs. 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, and 5,) which are mounted on a common
spindle, 67, mounted in a, bracket, 68, secured to the machine frame, the fingers
being acted on, so as to hold 'the opposite types on the platform, while the dressing
bar, Q, is dressing the types, on the part of the platform; F, in front of it, by
springs, 69, connected to the bracket, 68, the fingers, 66, being released from such
action, when the types are about to be acted on by the selecting mechanism, by a
cam, 70, on the shaft, H, acting on a roller 71, on an arm, 72, projecting from the
spindle, 67:
The spacing types are felt and selected in like manner as the printing types are so
acted on, the feeler levers and gripping jaws being, however, correspondingly pronged

page_text: as aforesaid so as to engage with either side of the spacing types, but, when located
in respect, to their distribution channels, which are the nearest adjacent to the galley
column groove, they are caused to be removed from the platform when lowered, by an
independent projector, 56, which is mounted on an underbar, 74, connected to guide
rods, 75, working in the bracket, 68, and provided with a roller, 76, and is actuated
by a cam, 77, on the shaft, II, bearing against the roller, 76, and causing the bar, 56,
to sweep partly over the platform, when in its lowered position, with a quick motion
and to jerk the located spacing types from off the platform onto the means by which
they are transferred to their respective distribution channels, the return movements
of the bar, 56, being effected, when the cam, 77, so allows, by springs, 78, connected
to standards, 79, rising from the bracket.
At a lower level and rearward of the platform, F, is arranged a travelling band, ',
(Figs. 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 30, and 3",) supported by rollers, K, both of which are con-
tinuously driven from the shaft, H, by gearing, 80, the gear wheels applied to the
roller spindles, 12, being carried by adjustable plates, 81, secured to one of the end
bearings, p.
To minimize the effect of any inequalities of tension or elasticity of the band, and
to cause the band, , to carry the types rectilineally backward to their respective
distribution channels, the band is formed in two or more sections as regards its
length, and each such section is adapted at each of its ends with a jockey roller, 82,
mounted in end bearings, 83, the elevation of which can be adjusted by adjusting
screws, 84.
At a still lower level and rearward of the band, , is arranged the series of dis-
tribution channels, L, (Figs. 2, 24, 3, 3, 30, and 3) into which the types are
distributed, each serving only to receive the particular denomination of type allowed
by the feeler proper to it to fall with the platform.
Between the delivery end of the band, 1, and the entrances of the respective
distribution channels, L; is arranged a grill, 85, (Figs. 2, 2, 3, 3", and 30,) having
divisions, 86, formning between them inclined channels, 87, having flared inlets in
alignment respectively with the distribution channels which are closed at the back
by a removable back plate, 96.
The channels, L, are made in movable type trays supported by the machine fraine
or a table and by which the distributed types can be transferred to a composing
machine or from which they can be lifted to the channels of the trays of a composing
machine.
The pitch of the fixed jaws and of the feeler jaws of the type selecting mechanism,
and of the endway movements of the feeler and gripper bars together, and of the
through openings in the bar, Q, and of the inclined channels in the grill, 85, and of
the distribution channels, L, is the same throughout, and the delivering positions of
the type selecting mechanism, the through openings in the bar, Q, the inclined
channels of the grill, and the distribution channels are respectively in the same
vertical planes, so that the located types, when lowered by the platform, are in
alignment with and with their lower ends towards their respective distribution
channels, into which they are advanced, in the direction of their length, by the
travelling band without liability of shifting out of position.
Below the level of the travelling band and running parallel therewith and in the
horizontal plane of the distribution channels is arranged a bar, L3, (Figs. 1, 14, 2, 24,
34, 3, and 3) provided, on its back face, with a series of vertical pushers, L, each
in alignment with one of the distribution channels, L, and connected, on its front
face, to rods, 88, guided in bearings, 89, secured to the machine frame, the rods
being acted on by levers, LA, centred at p12, to the bearings, 89, and provided with
rollers, 213, acted on by cams, LP, on the shaft, II, so as to cause the pushers to be
projected into the adjacent ends of the type distribution channels (as represented in
all of said figs.) and to push thereinto any types which have fallen therein to make
space for following types, the return of the pushers being caused, when the cams, L³,
so allow, by springs, 90, connected to the bar, L³, and to the bearings, 89.

page_text: By such improved means, as each type is deposited as aforesaid from the galley
column groove onto the base-plate, 4, the type selecting mechanism is raised and
retrograded a step, after its last preceding movement in laterally advancing the
gripped and the ungripped types a step along the platform away from the galley
column groove, whereby the first feeler lever and fixed jaw are brought over the type
lastly deposited on the base plate, whereupon the selecting mechanism is lowered to
the level of the platform with the feeler levers and the co-acting jaws apart (Fig. 7,)
and the gripper bar is then shifted longitudinally so as to carry its jaws towards the
back sides of any types resting on the platform and on the base plate, and so as to
allow the springs, 32, to cause the feeler levers to feel the types on their front
notched sides, and, in combination with the fixed jaws to grip all types the notches
of which do not correspond with the prongs of the feeler levers acting thereon, while
all types the notches of which correspond with the feeler levers acting thereon are
not so gripped owing to the feeler prongs entering such notches but not to the full
depth thereof owing to the motion of the feeler levers being limited by the
projections, 37, of the gripper bar, such latter types being consequently left on the
platform between the jaws and feelers but not gripped thereby. Thereupon, the feeler
and gripper bars are together shifted a step endwise away from the galley column groove,
thereby laterally advancing both the gripped and the ungripped types a step along
the platform, which latter then and together with the ungripped and located types
resting thereon is lowered, and, as it descends, the projector bar, Q, is rapidly moved
by the cams, Q², against the ends of the types resting on the platform and jerks the
types endwise across the platform and sufficiently over its rear edge for them to be
frictionally acted on by the band, ¹, and. thereby drawn from off the platform,
carried rearwardly and turned erect into the ends of their respective distribution
channels. Thereupon, the platform again rises to its type receiving level, whereupon,
the gripped types supported by the selecting mechanism are again released thereon
by a reverse lateral movement of the gripper bar in relation to the feeler bar, by the
cam groove, 39, acting on the roller, 40, and the two bars are then together raised
by the cams, P, and are together retrograded laterally towards the galley column
groove, by the cain groove, 39, acting on the roller, 40, in readiness for a repetition
of the above described cycle of operations.
The shaft, H, is fitted with a driving pulley, 91, and with a clutch, 92, operated
by a hand lever, 93, for throwing the pulley into and out of gear with the shaft, H,
and with a clutch, 94, operated by a hand lever, 95, for throwing the countershaft, N,
into and out of gear with the shaft, H.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
In automatic type distributing apparatus of the character aforesaid :-
(1) The herein before described improved arrangement and combination of parts
for holding the lower types of the column of types in the galley column groove while
the lowermost one is being separated therefrom and controlling the types as they are
individually separated from the column of types until they are taken under the
control of the type selecting mechanism.
(2) The herein before described improved arrangement and combination of parts
for selecting the types and for actuating the type selecting mechanism.
(3) The herein before described improved arrangement and combination of parts
for dressing the printing types on the rising and falling platform when in its raised
position and for projecting such located types beyond its rear edge when in its
lowered position and for actuating the type dressing and projecting mechanism.
(4) The hereinbefore described means for separating the spacing types from the
printing types prior to distributing the latter.
(5) The hereinbefore described improved arrangement and combination of parts
for raising and lowering the platform on which the types are dressed and along which
they are laterally shifted by the type selecting mechanism.

page_text: (6) The herein before described improved arrangement and combination of parts
for transferring the types from the platform when in its lowered position and guiding
them to their respective distribution channels.
Dated this 21st day of Tanuary 1800
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Chartered Patent Agents, 321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.