IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I, ALEXANDER FRASER, of Canonmills Lodge, Edinburgh, in the County of
Mid Lothian, North Britain, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS to be as
follows:-
"
My said Invention relates to type distributing apparatus of the kind described
in the Specifications of Patents granted to me and officially numbered 1812 of
1875 and 3055 of 1877 and has principally for its objects to improve and simplify
the construction and action of various details, and to facilitate the adjusting of the
apparatus for types of various founts or sizes.
In apparatus of the kind referred to the types to be distributed are in a line
which, may or may not be formed by separating lines successively from a column,
and are moved horizontally along a groove at the forward or front end of which
they are moved one by one through a side opening or mouth, whence they drop
down a distributing plane which by means of switches and grooves guides them to
their proper positions at the bottom of the plane. From the bottom of the distri-
buting plane the types are pushed into grooves in movable trays in which they are
transferred to type composing apparatus. The operator reads the types or a proof
of them and by depressing finger keys adjusts the switches to suit the types as
they successively reach the mouth of the line groove, each depression of a key not
only adjusting the switches but also effecting other required actions. The terminal
grooves at the bottom of the distributing plane are arranged in sections or divisions
with the types of each section all nearly alike in size; and in connection with
these terminal grooves there are minor switches, whilst grooves above these minor
switches and leading cach down to a section have major or section switches at
their upper ends and are adjusted to guide each type as it enters the distributing
plane.
A part of my present improvements deals with the mouthpiece, by which the
opening is adjusted to the thickness of each type, and with the pusher by which
each type is pushed sideways through the mouth, the arrangement of the parts
being simplified and the adjusting action fendered more direct. The mouthpiece.
is hinged and has applied to it a spring which tends to move it to the position
proper for the thinnest type, whilst it is adjusted for other thicknesses by the

page_text: .
action of certain bars on screw pins which are screwed through it and are adjustable
for different founts of type. The screw pins project on the outer or front side of
the mouth piece and the bars which act on them are placed horizontally across the
front end of the line groove. Each bar excepting one is made with a notch one
side of which is inclined, and acts on the corresponding screw pin when the bar is
moved. The pusher consists of two parts one of which acts on the thinnest types
and is made with a thin part projecting in front of the type to avoid friction on
the type, whilst the other part moves with the first when the thicker types have
to be acted on. The parts of the pusher are acted on by the same horizontal bars
which act on the mouthpiece, and these bars are themselves acted on by bellerank
levers moved by vertical rods or wires appertaining to the several sections.
A second part of the present improvements relates to the parts for keeping open
the switches so as to give each type the longest possible time for reaching its
terminal groove, without interfering with the speed of the distributing action.
Instead of small complex escapement details repeated for each section a single set
of simplified parts is used for three or other convenient number of sections. The
rows of finger keys which are nearly at right angles to the distributing plane
correspond each to a section, a section bar being acted on when any key is
depressed, as formerly. Each set of section bars when depressed depresses the
outer part of a lever frame hinged to the outer side of the distributing plane; and
each lever frame by a rod or wire draws down an upper lever which by a pin
projecting from its side acts downwards on a tumbler jointed to a lever frame
centered at about half way between its outer and inner parts. The inner part of
this lever frame is formed with tongues in suitable positions for retaining the minor
switch levers of the several sections, and the depression of the outer part of the
lever frame causes these tongues to rise and release the switch levers. The tumbler
bowever immediately escapes from the lever acting on it, in consequence of which
the retaining tongues return downwards before the switch or switches which have
been just moved can return, and they are therefore held open, being released only
when a finger key appertaining to the same set of sections happens to be afterwards
depressed. The several lever frames having the tumblers act on a guided vertical
rod provided with tongues to act on the upper or section switches.
A third part of the present improvements relates to the parts for transferring the
types from the terminal grooves of the distributing plane to the grooved type trays.
Each lever frame hereinbefore described as acted on by a set of section bars acts
on an arm fixed to a vertical lever centered at its middle at a little distance in
front of the lower part of the distributing plane, a spring being applied to move
the lever back after each action. To transverse rods fixed to the upper and lower
ends of this lever there are jointed small horizontal bars which enter through boles
in the distributing plane into the terminal grooves, the spring pushing the upper
bars in and the lower ones out. Whenever a type descends it will be arrested in
its groove by the upper or lower bar before it reaches the opening at the bottom
through which it has to be pushed into the tray groove, and it will thereby be
prevented from rebounding or otherwise moving so as to get thrown out or 'turned
into a wrong position. When a type has rested on the upper bar the next
movement of the lever will cause it to descend to the lower bar; and when a type
has rested on the lower bar the next outward movement of this bar will allow the
type to drop behind this bar the next inward movement will push it back into the
tray groove.
A fourth part of the present improvements relates to the glass plates which
cover the inner side of the distributing plane. There are three glass cover plates,
two lower ones hinged one at the side and the other at the middle; and an upper
plate hinged at its bottom edge. The improvements consist in simplifying the
arrangements for adjusting these glass cover plates at different distances from the
surface of the distributing plane to suit different founts or sizes of type. Adjust-
ments are provided at the hinges of one of the lower plates, and the latch which

page_text: holds the plate close at the middle is arranged so as when turned in different
directions to secure the plate at different distances from the plane. The upper glass
plate is held in place by a kind of latch which bears on it with a spring and which
allows of a slight movement to accomodate the thicker types of the same fount,
whilst allowing the glass to be closer for the thinner types and to thereby reduce
the risk of such thinner types getting into improper positions. The mouthpiece
(hereinbefore referred to) is made with a tongue which projects downwards into a
recess formed on the inside of the glass plate at the top, and when the mouthpiece
is moved to open the mouth sufficiently for the thicker types, its tongue at the
same time presses the glass slightly away from the plane.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, ALEXANDER FRASER, of Canonmills Lodge, Edinburgh, in the County of Mid
Lothian, North Britain, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS" and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates to type distributing apparatus of the kind described
in the Specifications of Patents granted to me and officially numbered 1812 of
1875, and 3055 of 1877, and has principally for its object to improve and simplify
the construction and action of various details, and to facilitate the adjusting of the
apparatus for types of various founts or sizes.
In apparatus of the kind referred to the types to be distributed are in a line
which may or may not be formed by separating lines successively from a column,
and are moved horizontally along a groove at the forward or front end of which
they are moved one by one through a side opening or mouth, whence they drop
down a distributing plane, which by means of switches and grooves guides them to
their proper positions at the bottom of the plane. From the bottom of the
distributing plane the types are pushed into grooves in movable trays in which
they are transferred to type composing apparatus. The operator reads the types
or a proof of them and by depressing finger keys adjusts the switches to suit the
types as they successively reach the mouth of the line groove, each depression of a
key not only adjusting the switches but also effecting other required actions. The
terminal grooves at the bottom of the distributing plane are arranged in sections or
divisions with the types of each section all nearly alike in size; and in connection
with these terminal grooves there are minor switches, whilst grooves above these
minor switches and leading each down to a section have major or section switches
at their upper ends which are adjusted to guide each type as it enters the
distributing plane.
Having thus indicated the general features of type distributing apparatus of the
kind described in my earlier Specifications hereinbefore referred to, I will now
proceed to describe my present improvements with the aid of two sheets of
explanatory drawings which are hereunto appended. Figure, 1, on sheet, 1, of
the drawings is a face view of the inner or type side of the distributing plane;.
and figure, 2, is a vertical section as at right angles to figure, 1. Figure, 3, on
sheet, 2, is a view of the outer side of the distributing plane; and figures, 4, to, 8,
represent various details. In these drawings the same reference numerals are used
to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
.
A part of my present improvements deals with the mouthpiece by which the
opening is adjusted to the thickness of each type, and with the pusher by which
each type is pushed sideways through the mouth, the arrangement of the parts
being simplified and the adjusting action rendered more direct. The mouthpiece
details are partly shown in figures, 1, 2, and, 3, whilst figure, 4, is a corresponding
plan, and figures, 5, and, 6, are enlarged views of certain parts. The mouthpiece, 10,
is hinged, and has applied to its back a spring tending to move it forward or

page_text: towards the distributing plane into the position proper for the thinnest type, whilst
it is adjusted for other thicknesses by the action of certain bars, 11, on screw
pins, 12, which are screwed through it and are adjustable for different founts of
type. The screw pins, 12, project on the outer or front side of the mouthpiece, 10,
and the bars, 11, which act on them are placed horizontally across the front end of
the line groove, 13 (shown only in figure, 4). Each bar, 11, excepting one, is made
with a notch as shown in figure, 5, one side of which notch is inclined or curved
and acts on the corresponding screw pin, 12, when the bar is moved. The pusher, 14,
consists of two parts, one of which acts on the thinnest types and is made with a
thin part projecting in front of the type to avoid friction on the type, whilst the
other part moves with the first when the thicker types have to be acted on.
parts of the pusher, 14, are acted on by the same horizontal bars, 11, which act on
the mouthpiece, 10, and these bars, 11, are themselves acted on by bellcrank
levers, 15, moved by vertical rods or wires, 16, appertaining to the several sections.
Spring, 17, are applied to two of the bars, 11, which are each acted on by two
bellcrank levers, 15, which act in one direction only so as not to interfere with
each other, the springs moving the bars back after having been acted on. The
bars, 11, are held and guided in a small frame, 18, and they act on the pusher, 14,
by means of pins or projections.
The
The
A second part of my presont improvements relates to the parts for keeping open
the switches so as to give each type the longest possible time for reaching its
terminal groove, without interfering with the speed of the distributing action.
Instead of small complex escapement details repeated for each section, a single set
of simplified parts is used for three or other convenient number of sections.
rows of finger keys (not shown in the accompanying drawings) which are nearly at
right angles to the distributing plane correspond each to a section, a section bar
being acted on when any key is depressed, as formerly. Each set of three or other
number of section bars when depressed depresses the outer part of a lever frame, 20,
hinged to brackets, 21, on the outer side of the distributing plane; and each lever
frame, 20, by a rod or wire, 22, draws down an upper lever, 23, which by a pin
projecting from its side acts downwards on a tumbler, 24, jointed to a lever frame, 25,
centered at about half way between its inner and outer parts. The inner part of
this lever frame, 25, is formed with tongues, 26, in suitable positions for retaining
the minor switch levers, 27, of the several sections; and the depression of the outer
part of the lever frame, 25, causes these tongues, 26, to rise and release the switch
levers. The tumbler, 24, however, immediately escapes from the lever, 23, acting
on it, in consequence of which the retaining tongues, 26, return downwards before
the switch lever or levers, 27, which have been just moved can return, and they
are therefore beld open, being released only when a finger key appertaining to the
same set of sections happens to be afterwards depressed. The several lever
frames, 25, having the tumbler, 24, act on a guided vertical rod, 28, which at its
upper end is formed with tongues or hooked parts, 29, to act on the upper or
section switch levers, 30. The bottom of the vertical rod, 28, is made like an
inverted crutch which extends over the adjacent ends of two of the lever frames, 25,
these frames being fitted with arms, 31, to act on it, whilst the third lever frame, 25,
is fitted with a crank arm, 32, to act on the next lever frame and through it on the
vertical rod, 28.
A third part of my present improvements relates to the parts for transferring the
types from the terminal grooves of the distributing plane to the grooved type trays.
Each lever frame, 20, hereinbefore described as acted on by a set of section bars,
acts on an arm, 33, fixed to the spindle of a pair of vertical levers, 34, centered at
a little distance in front of the lower part of the distributing plane, a spring, 35,
being applied to move the lever, 34, back after each action. To the upper and
lower ends, 36, 37, of each lever, 34, there are jointed plates or combs, 38, 39,
having small horizontal rods, or dents, which enter through the holes in the
distributing plane into the terminal grooves, the spring, 35, pushing the upper rods
or dents, 38, in and the lower ones, 39, out. Whenever a type descends it will be

page_text: arrested in its groove by the upper rod or dent, 38, or by the lower one, 39, before
it reaches the opening at the bottom through which it has to be pushed into the
tray groove, and it will thereby be prevented from rebounding or otherwise moving.
so as to get thrown out or turned into a wrong position. When a type has rested
on the upper rod or dent, 38, the next movement of the lever, 34, will cause it to
descend to the lower rod or dent, 39; and when a type has rested on the lower rod
or.dent, 39, the next outward movement of this rod or dent will allow the type to
drop behind it, and the next inward movements will push it back into the tray
groove.
•
A fourth part of my present improvements relates to the glass plates which cover
the inner side of the distributing plane. There are three glass cover plates, each
held in a frame, two lower ones hinged one the side (at 40 and 41) and the other
at the middle (at 42 and 43) and an upper plate hinged at its bottom edge (at 44
and 45). These glass cover plates are made adjustable at different distances from
the surface of the distributing plane to suit different founts or sizes of type. For
adjusting any of the hinges small plates, 46, of different thicknesses are provided
of the kind shown in figures, 7, and 8, and one of these is inserted between the
front of the distributing plane and the part of the hinge fixed thereto, before
tightening up the screws which fix the hinge. The latch, 50, which holds the
plate close at the middle is arranged so as when turned in different directions to
secure the plate at different distances from the plane. The latch, 50, is of an elbow
form; and when turned so that the point enters the lower of two notches or
sockets formed in the fixed plate the latch holds the glass plate closer than it does
when turned over so as to put the elbow in the upper notch as indicated by dotted
lines. The notches are formed at different distances out from the distributing
plane, or the point of the latch is made further out than the elbow.
The upper glass plate by a kind of latch, 47, which bears on it with a spring,
and which allows of a slight movement to. accommodate the thicker types of the
same fount, whilst allowing the glass, 48, to be closer for the thinner types thereby
reducing the risk of such thinner types getting into improper positions. The
mouthpiece, 10, (hereinbefore referred to) is made with a tongue, 49, projecting
down into a recess formed on the inside of the glass plate, 48, at the top, and when
the mouthpiece, 10, is moved to open the mouth sufficiently for the thicker types,
its tongue, 49, at the same time presses the glass slightly away from the plane.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention I declare that what I claim is
1 The improved mode of applying and adjusting or working the mouthpiece
controlling the opening through which the types are pushed from the line of types
so as to enter the top of the distributing plane substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2-The improved construction and arrangement of the parts for keeping open
the switches substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described.
3-The improved arrangement and construction of the parts for transferring
the types from the terminal grooves of the distributing plane to the grooves of the
type trays, substantially as herein before described..
4 The rendering of the upper glass covering plate adjustable by the mouth-
piece to suit different thicknesses of type substantially in the manner herein before
described.
Dated this intranth day of Annil 100K
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.