Improvements in or Connected with Machinery or Apparatus for Distributing and Composing or Setting Type for Printing Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or Connected with Machinery or Apparatus for
Distributing and Composing or Setting Type for Printing
Purposes.
We THE THORNE MACHINE COMPANY of 32 Vesey Street New York City in the
United States of America, a Company incorporated under the Laws of the State
of New York United States of America and JOSEPH THORNE of Port Richmond
Staten Island in the State of New York aforesaid, Machinist, 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 :-
The present Invention relates to a type distributing and setting machine or apparatus
of the character shewn and described in the Specification of Letters Patent No. 3934
of A.D. 1880, granted to William Morgan-Brown as a communication from abroad by
Joseph Thorne it being the object of this invention to render certain of the mechanisms
therein shewn and described more accurate and reliable in their action, and also to
add certain details of construction by which the machine, as a whole, will be improved
and its practical efficiency increased.
To this end the present invention consists in numerous details of construction, both
singly and in various combinations, all of which are hereinafter fully and particularly
explained.
In order to convey a clear understanding of the various features constituting the
present invention, the general construction of the machine in which they are embodied
will be first briefly described, reference being had to Figure 1 of the accompanying
drawings, which shows in side elevation a type setting and distributing machine of the
character referred to when modified according to the present invention. This machine
comprises in its organization a type-composing mechanism, the type-case A of which
is stationary, and a type distributing mechanism, the type-case B, of which revolves
with a step-by-step movement, which mechanisms are capable of operating conjointly
or independently of each other-that is to say, the type-composing mechanism may
be in operation while the distributing mechanism is at rest, and vice versa-or both
mechanisms may be simulianeously in operation. These cases A and B are each

page_text: provided with vertical type-channels 1, adapted to contain columns of superposed
type, from the bottoms of which channels the type are removed in the operations of
setting and distributing, the type above falling by gravity as the bottom ones are
removed. The type-channels in the distributing-case have plain sides so that they
may receive columns of type comprising different letters such as those constituting
words and sentences. The type-channels in the composing-case are provided with
wards arranged in such number and position as to give to each channel a distinctive
form corresponding with the shape given to each type by nicks cut into their bodies,
by which arrangement only appropriate type can enter into and descend the channels
of the composing-case. The wards of the channels in the composing-case terminate
at a short distance from the bottom of the said channels, so as to leave the lower type
in the channels free to be reinoved by ejectors. The distributing-case B revolves with
a step-by-step movement, its steps being of such length and its driving mechanism so
timed that as it rests after each step its type-channels and those of the stationary
composing-case will be in alignment, so that any of the bottom type in the channels
of the distributing-case, which are then brought over their appropriate channels in
the composing-case, will drop into the same and thus be properly distributed. Each
of the type-channels of the composing-case is provided with an ejector, which ejectors
are operated through keys 2, so as to eject the type in the proper order to form the
desired composition, the place of any type thus ejected being at once filled by the
descent of its line upon the withdrawal of the ejector. The type when ejected from
the channels of the composing-case pass onto a revolving type-carrying table by which
they are deposited on a type-conveying belt 3, to be conveyed to the line-forming
mechanism. The particular improvements constituting the present invention will now
be described with particular reference to the remaining figures of the accompanying
drawings, of which,
Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the type distributing case,
and Figure 3 is a plan view of the portion of the distributing case shown in
figure 2.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section upon a like scale of a portion of the type distributing
case, and figure 5 is a vertical section of the lower part of the same taken on the
line of figure 4.
Figure 6 is a top view, upon a like scale, of a portion of the type composing case,
and figure 7 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line xc, of figure 6 showing
also a portion of the distributing case in section.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are still more enlarged views of one of the wear plates which
are inserted in the top of the composing-case, Figure 8 being a top view, and figures 9
and 10 views of opposite sides; figure 10 also showing a slight modification which will
be hereinafter explained.
Figure 11 is an inside view of the friction wheels by which the type conveying belt
is driven.
Figure 12 is an enlarged side view and Figure 13 is a plan of a portion of figure 1,
showing particularly the type conveying belt and the devices which co-operate there-
with to transfer the type from the revolving type carrying table to the composing
stick.
Figure 14 is an enlarged vertical section taken upon the line of figures 12, 13
and 15.
Figure 14" is a horizontal section taken on the line y y of Figure 14, and figure 15
is a similar view taken upon the line xa of the same figure.
Figure 16 is an enlarged vertical section taken upon the line y y of Figure 13.
Figure 17 is a horizontal section taken upon the line of figure 16.
Figures 18, 19 and 20 are views illustrating the operation of the devices for causing
two type which may happen to overlap each other upon the conveying belt, to take
their proper position in line, one behind the other.
Figure 21 is a vertical section taken on the line y y of figure 16.
Figure 22 is an inside view of the plate carrying the spring supporter by which the
type are retained in their raised position after they have been elevated into the end of

page_text: the composing stick by the miters.
of the spring supporter.
Figure 23 is a vertical section taken on the line of figure 13; shewing
particularly the devices for evening up the line of type as it passes into the composing
stick.
Figure 24 is a plan view of the entire machine, showing particularly the auxiliary
type case which is located above and in rear of the key board and from which the
operator can from time to time eject such characters into the line as are not provided
for in the composing case.
Figure 25 is an enlarged cross section of the composing stick taken on the line xx
of figure 24.
Figure 26 is a front elevation of the auxiliary type case just referred to, showing
also the copy holder.
Figure 27 is an enlarged vertical section of the same taken on the line of
figure 26, and
Figure 28 is a cross section of the copy holder, taken on the line y y of the same
figure.
Referring now particularly to figures 1 and 24, it is to be understood that the
composing type case A and the distributing type case B are of substantially the same
construction, and operate in substantially the same manner as described in the prior
Specification before referred to. The step-by-step motion is imparted to the dis-
tributing case by means of pawls 13, 6 and 101, which engage with a ratchet 5 formed
on a projecting rim 102 at the top of the distributing case, and are driven by means
of eccentrics formed on a driven shaft 64. These pawls are so moved by means of
their eccentrics, that the pawl 6 operates to move the distributing case quite rapidly
through the first and greater part of each step of its movement, the pawl 13 then
operating to move the case through the remainder of each step, but at a reduced rate
of speed. The pawl 101 is arranged so that when thrown into operation it will give
an additional half step movement to the distributing case, and allow it to come to
rest with the lower ends of its type channels 1 directly above the solid portions of the
composing case. The type channels 1 of the distributing case are provided with
fenders 46, which are suspended in openings formed in the rim 102 at the top of the
case, and extend downward in front of the channels, their function being to prevent
the type from moving or being thrown outward in the channels. These fenders are
capable of being moved upward through the openings in the rim 102, so as to be
removed from in front of the channels, when the latter are to be filled with the lines
of type to be distributed. For the purpose of removing the fenders from in front of
the type channels when the latter are to be filled, the bar 42 (see figures 2, 3 and 24)
which supports the rest 41 for the galley from which the type are inserted into the
channels of the distributing case, is provided with a sliding bar 43, having
which is arranged to engage with the lower end of the fender of each channel as the
channels are brought successively into position to be filled, and which as the bar 43
is moved upward, raises the fender out of position in front of the channel. After
each channel has been filled; the bar 43 is moved downward to its normal position,
thereby allowing the fender to move downward to its proper position in front of the
channel, and so the operation is repeated as each channel is filled.
an arm
If gravity alone be depended upon for restoring the fenders to their normal position
in front of the type channels after they had been raised, sometimes the fenders will
stick or bind in the openings in the rim 102, particularly if they have become slightly
bent, so that after having been raised as just stated, they will not, upon the downward.
movement of the bar 43, restore themselves to their proper position. It is therefore
desirable to provide means by which the fenders will be positively moved back to their
proper position after they have been raised.
For this purpose, the bar 43 is extended upwards to the top of the distributing
case, and is provided with a lateral arm 44 which projects over the rim 102, directly
above the upper end of any fender which is in position to be raised by the arm upon
the lower end of the bar 43. By this means whenever any one of the fenders is

page_text: raised by the upward movement of the bar 43, it is again positively restored to its
normal position by the arm 44 upon the downward movement of the bar 45. The
fenders are, however, sometimes raised by the attendant for other purposes than the
insertion of lines of type into the channels of the distributing case, and in such case
it might happen that when one of the fenders had been so raised, the attendant would
fail to restore it to its proper position, and thus leave it so that its upper end would
project slightly above the rim 102. In such cases the projecting end would, as the
distributing case was revolved, finally come into contact with the arm 4-1 and thus
either lock the machine, or cause breakage or injury to some of the parts. To avoid
this, the arm 44 is pivoted so as to have a lateral movement upon the arm 43, and is
provided with a spring 45, the tendency of which is to hold it in its proper position
above the ends of the fenders as shown by full lines in figure 3. If, however, at
time, one of the fenders should project above the rim 102, and thus come into contact
with the arm 44, the arm will readily yield, as indicated by dotted lines in figure. 3
so as to allow the fender to pass without stoppage or injury to the machine and
immediately upon the passage of the projecting fender, the spring will restore the
arm 44 to its proper position.
any
It has been found in practice that when any one of the channels of the composing
case is full or nearly full, the weight of the line of type is in itself sufficient to keep
the line moved downward in the channel so the bottom type of the line is in contact
with the composing case, and it is only necessary to provide followers to give additional
weight to the line of type after part of the line has been distributed and it has been
further found that, as the distributing proceeds and the line of type in the channel grows
shorter, it is desirable to have this follower or weight which is superimposed upon the
line, gradually increased to compensate for the decreasing weight of the line. To
provide for this, the channels of the distributing case are bored out so as to provide
round openings 49 which extend through the top plate of the distributing case as
shown in figures 3 and 24, and which are adapted to receive round bolts or rods 50,
which form auxiliary followers and rest upon the tops of the followers 48. When the
channels of the distributing case are full or nearly full, the auxiliary followers 50
may be removed, and as the distributing proceeds, and the height of the line of type
in any channel is decreased so that the weight of the line and the followers 48 is not
sufficient to keep it properly pressed downward in the channel, the auxiliary
followers 50 can be inserted in the openings 49, thus placing still more weight upon
the line, and causing it to be pressed downward until it is entirely distributed.
When the composing case is made in one piece, and the wards at the upper ends
of the channels are formed integral with or permanently set into the body of the case
the constant friction of the type upon the top of the case gradually wears the metal
at the edge of the case away so that in time it would become uneven. Another
objection to this construction is that if a ward should be broken or damaged it cannot
be replaced or repaired except by taking the whole machine apart and sending the
composing case to the shop. To avoid these objections the upper end of the case is
provided around its edge with a recess in which is seated a series of removable plates
or blocks 51 (see figures 1 and 6 to 10) which, when placed together, form the upper
ends of the type channels of the composing case and that portion of the case upon
which the columns of type in the distributing case rest and move.
These blocks are provided upon their sides with projections 7, forming wards which
correspond in number and position to the nicks in the type of the various characters,
and determine the proper distribution of the type, and the channels 1 are provided
with one or more wards 7, which register with and form continuations of the wards 7
of the block 51, and act to guide the type downward in the channels and prevent
them from being turned or moving out of the channels.
In addition to the wards 7 which enter the nicks in the sides of the type and
determine their distribution and guide them downward in the channels, the channels
and blocks 51 may be provided with rear wards 8, which will enter corresponding
nicks formed in the bottoms of the type, and thus prevent the thinner type from any
liability of becoming turned edgewise in the channels, so as to bind and prevent the

page_text: downward movement of the line of type. These rear wards 8 also perform an
important function in that they support the type as they are moved forward over
the channels, and prevent them from turning so as to drop into the channels before
they have arrived squarely above the channels.
The blocks 51 are held in position by means of screws 14 and dowel pins 15, which
permit them to be readily removed and replaced as often as may be required on
raising the distributing case slightly off the composing case. These blocks are made
of steel and being of small size can be hardened and ground so as to be formed with
perfect accuracy. By this means the upper ends of the type channels and their wards
can be made much more accurately than in the former construction, and the portions
of the case which are most subject to wear are made much more durable. But aside
from this, the blocks, being removable, can, if they become worn or the wards become
broken or damaged, be replaced by new ones without taking down the machine or
sending any part to the shop for repairs.
The spaces and quads contained in the matter to be distributed, being shorter than
type, may
not always when they arrive in position to be distributed, have their inner
ends against the backs of the channels of the distributing case, and when this happens
it would, it means were not provided for preventing it, interfere with the operation
of distributing because when a space or quad was thus moved outward from the back
of the channel, its nicks would not be in position to register with the wards of the
proper channel in the composing case, and it would fail to be distributed and' would
thus prevent the distribution of any type from the line above it in the channel. To
overcome this, the nicks in the spaces and quads have been made of a width equal to
the width of the wards with which they are to register, plus the difference between
the length of a type and a space or quad, so that if a space or quad moves outward
until it is even with the faces of the type in the line or any part of this distance, its
nicks will still be in position to receive the wards of the appropriate channel so that
it will not, upon arriving at its channel, fail to be distributed. This widening of the
nicks in the spaces and quads, while it made it certain that they would be distributed
when they arrived at the proper channels of the composing case, permitted them to
enter and pass downward in said channels with their inner ends so far outward from
the backs of the channels that the wards 8 on the backs of the channels would not
enter the nicks in their ends. This to a great extent destroyed the function of the
wards 8 so far as the spaces and quads was concerned, and permitted them, and more
particularly the thinner spaces, to sometimes turn and wedge in the channels. To
overcome this difficulty, the nicks in the spaces and quads are, in the present case,
made of the same width as before, and the wards 7, of the channels which are to
receive the spaces and quads, are made of an equal width up to within a short distance
of their upper ends. From this point, however, the wards are bevelled or inclined
upon their inner sides, as best shown in figures 8 and 9, so that at their extreme
upper ends, they are reduced in width. From this construction it results that if a
space or quad be moved outward in a channel of the distributing case so as to be even
with the outer ends or faces of the type, as indicated by dotted lines in figures 8
and 9 its nicks will still be in position to receive the upper ends of the wards 7, so
that it will be distributed. As soon, however, as the space or quad commences to
descend in its channel in the composing case, the incline e acting against the sides
of the nicks will force the space or quad inward to the back of the channel so that the
ward 8 will enter the nick in its foot, as indicated by dotted lines in figure 9. The
same result may be accomplished by making the wards 7 of the ordinary width, and
without the inclines at their upper ends and forming the back wards 8 so that they
will project into the channels a distance equal to the depth of the nicks in the ends of
the quads and spaces plus the difference in length between the type and the quads
and spaces, and providing the inclines c at their upper ends as shown in figure 10.
The operation will then be reversed. If a quad or space has moved outward the nick
in its inner end will still be in position to receive the wards while if it is in its
normal position the incline e upon the ward 8 will force it outward to a position even
with the faces of the type. It is preferable, however, to provide the inclines e upon

page_text: the wards 7 as first described. The wards 7 or 8 of the channels which receive the
type from the distributing case, need not of course be provided with the inclines e, as
the type are prevented by the fenders 46 from moving outward from the backs of the
channels of the distributing case.
If the type conveying belt 3 be stretched around a pulley located at the side of
the type lifter, and another pulley at the rear of the machine, the belt being driven
from the main shaft through a countershaft and a train of gears the tension to which
the belt is subjected may cause it to not only gradually become lengthened and slack,
so that it may not be driven properly but the stretching of the belt may narrow it
unevenly and to such an extent as to interfere with the perfect operation of the
machine and may at times permit a type to fall between the revolving table 40 and
the edge of the belt. It has also been found that the belt wears out much faster
when it is under tension. To avoid these objections the belt is not stretched around
its pulleys, but passes loosely around them, and is driven by means of a pulley 23,
(see Figures 1 and 11) which is geared to and pinches the belt against the pulley 22,
around which the belt passes at the rear of the machine.
By this means, the belt is fed positively by the pulleys 22 and 23 and can be or
become quite slack as a whole and yet be in a proper taut condition where it should
be so and the type will be properly forwarded.
As the type are successively ejected from the composing case, they are carried
around on the revolving type carrying table 40, and when they arrive at the proper
point, they are deflected or guided off from the table by a guide 106, (see Figure 12
to 20) and pass onto the type conveying belt 3, to be conveyed to the lifter 25.
The types are maintained in proper position upon the belt by means of side
guides 21, which extend from the rim 94 of the table 40, forward to the lifter. The
channel thus formed through which the type are conveyed by the belt 3 is provided
with a removable cover 52, which is made in sections as shewn, so that it can be
more readily removed in case the type should become blocked in the channel, and, it
should be necessary to obtain access to them. The sections of the cover, are provided
upon their undersides with inclined downward projections 9, as best shown in
Figure 16 which fit between the guides 21 and leave just sufficient space above the
belt for the passage of one type of the maximum thickness. By this means, any
liability of the type to be turned over by the jarring or vibration of the belt is
prevented.
In order to prevent two type from passing onto the belt 3 in such position as to
overlap each other and lie wholly or partly side by side, so that the types are liable,
when they arrive at the lifter, to become wedged, and thus stop the proper operation
of the machine, means are provided by which in case two or more type became
overlapped upon the belt, they would be restored to their proper position one behind
the other before they arrived at the lifter. This is effected according to this Inven-
tion by what may be called a separator, which operates, in case two or more type are
overlapped or partly overlapped upon the belt, to restore them to their proper position
in line, one beliind the other, before they are permitted to pass to the lifter. This
device consists of a pair of oval-shaped rolls 10 (Figures 17 to 20) which are located
directly above the belt 3, at a point near the lifter. These rolls are mounted upon
vertical shafts 53 (Figure 16) which are connected by gears 55 and are driven
through a pulley 58 and belt 59 from a pulley 57 upon the main shaft 32. These
connections are so arranged that the rolls 10 are caused to revolve toward each other,
as indicated by the arrows in Figures 18, 19 and 20 and the rolls are set upon their
shafts so that the lines of their greatest diameters are at or about right angles to each
other as shewn, and therefore as they revolve, the space between them is always the
same or about the same no matter what the position of the rolls may be. The outer
one of the shafts 53 is mounted in a rigid bearing but the bearing 80 of the inner
one of the shafts is pivoted upon a screw 65 at its upper end as shown in Figure 14°
so as to be capable of a slight oscillating movement to carry the inner one of the
rolls 10 to and from the outer one. The bearing 80 is pressed inward by a light
spring 16 (Figure 14) which is so adjusted that it will maintain the rolls 10 in such

page_text: position that they will pinch slightly upon the type as they pass between them. By
this means, if two or more type become overlapped upon the belt 3, and arrive in this
position at the rolls 10, the action of the rolls revolving toward each other as they do,
will tend to throw the type inward from the guides 21, and cause them to pass
through the space between the rolls. This space being only of sufficient width,
however, to permit the passage of one type at a time, the other type will be arrested
and only one will pass forward at a time (see Figures 18, 19 and 20). As soon as
the first type has thus passed between the rolls, the second type will immediately
be thrown inward toward the opening between the rolls, and will pass through in
like manner, and so on, one by one.
In order to secure this result, it is necessary, of course that the rolls 10 should be
comparatively small, as, if they were large instead of arresting and detaining all of
the type except one, they would tend to draw all of the type into their bite or into
the space between them, and would thus wedge the type. It is not essential,
however, that these rolls should be oval, as shown, although this is the preferable
form. The result could be effected, though not in so perfect a manner, if the rolls
are made circular, but of small size.
This action of the rolls 10 in throwing the type inward from the guides 21 might
in some case, particularly if more than two type should be overlapped, cause the type
at the side of the one which was in position to pass between the rolls, to bind against
one of the guides, and possibly lock the rolls, or break the type. To avoid this, the
guides 21 are made in sections, and the portions of the guides forming the section
next in the rear of the rolls 10 are connected together by bridge pieces 11, and this
section is pivoted at its rear end, as shown at 20, (Figures 16 and 17) so that the
forward end of the section is capable of oscillating over the belt. By this means,
whenever any type is crowded against one of the guides, the guides will be moved
laterally in either direction as the case may be, and thus prevent the wedging and
crowding of the type. It is desirable that the oscillating movement of the guides 21,
should not be affected by the movement of the belt 3 and it is therefore desirable that
the guides should not rest or bear upon the belt but should swing entirely free of the
belt. To provide for this the inner one of the guides is provided with a small lateral
arm 62 (see figure 17) which extends inward beyond the edge of the belt 3 and bends
downward so that its end rests upon the bed plate 63. By this means the weight of
the guides is taken by the arm 62 and they are kept free from the belt 3. To make
the guides yield more readily however to any slight pressure from the type on the
belt, it is desirable that they should be so nearly balanced as to remove the most of
their weight upon the arm 62 and to accomplish this the bridge piece 11, at the rear
end of the guides may be provided with a rearwardly extending arm 39 (see Figure 16)
upon which is mounted an adjustable weight 61, which can readily be so adjusted as
to nearly counter-balance the weight of the guides and thus allow them to oscillate
freely on the pivot, 20, and bear but slightly upon the arm 62, at their forward ends.
This feature is only shown in Figures 16 and 17 in order to avoid confusion in the
other figures.
The lifter 25 is operated by a belt 28 which passes around a pulley 29 upon the
shaft 86 (Figure 16) of the lifter, and around a pulley 30 on a counter-shaft 82, and
which is driven through a belt 79 which passes around a pulley 78 upon the shaft 82
and a pulley on the shaft through which motion is communicated to the train of
gears 31 for driving the belt 3 (see Figure 1).
Instead of the types as they are raised by the lifter being caught and held in their
elevated position by a shoulder formed on the inner wall of the composing stick, the
type being pressed onto this shoulder by a pivoted block, which is pressed inward by
a spring it has been found that better results can be accomplished by the use of a
simple Hat spring arranged just outside the lifter, and extending above the same in
position to press against the lower type of the line, as it is raised by the lifter. This
spring 96 is fastened at its lower end upon the removable plate 110, which covers
the outer face of the lifter, and the spring is arranged so that its upper end extends

page_text: slightly above the lifter, and inwardly (see Figures 21, 22, 22 and 22) sufficiently
to press and hold the last type in the line, against the inner wall of the stick with
sufficient force to support the line and relieve the lifter from its weight. The
spring 96 will preferably be provided upon its inner face with a slight projection 17
which will engage with the lower edge of each type as it is raised by the lifter and
thus more positively support the line. The projection or shoulder 17 is cut away at
the middle of the spring as best shown in Figure 22 to accommodate the upper
edge of the lifter.
Two strikers 35 and 87 (see Figures 12, 13 and 23) operate to even up the line of
type as it passes from the lifter into the composing stick. These strikers are both
mounted upon an arm 75 which is pivotted on the shaft 82 and is operated by a
spring arm 54 which is connected to the arm 75 and is engaged by studs 90
extending from the outer face of the pulley 29 on the shaft of the lifter. The
striker 35 is mounted upon an arm 56 which extends laterally from the upper end of
the arm 75 and the striker 87 is mounted upon a second arm 60, which extendś
forward from the arm 75, and passes beneath the composing stick. As the
type a are raised by the lifter they pass into the composing stick 34 (sec
Figures 16, 21 and 24) and are gradually moved forward in the stick as the
successive type are added to the line by the lifter. The composing stick 34 is curved
so as to gradually change the type from the horizontal position in which they enter
the stick to a nearly vertical position, and as they arrive at the side of the machine
in this position they are taken by the justifier and formed into lines and introduced
into the galley G.
As the type are brought into a vertical or nearly vertical position and moved along
the stick in that position, the forward type of the line are liable to fall over into the
bottom of the stick and thus become misplaced. To prevent this, the stick is made
somewhat wider than the thickness of a type (see Figures 24 and 25) and is provided
with an adjustable back 73, in which is clamped a row of bristles or a narrow strip
of hair cloth 19, or other similar material which bears against the side of the line of
type with a gentle pressure sufficient to prevent the forward type of the line from
falling, and thus maintains them in their upright position, until they are removed
from the stick by the justifier.
When a chute is used which leads from a point in convenient proximity to the
operator to the revolving type carrying table to enable the operator from time to
time to place upon the table and thus introduce into the line, such type as are not
provided for in the composing case of the machine the inconvenience arises that the
operator is obliged to first take the required types from a case, and turn them into
the proper position, before placing theni in the chute. To obviate the annoyance and
delay of this, the machine is provided with an auxiliary type case 100, (see
Figures 1, 24, 26 and 27) which is located above the inner edge of the keyboard 70,
and is provided with a series of type channels 18 in which the odd sorts of type
which are not provided for in the machine are placed. Each of the channels 18 of
this auxiliary case is provided at its bottom and at its rear or inner side with an
opening 24 of sufficient size to permit the passage of a single type of the size
contained in the channel. Located in the rear of this type case, and just below the
openings 24 is an apron 99, which inclines downward with gradually converging
sides, which terminate at the upper end of the chute 68, so that any type ejected
from one of the channels 18 will passs onto the apron 99, and thence by gravity
downward along the apron, and be itirected into the chute 68, from which it will pass
onto the table 40, and be conveyed to the belt 3 and take its proper place in line.
The front side of the case 100 is provided with a series of plungers 38, which are
arranged to enter the bottom of the channels so as to eject the bottom type of any
channel onto the apron 99. These plungers are provided with springs 37 by which
they are normally held withdrawn from the channels 18, and are provided at their
outer ends with suitable keys or handles 33, by which they can be pressed inward, so
as to eject a type when required. These plungers are supported in a pivoted

page_text: frame 93, which is held in its raised position by hooks 92 (Figure 1) so that
whenever desired the frame and the plungers can be swung downward away from
in front of the type channels, and thus allow access to the bottoms of the channels
for any purpose that may be required.
This auxiliary type case with its plungers for ejecting the type therefrom, is in
such relation to the operator, that the type contained in the channels 18, can be
introduced into the line with nearly or quite the same rapidity that the ordinary types
can be, and thus the extra delay occasioned by the necessity of introducing type not
contained in the composing case of the machine is nearly or quite avoided.
In machines of this class, it has also been found desirable that the copy holder for
holding the copy for the operator, should he made adjustable, as different operators,
in order to work with the greatest ease and rapidity, require the copy to be in
different positions. The copy holder 71 (see Figures 1, 26 and 28), instead of being
rigidly mounted is supported by screws which pass through slotted arms 72, in such
way that the height of the holder can be readily adjusted and the arms 72 are
pivotally secured to the keyboard by means of set screws, so that the holder, when
adjusted to the proper height, can be readily moved to or from the operator, and then
secured in position.
By this means, the copy holder can be adjusted to such position as to suit the
requirements of almost any operator, and this is a feature of considerable convenience
and importance in the practicable operation of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what wo claim is
First The combination with the distributing case B and its type channels, having
openings upwards through the top of the case of the followers 48 and the auxiliary
followers 50 arranged to be inserted and removed through the openings in the top of
the case, substantially as herein before described.
Second The combination with the distributing case B, its fenders 46 and the
sliding bar 43 for raising the fenders, of the arm 44 extending over the top of the
case for restoring the fenders to their proper position all being arranged substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Third The combination with the distributing case B, its fenders 46 and the
sliding bar 43 for raising the fenders, of the arm 44, pivotted to the bar 43 and
provided with the spring 45 all being arranged substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
Fourth In the composing case A vertical type channels provided at top with the
removable and hard wear plates or blocks 51 each fitted to form one side of the upper
end of each of two adjacent type channels and provided with the wards for effecting
the distribution from the revolving distributing case B resting and revolving upon
the upper end of the composing case, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth The combination of a distributing case B, and a composing case A the
latter being provided with type channels having side wards 7 and a back ward 8 one
or more of the said wards having an incline c at its or their upper end, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
Sixth-In a type composing case with type channels, back wards 8 formed in the
said channels, to engage in corresponding recesses in the ends of the types in com-
bination with side wards 7 having the incline c at their upper ends substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described.
Seventh In a type setting machine the combination with the revolving type
carrying table 40, of the conveying belt 3 and the pulleys, 22, 23 arranged to pinch
the belt between them and thereby drive it by feeding it and keeping it taut sub-
stantially as hercin before described.
Eighth The combination in a type setting machine, of type conveying belt,
side guides 21 for holding the type on the belt and a pair of rolls 10 arranged above
the belt and revolving toward each other so as to draw the type between them one
at a time, substantially as hereinbefore described.
B

page_text: Ninth In a type setting machine the combination with the belt 3, of oval shaped
rolls 10 set with their longer axes at right angles to each other and arranged to draw
the type between them one at a time, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Tenth In a type setting machine the combination of a type conveying belt 3
rolls 10 and pivotted oscillating guides 21 all arranged and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Eleventh In a type setting machine the combination of a type conveying belt 3
the rolls 10 one of which is supported in a yielding bearing and the spring 16
acting upon the said bearing all arranged to operate substantially as herein before
described.
Twelfth In a type setting machine the combination with a type conveying belt 3,
of pivotted oscillating guides 21 and counter-balance weight 61, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Thirteenth In a type setting machine the combination with a type conveying
belt 3, of the pivotted oscillating guides 21 having the supporting arm 62 and the
counter-balance weight 61, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourteenth In a type setting machine the combination with the belt 3 and
guides 21, of the covers 52 having the downward projections 9, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
Fifteenth In a type setting machine the combination with the type conveying
belt 3 lifter 25 and composing stick 34 of the spring supporter 96 arranged outside
the lifter and to press the lower type inward against the side of the stick, substantially
as hereinbefore described and with or without the projections 17.
Sixteenth The combination with the composing stick 34 of a type setting
machine of the adjustable back 73, with the yielding support 19 for bearing against
the side of the line of type in the stick, substantially as herein before described.
Seventeenth-The combination with the composing case A, the revolving type
carrying table 40 and means for ejecting the type from the case onto the table, of
the independent chute 68 for delivering type onto said table, the apron 99 com-
municating with said chute and the auxiliary type case 100 having type channels
which communicate with said apron, substantially as described.
Eighteenth The combination with the type case 100 having the type channels 18,
of the plungers 38 moving in the bottoms of said channels to eject the type there-
from and mounted in the swinging frame 93 substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described.
Nineteenth-A type composing or setting machine in which are combined the
several improvements for governing or controlling the motion of the types from the
channels of the composing case to their delivery to the guides leading to the com-
posing stick substantially as herein before described.
Twentieth A machine or apparatus for distributing and composing or setting
types for printing purposes consisting of the arrangement and combination of parts
substantially as herein before described and illustrated as a whole in Figures 1 and 24
and in detail in the other Figures of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 25th ave of Ontahan 1007