Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Distributing Printing Type.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 14th Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Distributing Printing
Type.
I, JOHN ROBERT TOPLISS, of Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, Australia,
but now temporarily residing at 14, Courthope Road, in the County of London,
Journalist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus for automatically distributing type each
character of which is nicked or notched in such a manner that by passing the
characters over and along a plate or cabinet top having openings formed with
lateral projections or wards each opening will only admit of the passage of that sort
of type the nicks or notches in which correspond to the projections or wards at the
sides of the opening.
Above a case or cabinet mounted on a suitable stand and formed with channels
for containing the type in sorts, is a plate through which are openings of such a size
as to admit of the passage of the type to the various channels. To the upper side.
of this plate are fixed strips or pieces of metal on which are left the projections or
wards which engage with the nicks in the type. These ward strips are arranged to
form a flat surface or distributing plate for the type to travel over excepting at the
openings (hereinafter called ward openings) above the channels and through which
the type is intended to be distributed. The apparatus is provided with a support
for a column of type matter for distribution, which may be placed on its side above
the distributing plate, and means are provided for automatically and intermittently
moving the column forward as line after line is sliced or removed and deposited in
what may be called a receiving chamber. The bottom of this receiving chamber
can be formed with projections or wards that will allow only of the passage of large
sized quads such as the two and three em quads. By means of a pusher the type
characters are pushed out of the receiving chamber one after another, on to the
distributing plate where they are taken possession of by a distributing device
designed to move them along until each is brought over the ward opening designed
to admit of its passage to the channel beneath.
The distributing device according to one arrangement may be described as a box
having divisions and compartments corresponding to the divisions and channels of
the type cabinet and of the same length as the distributing plate above which it is
arranged to be worked. The compartments of the box may be fitted with springs
or weights or both that will act against the type, whether they be thick or thin
characters, and prevent them from canting over into the slot openings; and
which when the type characters are brought over the proper ward openings
and channels designed to receive them, will ensure that they shall pass through
such openings.
The distributing device is operated in such a manner that it closes down upon
each type character as it is pushed out of the receiving chamber and then moves
forward a step so as to bring the type within its several compartments over the
ward openings in the distributing plate. After a momentary pause to allow of the
passage of such type as may have been thus brought over the ward openings
formed to receive them, the distributing device is moved forward another step so as
to bring those characters that have not passed away, to rest upon the solid divisions
between the ward openings. The device is then lifted up to a height sufficient to
clear the thickest type, and is then moved backward and again caused to close down
upon the next type pushed out from the receiving chamber. These forward and
backward movements are again and again repeated and the various type characters are
thus caused to travel over the surface of the distributing plate until each is eventually

page_text: brought over its proper ward opening and channel. In a modified arrangement
a distributing device of the kind referred to is dispensed with, the type in this case
acting against each other and being caused to move in a straight line with a step by
step movement over the slotted distributing plate by the action of the pusher. A
spring or weight fixed over each of the ward openings may be provided for pressing
down the type and ensuring their passage into their proper channels when brought
in line therewith. Or a device consisting of a series of spring plungers arranged
to correspond to the ward openings and having a downward and upward motion
can be used.
Each channel of the type cabinet is provided with a carrier that is free to slide
up and down and in and out of its channel and supports the type after they have
passed through the distributing plate. These carriers also serve to ensure that the
type shall descend the channels in an orderly manner and be prevented from turning
over. The channels are each made of slightly tapering form being wider at the top
than the bottom so that the friction between each carrier (which is made com-
pressible) and the sides of its channel, shall increase as the number of type pieces
supported by the carrier increases.
This arrangement obviates the necessity of placing an undue amount of pressure
on the type characters to force them through the ward openings in the distributing
plate, and the continually increasing frictional resistance imparted to the com-
pressible carriers by the gradually incoming sides of the channel compensates for
the gradually accumulating weight of type on such carriers.
Apparatus of the kind herein described can be operated by manual or mechanical
power, and can be constructed as a machine intended solely for the distribution of
printing type, or it may be applied and used in combination with a type-setting
machine. It may also be built horizontal, but in order to gain the advantage of
simplicity of construction and working it is preferred to erect it with an inclination
backward of one in twelve from the vertical.
D
11
501 ។
J. R. TOPLISS,
Per L. W.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Distributing Printing
Type.
I, JOHN ROBERT TOPLISS, formerly temporarily residing at 14, Courthorpe
Road, in the County of London, but now of 7, Collin's Street, Melbourne, in the
Colony of Victoria, Australia, Journalist, 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:-
To enable printing type to be automatically distributed, it has been usual to
employ a cabinet formed with a series of type channels having openings at the top
the side or sides of each opening being formed with one or more projections or wards
that correspond with notches or grooves formed in the type, the ward or wards of
each opening being differently arranged to that or those of the other openings so as
only to permit of the passage into the channel, of type the notches or grooves in
which correspond to the projections or wards of the opening.
Now this invention has reference to improvements in type cabinets provided with
:selective ward openings of the kind referred to; and in machinery or apparatus
for distributing to such a cabinet printing type notched or grooved as set forth.
According to this invention the cabinet carries at its top a plate formed with a
number of openings corresponding to the channels in the cabinet, each opening
being of such a size as will permit of the passage of a type into the channel below
it. To the upper side of this plate are fixed, side by side, strips or pieces of metal
(hereinafter called ward strips), each of which is cut to form a notch or opening
corresponding in length and breadthta type and having at one side (or it may be

page_text: on both sides) projections or wards so formed and arranged as to correspond with
the grooves or nicks (hereinafter called grooves) in one of the type to be distributed..
To facilitate the manufacture of the ward strips, the wards may be made separate.
therefrom, and afterwards fixed thereto in the correct positions. The ward strips.
are fixed to the perforated plate, which serves as a foundation plate, so as to form a
selective ward plate of the kind hereinbefore mentioned, having a flat upper surface
over which type to be distributed can easily travel. To the top of the ward plate
and at the front and back thereof are fixed longitudinal guide bars to keep the type
in line.
Each channel of the type cabinet is provided with a compressible carrier that is
free to slide up and down and in and out of its channel, and supports the type after
they have passed through the ward plate. These carriers are so formed as to extend
through the ward plate, and be flush with the upper surface thereof, when in their
uppermost position. By this means the type are supported as they pass through
the ward plate and the plate beneath it, and are thereby prevented from canting or
turning over. The carriers also serve to ensure that the type shall descend the
channels in an orderly manner. The channels are each made of slightly tapering
form, being wider at the top than at the bottom so that the friction between each
carrier and the sides of its channel, shall increase as the number of type pieces
supported by the carrier accumulates.
The type distributing apparatus comprises a shelf or support upon which the
column of matter for distribution is placed; a receiving chamber to receive a line
more or less of type; means for intermittently moving the column forward as line
after line of type is sliced off or separated from the dead matter and deposited in
the said receiving chamber; a pusher by which the type characters are forced from
the receiving chamber one at a time on to the ward plate; and a distributing or
conveying device by which the type is moved over the ward plate until each is
brought over the ward opening designed to admit of its passage to the channel
beneath. As will be obvious machinery or apparatus according to my invention.
can be constructed in various forms.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a plan;
Fig. 2 a back elevation; and
Fig. 3 an end elevation of a type cabinet with type distributing apparatus
according to this invention.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation, partly in section; and
Fig. 5 is a cross section.
Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 4 of part of the apparatus drawn to a larger
scale.
Fig. 7 is a plan partly in section, with certain parts removed in order to shew
other parts more clearly.
Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are detail views drawn to a larger scale, and hereinafter
referred to.
I is the cabinet formed with vertical channels 2 a few only of which are shewn
in Fig. 4. Each channel is made of a slightly decreasing width from top to bottom
as shewn in Fig. 8 and is fitted with a compressible bifurcated type carrier 3, of the
form shewn in Figs. 9 and 10, which are respectively plan and side views of one of
the carriers.
By this arrangement the carrier need not fit the channel very tightly at starting
so that there is no necessity to subject the type to undue pressure to force it through
the opening in the ward plate, and the continually increasing frictional resistance
imparted to the compressible carrier by the gradually incoming sides of the channel
compensates for the gradually accumulating weight of type on the carrier.
The carrier may with advantage be made with a projecting part 3" of such a
length and cross section that, when the carrier is in its uppermost position, its top
surface will be flush with the top surface of the ward plate, for the purpose
hereinbefore mentioned.

page_text: 4 is a plate fixed to the top of the cabinet and formed with holes 5 corresponding
in position to the channels 2 therein. 6, 6 are strips of metal fixed to the plate 4
so as to form a flat ward plate. Each strip is formed as clearly shewn in plan in
Fig. 11, with a recess or opening 7 at one side of which suitably arranged
grooves 6" are cut in which are secured the separate wards 6. By this construction
the ward strips can be accurately and cheaply made. 8, 8, are longitudinal strips
fixed at the sides of the ward plate to serve as guides for type moving along
the plate.
The apparatus for distributing type to the cabinet is constructed as follows:-
9 is a removable shelf or support of L shape in end view, for the column of type
matter to be distributed. It is carried by a plate 10 that is fixed at its ends to the
cabinet 1 by the brackets 11. This plate 10 is further supported at points between
the brackets 11 by ribbed plates 12 that are connected to the cabinet 1 and to a
vertical plate 10% fixed to the plate 10 and serving as a back support for the
helf.
13 is an adjustable arm or bracket carrying at one end a plate 14 arranged to
bear against the end of a column of type on the shelf 9. The other end of this
adjustable arm or bracket is attached to and carried by a split nut 15 that can be
quickly engaged with and disengaged from a screw shaft 16 mounted in bracket
bearings 17 fixed to the cabinet. 18 is a ratchet wheel fixed to the screw shaft and
by means of which an intermittent motion can be imparted to this shaft, the nut 15
and adjustable arm or bracket 13, and consequently to the column of type on the
shelf 9. This ratchet wheel is operated at certain times, as hereinafter described,
by a spring pawl 19 pivoted to a forked lever arm 20 journalled on the end of the
screw shaft, and formed with a slot 21 through which extends an anti-friction
roller 22. This roller is mounted on a pin 23 fixed to a plate 24 that is movable
vertically between guides 24ª fixed to the end wall 10" of the plate 10. 25 is a
lever the free end of which is arranged to act against the roller 22 when moving
upward and lift the lever arm 20 and pawl 19 in the manner and for the purpose
hereinafter mentioned. The lever 25 is journalled to a pin 26 carried by a
bracket 27 that may be in one piece with one of the brackets 17 fixed to the
cabinet 1. It is oscillated about the pin 26 by a connecting rod 28 and a crank
disc 29 which is fixed to a driving shaft 30 carried by the bracket 27 and brackets 31.
This driving shaft may be rotated by hand, or by mechanical power. In the
example shewn it is fitted with a toothed wheel 32 that gears with a pinion 33 on a
shaft 34 provided with a driving pulley 35 and a fly wheel 36.
37 is a receiving chamber for type to be distributed. It is formed by a down-
ward extension of the end wall 10% of the plate 10 and a plate 9° and is of such a
form in horizontal section and of such a height as to hold a line of type. This
receiving chamber, which is arranged at one end of the ward plate 6, has an
opening 38 at the top through which a line of type can enter and a ward opening 39
at the bottom, this latter opening being so forined as only to allow of the passage
therethrough of large sized quads and those characters that are grooved to
correspond with its wards. To facilitate the entrance and descent of a line of type,
this chamber is made of slightly increasing width from bottom to top as shewn in
Fig. 6. 40 is a pusher in the form of a plate arranged to work through holes 41
and 42 in the end walls of the chamber 37, as clearly shewn in Fig. 6. The
hole 42 is made flaring towards the interior of the chamber as seen in vertical
section and the height of the hole is made automatically adjustable to permit of the
passage of type of different thicknesses. For this purpose the top of the hole is
formed by a metal plate 43 capable of vertical sliding movement in a hole in the
end wall 9 of the chamber. The pusher 40 is jointed to one arm of a lever 44
pivoted at 45 and having a curved upper end 46. The pusher is moved inward to
eject a type from the chamber 37 on to the ward plate 6, by a wedge piece 47
carried by the free end of the lever 25 and arranged to act against the curved
end 46. of the lever 44 just before the lever 25 completes its downward stroke.
48 is a spring that acts against the lever 44 and effects the return movement of the

page_text: lever when not acted upon by the wedge 47. To ensure a line of type being sliced
off or removed from the column of type matter on the shelf 9 and caused to enter
the receiving chamber 37, when the line of type is brought over this chamber, the
sliding plate 24 is provided with a tongue 49. When the plate 24 is lifted by the
lever 25, this tongue will be raised above the top of the column of type on
the shelf 9 so that when it again descends it will act upon the foremost line of
type that has been moved forward into position over the chamber by the arm or
bracket plate 14, and by the weight of the attached plate 24 will cause such line
of type to enter the top of the chamber and rest on the type therein. The
tongue 49 is preferably carried by a spring plate 50 to enable it to readily pass the
next forward line of type on the shelf without displacing the same. At each
descent of the plate 24, the spring tongue will come into contact with the upper-
most type above the chamber 37, and will thus prevent this plate falling sufficiently
low to enable the pawl 19 to engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 18 until the line
of type previously removed from the column on the shelf has, by the removal of
type from the bottom of the chamber, descended so far that the uppermost type is
slightly below the level of the top of the chamber. When this has taken place
the pawl 19 will have fallen sufficiently low to engage the ratchet wheel 18 and on
the next upward movement of the lever 25, the pawl will partly rotate the
ratchet wheel and cause a fresh line of type to be brought over the chamber 37.
For moving the ejected type along the ward plate in an intermittent manner and
for causing them to pass through their proper ward openings, I employ a device
hereinafter called a conveying device. This conveying device, according to one
construction comprises a box 51 having divisions 52 and compartments 53 corre-
sponding to the divisions and channels in the type cabinet 1. The compartments 53
are each fitted with a plunger 54 that is acted upon by a spring 55 that bears
against an adjustable plate 56 that extends the whole length of the box and is made
vertically adjustable by screws 57. To the box is fixed saddle pieces 58 some of
which are arranged to slide between vertical guides 59 carried by the plate 10.
60, 60 are levers by which the box is supported and moved vertically in its
guides 59. These levers are journalled at one end to a shaft 61 carried by the
brackets 31, and are each provided at the other end with an anti-friction roller 62
that is located in a rectangular frame or box 63 secured to a bar 63" that connects a
pair of intermediate saddle pieces 58. These levers are oscillated in a vertical
plane to raise and lower the box, by cam grooves 64 formed in discs 65 fixed on the
driving shaft 30. 66 is a disc fixed to the driving shaft and formed at its periphery.
with a cam groove 67 into which takes a roller 68 fixed to the box 51. The form
and arrangement of these cam grooves 64 and 67 are such that during the working
of the apparatus the conveying device just described is caused to close down upon
each type character as it is pushed out of the receiving chamber and is then moved
forward a step by the cam 67 in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 4) so as to bring
the type within its several compartments over the ward openings in the ward plate.
After a momentary pause to allow of the passage of such type as may have been
brought over the ward openings formed to receive them, the conveying device is
again moved forward another step so as to bring those characters that have not
passed away, to rest upon the solid divisions between the ward openings. The
conveying device is then lifted by the levers 60 to a height sufficient to clear the
thickest type on the ward plate, and is then moved backward to its original
position by the cam 67, and again caused by the levers 60 to close down upon the
next type pushed out from the receiving chamber. These several movements are
again and again repeated during the working of the machine and the various type
characters are thus caused to intermittently travel over the surface of the ward
plate until each is eventually brought over its proper ward opening and channel
through which it is caused to pass by the action of the spring plunger 54
above it.
Apparatus of the kind herein described can be constructed as a machine intended
solely for the distribution of printing type, or it may be applied and used in

page_text: combination with a type setting machine. In order to gain the advantage of simplicity
of construction and working it is preferred to erect it with an inclination backward
of one in twelve from the vertical.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. In apparatus for distributing type, a type cabinet having a series of vertical
channels of slightly decreasing width from top to bottom and each fitted with a
compressible type carrier substantially as herein described for the purpose
specified.
2. Constructing each of the type carriers referred to in the preceding claim
with a projecting portion adapted to extend upward into the opening in the ward
plate above so as to be flush with the upper surface of such plates when the carrier is
in its uppermost position substantially as herein described for the purpose specified.
3. In apparatus for distributing type, a type cabinet formed with a series of
channels, and having a selective ward plate composed of a series of ward strips
fixed to a perforated plate secured to the top of the cabinet with its perforations
above the channels therein, and longitudinal guide bars fixed to the top of the
ward plate substantially as herein described for the purpose specified, whether or
not the wards in the ward strips be made separate from the strips and secured in
grooves in the same as set forth.
4. In apparatus for distributing type, the combination with a cabinet having a
selective ward plate of a receiving chamber located at one end of this plate, and
adapted to hold type to be distributed, a pusher adapted to eject type from the
receiving chamber onto the ward plate, a conveying device for moving ejected type
over the ward plate, and mechanism for operating the said pusher and conveying
device, the arrangement being such that each type as it is ejected from the
chamber is caused to move over the ward plate until it is brought over its proper
ward opening through which it is then caused to pass substantially as herein
described.
5. The combination with apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding
claim, of a support for the type matter to be distributed, feeding mechanism for
moving the type matter along the support, and mechanism substantially as herein-
before described for intermittently operating the feeding mechanism and for causing
a line of type to be separated from the column of type matter and to enter the
receiving chamber as set forth.
6. In apparatus for distributing type of the kind referred to in claim 4, a con-
veying device comprising a box or frame with vertical divisions and compartments
corresponding in position to the divisions and channels of the type cabinet, and
spring plungers arranged in the said compartments of the box, and means for
raising and lowering the said conveying device and for moving it horizontally in
one direction in steps, and in the other direction by one movement substantially as
hereinbefore described for the purposes set forth.
7. In apparatus for distributing printing type of the kind referred to in claim 4,
constructing the receiving chamber with a ward opening at the bottom through
which large size quads and other characters grooved to correspond with its wards
can pass, substantially as herein described.
8. Apparatus for distributing printing type substantially as described and
shewn.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.