Improvements in Type-distributing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application 1st Dec. 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-distributing Machines.
A communication from abroad by JOHN LOREDON MCMILLAN, of Ilion, in the
County of Herkimer and State of New York, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster & 323, High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 type-distributing machines of the character set forth in
the Specification of Letters Patent No. 10523, dated August 17, 1886, to which
reference may be had for any matters not herein set forth.
Some of the features herein set forth and claimed are in the nature of improve-
ments upon the construction set forth in the aforesaid Patent, and others are either
alternative constructions or radical departures designed to more perfectly attain
the end in view.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of the machine;
Figure 2, a sectional elevation of the same;
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are views illustrating various features and
details hereinafter explained.
Figure 11, a vertical sectional view of a part of the machine;
Figures 12 to 15 inclusive, views illustrating certain details and modifications of
the machine represented in Figures 1, 2 and 11;
Figures 16 to 28 inclusive, views illustrating a somewhat different construction,
but one embodying the general principles of the preceding, and particularly designed
to make use of oblique or tangential type-channels.
The distributor comprises a wheel rotating in a horizontal plane, a hoop or ring
encircling said wheel, and guards, fingers or wards, either fixed or movable,
to control the passage of individual types from channels in one of said parts to
channels, passages or spaces in the other, as will be better understood upon
reference to said parts in the drawings, in which-referring first to Figures 1 to 15
inclusive-
A, indicates a strong frame, the legs of which are sufficiently spread to afford
due stability, and in which is mounted a vertical shaft or spindle B, which carries
at or near its upper end the wheel or disc C.
The spindle B has a long bearing in the frame A, which ensures its running
perfectly true, and its lower end is stepped in a vertically-adjustable cup D, the
threaded stem a of which is screwed through a cross bar of frame A, and is held
against accidental turning by means of a jam nut b.
The cup D serves to hold a quantity of oil or lubricant sufficient to last for a
considerable length of time, thereby ensuring the free turning of the spindle
therein, and it furthur serves to collect any oil which may flow down the spindle
from its bearing in the upper part of frame A.
E indicates a worm gear wheel, encircling spindle B, and caused to turn there-
with through the interposition of a spline or feather, which permits a vertical
adjustment of the worm gear wheel if at any time required.
Said wheel may be secured at its proper adjustment, either by tightening
the key or feather, or by means of a set screw, though such adjustment will
rarely be necessary after the parts of the machine are first assembled and adjusted
for use

page_text: Meshing with the worm gear E is a worm wheel or screw F, carried by a
shaft G supported in suitable bearings in frame A, and furnished with driving
pulleys, as illustrated, for the purpose of imparting a slow but steady rotation to
shaft or spindle B and wheel or disc C.
G indicates a spider or frame, the hub of which is or may be socketed in the
upper end of frame A, as illustrated in Figure 2, or otherwise supported thereon,
and which is formed with an annular outer band or hoop H, upon which or upon a
band I secured thereto, rests the outer edge of wheel or disc C.
The band I is to be used only in case the machine be made with movable
selecting pins, wards or fingers, and, when used, is furnished with cam grooves to
receive pins or studs d,. projecting from blocks J and K upon which such selecting
pins, wards or fingers e and fare formed, or by which they are carried.
The construction and operation of such movable wards or fingers having been
explained in detail in the inventor's former Patent, it is unnecessary to repeat the
description here; but it is to be observed that, in the present instance, the
actuating studs or pins d of the blocks J and K project inward therefrom instead
of outward, as before, the cam ring or band I being in the present case inside
instead of outside of the blocks.
This change facilitates the removal and replacement of the blocks J and K, and
is quite important for that reason.
The blocks J and K play in seats cut for them in the periphery of the disc or
wheel A, their position being either vertical or approximately so, according to the
formation of disc or wheel C, which may be either horizontal or inclined on its
upper face, the drawings representing it inclined, as in practice it is preferred, for
reasons set forth in the inventor's prior Patent.
Encircling the hoop or band H, and wheel or disc C, is a hoop or ring I, formed
with passages y, registering with channels formed in the wheel or disc C, the
passages and channels being either radial to the axis of the wheel, or tangential
to a circle concentric with said axis, and which circle may vary considerably in
size, though advisably not exceeding a radius of three or four inches.
The number of passages in the outer hoop or ring I may be the same as or
greater or less than that of the channel, preferably greater, the capacity of the
machine being increased proportionately with every increase in the number of such
passages.
The wheel C is designed to carry in its channels the lines of type to be distributed,
though, as explained in the inventor's former Patent, the arrangement may be
reversed, and, instead of the type being ejected from said channels into the
passages g, they may be delivered from the passages g into the channels h, but not
to so great advantage.
The mouths of the passages and channels are guarded by selecting pins, wards or
fingers e and f, which may be carried by the movable blocks J, K, or may be fixed
in position at the mouths of the receiving passages or channels, and the form of
which may vary considerably.
In practice, it is preferred to employ fixed guards of the form illustrated in
Figure 4, that is to say, consisting of thin projecting lips or wards ef, projecting
from one of the side walls of the passage or channel, those for each channel designed
for type of a given letter or character being arranged in a different position or
different relation from those designed for a type of any other letter or character, as
is well understood and usual in this class of machines.
To facilitate the entrance of the type into the passages, channels or spaces thus
guarded, and to prolong the period of time during which the passage from the
containing to the receiving channel may take place, the wall of the receiving
channel is cut away at the forward or receiving end, at that side from which the
type approaches it under the travel of the wheel or disc, or, in other words, that
corner of the side wall is rounded off or beveled, as clearly indicated in Figure 4,
and the lips or wards e and fare similarly cut away, rounded off, or beveled, as
shown in the same figures.

page_text: The consequence of this construction is that the type begins to leave the con-
taining channel before said channel comes into alignment with the receiving passage
or channel, and is entirely ejected by the time such alignment occurs, if not
before, and the danger of cutting, shearing or marring the type is greatly
lessened.
The outer hoop or band L is formed in separate sections, each of which is inde-
pendently supported, and movable from and toward wheel or disc C, the purpose
of such adjustment being to give ready access to the opposing mouths of the
channels and passages, and to the guards or wards thereof.
It is desirable to provide for such movement of the sections of band or hoop L
without disturbance or removal of the type-receiving cases M, when such are used,
and hence the rear or outer supports N, upon which the cases M rest, are connected,
by rods O, with the sections of hoop or band L, and are moved together, thereby
preserving the relation of the sections, the supports and the cases.
The construction and arrangement of those parts will be readily understood upon
referring to Figures 1 and 2, in which is shown a series of bars P, each extending
from the hoop or ring H of the spider, and having its inner end screwed or otherwise
secured in a socket in said hoop or band.
These bars are connected by one or more bridge pieces or plates Q and are
supported at their outer ends by braces R, seated at their lower ends in sockets in
frame A.
The plate or pieces Q are formed with tubular guides i through which pass the
rods O, which connect the sections of hoop or ring Land the outer case-supports N;
these guides serving to direct the movement of said parts and ensure their return
exactly to position.
The outer case supports N rest and move.upon the bars P, which will be of such
width as to allow due movement of the outer supporting bars N upon them without
danger of dropping therefrom.
Screwed into or otherwise made fast to each section of the hoop or ring L is a
stud j, into which is screwed the threaded end of an axle pin or bolt k, upon which
is mounted an antifriction roller l.
Pivoted to each of the plate or bridge pieces Q is a hand lever S, having its
inner end enlarged and formed with a slot m, concentric to the pivot about which
the lever moves, as shown in Figure 1, said slot being designed to receive the
antifriction roller of the section of the hoop to which the lever belongs.
The outer end of the slot is made concentric with the pivot of the lever for a
short distance, in order that there may be no tendency or possibility of the hoop
section moving outward when the lever is thrown to bring that end of the slot
opposite the roller, in which position the parts usually remain.
Whenever, for any reason, it becomes desirable to have access to the space
between the wheel or disc and the encircling hoop or ring at any point, the section
of the hoop within which such point is embraced is drawn back or outward by its
lever, the necessary inspection, adjustment or repair is made, and the section is
returned to place.
This is a feature of very considerable importance, because it enables the attendant
to rearrange the wards or guards, or to substitute others, if desired; to remove
particles of foreign matter; or, in the event of a type becoming turned or falling
out of position, it permits the attendant to straighten it with ease and expedition.
It is apparent that any equivalent device or means may be substituted for the
lever for withdrawing and returning the hoop or ring sections, and that the lever
may be arranged to work vertically, as in Figure 13, instead of horizontally, or in
any other plane desired.
A screw of quick pitch, such as shown in Figure 14, may be mentioned as a well
known equivalent of the lever for this purpose.
Having now explained the general construction and arrangement of the parts, a
detailed description of the type wheel or distributing disc will be given, many of
the features of novelty residing therein.

page_text: h
As explained in the inventor's former Patent, the channels or grooves may be
cut in the solid body of a disc or wheel, or may be formed by securing, to the face
of the disc, a series of blocks or bars C₁ of metal or other suitable material, of such
form and at such distances apart as to produce a series of intermediate channels h
of the required width.
In practice, it is preferable to adopt this latter plan because of the greater ease
and simplicity of manufacture, the facility it affords of access to the walls of the
grooves, and for like practical reasons.
In whatever manner formed, the upper edge or angle of one wall of each groove
is cut away, forming an inclined face or bevel n, as shown in Figure 5, the purpose
of which is to facilitate the introduction of a line of type into the groove or
channel.
The line of type to be thus introduced has its side face laid upon the bevel facen,
while its lower edge, formed by the heels of the type, comes against the upright
opposite wall of the channel or groove, thereby preventing the individual types
from falling out of line. The line of type, previously inclined from a vertical
position, is then straightened up to a vertical plane and dropped into the
groove.
The beveling of face n thus ensures the straightening of the line of type, and
greatly facilitates its entrance into the groove, enabling the attendant to do with
ease, expedition and certainty what would otherwise require considerable time and
be attended with difficulty.
In the former Patent aforesaid, springs, working through slots in the bottoms of
the grooves to advance the type and their followers, were illustrated and described;
but, instead thereof, coiled or helical wire springs T are now employed which are
seated in grooves o formed in the upright side faces of the channels, as shown in
Figures 5 and 6.
The springs T bear at one end against a follower U, which, in turn, bears against
the rear end of the line of type in the channel, and at the other end against a fixed
stop V, which may be a slug or block extending from the central boss or hub of
wheel C, to and slightly into the rear end of the channel as shown in Figures 1
and 2; or any equivalent filling piece at the rear end of the channel.
By merely lifting the slug or block V from its place, the spring T and the
follower U are made free to be withdrawn from their channel, which is sometimes
desirable or necessary.
The follower is represented in Figure 9, and is formed with a longitudinal rib P
on one or both sides, of a form to fit and freely travel in the grooves o, in which
the spring is seated.
One of the ribs p is cut away a short distance from the forward end of the
follower, as shown in Figure 9, and the groove o, in which it travels, terminates a
short distance from the outer end of the channel wall, as shown in Figure 6, thus
forming a shoulder or stop against which the forward end of rib p abuts when the
follower has advanced the prescribed distance.
In practice, this distance is such as to permit a slight projection of the follower
beyond the end of the channel, so that, as the wheel revolves, the follower of an
empty channel protruding therefrom shall come into contact with and be forced
back by the inwardly-projecting strips g, which, in this as in the former machine,
serve to hold or force the type back while the channels are passing from one point
to another. After the protruding follower is forced back, it rides off the strip
and is forced forward by the spring with sufficient force to cause its stop shoulder
to strike that of the channel a light but clear blow, sufficient to call attention to
the fact that a channel is empty.
In the former Patent, inclined blocks or cams between the outer ends of the
channels were shown and described to force outward the type liberated from said
channels, but, as there represented, these blocks were narrow and bore only at one
point upon the type, at or about their mid lengths.
Such arrangement, though giving good results on the whole, was liable to

page_text: objection because admitting of the possibility of a type being thrown forward at
one end more than at the other, in which case it would be liable to become cut or
broken.
It is, therefore, preferred to employ a wide faced block, or more properly a
double block or cam W, since its face is divided into an upper and a lower part by
a glot r, formed for the passage of the strips q. These blocks bear upon the type
above and below their mid length, and not only prevent tipping thereof, but
effectually exclude broken type or other foreign matter from between the feeling
points or wards ef when these are made movable, as set forth in the former
Patent.
These blocks W may be made separate and secured in any convenient manner to
the wheel as shown in Figure 15, or to the sectors C thereof; or they may be
integral with the wheel or the sectors, as found convenient.
Under the construction above set forth, the cam ring or hoop I being inside
instead of outside of the blocks J K it is necessary or at least advisable to make
provision for holding said blocks in place even when the hoop sections L are drawn
away; and for this purpose is employed a guide pin X, the shank or stem of which
passes through a hole in the overhanging end of the block J and enters a socket in
the block Kas shown in Figure 7.
The upper end of the guide pin is either provided with a horizontal plate or
arm, perforated to receive a fastening screw,as in Figure 7, or is bent over and
downward as in Figure 8,-the outwardly bent enl being slightly tapered and
driven tightly into a hole or socket in the wheel or sector block and thus retained
in place.
It will be seen that, in numerous respects, the details of construction may be
varied more or less; thus, for instance, instead of the blocks or filling pieces behind
the springs in the channels h, a vertically sliding plate, seated in grooves, may be
employed and, instead of making the follower with a continuous rib or ribs, studs
or short sectional ribs may be formed thereon.
It will also be noted that the beveling or cutting away of the upper edge or
angle of one wall of the containing type channel is a feature applicable to all such
channels, whether in a rotary, reciprocating, oscillating or stationary containing
body.
The same is true as to the wards or guards herein described.
In some cases, one or both sides of the follower are provided with a spring or
springs to produce slight friction.
The construction shown in Figures 16 to 28 inclusive will now be described.
In this form, as in the first described form, the machine consists essentially of
a wheel or disc which is arranged to rotate in a horizontal plane within a hoop or
encircling band, the disc and the hoop or band being each formed with channels or
passages, those of one to contain the type to be distributed, and those of the other
to receive the type as they are separated from the line and distributed to their
appropriate cases or receivers, it being optional to employ either long receiving
cases or to drop the type into boxes or cells.
In these general features, the machine is quite similar to the one referred to, but,
for facilitating the passage of the type from the channels of the wheel to those of
the encircling hoop or band, the channels are placed obliquely, or tangential to a
circle concentric with, but of less diameter than, the wheel or disc, and at the
mouths of the receiving channels or passages are employed rotatable guards or
wards, by which two features of construction the type are permitted to begin their
movement from the containing to the receiving channel before the two channels
come actually into alignment and to continue that movement during the travel of
the wheel which brings them exactly into alignment, so that the passage of the
type from one channel to the other is permitted to be gradual, and is thus made
certain, this being another way of obtaining the result accomplished by cutting
away the corners of the blocks between the receiving channels, as above
explained.

page_text: The rotatable guards or wards may be in the form of thin horizontal discs
separated one from another, or they may be formed upon and integral with a
cylinder, two being ordinarily used for each opening, and their positions determining
the letter which shall pass, the different type being differently nicked, in the same
manner essentially as for the machine above referred to.
A, indicates a supporting framework or pedestal, consisting of a base A' and an
upper section A², the latter spread out at the top to form a supporting table for
the horizontal disc or type-wheel C, and for the encircling band or hoop L, in or
through which are formed channels for the passage of type ejected from the
channels of the type-wheel or disc.
The lower face of the disc C is formed with an annular rib a' which is seated in
a corresponding groove, by which arrangement the disc is kept concentric with
its supporting bed or table, and, consequently, with the encircling hoop or band L
which is secured upon said table.
The disc or type-wheel is further supported by and receives rotary motion from
a central vertical shaft or spindle B, which has a bearing in the tubular standard
of the upper section A of the stand or frame, and is carried at its lower end in a
vertically adjustable step D, which is screwed through the cross braces of the
lower section A of the frame A, as shown in Figure 17.
The hub of the disc is made fast to the shaft or spindle by a through pin, or in
any other convenient manner.
As shown in Figure 17, the base of the upper section A2 of the standard or frame
is spread out, thereby forming a chamber e within which is placed a worm wheel E,
which encircles the shaft or spindle B, and is formed or furnished with a spline or
feather d', to enter a slot el in the spindle, so that the two shall turn in unison,
while the spindle may be vertically adjusted through and independently of the
wheel, which latter is held in place by the upper and lower walls of chamber c'.
Findicates a worm carried by a shaft G₁ mounted in suitable bearings in the
frame A, essentially as in the machine referred to above, and meshing with the
teeth of the worm-wheel E, to which, in rotating, it imparts a regular and easy
rotary movement, and through it to the spindle and the type wheel or disc.
By placing the worm and worm-wheel within the chamber c', they are kept free
from dust, and are not liable to do injury or to be injured.
The type-wheel or disc C is furnished with a series of channels 4, of a width
just sufficient to receive the kind of type to be distributed, and to permit them to
move freely therein without liability of turning about their longer axis.
These channels may be cut in the solid metal of the type-wheel or disc by a
suitable slotting or milling machine, but it is preferable to employ separate blocks
as described in connection with the first form of machine.
Instead of arranging these channels radially to the axis of the disc or wheel, it
is preferable to make them tangential to a circle concentric with, but of smaller
diameter than, the wheel or disc, as plainly shown in Figure 16 and in Figure 3.
The precise angle given the channels is not a matter of importance, but it is
found that, if they be made tangential to a circle of from about one third to one
half the diameter of the type-wheel or disc, very satisfactory results are attained.
Several advantages arise from this oblique arrangement of the channels, chief
among which are the greater number of type that can be carried in the channels
of a disc or wheel of given diameter, and the passage of the type over the meeting
line of the fixed and moving channels obliquely or cornerwise instead of squarely,
as heretofore.
By this mode of delivering the type from the channels, together with the cutting
away of the corners of the receiving channels and the employment of rolling or
rotatable guards or wards at the mouths of the receiving channels, the type can be
started from the containing to the receiving channel before the containing and
receiving channels come into alignment.
This advantage results from two causes, first, the direction of travel of the type
is more nearly. that of the travel or rotation of the disc; and, second, the type,

page_text: by reason of their oblique or angular position relative to the meeting or dividing
line of the disc and encircling hoop or ring, enter further into the receiving channels
before leaving the containing channels than they could do were the channels radial
instead of tangential; and the rounding off or bevelling of the mouths of the
receiving channels can be made more gradual and the travel of the type more
steady than would otherwise be possible.
The form of the blocks or bars C is shown in Figure 16, and, on a larger scale,
in Figures 19 and 25, each block being of a thickness about equal to the height of
ordinary type, and of wedge form, or tapering from the outer toward the inner end,
to correspond with the decrease in space as the centre of the disc is approached.
In other words, they are essentially the same as those before described.
The outer end of each block is also formed with two horizontally projecting lips,
which are curved or cam-shaped, and which, when the blocks are secured in place
upon the type-wheel or disc, curve inward from the circumference of the disc, as
shown in Figure 16, taking the place of cams W of Figures 6 and 15.
The type-wheel or disc rotates in the direction indicated by arrow in Figure 16,
and the forward ends of the curved lips are nearer the axis of rotation than the
rear ends, consequently, a type ejected from one of the channels and reaching a
point outside the forward end of the lips will be moved outward by said lips into
the receiving channels g, which are formed in or through the encircling hoop or
band L.
This hoop or band L may, like the disc or type-wheel, have the channels cut in
the solid metal, but it is preferred to build up said hoop or band of a series of
separable blocks I', so shaped that, when put together, they shall produce channels g
of the same width, and having the same angular position relatively to the axis of
wheel C, as do the channels of said wheel.
The form and construction of these blocks is well shown in Figures 16, 17, 18,
20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, each being L-shaped in cross section, wedge shaped or
tapering longitudinally and having oblique ends to conform to the inner and outer
circumferences of the hoop when made up by the blocks I placed in their oblique
positions.
Each block is formed with a lateral enlargement or rib k¹ on one side, extending
from the bottom upward a short distance, said rib serving to space the blocks the
exact distance required to produce the channels g and their upper faces forming
the bottoms of the channels, as will be understood upon reference to Figure 18.
Instead of securing the blocks 11 directly to the table or bed formed by the
spreading of upper section A2 of the frame A, it is preferred to secure them in
groups to segmental plates J', which, in turn, are made fast to the bed or table,
because, by this arrangement, the ends of a series of the channels can be exposed
and to the
quickly and ready access to the inner ends of a number of the channels
wards or guards at the mouths of said channels can be obtained.
9
This is a matter of considerable importance in the event of injury to the wards,
or when it is desired to vary the arrangement thereof, as is sometimes donc.
The segments are made fast to the bed or table of the main frame by screws
or tap bolts ', or in any equivalent manner.
Each block is cut away at its inner end, as shown at m² m², to permit the
passage of the lips or cams, the ends of the blocks I¹ thus passing between the
lips or cams, and the lips or cams extending outside past the ends of the block 11
as indicated in Figure 17.
Each block I has two horizontal slots in its inner end to receive thin flat
discs or wheels o', which constitute the wards or guards, and which, by their joint
action and relative positions, determine what type or letter shall enter each
channel g.
It is not essential that the separate discs be used, as a cylinder or spindle having
circumferential enlargements corresponding to the discs, as shown in Figure 26,
might be emploved with like results.

page_text: So too, for the purpose of permitting ready rearrangement of the wards or guards,
it is proposed, in some cases, to provide the inner end of each block 1' with a series
of slots m¹, so that the discs can be placed in different positions at will.
The discs project beyond the sides and ends of the blocks I' into the channels g
and into the space between lips, as shown in Figures 20, 21, 22 and 23, and,
owing to the oblique arrangement of the channels, a type at the outer end of a
channel, which is nicked to correspond with the positions of the wards o' of
a channel with which the channel h is coming into alignment, will start from
channel before such alignment is accomplished. The oblique or tangential
arrangement of the channels causes the dividing line between the channels and
the channels g to be longer than the width of the channels themselves, and the
type being arranged squarely across or perpendicular to the channels, it follows
that one corner will leave the containing channel and enter the receiving channel
in advance of the others.
A. movement equal to the thickness of the particular type carries it in advance of
or beyond the line or inclines, which, as the type wheel or disc continues to
rotate, bear against the type at or near its upper and lower extremities, and force
it outward in the channel J.
The initial movement in, and the ejection of the type from, the channels is
effected by means of followers U, each of which is urged outward by a spiral
spring T, as before explained.
As shown in Figures 17 and 19, the followers U are formed with a longi-
tudinal rib p, designed to enter the grooves o of the blocks or bars C¹, which
grooves also serve to receive the springs T, and to hold the latter against
buckling or lateral displacement. The springs are compressed and inserted at
the rear ends of the channels, their forward ends bearing against the followers,
and their rear ends being seated in sockets in the central hub or boss of the
wheel or disc, as shown in Figure 17, sufficient space being left between the rear
ends of blocks or bars H and said hub to permit the ready insertion or removal
of the springs.
Instead of arranging the wards or guards o¹ to rotate, they may be stationary,
but in either case it is preferred that they shall project equally from the side and
from the end of each block or bar 1', the projection of the cam lips preventing
the type from tipping or turning edgewise before fairly entering the channels.
The channels or any desired number thereof being supplied with type to be
distributed, the worm or screw F is put in motion by means of a belt passing from a
suitable driving pulley to a band pulley on the worm shaft, the worm in its turn
giving a steady rotary motion to the worm wheel F, and through it to the type
wheel or disc C.
As the wheel rotates it brings each channel successively into alignment with
each channel g, and whenever the outermost type of any channel comes opposite
guards or wards so set as to register with the nicks of that type, the type will pass
from the type wheel to the outer hoop or band, and will be forced outward in the
channel or passage thereof by the cams or lips, as the wheel continues to
rotate.
The outer channels g may be of any desired length, and the type which enter
them may be dropped into boxes or receptacles beneath, or delivered into cases or
slides suitable for use in a type-setting machine, as set forth in the McMillan Patent
referred to.
The invention may be embodied in a machine in which an oscillatory or semi-
rotary movement is adopted instead of a continuous rotary motion; or the channels
may be made in bodies of rectangular, segmental or other form, and one or the
other reciprocated to carry the channels into alignment.
The entire surface of the disc and hoop, or any desired portion thereof, may be
furnished with channels, though in practice it is preferable to leave a space blank
where the feeding or charging of the channels is effected.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In combination with a main frame A, spindle B mounted therein and wheel
or disc C carried by said spindle, spider G mounted upon frame A and having a
band or hoop H extending beneath the wheel or disc near its outer edge and
serving to sustain the same."
2. In combination with a channeled wheel or disc, an encircling hoop or band
made in sections, said sections being independently movable from and toward the
wheel.
3. In a type-distributing machine, the combination of a channeled rotary disc or
wheel, an encircling channeled hoop or band composed of independent sections,
and levers or their described equivalents, connected with the respective sections
and serving to move them from and toward the disc or wheel.
4. In combination with wheel or disc C, hoop or band L, composed of indepen-
dent sections having studs k, bars P, bridge pieces Q connecting said bars and
provided with tubular guides i, rods O, connected with the sections of hoop L,
and levers S pivoted to the bridge pieces Q and having eccentric slots i to
receive the studs k, all substantially as described and shown.
5. In combination with a distributing wheel or disc, and with a sectional
receiving hoop or band encircling said wheel, guides for the several sections,
adapted to sustain them during their movements towards and from the disc and to
ensure their return to the precise position required.
6. In combination with a distributing wheel and a sectional receiving hoop or
band, guides adapted to support and direct the sections while being moved, and
levers, one for each section, serving to recede and advance the sections indepen-
dently.
7. In combination with a distributing wheel and with a segmental receiving
section having a stud or roller, a lever provided with an eccentric slot to receive
said stud or roller and effect the recession and advance of the section.
8. In combination with a distributing wheel and with a segmental receiving
section having a stud or roller, a lever provided with a slot eccentric to the pivot
of the lever through most of its length, but concentric therewith at its outer
end; whereby it is adapted to move the segment back and forth, and lock it in
place.
9. In combination with a distributing wheel and an encircling receiving hoop,
composed of segmental sections, rods connected with said sections; rests or
supports carried by said rods, and receiving type-cases extending from said rests
or supports to the segmental sections, substantially as described and shown.
10. In combination with frame A, spindle B and wheel or disc C, spider G
provided with ring or hoop H, bars P secured at their inner ends to said ring or
hoop, bridge pieces or plates Q connecting said bars and provided with guides i,
hoop or ring L composed of independent sections, each having a stud or roller,
rods O extending from the hoop sections through the guides i, case-supports N
carried by said rods, cases M extending from supports N to ring sections L, and
levers S, pivoted to bridge pieces Q and connected with the hoop sections, all
substantially as described and shown.
11. In a type-distributing machine, a wheel provided with a series of blocks or
bars, arranged at short distances apart and with their proximate faces parallel,
each block having one of its upper edges beveled, substantially as shown.
12. In a type-distributing machine, a type-containing wheel consisting of a disc,
and a series of sector blocks secured upon said disc with their proximate faces
parallel and at proper distance apart to admit a line of type between them, said
blocks having their opposing faces grooved substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
13. In combination with wheel or disc C having a central hub or boss and

page_text: channels, springs T seated in said channels and filling blocks or slugs V extending
from the hub or boss of the wheel into said channels.
14. The wheel or disc C, provided with a central hub or boss, and a channeled
body, the channeled portion and the hub being separated by an open space
through which the followers and springs may be introduced or withdrawn.
15. In combination with wheel C having channels provided with longitudinal
grooves in their side walls, and with a stop shoulder near the forward end of the
channel, a follower seated in said channel and provided with a stop shoulder to
engage with that of the groove.
16. In combination with wheel or body C having channels, provided with
longitudinal grooves o in their side walls, followers U provided with ribs or
projections, the groove of one wall being terminated a short distance from the
outer end of the channel, and the rib p, which works in said groove, being cut
away at the forward end of the follower, substantially as shown and described.
17. In combination with a containing body and a receiving body, both provided
with type channels and adapted to be moved one past the other, inclined blocks
or cams projecting outward between the ends of the containing channels and
adapted to bear against the type expelled therefrom, both above and below the
midlength of said type.
18. In combination with wheel or disc C having channels, and with encircling
hoop L having passages g, inclined blocks or cams W having a broad bearing face
to prevent the tipping of a type while pressed by said block.
19. In combination with whicel or disc C having channels, and with hoops or
ring L having passages g, detachable cam or block W located between the channels,
substantially as shown.
20. The combination of a containing body and a receiving body, both provided
with type-channels or passages, cach receiving passage having the corner of its
mouth cut away on the side from which the type approach it, and fixed guards at
said mouth, also rounded or cut away, substantially as described and shown.
21. In a type-distributing machine, a receiving body having channels or passages
to receive the type, said channels or passages being provided with fixed guards,
rounded or beveled at their outer corners.
22. In a type-distributing machine, the combination of a main frame A, provided
with a channeled hoop L, a spindle B mounted within said frame and provided
with a channeled disc C, a cup D having a threaded stem a screwed into the main
frame, and a jamb-nut encircling the threaded stem a, substantially as described
and shown.
23. In a type-distributing machine, the combination of a type-containing and a
type-receiving body, one movable relatively to the other, said bodies being each
provided with channels of proper width to contain the type, and said channels
being oblique to the line separating the two bodies.
24. The combination of a disc or wheel and an encircling hoop or band, each
provided with channels to contain type, said channels being tangential to a circle
concentric with, but of less diameter than, the disc or wheel.
25. In combination with a movable type-containing body as C, having channels h
and with a fixed type-receiving body as L having channels g, rotary guards or
wards, located at the mouths of the channels g.
26. In combination with wheel or disc C having channels and with hoop or
ring L having channels g, circular guards or wards o' projecting into the channels g
and from the inner circumference of the hoop or ring L.
27. In a type-distributing machine, a type-containing disc or wheel having its
face provided with blocks C¹ of tapering or wedge form, the side faces of the
successive blocks being arranged parallel to each other to produce intervening
channels tangential to a circle concentric with, but smaller than, the disc or wheel.
28. In combination with a type-containing disc or wheel, an encircling hoop or
ring composed of blocks 1', separated a distance sufficient to produce type channels,
substantially as described and shown.

page_text: 29. In combination with type-wheel or disc C, a bed or table extending out-
ward beyond the circumference thereof, segmental plates J secured upon said bed
or table, and blocks I' secured to the plates J', substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
30. In combination with type-wheel C, encircling hoop or ring L consisting of a
series of bars having lateral ribs ', said bars being placed with the rib k¹ of
each in contact with the side wall of the next, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
31. The combination of a rotary wheel or disc, bars C¹ secured thereto and
provided with cam-lips at their outer ends, bars I arranged side by side in a
circular series about the wheel and cut away to permit the passage of the lips,
channels and g between the blocks C and between the blocks I', and guards or
wards at the mouths of the channels 9.
32. In combination with frame A, spindle B, worm wheel E held against vertical
movement, worin F, and type-wheel or disc C, vertically adjustable stop D carrying
the lower end of the spindle.
33. In combination with the frame consisting of base A1 and upper section A³
with intermediate chamber c¹, type-wheel C, spindle B passing upward through
the frame, and worm wheel E mounted in chamber c and encircling the spindle
substantially as described and shown.
34. In a type-distributing machine, the combination, with the frame section A³,
having annular groove of type-wheel C having annular rib a' to enter said
groove.
Dated this 30th day of November 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.