Improved Machinery for setting up Type.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 24th Apr., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 24th Apr.. 1895-Accepted, 15th June, 1895
Improved Machinery for setting up Type.
We, VINCENZO CALENDOLI and ANIELLO SAVARESE, both of 21, Boulevard
Poissonniere, Paris, in the Republic of France, 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 :-
In the Specification of our prior Patent No. 10,349 of 1894, we stated that the
continuous line whereon the type fell might be straight curved, circular, or of any
other convenient shape, its position being either horizontal or inclined at any
suitable angle, and that, where the said line was horizontal, any suitable driving or
operating mechanism might be employed in gathering or putting together the type
that had heen scattered over the line. And we also stated that the details of the
mechanism of which the machine consisted might be modified, and more particularly
the arrangement for the transmission of the movements of the keys of the key-
board with a view to causing the type to issue from the corresponding tubes of the
magazine.
Now the object of our present invention is to describe, by way of example, the
construction and arrangement of a circular magazine with a circular and horizontal
line for the reception of the type and with operating mechanism adapted to effect
the connection of the loose type together into words.
And the present improvements further comprise a modified construction of the
mechanism for the transmission of the movements of the keys of the keyboard to
the closing devices of the magazine tubes, such construction being applicable to
machines arranged for straight and inclined lines, as well as to machines arranged
for circular lines, no matter whether horizontal or inclined; in fact to any type of.
machine based upon the same principles as those set forth in the Specification of
our aforesaid Patent.
The invention hereinafter described will be best understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of the magazine and type receiving line;
Figure 2 is a plan corresponding to Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 1-2, Figure 1 of the circular magazine
and type-receiving line, illustrating the application of the novel mechanism to the
said magazine;
Figure 4 is a similar section taken on the line 3-4, Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a section of one of the upper tubes of the magazine taken on the
line 5-6, Figure 4;
Figure 6 shews in elevation the operating mechanism for gathering the type
together;
Figure 6 is a horizontal section on line 7-8 Figure 6; and
Figure 7 is a diagrammatic plan drawn on a considerably reduced scale, and

page_text: showing the machine complete including the circular magazine B, the key board C,
the rule S, and the making up device V.
The machine consists of a circular magazine B (Figure 7) composed of a number
of tubes, barrels, or compartments B B2 so arranged as to form jointly one
cylindrical surface. The barrels are divided into two series, each leading up to a
tier placed on a different level from the other. Thus the barrels of the series B₁
descend to the lower tier E' and the barrels of the series B' lead up to the upper
tier E, the barrels B1 and B2 being all arranged alternately. The tiers are formed
by iron circles or rings E E2, secured by screws or any other meaus to the four
legs or standards A of the machine. Against these legs is also fixed the horizontal
and circular rule S for the reception of the type. It will be observed that the
barrels or tubes B1 B2 are not placed opposite the said rule 8, but that they open
on to the solid portions of the rings E¹ E³, which have perforations facing the
rule S for the passage of the type.
The barrels or tubes B B2 may be retained upon the rings E¹ E³, respectively
by angle pieces or squares F F screwed to the said rings. Bridges 1, 2, retain
the said barrels against the vertical arms of the squares, or any other equivalent
means may be employed for securing the barrels in position.
The mechanism which serves to cause the type to leave the respective barrels or
tubes and to descend upon the rule S, so as to take up their position astride of such
rule is constituted as follows:-
Upon the bridges, which serve to fix the barrels or tubes, are pivotted
double-armed levers L, L, the horizontal arm of each of these levers carrying
an adjustable balancing weight K¹ K. In the lower end. of the vertical arms of
the said levers, a slot is formed through which passes a pin g¹ 93 secured to a
block G G², perforated by a hole or aperture corresponding to the shape of the
type in section, such block being equal to the type in depth and capable of sliding
horizontally within a case H1 H2 supported by the angle pieces or squares F F
In one of the walls of the said case there is provided an elongated horizontal
eye serving to guide the pin g in its horizontal movements. Lastly, an
electro-magnet MM² is secured to the horizontal plates of the angles pieces or
squares FF2 opposite to the blocks G G which are made of soft iron.
The operation of the mechanism is as follows:-
The electro-magnet is connected by conducting wires both to the batteries
and to the contact-pieces or switches of the key-board as stated in the Specifi-
cation of our aforesaid prior Patent No. 10349 of 1894. Normally, .e, whilst no
current is admitted, the weights K' K2, through the medium of the lovers L' L²,
retain the blocks in their rearward position, and so long as the blocks are
in this position, their perforations remain opposite the barrels B1 B2 so that
the column of type having descended, one character is for the time being
located within the perforation (Figure 3). When, however, a current is passed
through by the electro-magnet owing to the depression of one of the keys
of the board, the electro-magnet attracts the block facing or opposite to it and
moves it to the position shewn in Figure 4. The perforation of the block is then
situated opposite to the perforation in the ring and the character, which is thus
enabled to pass through the latter perforation, immediately falls upon the rule S.
When the key just depressed is released again by the operator, the passage of the
current through the corresponding electro-magnet is thereby interrupted, and the
block G G2 is drawn back to its former position by the corresponding weighted
lever. At this juncture, then, the block will again present its perforation just in
front of the orifice of the corresponding barrel or tube, and the column of type,
which till now has been kept raised by the solid portion of the block G³ G³,
descends a distance corresponding to the size of one character, so that one
character again comes to occupy the perforation in the said block. This operation
is repeated over and over again in the identical manner as many times as any one
of the keys or the key-board is depressed.
In order to enable the type from the tube B' of the lower tier to descend and to

page_text: ensure its smooth passage down to the rule S, a simple perforation such as 61 is
sufficient, the said rule being situated immediately underneath such perforation.
But to secure the smooth and regular descent of the type from the compart-
ments B2 of the upper tier, the perforations provided in the rings E' E' respectively
opposite the rule S should be connected by an additional guiding tube or shoot 6*
(Figure 4) by reason of the distance the type has to traverse in descending.
The tubes or compartments B B contain the letters of the alphabet in different
styles, respectively, such as Roman, Italic, Gothic, or the like, and this arrange-
ment of a number of series of tubes leading out to different levels, will be found an
advantageous substitute for the division of the magazine into longitudinal sections
as suggested in the Specification of our aforesaid prior Patent, inasmuch as that
arrangement necessitated a displacement of the magazine whenever it was desired
to change the class or style of the characters employed; while in this improved
arrangement one electrical switch need only be operated in order to connect the
-keys with either of the electro-magnets M1 M² according to the part of the
magazine from which the type should come.
In addition to this, the arrangement or sub-division of the operating mechanism,
in such a manner that it may open and close the tubes of the different tiers as may
be required, offers the advantage of providing more space which may be turned to
account for locating the mechanism side by side and thereby effectively preventing
the electro-magnets from exercising their influence upon the soft iron of the tubes
adjacent to that which is being operated, which the said electro-magnets would do
if they were situated too close to each other.
Furthermore, in the present method of fitting the machine, the shelf or rule
receiving the type is visible from the outside, so that the operator is enabled to
supervise and check with ease the matter he is setting up, in proportion as his work
progresses.
It will be seen that in this arrangement the desired letters or characters descend
upon the shelf or rule the moment the keys are depressed, whereas in the
mechanism previously described their descent could not take place until after
the keys were released. But this method of working can give rise to no incon-
venience, inasmuch as the letters need not here slide along the rule as they descend
thereon, such rule being horizontal, and the letters therefore remaining motionless
on the same, until the arm T connects them together into a word.
It will be understood that this mechanism is applicable to the type of machine
provided with a magazine and a straight rule or shelf as well as to any other
machine the construction of which is based upon the principles set forth in the
Specification of our aforesaid prior Patent; as to the details of construction they
may be varied according to requirements; thus, for example, the balancing
weights KK may be replaced by springs.
We will now proceed to describe the mechanism enabling the type scattered
over the circular horizontal shelf or rule S to be gathered up or collected together.
This mechanism is not a novel feature necessitated by the horizontal situation of
the said rule, but it enables the nipper-device which the inclined position of
the same shelf or rule necessitated, as described in the Specification of our
aforesaid prior Patent to be dispensed with. It is therefore really but a
substitute for the said nipper-device, and not an addition calculated to render
the construction and operation of the machine more complex than it was before.
This mechanism mainly consists of a vertical shaft O Fig. 6 movably arranged
in the centre of the machine and carrying an arm T, the free end of which is
provided with a notch and is adapted to move along the circular rule or shelf S.
This shaft is arranged to revolve in a step-bearing Q secured underneath one of
the cross-pieces U connecting together the supporting legs or standards A. of the
machine. The said shaft extends through a collar formed within the cross piece U
and its upper end is guided by, and within, a collar formed in the cross-piece Y.
At the lower end of the said shalt there is arranged a bevel-pinion P in gear with
a toothed segment N. This segment is mounted upon a horizontal shaft a revolving

page_text: in bearings provided in two brackets or supports n³ secured to the cross piece U¹
(Figure 7) which is at right angles to the first mentioned cross piece U.
The segment N is connected to the pedal of the machine by a suitable link N',
a spring N tending constantly to raise the segment to the position indicated in the
drawings. The pinion P is-mounted upon the shaft O in such a manner, that it is
loose thereon when the said shaft turns in the direction of the arrow (Figure 6*)
that is to say when the segment is lowered owing to the depression of the pedal;
bnt that it is fast and takes the shaft O round with it, when, under the action of
the spring N' the segment rises.
For this purpose the said segment is provided internally with a notch p
(Figure 6) wherein is located the vertical loose roller p'. This roller travels
within the enlarged portion of the notch without carrying the shaft along with
it, whilst the pinion rotates in the direction of the arrow; but it is on the contrary
wedged in between the contracted portion of the said notch and the shaft O so as
to carry round the said shaft by friction when the pinion turns in the opposite
direction. The shaft O is also provided with a lateral roller R travelling along
the cross-pieces U. U and following a horizontal course, except at a point where
there is arranged a cam r which raises the side roller and also, consequently, the
shaft O and arin T, thereby causing the rule S, at the end of the said arm to be
released at the required moment. A spring bearing on the upper cross-piece Y
tends, however, to repel the shaft O and depress the arm T.
A finger or tappet Z, guided by an aperture provided for the purpose in the
cross piece U, carries at its lower end a roller z adapted to travel within an inclined
slide-way formed in the segment N so that the said tappet descends when the
segment moves from left to right, and rises, when the segment moves from right
to left.
The operation of the last-described mechanism is as follows:
Normally, the arm T occupies the position in the machine indicated in Figure 7,
while the segment is in the position wherein it is shown in Figure 6. The operator,
at the same time as he depresses the requisite keys of the key-board, depresses
also with his foot the pedal and, through the medium of the link N¹, lowers the
segment N which moves the pinion P along with it in the direction of the arrow,
leaving the shaft O at rest. When the operator releases the keys of the key-
board, he at the same time should remove his foot from the pedal, when the
segment N under the action of the spring N2 will resume its former position and,
in so doing, carry with it the said pinion in the direction opposite to that of the
arrow. Now in moving in that direction the pinion will take round with it the
shaft O and as the circumference of the said pinion is equal to the length of
the arc of displacement of the segment, both the shaft O and arm T have time
to perform a complete revolution. In thus revolving, the said arm T will sweep
along all the type scattered over the circular shelf or rail S and thus bring them
close together; it then pushes such type further along the shelf or rail S until_a
point (Fig. 7) is reached, where the roller K is raised by the cam ». The arm T,
too, is thereby raised, and caused to leave the type for the time being; then it
re-descends to the position iudicated in Fig. 7, at the end s¹ of the circular shelt
or rail S, which position it should normally occupy. In order to prevent its
moving beyond that position, its movement is checked or arrested by the tappet-Z.
This tappet is lowered during the first movement of the segment so as to leave
the arm T at liberty to turn at the commencement of the return journey or stroke
of the said segment; but whilst the segment is performing such return movement
the said tappet Z gradually rises along the slide-way Z, so that before the arm T
has time to return to its starting point, the said tappet resumes the position
necessary for arresting it.
The type which has thus, been gradually pushed along the rectilinear portion of
the shelf or rule S. (Fig. 7) take up their positions each in succession, along the
rods of the skeleton or frame of the page to be set up, provided in the making-up
apparatus V, as set forth in our prior Patent.

page_text: It will be understood that the mechanism employed in operating the arm T may
vary at will, any mechanical or electrical motion-transmitting gear being suitable
under given circumstances for use as a substitute for the arrangement described.
Thus with a view to operating the machine automatically by electricity an
electro-magnet may be arranged, which, through the medium of suitable connections
or conductors passing through each key of the keyboard, may be excited by the
depression of any one of such keys, and remain so excited whilst the key is
maintained in the lower position.
Only by releasing the last key would the circuit of the electro-magnet then be
interrupted. The electro-magnet attracting a piece of soft iron may exercise its
action, through the medium of a rack or other motion transmitting gear, upon the
pinion T. Then, whenever any one of the keys is depressed, such pinion will turn
loose, whilst it would only turn in the opposite direction under the action of a
spring if the last key of the keyboard were released.
The shaft O may, if preferred, be driven by powerful clockwork, arranged to
be thrown out of gear whenever, after setting up one or more words the hands of
the operator are taken off the last key.
Any other suitable arrangements may however be employed for the same
purpose if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is.-
1. Mechanism for the operation and control of the closing and opening of the
compartments barrels or tubes of the type magazine for the purpose of ensuring
the egress of the type from such tubes and its descent upon a type-receiving shelf'
or rule, such mechanism consisting in the arrangement of the said tubes, not
opposite to, but beside, the receiving line, and in the provision underneath each of
the said tubes, of a perforated block, in combination with an electro-maguet
excited by the corresponding key of the keyboard, when such key is depressed,
the said block being adapted by the electro-magnet in such a manner that the
piece of type or character which it contains for the time being is brought up in
front of the said shelf or rule and allowed to fall thereon while, when the key is
released, it is moved back to its former position by any suitable means such as a
weighted lever, spring or the like, so as to be in readiness for the reception of the
next character from the magazine substantially as described.
2. The arrangement of the tubes barrels or compartments of a curvilinear or
rectilinear type magazine in two or more sets or series leading to two or more
different levels or tiers substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. Mechanism for gathering up and connecting together the type scattered loose
upon the type receiving shelf, or rule such mechanism consisting of an arm T
carried by a shaft O, a pinion so arranged upon the said shaft as to be loose
thereon whilst turning in one direction, but fast, when turning in the opposite
direction, transmission gearing consisting of a segment or other equivalent device,
connected to the pedal, in combination with a roller R supported by the said shaft,
a camr supported by the machine frame, and a moveable tappet Z all arranged
and operating substantially as described, and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.