IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE SETTING OF TYPES BY HAND
Year: 1885

page_text: I, CARL GUSTAV FISCHER, Engineer, residing at Schloss Hotte, Brackwede near
Bielefeld, Westphalia, German Empire, do hereby declare the nature of said
invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE SETTING OF
TYPES BY HAND" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
My invention relates to apparatuses by means of which printing types, regularly.
stored up in a series of parallel cases, are individually pushed forward so as to
project from the cases and to be ready for being grasped and withdrawn by the
compositor; and the improvements consist in the particular combination with the
type-cases of type-ejectors worked simultaneously by mechanism, in the construc-
tion and mode of securing the type-cases, and in the arrangement of the ejectors in
respect to each other,
On the annexed sheet of drawings Figs 1 and 2 show respectively in rear and
front elevation an apparatus constructed according to my invention. Fig: 3 is a
vertical transverse sectional view, and Fig: 4 a top-view partly in section. Fig: 5
shows in section and full size two bars constituting the type-cases.
The apparatus consists substantially of the stationary type-cases a e, arranged in
a single row, and of the type-ejectors fixed in oblique rows to the standards r,
secured to the bar g, which is moved to and fro by mechanical means.
The type-cases are formed by plates or bars a having on one side at their longi-
tudinal edges projecting rims e; (see especially Fig: 5). These bars are placed by
the side of each other, so that between them channels will be produced, each of
which is adapted to receive a column of types, the types lying with their sides one
upon the other. The rims e are, however, only about half as high as the body of
the types, in consequence whereof slits will be left between the rims e of one bar
and the flat back of the neighbouring bar. This slits allow the types to be seen,
and through them a narrow instrument may be introduced for the purpose of slowly
lowering a column of types when the case is to be filled, or for withdrawing
types.
On the side having the rims e, or inner side, each bar a is provided at the
proper height with a transverse piece h, forming the bottom on which the column of

page_text: types rests. Immediately above this piece a portion of the front rich e is removed,
and the opening thus produced is so far closed by a spring m that only the one type
which is at the foot of the column, can be pushed out at a time. On these springs
may be fixed plates showing the denomination of the types contained in the cases.
Opposite to the opening for the issue of the type the back rim e'has a notch for the
passage of the ejector.
The ejectors are fixed in oblique rows to a number of small standards r, and
preferably upon steps of the same. These standards, of which, however, only one
is shown in the drawing, are secured to a bar q, guided in slots p of the two frame
parts 6 of the apparatus. The bar q is,connected at its ends by means of pivots 1
and bars o to eccentrics n, keyed on the shaft k, so that when this shaft is rotated,
the bar q will be put into transverse reciprocating motion, and all the ejectors
simultaneously moved backward and forward. The ejectors will consequently push
forward at the same time all types which are in their original position at the bottom
of a column, such of the ejectors as are opposite to types already advanced, moving to
and fro in the spaces between the types next to the lowest ones and the bottom-
pieces h. In any case, after each stroke of the ejectors, the lowest types of all
columns will have been pushed forward, so that the compositor may seize them.
The shaft k may be rotated by any suitable means.
The system of arranging the ejectors and the corresponding portions of the type-
cases in oblique rows, presents the advantage that the type-cases may be brought
very close together, while the distance between the types projecting from the cases,
is sufficiently great that every type may be seized without inconvenience. Besides,
the arrangement allows the points of issue of the types to be distributed alike to
the boxes of the common type-cases. The disposition of the type-cases in a single
row presents, moreover, the advantage that the cases are easily accessible from
both sides, and that they may be filled from the rear while the apparatus is working
and without hinderance to the compositor.
The bars a may be removably fixed in their position in various manners, but
I prefer the following arrangement for this purpose. The bars are inserted with
their foot, which is suitably recessed, into notches turned into the bar d, Figs: 2
and 3; they are thereby secured at this point against any lateral displacement.
At the top they are suspended with a hookshaped projection i on a ledge ƒ of
corresponding form on the upper cross-bar c of of the apparatus, and prevented from
being accidentally lifted by pins g extending through the bar c into the bars a. With
this arrangement any one of the bars a may easily be taken out. In the drawing
the said bars are shown as having a vertical position; they may, however, also be
inclined backward or forward.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In an apparatus for facilitating the setting of types by hand, the combination,
with a plurality of stationary channel-like type-cases arranged in a single row, of
an equal number of type-ejectors / fixed to a reciprocating piece of machinery and
adapted to simultaneously push forward the lowest types of all the columns of
types contained in the cases, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In an apparatus comprising a row of stationary channel-like type-cases and
a number of reciprocating type-ejectors operating as described, the construction of
the type-cases by means of bars a having projecting rims e, each case being closed
on one side by the back of the neighbouring bar a, substantially as specified.
3. The combination, with the bars a having projecting rims e, of the bar d
having grooves into which the bars a are inserted with their recessed foot, a bar c
with ledge on which the bars are suspended with a book i, and pins
g for
securing the bars, substantially as and for the purpose set forth,

page_text: 4. The combination, with a number of channel-like type-cases, of type-ejectors
fixed in oblique rows to a reciprocating piece of machinery, and adapted to push
forward the lowest types of all the type columns, which rest on bottom-pieces h,
arranged just below the path of the respective ejectors ; substantially as and for
the purpose described.
ca
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