Year: 1887

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by ABBOTT AUGUSTUS Low, of Brooklyn, United States
of America, a Citizen of the United States of America.]
1. JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN, of 169 Fleet Street, in the City of London, Fellow
of the Institute of Patent Agents 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 special means employed for holding and presenting for
use the leads and rules used by printers and compositors for insertion between the
lines of composition and for similar purposes.
Its main object is to afford means by which a suitable number of leads or rules
may be deposited simultaneously into a receptacle from which only a prescribed
number are to be removed at a given time and then only in a prescribed manner,-
the spaces or rules feeding themselves successively and automatically into
prescribed position from which they can be quickly and conveniently removed by the
thumb and finger of the compositor.
Heretofore such leads and rules have been presented for use in a series, the
members of which rested upon one another in a horizontal or nearly horizontal
position, and were removed as wanted for use by pressing the finger upon the upper
one of a pile or series and sliding it over and away from the next lower lead or rule
sufficiently to admit of one of its edges being grasped between the thumb and finger
and thus permit of its transfer.
This means of picking up the leads or rules from the top of a column is obviously
27 a lead or rule as above set
inconvenient, on account of the difficulty in "starting
forth preparatory to grasping it for removal; and another disadvantage is that the
position of the leads or rules to be removed is variable and dependent upon the height

page_text: of the column, so that the compositor has to exercise more care and attention in
securing a lead or rule than would be required of him if the leads or rules were
invariably presented to him in a prescribed place and position.
It is also frequently necessary as in certain classes of book work in which the
spaces between the lines are usually large, to insert two or more leads or rules
between the lines, necessitating heretofore, two, three or more separate and distinct
movements of the hand and fingers of the operator according to the number of leads
to be used together.
It is the object of the present invention to obviate this undue expenditure of time
and energy by providing means by which two, three or more leads or rules may be
simultaneously removed for use, the number being regulated by means which may
be adjusted to prevent the removal of more than required at a given time.
The main feature of the invention consists essentially in a series of elongated boxes
or receptacles open upon the top for the reception of the leads or rules which rest
upon their ends against the floors of the compartments, the four sides of which are
enclosed with the exception of a lateral slot or opening formed in one side through
which the leads or rules which coincide in position therewith may be removed as
hereinafter set forth. These compartments or boxes are preferably inclined
sufficiently to cause the leads or rules to slide down to the lower ends automatically
by gravity but it is to be observed that the leads or rules rest with their ends upon
the floors of the compartments and the weight of the column is mainly sustained
thereby, so as to lessen as far as possible the resistance to he overcome while
detaching and withdrawing a lead or rule.
One feature of the invention in this connection consists in providing the compart-
ments with bottoms or floors which are adjustable in height and inclination for the
double purpose of adapting the compartments to leads and rules of different lengths
and of regulating the descent of and pressure exerted by the columns of leads or
rules in a longitudinal direction.
The invention also includes the combination and arrangement with the laterally
slotted compartments above set forth, of the special means hereinafter described for
regulating the number of leads or rules that may be removed at one time.
Thus by the improvements not only is the removal of a single lead or rule greatly
facilitated, but also the compositor is enabled to as readily and quickly grasp, remove
and place in position simultaneously, two or three leads as though one at a time only
were being handled.
Prior to this invention type containing channels have been formed with transverse
slots through which the types are withdrawn laterally, as described in the
Specification of United States Patent No. 230,784, and the Specification of English
Patent No. 3,818 of 1882 and I do not seek to claim herein such form of transverse
opening broadly, but only in combination with the special features of construction
herein set forth, which effect a new and important result in adapting and utilizing
the method of detaching and removing the individual types as described in the said
specifications, to the presenting and removal of "leads and "rules."
While it may be said that the operation of detaching and removing the lower
member of a column is in either case substantially the same, still the nature and
requirements of the present use necessitate the special forms of construction which
constitute the present invention.
In the specifications above referred to various means are shown for regulating the
size of a transverse slot or opening through which types are withdrawn and I do not
seek to cover herein means for such purpose broadly, the special construction and
arrangement alone being claimed, whereby the principle involved is adapted to the
requirements of a new device for holding and presenting leads and rules.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of three lead and rule
compartments combined and arranged together, a portion of the side wall being
broken away to show the adjustable floor. Figure 2 is a projection upon plane of
line, Figure 1, showing the covers of the compartments thrown back. Figure 3

page_text: transverse section upon plane of line y, y, Figure 1.
Any number of receptacles A may be combined and arranged upon a single base or
frame. As shown in the drawings three compartments A1 A2 A3 are arranged in
line, the shorter or more shallow one A, for the accommodation of the smaller leads
or rules, being arranged in front, while the highest in the series (A³ as shown) is
placed at the back, with the compartiments intermediate in height arranged between
in like order, the design being to group all the compartments in compact and
convenient relation to each other without interference in use by utilizing the space
thus afforded by the difference in height or length between the different sizes of
leads and rules for the purpose of exposing and presenting the upper ends of the
leads or rules in succession in such manner that they may be grasped and removed by
the compositor.
As shown in the drawings the device is designed to be constructed of sheet metal
stamped and pressed into the required shapes."
It is obvious that other forms of material &c., may be used, but I will by way of
illustration, describe the construction shown.
Two side walls a, a¹, extend the whole length and height of the device, their lower
portions constituting the standards or base, while their upper portions constitute the
side walls of the compartments A1, A2, A3, the end walls or division pieces B, B, of
which are rigidly secured between them.
The floors of the compartments A², A2, A3, may be rigidly secured in position
between the side walls a, a', if desired, but it is preferred to make the floors adjustable
in inclination and with relation to the positions of the lower ends b, b of the
stationary end walls B, B. To this end one end of the floor piece or type support C,
is pivotally connected at or near the front of the device as indicated at e, Figure 1,
and so that it extends longitudinally between the side walls a, a, and supports its
opposite or rear extremity by means which are adjustable in height vertically. The
means for thus supporting and regulating the inclination of the floor piece C, may
obviously be varied in form and construction without departing from the invention.
For instance, in place of the transverse pins c', interchangeable in any of the
series of coinciding holes c², formed in the side walls a, a¹, may be substituted any
other equivalent means of effecting the same result. In order to properly reinforce
and support the floor piece C, one or more intermediate means of support, as shown
at a Figure 1, may be employed when necessary.
One of the side walls, preferably the right (a), is formed with the elongated
slots a², a², the lower edges of which coincide in position with the upper sides of the
end walls or division pieces B, B. These slots are of a width equal to the combined
thickness of the greatest number of leads or rules that it may be desired to remove
from the particular compartment simultaneously.
For the purpose of limiting the number of leads or rules to be removed at a given
time to one or two, or any number less than that provided for by the actual width of
the slot a², various means may be employed.
An adjusting rest d, may be provided at or near the upper extremities of the end or
division walls B, B, which, by its position with relation to the opposed stationary
edge d' of the slot a², will regulate the number of leads or rules that may be passed
laterally between it and the upper portion of the said opposed edge d'. As shown in
the drawings this adjustable rest d, consists simply of a screw passing through and
engaging with a boss formed upon the end wall or partition B. Where the screw d
which is the simplest and cheapest form is used the leads or rules are prevented from
twisting or turning laterally upon or around the end of the screw d, by reason of
their lower portions being held true and square by the lower portion b, of the end
walls B, against which the adjoining portions of the lowest lead or rule is held in all
cases by the column above.
In conjunction with, or as a substitute for, the adjustable rest d, it is proposed to
use an adjustable gate or gauge plate G by means of which the available area of the
slots a², may be regulated.

page_text: These gates G, are arranged upon the upper sides of the slots a³, and are
adjustable with relation to the end walls B. They are preferably formed of plates g,
which slide between grooves or ways g³, g², bent or struck up in the metal forming the
side walls a, a, as will be understood by reference to Figure 1.
Suitable means are provided for holding these sliding gates G, in the required
position, either by friction or by positive means. Where it is desired to retain them
in position by friction, a spring g³, may be attached at one extremity to either the
side wall a, or the gate G, and made to press at the other extremity against either
the side wall or the gate, as the case may be. Where positive means of retaining the
gate in position are preferred an adjusting screw H, may be arranged to actuate the
gates substantially as shown in the drawings.
Hinged covers or lids I, I are attached to one side wall a', for the purpose of
enclosing and protecting the compartments and contents.
These covers end upon a line connecting with the upper or rear edges of the
slots a², so that they do not obstruct the action of the fingers in removing the leads
or rules, which is accomplished by pressing the ball of the thumb against their upper
left edges until their upper right edges project outward upon the right side a sufficient
distance to be grasped between the thumb and fingers, when they may be readily
withdrawn through the slot a².
It is of course to be understood that the upper ends of the walls or divisions B, B,
and the adjoining portions of the left hand side wall a', are formed so as to expose the
upper ends of the leads or rules sufficiently to permit of the action of the thumb and
finger of the operator, as above stated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of iny said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me, I declare
that what I claim is :-
1. A series of lead and rule holders of different sizes formed with transverse slots,
and arranged in succession upon a common frame or base, with the smaller compart-
ments in front and the succeeding compartments arranged in order according to size
so as to afford access to the front upper portion of each compartment substantially in
the manner and for the purpose described.
2. A series of lead and rule holders of different sizes arranged substantially in
the manner and for the purpose described, formed with transverse slots and with
movable sections in the side walls adjoining said slots, which sections are supported in
suitable grooves or ways formed on the side walls of the compartments, and are held
in the required position for the purpose described, by means substantially as herein
shown and described.
3. In combination with a series of lead and rule holding compartments of different
sizes arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose described, and formed
with transverse slots and lead or rule supporting partitions or shoulders coinciding
therewith, the means substantially such as herein described, for varying the
inclination of the leads or rules with relation to the said transverse slots, for the
purpose and substantially in the manner described.
4. A series of lead and rule holding compartments of different sizes formed with
transverse slots and arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose set
forth, provided with an adjustable bottom which is common to all the compartments,
said bottom being pivotally connected to the front or lower end of the series and being
supported at the other extremity by means, substantially as herein described, which
permit of its adjustment in inclination, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose described.