IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPE
Year: 1865

page_text: Sealed the 31st October 1865, and dated the 4th May 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Mackie, Henry
Garside, and James Salmon at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 4th May 1865.
We, ALEXANDER MACKIE, of Warrington, Newspaper Proprietor, HENRY
5 GARSIDE, of Manchester, Machinist, and JAMES SALMON, of Manchester,
Printer's Engineer, all in the County of Lancaster, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR DISTRIBUTING
PRINTING TYPE," to be as follows:-
The type to be distributed according to our Invention is prepared so that
each type will have a ratchet notch in one edge, this notch for the same
character of type being made at the same distance from one end of the type,
and for every different letter or character of type the ratchet notch is made
at a different distance from the end of the type. We take type thus prepared

page_text: in line, as it is arranged for printing, when the ratchet notches will be all in
one direction, and then, by acting upon all the ratchet notches which come in
the same straight line, we simultaneously separate all the types of the same
character or letter by one movement, and by making in succession as many
movements as there are types of different letters or characters in the line
operated upon all the types in such line will be completely distributed.
The mechanism and arrangements by which our Invention is carried out
consists of a table having a ledge at one side, on this table the type is placed
in line, so that its face will come close against the ledge, the ratchet notches
formed in the type being upwards. Opposite to the ledge of the table a series
of fine spring needles are placed side by side, and as close together as possible,
allowing independent movement to each, the lengthway of the needles being
at a right angle to the ledge of the table. These spring needles are connected
with a frame, which by cam action is caused to move to and fro in the direction
of their length, so that their points (which come all in the same straight
line) will be simultaneously brought against the ends of the type after each
selection, the elastic pressure of the needle points causing the ends of the type
to be forced against the ledge upon the side of the table. Parallel to the line
of the type a bar is arranged in suitable slides, so that a reciprocating motion
can be imparted to it, and to this bar fine elastic needles are secured side by
side, and as close as possible without interfering with the independent action
of each, the ends of these needles terminating in the same straight line exactly
parallel to the ledge upon the table. The bar carrying the fine needles can
be turned on an axis, so that the points of the needles can be pressed upon
the upper edge of the line of type to be operated upon, or lifted away there-
from, as may be required. When motion is given to the needle bar the points
of all the needles pressing upon the type will slide over it except those needles
which come over type having notches, which notched type will be con-
sequently pushed forward and separated from the rest of the line of the type,
the presser needle frame retiring to allow them to fall from the table. The
needle bar has a uniform reciprocating motion, but the position of this move-
ment is changed at every reciprocation by a cam screw or other equivalent,
so that at the first movement of the needle bar, after a line of type has been
placed upon the table, the points of the needles only just come back suffi-
ciently to catch those types which have their notches at the greatest. distance
from the face end of the type or ledge of the table, and at the succeeding
movement the needle bar is moved back sufficiently to cause the end of the
selecting needles to take the types having the next set of notches, and so on
till the whole of the types in the line are distributed. The types, when sepa-

page_text: rated from the line operated upon are pushed on to a part connected with
the table, and this part is hinged so that by cam action the type upon it will
drop into a box below having a separate division for each kind of type, this
box being arranged in a frame so as to move to and fro, and it is actuated by
being connected by geering with the mechanism adjusting the position of the
needle bar after each reciprocation, so that each division of the box will
correspond to each position of the needle bar, and consequently when the
needle bar is about to make the first selection from a line of type the first
division of the box will be under the spout into which the type is discharged
ready to receive them. The type to be distributed may be placed in the
machine in column, or in a series of columns, side by side, and line after line
may be slided from the end of the columus on to the table, to be then slided
upon the table till opposite the selecting needles. The table may be partly
dispensed with, and the column of type may be made to form its own table,
being so arranged as to be lifted by pistons or their equivalents after each line.
has been distributed. When the type to be distributed is formed of several
classes of types, and the steps between the ratchet notches becomes too fine,
then the ratchet notches are reversed in direction, and the type is turned end
for end before being subjected to the action of the selecting needles. In some
cases it may be thought advisable to omit the distribution of some portions of
type, which may be left on the table at the end of each series of selections, so
as to be pushed to one side by the next line of type to be operated upon, and
as this type accumulates it may be removed from the table.
In some cases,
where there are several classes of type, the same character in each class may
have the distributing ratchet notches in the same position, but before such
mixed classes of type can be distributed it must be separated into its different.
classes by means of special notches arranged for this purpose, which notches
are reversed notches formed at one end of the type, when the distributing.
notches are at the other end of the type. When a line of this mixed type is
brought upon the table the type is separated into classes, and each class is
slided to one side and received removed from the table in line, and the type is
thus classed, and it is afterwards put upon the table reversed end for end and
then distributed, as herein-before described; or the classing notches may be
made on that side of the type opposite to that on which the distributing notches
are placed; and the type, when classed, is removed in line and then turned
over before being fed into the machine again for distribution.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexander Mackie, Henry Garside, and James Salmon, in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th November 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ALEXANDER
MACKIE, of Warrington, Newspaper Proprietor, HENRY GARSIDE, of Man-
chester, Machinist, and JAMES SALMON, of Manchester, Printer's Engineer, all.
in the County of Lancaster, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Alexander Mackie, Henry Garside, and James Salmon, Her special
license that we, the said Alexander Mackie, Henry Garside, and James
Salmon, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the
said Alexander Mackie, Henry Garside, and James Salmon, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any 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 PRINTING
TYPE," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Alexander
Mackie, Henry Garside, and James Salmon, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us,
should particularly 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 we, the said Alexander Mackie, Henry Garside,
and James Salinon, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement and accompanying Drawings
(that is to say) :-
The type to be distributed, according to our Invention, is prepared so that
each type will have a ratchet notch in one edge or side, the notch for the
same character of type being made at the same distance from one end of the
type, and for every different letter or character of type the ratchet notch is
made at a different distance from the end of the type. We take type thus
prepared in line, as it is arranged for printing, and then by acting upon all the

page_text: ratchet notches which come in the same straight line, we simultaneously sepa-
rate all the type of the same letter or character by one movement, and by
making in succession as many movements as there are type of different letters
or characters in the line operated upon, all the type in such line will be com-
pletely distributed.
The mechanism and arrangements by which our Invention is carried out
consists of a table having a ledge at one side, and on this table the type is
placed in line, so that its face or end will come close against the ledge, the
ratchet notches formed in the type being upwards. Opposite to the edge of
the table a series of fine needles are placed side by side and as close together
as possible, allowing independent movement to each, the lengthway of the
needles being at a right angle to the ledge of the table. These needles can
move in the direction of their length to and from the table, so that their
points may be brought simultaneously against the end of the type when placed
upon the table, and these needles are either held against the type by friction
or spring action, the pressure of which can be removed at each selection or
separation from the line of type, or when the needles are held by friction they
may be pushed back by the type as it is separated. Parallel to the line of
type upon the table a bar is arranged in suitable slides, so that a recipro-
cating motion can be imparted to it, and to this bar fine elastic needles (or
their equivalents) are secured side by side, and as close as possible without.
interfering with the independent action of each, the ends of these needles
terminating in the same straight line exactly parallel to the ledge upon the
table. This bar, carrying the fine needles, can be turned on an axis, so that
the points of the needles can be pressed upon the upper edge of the line of
type to be operated upon or lifted away therefrom as may be required.. When
motion is given to the needle slide bar the points of all the needles pressing
upon the type will slide over it, except those needles coming over type having
notches, which will consequently be pushed forward and separated from the
rest of the type. The needle slide bar has an uniform reciprocating motion,
but the position of this movement is changed at every reciprocation by a
screw, cam, or other equivalent, so that at the first movement of the needle
bar, after a line of type has been placed upon the table, the points of the
needles only just come back sufficiently to catch those types which have their
notches at the greatest distance from the face end of the type or the ledge of
the table, and at the succeeding movement the needle bar is moved back suffi-
ciently to cause the ends of the selecting needles to take the type having the
next set of notches, and so on till the whole of the type in the line are dis-
tributed. The type when separated from the line operated upon are pushed

page_text: on to a part connected with the table, and this part is hinged, so that by cam
action the type upon it will drop into a box below having a separate division
for each kind of type; this box being arranged in a frame so as to be moved
to and fro, and it is actuated after each reciprocation of the needle bar, so
that each division of the box will correspond to each position of the needle
bar, and consequently when the needle bar is about to make the first selection
from a line of type, the first division of the box will be under the spout into
which the type is to be discharged ready to receive them. The type to be dis-
tributed may be placed at the side of the machine in column or in a series of
columns (side by side) and line after line'may' be slided from the end of the
'columns on to a prolongation from the table of the machine, to be then slided
endways till opposite the selecting needles. When the type to be distributed
is formed of several classes of type, and the steps between the ratchet notches
become too fine, then the ratchet notches are reversed in direction, and the
type, after being subjected to the action of the selecting needles, is removed
from the table and turned end for énd before being acted upon again by the
selecting needles. Or a double machine is used, with the selecting needles in
one machine reversed in direction to those of the other machine, the tables of
both machines being on the same line and level, so that when a line of type
has been operated upon in one machine, it may be pushed along the table so
as to be operated upon by the selecting needles of the second machine. In
some cases where there are several classes of type, the same character in
each (if so arranged) may have the distributing notches in the same position,
but before such mixed classes of type can be distributed, it must be separated
into its different classes by means of special notches arranged for this purpose,
which notches are reversed notches formed at one end of the type, when the
distributing notches are at the other end of the type. When a line of this
type is placed upon the table the type is separated into classes, and each class
is slided to one side and removed-from-the table in-line, and each class of
type is afterwards put upon the table reversed end for end, and distributed as
herein-before described; or the classing notches may be made on that side of
the type opposite to that on which the distributing notches are placed, and
the type when classed is removed in line, and then turned over before
being fed to the machine for distribution. In some cases it may be thought
advisable to omit the distribution of some portions of type which may be left
upon the table at the end of each series of selections, so as to be pushed to
one side by the next line of type to be operated upon, and as this type accu-
mulates it may be removed from the table.
! We will now proceed to describe more fully the nature of our Invention,

page_text: and the manner in which it may be carried into effect by assistance of the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 2 a plan view of a machine
according to one modification of our Invention.
A, the side frames of the machine, to which are secured the cross bearers
(A'), supporting a longitudinal bearer (A2) that carries the stand (A³)
upon which the slide is fitted for actuating the selecting needle bar. This
slide (a) is of the usual construction, being fitted to the top of the stand (A³),
so as to slide freely to and fro without lateral play, and to its end is jointed a
rod (a¹) connected with an excentric (a) secured upon a shaft (b)
supported on stands (61) as shewn, and by rotating this shaft (6) the
slide (a) receives an uniform reciprocating motion. Upon the slide (a)
another slide (c) is fitted, so as to be free to move in the same direction,
and this slide (c) has motion imparted to it by a screw (c¹) which has
its bearing in a stand (c) secured to the slide (a). This screw (c¹) is
fitted so as to rotate, but is made so as to be free from end movement by
means of a collar on one side of its bearing and the boss of the ratchet
wheel (c) o
on the other side of the bearing, which is brought close against
the side of the stand (c) by a set screw (c) the ratchet wheel being pre-
vented from rotating upon the end of the screw (c¹) by a key as shewn.
This screw (c¹) enters a nut (c) secured to the slide (c), and play in
the screw thread is checked by a nut (c) secured by screws to the side of the
nut (), which is fastened to the slide (c). The screw (c) is rotated
by a ratchet pawl (c) jointed on a stand (3) secured to the bearer (A2).
This ratchet pawl (c) has a breadth rather more than the length of recipro-
cation given to the slide (a) by the excentric (a2), so that it rests against the
ratchet wheel (c) in every part of its movement, and the end of the pawl is
bevilled to an extent equal to one tooth of the ratchet, so that when the slide
(c) is moving back towards the excentric that tooth of the ratchet in geer with
the pawl will be slided along its bevilled edge, and consequently the ratchet
(c³) and screw (c¹) will have movement imparted to them intermittently, the
pawl taking hold of the next tooth of the ratchet on the back movement of
the slide (a). An adjustable screw (c) is arranged to screw through a pro-
jection from the slide (a) so that its end will come in contact with a pin (c*)
projecting from the slide (c) when this slide has been screwed back to a
sufficient extent, this stop arrangement being for the purpose of setting the
slide to the correct position at the commencement of the distribution of each
line of type. Upon the slide (c) a stand (d') is secured which carries screw
centres (d) in which the selecting needle bar (d) is suspended. The selecting.

page_text: needles (d³) are placed side by side, and as close together as possible, upon
the ledge of the bar (d), and their ends are secured by a piece (d') pressed
against the ends of the needles and fastened to the bar (d) by screws (d³).
The selecting needles project from the bar (d) (a few at each end of the bar
are only shown in Fig. 2) and are sufficiently elastic to give way when resting
upon the type (a), as shown in Fig. 7, the bar (d) being weighted sufficiently
by the weights (d) to bend the needles when resting upon the type, so that
those needles coming over notches in the type will enter them and push such
from the line of type upon the table when the slide (a) moves forward. In
the centre of the bar (d) a pin (d') is screwed (as shown) and secured by a
lock nut; the end of this pin rests upon the slide (c) as shown, and prevents
the bar (d) from descending too low. The bar (d) is also supported upon the
upper end of the pin (7) on being turned back so as to be out of the way
when placing type upon the table. A thin piece of metal (d) is secured
upon the under side of the bar (d) so that its edge will come over and just
clear the type (x) upon the table, as shown, which prevents those type which
are pushed out by the selecting needles (d³) from lifting at their back ends.
A4 is a stand which extends across the machine, its upper surface carrying the
table (e) upon which the type (x) is placed, the table having a ledge (e¹) at
one side against which the ends of the type come. To one edge of the table
(e) a receiving table (f) is hinged on screw centres (as shown) and this
receiving table is actuated by a cam (f¹) upon the shaft (b), the cam acting
upon a bowl carried upon the end of a rod (f) sliding in bearings in the
stand (A 4) and in a stand (A) as shown; one end of the rod is square and
passes through a square hole to prevent the rod from turning round, and this
end of the rod comes against a rib upon the under side of the receiving table.
The weight of the receiving table is sufficient to push back the sliding rod (f³)
and keep its bowl against the cam (¹). This cam (f¹) is shaped and
arranged to move the receiving table (f) so that its upper surface will come
"flush" with the surface of the table (e) when the slide (a) begins its move-
ment to push out the type, and the receiving table remains in this position
during this movement, when the cam allows the table to fall into the position
in which it is shown in Fig. 1. where it remains till a little before the next
forward movement of the slide (a). A 6 is a bearer passing between the side
frames (A), to which a bracket (A') is secured, carrying at its upper end the
box in which the pressing needles are arranged. This box (g¹) is formed in
two parts and the presser needles pass between them, as shewn in Fig. 1.
The presser needles are formed of thin flat pieces of metal with rounded edges,
and the two edges of the box (9) are grooved so that there will be one groove

page_text: for each needle to keep the needles at a slight distance apart, just sufficient
to give room for independent movement in each. In the upper half of the
box (g) an opening is made to receive a bar (g¹), under which one or more
folds of leather or other suitable material is placed to give adhesion upon the
needles (h), and a corresponding piece of similar material is placed below the
needles, as shewn. Above the bar (9¹) another bar (93) is placed, secured at
each end to the top of the cross bracket (A'), and in this bar adjusting
screws (93) are placed, as shown, so that the friction upon the needles may be
regulated. The presser needles (h) are placed at such level as to come just
opposite the ends of the type (a) upon the table (c), and the friction upon the
presser needles is not more than the selecting needles (d³) can easily over-
come when pushing out the type. The presser needles (h) are all of the
same length, and their outer ends are acted upon by a bar (k) simultaneously
when their inner ends are to be pushed against the ends of the type upon
the table (e). The ends of the bar (k) rest upon slide ways (¹) carried by
brackets (A), and it is pushed forward parallel to the ledge (e¹) upon the
table (e) by a shaft (²) in bearings carried on the brackets (A'), as shown,
this shaft (2) having two arms (3) fixed upon it, as shown, which come
against the edge of the bar (k) when the shaft (k³) is turned upon its axis by
means of the handle (4), shewn in Fig. 2, and in dotted line in Fig. 1.
When the type is pushed out by the selecting neeilles the bar () is pushed
back (being free) by the presser needles (4), this bar being prevented by the
pins (4) which are fixed in the slide ways (¹) from being pushed too far
back so as to get off the slides. The pressure needles are not placed with
their flat sides perfectly vertical, but are inclined at an angle of about fifteen
degrees from the vertical position, and when so placed the type forced out by
the selecting needles will push back a greater number of presser needles than
the same type (which is vertical) would do if the flat sides of the presser
needles were vertical in position, and consequently there will be more space
between the presser needles for the type to pass through when pushed on to
the receiving table. To assist the passage of the type between the presser
needles the brush (1) is used; it is mounted upon arms (1) fixed upon a
shaft (1) carried in bearings formed in the brackets (A), this shaft (1³)
having an arm (1) at one end to which one end of a rod (14) is jointed,
as shown, the other end of the rod sliding in a bearing carried by a
bracket (A) upon the side frame, and the rod (1) at this end is provided
with a bowl that works against a cam (15) upon the shaft (b). The bowl is
kept against the cam (15) by 1 spring (1) which encircles the rod, and has
one abutment against a piece (17) secured to the bracket (A'), and the other.
a

page_text: against a collar fixed upon the rod. The cam (15), is formed and arranged upon
the shaft (b) to cause the brush to descend sharply upon the presser needles
and upon the type pushed out by the selecting needles when the receiving
table (f) has fallen into the position shewn in Fig. 1, then the cam causes
the brush () to ascend into the position shewn in Fig. 1, and to remain in
this position until the receiving table (f) is again lowered, when the next
series of type is pushed out. When the type fall from the receiving table
they enter a hopper (m), which conducts them to that division in the carriage
or frame below which comes under the spout. This carriage is formed by a
board (n), and is divided by thin pieces of metal into as many compartments
as there are characters of type to be distributed by the machine. Each edge
of the board (n) has a metal rail (n¹) secured to its side, and the lower edges
of these rails project below the board, and run in the grooves of pulleys (n²),
placed on studs (n³), fixed in the sides (A). Ledges are secured to the
sides (A) to keep the board from lifting. The upper edge of one of the rails
has ratched notches formed in it, as shown, which are acted upon by a retaining
pawl (2) jointed on a stud in the side frame, and a pushing pawl (n) jointed
upon a lever (n), having its fulcrum at (n'), the free end of this lever being
jointed with one end of a rod (28), the other end of which embraces an eccentric
(2) upon the shaft (6), set to give the forward pushing movement during the
back movement of the selecting needle bar (d), so as to move the board (n) for-
ward one division for each revolution of the shaft (b). To one end of the board (n)
a pin (n) is secured, and to this a cord is attached, which at the other end of
the frame passes over a pulley (P), as shown, a weight being suspended to
the end of the cord, sufficient to drag the board in that direction, when both
the pawls ( and n³) are lifted from the teeth in the rail, till a stop (p¹) at
the end of the board comes against a projection on the side frame (A), and
this takes place when the end division marked (1) is immediately under the
spout (m). The type have ratchet notches, as shown by those (a) repre-
sented in the table (e) in Fig. 1, the notch for each different character being
placed at a different position measured from the end of the type. A few type
are shewn on the table in Fig. 2, with the notches in each case stepping
further back from the end of the type. The table (e) for the type is prolonged
on each side of the selecting needles (but this is not shewn in the Drawings),
and the type is placed upon this projecting part of the table in line with
the notches upwards, ready to be slided along the table until it is opposite the
selecting needles.
The mode of using the machine is as follows:-The selecting bar (d) is
turned back out of the way, a piece is then slided across the table, one edge

page_text: of this piece being kept close to the ledge (e¹) the opposite edge of the piece
is inclined, the greatest width of the piece being rather more than the length
of the type; this piece acts upon the ends of the presser needles, and forces
back any that may be left projecting, then the same piece is used to slide the
type which is already placed upon the projecting part of the table opposite to
the selecting needles, then the handle (*) is pulled, and the bar (Z) forces all
the presser needles (h) forward against the end of the type (a); the ratchet
wheel (c) is now turned back till the stop (c*) comes against the set
screw (c), and the pawl (c) is then left resting upon the ratchet wheel, and
then the selecting needle bar (d) is turned forward into the position in which
it is shewn in the Drawing, when the ends of the selecting needles will rest
upon the type, the pawls (n and n³) are lifted to allow the weight to pull the
type receiving board (n) back to the stop, and then the distribution com-
mences by turning the handle (62), shewn in dotted line, Fig. 1;) when those
types having their notches nearest the presser needles will be pushed out first,
and at the same time will push back the presser needles acting upon their
ends, which will thus form a gap between the presser needles, through which
the type can pass when they are fully pushed out, at which time the receiving
table (f) falls, and the brush (1) makes its descent to force the type through the
gaps, should it tend to stick fast, and it falls down into the division under the.
spout, and while the selecting bar is going back, the ratchet pawl acts to
screw back the slide (c), and the pawl (n) to advance the type receiving
board (n) one division, and so on, till the selecting needles have passed across
the type, when such type as are not intended to be distributed are left upon
the table to be slided away on to the prolongation of the table on the side
opposite to that at which the type is slided on to the table. If the type left
are intended to be distributed by the machine, they may have ratchet notches
inclined in a reversed. direction to those of the type already distributed, in
which case it will be seen that the selecting needles cannot act upon them,
but will slide over their notches, they may then be reversed end for end,
placed opposite the selecting needles; and distributed.
In place of the screw (c¹), a cam (c¹) may be substituted, as shewn in.
Fig. 3, which is a detached side view of part of the stand (A³), and of the
slides (a) and (c). The shaft (2) for the cam (c) is mounted in bearings,
as shown, so as to be free from end movement, and a projection q from the
slide (c) is made to come against the path of the cam, and is kept against
the cam by a spring (9'), secured to a pin in the slide (c) at one end, and to
a pin in the slide (a) at the other end. The shaft (1) is rotated by a level-
ended pawl, similar to that (c) herein-before described, except that the incline'

page_text: is made so as to give less movement, the shaft making only one revolution
for one series of selections, so that the cam comes back in one revolution to
the correct position for the next series of selections, thus dispensing with the
necessity for turning back and for the re-adjusting stops (c and c*). Fig. 4
is a diagram of the path of the cam in a straight line. When the incline
of the cam attains the highest point it is brought back by the spring (¹) to
its first commencement into steps, which give notice when to cease turning
the handle (6). The machine may be of any convenient width, sub-
stituting longer slides (a' and c), or a series of slides (a and c), all actuated
by excentrics from the same shaft (6), and baving the screws (c¹), or cams (c¹)
connected and geered together, as will be understood by a competent mechanic.
The arrangement of the presser needles (h), as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 is
not intended to be used when the type spaces are to be distributed along with
the type.
Fig. 5 is a detached sectional view of an arrangement of presser neeilles
adapted to act upon type and spaces when they are to be distributed. The
letters and figures of reference upon this Figure will explain those parts in it
which have been herein-before described.
In place of the friction box (g), a bar (9) is substituted to guide the needles,
which can slide freely through it till they come against the ends of the type
upon the table (e) or pass into the spaces which may have been left between
the type on the table. These presser needles will be seen are not straight
flat needles, but are bent into the form shown by dotted line, the lower ends
of the needles (h) being held by means of screw clamps (h¹) and a bar (h²)
against the edge of the cross bearer (A) as shown, a piece of elastic material
being interposed between the bar (2) and the needles. The lower ends of
the needles are elastic, and are springed so as to force the horizontal parts of
the needles towards the ends of the type upon the table.
In using this arrangement of presser needles, a bar (h³) is made to extend
from side to side, and it is mounted on two arms (one at each end) centered
on fulcrums at (h 4), and to each of the two arms (h 5) carrying the bar one
end of a rod is jointed, the other end working in a sliding bearing, having
fitted to it a bowl which comes against a cam upon the shaft (6), each cam
being shaped and arranged to act upon the bar (h³), so as to bring it in
contact with all the spring needles, and to begin to withdraw their ends from
the ends of the type when the type selected by the needles (d³) are about half
pushed out, the bar (3) being actuated so as to have pushed back the spring
presser needles to the fullest extent by the time the type are fully pushed on.
to the receiving table (f) holding the presser needles back for a moment. to.

page_text: give time for the type to fall, then allowing the needles gradually to go back
against the ends of the type ready for the next selection, when these move-
ments are repeated. In this case the brush (6) shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is not
required.
Instead of forcing back all the spring presser needles by cam action, those
only may be withdrawn or held back that are pushed out by the type; this is
accomplished by bending the needles with a projection, as shown in dotted
line, and in arranging a bar (*) above the needles to oscillate in an arc (as
shewn in dotted line), the bar (*) escaping the projections when the ends of
the needles are against the end of the type, but catching and taking those
which are pushed out by the type at each selection, and holding the needles
back till the type have dropped through the spaces between the presser needles.
In this case the brush (1) will be required to make the type fall with certainty.
Fig. 6 shows another arrangement of presser needles, being a modification
of that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by which the presser needles may be made to
act upon type and spaces. 9' is a guide through which the presser needles
pass; k, a fixed bar, and g the friction box arranged to slide to and fro. It
may be moved by a shaft and arms similar to that (2) shown by Figs. 1 and 2,
but with connecting rods jointed at one end to the arms (³), and at the other
end to the slide box (9). It will now be seen that if the box (9) is moved
towards the bar (k) the presser needles (h) will be carried with it till their
ends come against the bar (k), then they will be forced through the box (g)
and when the box is moved in the opposite direction, the presser needles will
be carried with it till their ends come against the ends of the type, or their
ends will pass into the spaces between the type upon the table, should there
be any. If desired, the friction box (9) may be actuated so as to slide to and
fro once for each selection, so as to withdraw all the presser needles after each
selection in the same way as the bar (h³) withdraws the spring presser needles
as explained in reference to Fig. 5, the friction box (9) being actuated by a
cam or cams.
Fig. 7 shows another arrangement of the presser needles, in which they are
actuated by rotating grooved or other rollers; all the presser needles in this
arrangement may be made of the same length, but to obtain spaces sufficient
between them, they are made in series of four, placed side by side, so that
every fourth presser needle will have a projection on one edge beyond the
central part of the needle, at a different part, as shown. The presser needles
(h) rest upon three grooved rollers (r) extending across the machine, and
their upper edges are acted upon by two grooved rollers (r) arranged midway
over the spaces between the three lower rollers. The rollers have bearings on

page_text: the side frames, and the upper rollers are pressed down by set screws (1)
acting upon caps (2) pressing upon the bearings of the rollers (as shown), so
that each individual needle will press by its elasticity against its groove in the
rollers.
Fig. 8 is a cross section through part of the presser needles, and shows the
manner in which the needles are acted upon by the grooved rollers (7). The
rollers are all geered together by toothed wheels, as shown by the dotted pitch
lines. By turning one of the rollers in one direction they will all act to draw
back the presser needles from the type, by turning in the other direction the
presser needles will all be pressed against the ends of the type, or they will
pass into the spaces between the type. The friction of the rollers (1) upon
the presser needles is regulated by the set screws (r¹), so as not to be greater
than that which the selecting needles can overcome in pusliing back the type,
the presser needles in this case being pushed back through the grooves of the
rollers. The rollers may be actuated by a cam on the shaft (b) acting
through a rod connected with a ratchet pawl lever, centered on the end of one
of the rollers, the pawl acting upon a ratchet wheel secured on the end of the
same roller, so that the rollers will have a movement to force the presser
needles towards the type after each selection, by which means the spaces in
the line of type upon the table will be constantly filled up, which will prevent
the type remaining upon the table from falling on one side by accident. The
rollers may be actuated so as to have a forward and backward movement at
each selection if required, a bar (k) being used as in Fig. 6, to prevent the
needles from being taken too far back.
When sorting type into classes before distribution, the receiving table (ƒ)
is fixed so that its' surface is "flush" with the table (e). The type having class
notches, as herein-before explained, is acted upon, and after the first class has
been pushed out of the line by the selecting needles, all the other presser
needles are withdrawn, then the type upon the receiving table are slided off it
in line; these operations being repeated till the type is all classed, the type
so classed may be slided forward in their order on to the table of another
machine placed at the side of the first machine, but with the ledge and
selecting needles reversed, if the classing notches were reversed notches. Then
each class of type will occupy a separate portion of the table of the second
machine, and the spout (m) and divisions on the board (n), (see Figs. 1 and 2)
will have as many divisions in the width as there are classes, the spout and
division for each class being immediately under its class upon the table, then
the distribution begins and proceeds as herein-before described.
We have now particularly described the nature of our Invention, and the

page_text: manner in which it may be carried into effect, and wish it to be understood
that the details of our Invention may be modified considerably without
departing from its peculiar features, and we claim as our Invention the system
or mode of distributing type, and the machinery for carrying the same into
effect, and its mode of action, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Henry Garside and James Salmon, on
our own behalf and on behalf of the said Alexander Mackie, have here-
unto set our hands and seals, this Second day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
Witness,
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.
JAMES SALMON. (L.S.)