IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR DISTRIBUTING TYPES AND IN THE METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
Year: 1884

page_text: I, HENRY SPRINGMANN, one of the firm of Carl Pieper, of 109/110 Gneisenau
Strasse, Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR
DISTRIBUTING TYPES AND IN THE METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This Invention consists in improvements in the machines for distributing types
and in the method of distribution described in the Specification of the British
Letters Patent A.D. 1881, No. 4229.
Although the different operations in the improved machine are in various
respects similar to the operations in the machinery described in the aforesaid
Specification I shall nevertheless completely set forth the improved machine and its
action without reference to the said Specification, in order to facilitate the
understanding of the Invention.
The machine, belongs to that class of distributing machines in which the types
are distributed automatically by means of mechanism controlled and brought.into
operation by feelers engaging with notches on the sides of the types. The
improvements consist, firstly, in the combination with the type ejectors of ejector-
actuating axles having at least two different kinds of tappets, and of toe-levers
provided with beaks to enter into the notches of the types, the toes of the said
levers and the tappets on the axles having such relative positions that the combined
and successive action of at least two toe-levers (or equivalent parts) will be required
to turn an axle and thereby to put an ejector into operation. Another improvement
consists in constructing the ejector-actuating axles in two or more sections, each to
be separately operated by two toe-levers. Other improvements relate to the
means employed for causing the ejectors and the covers of the distributing case to
adjust themselves to the varying thickness of the types to be assorted and
distributed, and to devices whereby the machine may with facility be adapted for
distributing types of various thickness, such as are contained in a composition of

page_text: type, or for distributing from any one case types of like thickness assorted by a
previous operation. The improvement in the mode of distribution consists in first
distributing the types by means of notches on one of their sides, partly according
to their denomination and partly according to their thickness, and subsequently
assorting the types of the latter class relatively to their denomination by means of 5
notches on the opposite side.
Besides these there are some other improvements in the machine, which will be
fully described hereafter.
On the annexed two Sheets of Drawings are represented by Figs. 1 to 38 and 61
to 64 a distributing-machine embodying the Invention. Fig. 1 is a front view
partly in section. Fig. 2 in the lower half is a top-view of the frame, and in its
upper half a plan of the upper rotating disk c adapted to carry the type-ejectors
and other operating parts. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan showing the lower rotating
disk & with stopping and starting mechanism. Figs. 4 and 5 are details of the
latter. Fig. 6 is the front view of a case h for types to be distributed, together
with a section through the cam-disk d¹, and through a portion of the ejector-
carrying disk c. Fig. 7 is a vertical section through a distributing-case h at a
right angle to the front view Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is the plan of a portion of the ejector-
carrying disk c with appertaining parts. Fig. 9 is a plan of the levers k and other
parts placed at the bottom of each distributing case h. Figs. 10 and 11 represent
the cam-disk d in different positions. Fig. 12 is a top-view of a distributing-case
and adjoining parts, and Fig. 13 a side view of a portion of the said case, together
with a section through the axle and the boss of the cam-disk d¹¹. Figs. 14 to 17
are vertical transverse sections through the lower portion of a distributing-case
together with the corresponding section through-a portion of the ejector-carrying
disk and parts in connection therewith in different positions. Figs. 18 to 36
and 38 represent various parts in detail. Fig. 37 shows different types notched
according to the improved system of distribution.
Figs. 61 and 62 are sectional side-views of a portion of a distributing-case h and
of the ejector-carrying disk c with modified arrangement of parts. Fig. 63 is a
top view and Fig. 64 a transverse section of the same case h and of parts connected
therewith. Figs. 64 to 64 represent four different ejector-actuating axles
belonging to the modified construction of parts of the machine.
On a vertical axle a, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, rotating in bearings in the framing a¹, and
driven by a friction wheel b, are fixed the two disks c and d. The lower disk d,
consisting of two parts firmly screwed together, serves to carry the type-receiving
cases e, which are inserted with their lower end into the slits d of the disk. On
the underside of the latter the said slits are closed by springs g on which the cases
rest. These springs have at their front end projections adapted to prevent the
cases from accidentally slipping out of the slits, but so formed as to allow them to
be easily removed and replaced, the springs yielding to the requisite extent. With
their upper ends the cases e are inserted into sockets f on the underside of the
upper disk c. See Fig. 1, 6, 8, 14, &c. This disk c, which I shall call the ejector-
carrying disk, contains the parts of the machine whose office it is to push the types
separately out of the distributing-cases h, Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, &c., attached above
the disk c to the machine frame, to regulate the extent to which the said cases are
opened, to convey the types into the receiving cases e, and to push them down
therein far enough to make room for another type.
The lines of type to be distributed are brought by aid of a special apparatus (not
forming any part of this Invention) from the pages or columns into cases such as eº,
Fig. 1, which are made of a strip of sheet metal bent into a rectangular form, or
drawn over a mandril, and having a wide slit in the middle of one of their broad
sides. Cases of like form are used for receiving type. One of the cases filled
with types to be distributed, is inserted from above into each of the distributing-
cases h, which are recessed at their upper end, as shown at s Figs. 6 and 7, by an
amount equal to the thickness of the walls of the cases e, in order that the inner
surfaces of both cases may be flush with each other. The column of types is

page_text: lowered by hand from e° into the case h, and allowed to slide down in h until the
lowest type rests on the bearers 1, Figs. 6, 7, 9. The types are brought in such a
position into the case h that the notches by which the assorting is to take place,
will be at the back of the same. On this side the lovers & Figs. 7, 9, 14 having
each a toe m, and which I shall therefore term toe-levers, project with their beaks
or feclers into the case by the depth of the notches in the types. These lovers
freely oscillate on an axle i, Fig. 7. The part of each toe-lever on the side of the
axle i opposite to the feeler is made long enough to act as a counter-weight, which
presses the feeler from below against the column of types, while the lowest type
acted upon by the weight of the superincumbent type-column, presses down by
about the thickness of the narrowest type, the feelers of the toe-levers, excepting
any feeler which is opposite to a notch. The counter-weight end of the corre-
sponding lever together with its toe m, Fig. 7, will thereby come into a lower
position than the like parts of the other toe-levers, this difference of position being
made uso of to put into operation one of the ejectors p. In addition to the
levers there are placed on the same axle i two toe-levers vand v', Fig. 9, having
the toes m¹, but only one of which, v, is provided with a feeler. These toe-levers
engage by their tail ends with a pin w rigidly connecting together the ends of
the two counter-levers u and u', Figs. 7, 9 and 38, provided with the toes m", and
which are free to turn on an axle x. In consequence of this arrangement the toe-
levers and will always move in conformity with each other, and besides, when
their toes m¹ are down, the toes ml will be up, and vice-versa. Thus when the
feeler of vis in a notch of a type, the toe-levers v and v¹ and the counter-levers u
and u will be in the position shown for and u¹ in Fig. 7; whereas, when the
feeler of is not in a notch, i.e. when it is depressed by a type, the position of the
said parts will be as in Fig. 38. Moreover it is to be observed that the toes m¹
and m are at an equal distance from the axle i, but that they are farther distant
therefrom than the toes m of the levers k. A system of toe-levers of this kind is
combined with each type-case h.
ย
By means of the said toes m, m¹ and m¹¹, together with the motion of the disk c,
certain intermediate devices are brought into action, which consist in the axles n
shown in Figs. 6, 8, 14 to 17 and represented separately by Figs. 20 to 35 in views
from their opposite side relatively to Fig. 6, in order to show more clearly the
notches s¹. The said axles have their bearings in the two rims c* and c° of the
disk c, and they are provided with tappets o adapted to cooperate with the toes m.
Besides, one class or series of the same has tappets o¹, Figs. 26 to 28, and the
other one tappets oll, Figs. 31 to 33, which cooperate respectively with the toes m¹
and m. The axles consist of two parts n and n¹ capable of turning in respect to
cach other. The purpose of this arrangement will be explained hereafter.
When the feeler of the toe-lever of any system of toe-levers has entered into
a notch of a typ, and the toes m' m¹ of this lever and of the lever v³ connected
to v, are in their lower position, both tappets o¹ ol of any axle n of the first one of
the aforesaid series of axles will, during their forward motion with the disk c, strike
against the said toes m¹ m³, (see Fig. 14) and thus cause a partial rotation of n.
Hereby the tappets o being on the same axle, are turned into the position Fig. 15.
In their normal position shown by Fig. 14 the said tappets are out of the reach of
the toes m even when these are depressed. But, after having been turned as
stated, the tappets o will strike against such of the toes m opposite to them as are
in their lower position. When the contact takes place, the axle n will be turned
by a farther amount, as represented by Fig. 16; it is thereby brought into the
position required for the ejector to come into operation.
When the feeler of the lever v does not find a notch to enter into, it is depressed
by the type above it, while the other end of vis raised together with the lever v²,
the toes m¹ m¹ being thereby brought into their upper position, so that they cannot
then act upon any of the tappets o¹. But at the same time the counter-levers u
and u connected to v and v³ by the pin w, as described, are turned down with their
toes mm, as in Figs. 17 and 38, these toes being now in the path of the

page_text: tappets o ol of the second series of axles, such as those shown by Figs. 31 and 32.
When, under these conditions, any one of the axles n of the second series meets
with its tappets o¹¹ the toes m", it will be turned in a similar manner as, in the
first case, the axles with the tappets o' were turned by the toes m¹. The subsequent
turning by the tappets o in cooperation with the toes m takes place in the same
imanner as before. The rotation of the axles n being thus dependent in one case
upon the presence, in the other case upon the want of a type-notch opposite to the
feeler of a toe-lever v, it follows that two classes of types may be employed, which
are provided in a uniform manner with notches for the feelers of the toe-levers k,
and differing from each other only in so far as the types of one class have a notch
for the feeler of a lever v, while the types of the other class have not. The toe-
levers may, in consequence, be reduced to one half the number that would be
requisite without the above arrangement. If preferred, more than two toe-levers,
such as vand v³, may be employed.
The ejectors p, Figs. 6, 8, 14 to 17, 20, 21 and 22 consist of plates guided in
grooves q, Fig. 2, in the rims cx and c° of the disk c. They form the back walls
of vertical channels ", whose front walls are constituted by transverse webs q*
extending from the rim c* to the rim co, the said channels being of the proper size
to hold types lying on their side. Each ejector is drawn upward by a spring 8",
Fig. 6, through the medium of a lever t having its fulcrum at f and pivoted to the
ejector at t; but the upward motion of the same is limited by two lugs or
projections r, Figs. 21 and 22, bearing from below against the axle n as shown by
Figs. 14 and 15. When the axle n is in a position as to present its full cylindrical
surface to the lugs r, the beaks of the ejector do not reach up to the lowest
letter in the distributing-case h. The axle is, however, provided with two-notches s¹,-
Figs. 26 to 29 and 31 to 34 adapted to register with the lugs r and having such a
depth that, when the axle has completed the second part of its rotation, i.e. the
part caused by the tappets o, the said lugs enter into the notches 8' and allow the
ejector to rise, so that, while moving forward, its beaks will strike against the
undermost type in the case h and push it out of the same.
In Fig. 16 the ejector has entered with its lugs ŕ into the notches of the axle n
and its beaks r¹ are about to act against the undermost type. In Fig. 17 the type
has been pushed over the inclined surfaces of the bearers of the distribution-case
and is upon the point of dropping into the channel " (not lettered in this Figure
on account of its being shown filled with types) the prolongation of which is the
receiving case e.
Each of the distributing-cases his provided on its front side with a sliding
cover t¹, Figs. 6, 7, 12, adapted to retain with its bottom edge the undermost type,
but which, to allow the type to come out, is lifted by means of the wedge-shaped
projection q' of the slides q", Figs. 23, 24 and 25, by so much as the thickness of
the type requires. These slides are guided in dovetail grooves cut into the outer
rim cx of the disk c, Figs. 2 and 8, and their operation is as follows: Each slide
rests with a pin ql, Figs. 6, 8, 10, 11, 23 and 25, on the aforesaid lever t, which in
being actuated by the spring 8, draws upward the ejector. The slide will therefore
also be lifted by the lever t whenever the ejector is allowed to rise by the rotation
of an axle n, the amount of its rising being double that of the ejector. When
the slide is in its normal position, its projection q¹ passes below the stud z on the
disky; see Fig. 6, and in respect to these parts also Fig. 61; but when the slide is
raised, the projection q¹ being then with its edge above the stud z, will slip with
its inclined surface upon the latter, and force itself between the stud and a
projection z¹ on the case-cover t¹, Fig. 6, 10 and 62, thereby opening the cover
at the proper moment. The thickness of the projection q¹ being in proportion to
the thickness of the type to be expelled, the cover will be opened by as much as is
required for such type. As soon as the type has been pushed out of the distributing
case, the projection q' will have passed between the stud z and the projection 2, 50
that almost simultaneously with the descent of the column of type the cover closes
again by the force of the spring ( Fig. 6,

page_text: On the cover t¹ there is a plate ul, Figs. 6, 7 and 12, moveable in a similar
manner as the cover itself, and having at its bottom end two tines u¹¹¹, which may
terminate in springs, and which correspond with the two bearers L, Fig. 7 and 9.
This plate is provided with a pin 2" projecting into a slit of the cover t¹, the said
slit being so arranged that when the cover is raised, the plate will be raised also,
whereas the cover may descend while the plate yet remains in its upper position.
The object of the said plate is, to form, by its tines ull, a top guide for the type
during its conveyance along the bearers ; see Fig. 17. The plate is pressed with
its tines upon the type by a spring acting on the pin 2", as shown in Fig. 6, this
spring also serving to return the plate into its normal position when the type has
been pushed over the end of the bearers l.
After the type has dropped into the type-channel and the disk c has moved
forward a short distance, the column of types in " and e is pushed down to the
extent of the thickness of the type last introduced, by means of the type-driver p',
Figs. 1, 6, 8. The said drivers are pivoted to the disk c as at y1, Figs. 6. and 8,
and they are pressed by springs a Fig. 1, against a stationary disk k¹, having
the cams This disk and its cams are so shaped that the drivers will be
in an upright position when they pass a distributing-case h, as shown on the
left-hand side of Fig. 1, and in full lines in Fig. 6; whereas they are depressed
by the action of the cams 111 while they move along between two cases h, as
represented in Fig. 1 on the right hand side, and by dotted lines in Fig. 6. By
their depression the drivers operate to push the columns of type down. The said
columns are supported within the cases e by means of spring friction-slugs'',
Fig. 5.
The axles n and the ejectors are returned to their normal position in the
following manner. To cach case h is attached a bracket c", Figs. 6, 10, 11, 12,
terminating in an arm b", which is bent so as to extend around the edge of the
disk d carried by the said bracket, and the axles n are provided with the fingers e¹
and e¹¹. The end of the arm is in such a position that any of the fingers e¹
and e which have been turned by a rotation of their axle n, will, during the
motion of the ejector-carrying disk c, strike against the arm 6" and thereby be
brought back to their normal position together with the axle. In Fig. 10 the
finger el is shown in the position previous to its contact with the arm b¹, and in
Fig. 11 in its position after it has passed the arm. By the backward rotation of
the axle the ejector is also returned to its normal position.
When a receiving case e is filled, the machine is stopped automatically. The
mechanism serving for this purpose is shown by Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5. The friction
wheel b, which conveys motion to the rotating parts of the machine by engaging
with a groove c' on the lower portion of the disk d, is mounted on a lever b¹,
arranged to turn with its outer end on a fixed pivot, and provided with a projection
on a spring with which corresponds a shoulder g¹¹ on the lever g¹. When this
lever is in engagement by its shoulder with the said projection, the friction-wheel b
is pressed into the groove c¹. Moreover there is close to each receiving case a
disengaging pin, Figs 4 and 5, guided in a hole in the disk d, and maintained in
its upper position by a small projection, so that it will then reach with an
inclined arm i* into the case. When a type-supporting friction-slug ¹ has been
pushed down low enough to touch the said arm it will turn the pin ¹ so as to
cause its projection to register with a groove vll in the pin-hole. A spring l
will then depress the pin, as shown in Fig. 5 in dotted lines, and cause it to project
with its lower end through the disk d, so that on the farther rotation of d the pin
will strike against a plate all, Figs. 3, 18 and 19, attached to the lever g¹ and push
off the shoulder or hook g" from the projection of h. The frictional contact
between the wheel b and the surface of groove c' is thereby broken and the machine
stopped. The filled receiving case having then been removed and an empty one
put into its place, the machine is turned a little by hand while the lever g' is put in
engagement again with the lever b₁, the pin will thereby be caused to rise on the
inclined arm b, Figs. 3, 18 and 19, whereupon the spring acting by its angular

page_text: bend upon the double-bevelled or edged top of the pin, returns the pin to its
normal position.
If the aforesaid axles n were made in one piece each, the number of variations
attainable by the six feelers of the toe-levers k shown in the Drawing, together
with the toe-levers v, and the counter-lovers u, u¹, would be 2 x 6 = 12. In
order to obtain a greater number, the axles have been made in two sections n¹
and nu, the section n" forming a sleeve which is pushed on a stem or thin part of
the section n', and adapted to turn thereon, as is shown by the sectional views
Figs. 30 and 35. The construction of the tappets o, o², o" is represented in detail
by Fig. 36.
Supposing the toe-levers provided with feelers to be numbered from the periphery
of the disk c, the levers will receive the numbers from 1 to 6, while the lever v is
No. 7; see Fig. 9. As has been described, the latter is connected to a toe-lever v¹
and to the two counter-levers u'u". The aforesaid two sections n¹ and n" of any
axle will always be acted upon simultaneously either by the toes m¹ of the
levers v, or by the toes m" of the counter-levers uu¹ cooperating respectively
with the tappets o¹ and o¹¹. But three of the six toe-levers k, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, will
act upon tappets o on the sleeve 11, whereas the other three, Nos. 4, 5 and 6
act upon tappets o on the solid section n¹ of the axle. In Fig. 33 for instance is
represented an axle having tappets o corresponding with the notches of the last
type in the second row of Fig. 37, these notches being arranged to fit the feelers
of the levers k Nos. 2 and 6; but it has no notch for the fceler of v, or feeler
No. 7. The axle will therefore not be acted upon by the toes m¹ of the levers v
and v¹; but it will be operated by the counter-levers u and u¹, the toes m" whereof
are in their lowest position when the feeler of v does not find a notch to enter into.
By the contact of the two tappets o" with the toes m" the axle n is turned to an
extent as that, during the farther-motion of the ejector-carrying disk c, tho
tappets o will strike against the depressed toes of the levers No. 2 and 6, and
thereby complete the turning of both sections of the axle n, so that the corre-
sponding ejector may rise. But, if the type at the bottom of a distributing-caso
had notches for the feelers of the levers No. 2 and 5, for instance, the toe of the
former would certainly cause the sleeve n" of the axle Fig. 33 to be turned; the
toe of No. 5, would, however, not act on the solid section n'; the corresponding
ejector could therefore not rise in this case to eject a type. Such ejection can only
take place when the axle arranged to be operated by both toe-lovers No. 2 and 5
together, passes the type.
The feeler-carrying toe-levers k may cooperate in the following combinations :

page_text: is at the bottoin, so that the lug r of the ejector can enter into it. An axle of this
kind adapted to cooperate with toe-lever k, No. 2, is represented by Fig. 31.
With this axle a rotation of the sleeve n" only is necessary, as the notch s¹ of the
solid section n' is from the beginning turned downward. Fig. 32 shows another
axle of the same kind, the solid part n¹ of which requires turning, while the
sleeve n having its notch s¹ at the bottom, remains stationary.
In order that such axles may not enter into action by means of their tappets
when they pass types having notches for two feelers of levers k, the following
arrangement has been made. The axle-section whose notch s¹ is normally directed
downward, is provided as in Figs. 31 and 32 with a tappet ox having the width
of three toes m, and adapted to strike, when they are on the section n", against
any one of the levers 1, 2, 3, and when being on the section n¹, against any one
of the levers 5, 6, 7. When an axle so arranged meets two depressed toes m,
one of which registers with the narrow tappet o on one axle-section, this section
will be turned and its notch s¹ presented to the ejector-lug opposite to it, but at
the same time the other axle-section, having its notch normally at the bottom and
a broad tappet ox, will also be turned, whereby its full cylindrical surface is
presented to the other lug r, and the ejector prevented from rising,
In the foregoing it has been supposed that the toe-levers have not come
into action on account of the feeler of not having found a notch in the type to
enter into, and that consequently the first part of the rotation of the axle is caused
by the toes m¹ of the counter-levers u u. But when the feeler of vfinds a notch
opposite to it, the two levers vv come into operation to effect the partial rotation
of the axle by their toes m³ projecting into the path of the tappets o', as will be
the case with the axles Figs. 26 and 27.
Fig. 29 shows an ejector-actuating axle for types having exclusively a notch
corresponding to the feeler of the toe-lever v or No. 7. This axle is constructed in
a similar manner as the axle of the class represented by Fig. 26, with the sole
difference that its tappet o* is of such a width that each of the six levers le may
act thereon so as to turn the notch s¹ of the axle-section on which o* is fixed, out
of its bottom position. Fig. 34 finally represents an axle for a type without any
feeler-notch, such as the last type of Fig. 37. (The notches w' with which all the
types are provided, are guiding notches, the purpose of which will be described
hereafter). The said axle has likewise a broad tappet o* on section n', but no
tappet o on section n". The tappet o' on section n¹ of the axle Fig. 29 and the
tappeto on the corresponding section of the axle Fig. 34 are made of such
increased length that, on striking respectively against the toe m¹ of lever v¹, or the
toe m of the counter-lever u¹, they will at once be turned sufficiently, together
with the axle section, as to bring the notch 8¹ of the section into its bottom
position. Together with the last described two axles the machine is thus provided
with 32 different ejector-actuating axles by means of which an equal number of
types can be distributed.
As the types are of different thickness, the ejectors must be arranged to rise
higher for a thick type than for a thin one, so that they may always act against
the full body of the type. This object is attained by means of the cam-disk du in
combination with the projections e¹ of the levers t; see Figs. 6, 10 and 11. All
the ejectors are, by preference, provided with beaks of equal length adapted for
the thickest types; and, upon entering by their lugs into the notches s¹ of the
axles n, they rise by an equal amount; subsequently, however, they are depressed
to their proper elevation by the aforesaid projection 6" sliding along the inclined
edge of the disk ", (see Fig. 10), each projection being of a height inversely
proportionate to the thickness of the type to be pushed out of the distributing-case
by the corresponding ejector. The projection el after having passed the incline 2",
is maintained at the same elevation for a short time and is then depressed by
means of the incline 2 of the disk d", whereby the lever t is returned to its
normal position. By the latter part of the vertical motion of e¹¹ and t the ejector-

page_text: actuating axle is relieved from the pressure of the ejector against it, so that it may
more easily be turned back.
On their first passage through the machine the types are assorted according to
the notches on the front side thereof, i.e. on the side which bears the notch serving
as mark in type-setting by hand. This notch w², Fig. 37, which is close to the
foot of the type, is made use of in the present case for accurately guiding the types
in the distributing-cases. In view hereof each case is provided near its bottom end
with a low projection " Figs. 6, 7, 9 and 13, corresponding with the shape and
position of the guiding notch w', and tapering towards the top. By this projection
any type having been shifted out of its proper position, is returned thereinto and
then guided to the feelers. This arrangement is especially necessary for the
spaces," which, on account of their being shorter than the types proper, are very
apt to shift.
"
At the first distribution of types by a machine having, as herein before described,
32 different ejector-actuating axles, only the types most frequently employed,
say 22 in number including spaces, are definitively distributed. These types have
therefore notches on their front side only, as is the case with the types of the first
and second row and the space at the end of the fourth row in Fig. 37. The other
types are simultaneously divided into 10 different classes, each containing types of
about the same thickness. Thus, for instance, the first class may consist of the
types for the letters i, 1, f, while the last class contains the types for M and W.
The types of the said ten classes are hereupon distributed by an operation similar
to the first distributing process, except that the types are now assorted according
to the notches on their back.
The
During the first distribution the sliding cover of the distributing-cases h had to
be opened for every type according to the thickness- thereof. In the second.
distributing-process such variation in the amount of opening is not required, because
in this process the thickness of the types in any one case is about the same.
covers of the cases may therefore be held stationary in a position as to leave at the
fixed to the
bottom a slit of suitable unvarying width. To this effect the disk
disk d and adapted to be turned therewith on the pin f", is provided for,
the same having an eccentric groove y', Figs. 6, 10 and 11, with which engages a
projection c¹¹ on the cover of the distributing-case. During the first
distributing-operation the disc y is so secured by means of a locking-pin fill that
the projection c¹¹ is opposite to the vertical slit y¹ of the disk y, and that it may
move up and down in this slit so as to allow the cover t¹ to be moved. During the
second operation, however, the disk y is turned into such a position and locked
therein by the pin fl that the eccentric groove y¹ will, in acting on the
projection c, cause the case-cover t¹ to be raised by as much as is required in
respect to the thickness of the types to be assorted.
In the second distributing operation, moreover, the aforesaid guiding projection all
must be removed. This is effected by an arrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 13.
The projection forms the front end of a plate g pressed forward by the
spring h, and adjustable by a regulating screw h". This screw bears against the
projecting portion 1, Figs. 6 and 13, of the disks y and d", which is recessed or
Battened on one side. When the disks d" and y are in their proper position for
the first distribution, the said recessed or flat part of k" will be opposite to the
adjusting screw h, so as to allow the front end of the plate g¹¹ to project into the
case h. Upon the rotation of the disks and the part, the screw will,
however, be pressed backward by the higher portion of k and the end of the
plate gwithdrawn from the case.
On account of the uniformity of thickness of the types in any one case h in the
second distributing process, it is further requisite for the acting ejectors to rise by
an equal amount when they pass the same case. The projections e¹ of the levers t
which bring about the variations in the lift of the ejectors, and the parts of the
disks d" against which they act have therefore to be put out of operation. For

page_text: this purpose the outer edge of each disc is made with five portions or
sections 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-1, differing from each other in form. The
section 1-2 is the one coacting with the projection e¹ll as herein before described.
The other four sections lie by so much in front of section 1-2 that they do not act
on the said projection, but on the part n of the levers t, the disk having for this
purpose been made out of two thicknesses of metal, as shown in Fig. 6, one for the
section 1-2, the other one for the other sections. The top surfaces of all the lever
parts n lie normally in the same horizontal plane, so that the amount by which
the levers can rise when they are opposite to the like sections of the disks d¹¹, is
for all levers alike. The rise of the levers t and of the ejectors depends therefore,
under these conditions, exclusively upon the form of the disk-sections presented to
the levers. In order to cause any ejector to rise at every operation by the
required uniforın amount, it is consequently but necessary to secure the disk d" by
the pin fin such a position that it will present the proper section to the lever-
part nu
When a machine is provided with a number of distributing cases (the machine
shown in the Drawing has for instance eight of them) one series of these cases may
be filled for the second distribution with a class of types of one thickness, and
another series with a class of types of different thickness, provided that the disc du
be in every instance adjusted to suit the thickness of the types contained in the
case, and that the types of one class be notched differently from the types of the
other class.
By the employment of a greater number of feelers, by a farther division of the
ejector-actuating axles, or by coupling together two or more axles, a considerably
greater number of variations in the arrangement of the notches of the types may
be attained, so as to render possible the complete distribution of a composition of
types in one operation. But this would be of advantage only for the distribution
of small quantities of types at a time, requiring otherwise a frequent adjustment of
the machine for the second distribution. The efficiency of the machine in respect
to the speed of distribution would thereby, however, be reduced, because on account
of the types seldom occurring, the ejector-carrying disk in a machine so arranged
must, on the average travel a far greater distance between two ejecting operations
than otherwise. The machine would also become much larger and moro
complicated.
It is of advantage to have a somewhat greater number of ejector-actuating axles
than variations in the arrangement of notches in the types, in order that there
may be two or more axles for types of frequent occurrence. Thus in the machine
shown, the number of axles is supposed to be 40. It may yet be mentioned that
the described machine does not move by steps or intermittingly, as certain
other machines serving for the same purpose, but that its motion is continuous and
uniform.
As has already been stated, the Figs. 61 to 644, show modifications of certain
parts of the distributing machine. The main feature of this modification consists in
the employment of a number of separate toe-lovers instead of the coupled
levers v, v and u, u', the said toe-levers v of the modified arrangement being for
the rest substantially alike to the former toe-levers v, especially inasmuch as their
toes m² are farther distant from the common axle of the levers than the toes m of
the levers k. The ejector-actuating axles n are provided with tappets similar to
those of the first-described arrangement; they will therefore be acted upon in a
like manner as above, first by the toes m¹ of the levers v and subsequently by the
toes m of the levers k. On account of their successive action I shall, in the
following, call the levers vand k respectively first-acting and second-acting toe-
levers. In the Drawing, Fig. 63, four first-acting and four second-acting levers
are shown; viz. two of the former on either side of the latter. These levers
cooperate with three different classes of ejector-actuating axles. The axles of the
first class, of which one is represented by Fig. 64°, are provided on their section nu

page_text: with one tappet o¹ adapted to cooperate with one of the two first-acting levers v,
No. 1 and 2 and one tappet o corresponding with one of the four second-acting
levers k, No. 1, 2, 3, 4; whereas on the section n' of the axles of the same class
there is a tappet o* on which either of the two first-acting levers v No.
and 4
may act. Besides, the axle-section n" has a notch & standing normally in vertical
position, while the like notch 8 of the section n' is in the same case turned
downward. When, under these conditions, either of the levers v No. 1 and 2, and
one of the levers k, and none but these, have found notches in a type for their
beaks to enter into, the section n" of the ejector-actuating axle having tappets o¹
and o which correspond with the said levers, will strike with these tappets against
the toes m' and m of the levers in like manner as herein before described in
respect to the first arrangement, so that the notch will be turned downward
and the ejector allowed to rise. But, type being in front of the levers, should,
in addition to the said notches, have a notch for one of the levers v, No. 3 and 4,
this lever will cause a partial rotation of the axle-section n), for the purpose of
putting the notch &¹ of this section out of its bottom position, and of thereby
preventing the ejector from rising. The rotation of n which is thus brought
about, being however, partial only, and not sufficient to turn the notch s¹ fully
aside, the particular arrangement has been adopted to complete the rotation in this
case by means of a tappet 1, Figs. 61 and 64, formed on the boss of the finger e',
and which strikes against a fixed stud pl whenever the axle-section has been
partly rotated by a lever v. The said stud thus operates like the toe m of a second-
acting lever.
With the axles of the second class the tappets o and o¹ are placed on the axle-
section, the tappet. ox on the section_n_and_the_tappet 711 on the boss of the
finger el, as is shown by Fig. 64b.
-
By means of these two classes of axles 16 different combinations of toe-levers are
rendered possible, which correspond to as many combinations of type-notches of
two notches each. Thus, for instance, the axle-section n", Fig. 64, is turned by
the first-acting lever v No. 1 together with the second-acting lover k No. 1, its
tappets o and o being arranged to correspond respectively with the toes of these
levers. The axle-section n', Fig. 64b, having a tappet o¹ for lever v No. 3, and a
tappet o for lever k No. 1, is turned by the combined action of these two levers.
The whole series of combinations attainable by the described two classes of axles
will be as follows:

page_text: acting toe-lovers v, No. 3 and 4, and its notch s¹ is normally turned sideward. The
completion of the rotation of this section is again brought about by a tappet 1111 on
the boss of the finger el striking against the aforesaid stud p", as is the case with
the axles of the first class.
From the different arrangement of the tappets o¹ and o on the section n", and
of the tappet o¹ on the section n' of the axles of the third kind, there results
another series of 16 combinations of toe-lovers for types having three notches cach;
for in the same manner as the axle shown by Fig. 64° will be turned by the first-
acting lever No. 2, second-acting lever No. 4 and first-acting lever No. 4 (its
tappets corresponding with these levers,) the axles of this class may in general be
turned by
First noting lover al
Second nating lawn To
Tinat nating lover al
Thus altogether in this manner 32 different combinations have been attained by
the employment of eight toe-levers with feelers and either two or three notches in
each type.
If it should be desired to limit the number of notches in each type to two, while
the number of combinations is reduced to sixteen, the system described last may
be simplified by the use of undivided ejector-actuating axles, (see Fig. 64d) of
which each is provided with a tappet o¹ for one of the four first-acting-levers v and
a tappet o for one of the four second-acting levers k. Of course each axle of this
description requires but a single finger, such as e¹ or eu, for turning it backward.
With the said simplified system several toe-levers more may be employed without
prejudice to the durability of the parts, provided the levers vand k be arranged to
alternate with each other, and the toes of the levers v as well as the tappets for the
levers be made thicker than the body of the levers, which is possible in this case
on account of the free space obtained between the toes by their alternating position.
The arrangement according to which always but one lever vand one lever k are
brought into action, has the advantage that with the same no fault can occur, if
from any reason a feeler should accidentally fail to enter into the type-notch
presented to it, as the corresponding axle will then either not be turned at all, or
not sufficiently to let the ejector rise.
As it is of importance in all cases in which a second-acting lever has to operate
upon an axle or axle-section, that the first part of the rotation be carried out with
precision, the following arrangement has been made in the portion of the machine
represented by Figs. 61 and 62. The boss of the finger e¹ or e", of the axle or
axle-section is provided with a flat surface e¹x, Fig. 62, which is exactly horizontal
when the first part of the rotation has been carried out accurately, and to the
distribution-case h an arm p" is screwed, having a horizontal bottom surface which
lies on a level with the surface e¹× when being horizontal, and which is above the

page_text: path thereof, while moreover the said surface of p¹¹ is in such a position that
the finger will pass under it as the axle or axle-section begins to turn. The said
two surfaces thus cooperating with each other, prevent the axle or axle-section
from being rotated too far. The operating faces of the toes of the first-acting
levers v, and of the tappets o, must, in this case, be so shaped that the levers v will
slide off from, and over the tappets o' after they have effectuated the part of the
rotation which it is their office to perform.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The combination with the levers k having toes m and beaks to engage with
notches in the types, of one or more levers v laving each a toe m¹ and a beak for
a type notch, and of the ejector-actuating axles n carried by the rotating disk c
and provided with tappets adapted to be acted upon successively by the toes m¹
and m, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
2. The combination with the levers k and a lever v having beaks and toes, and
with the ejector-actuating axles having tappets such as o, o, o*; as described, of
the lever vi having a toe m¹ and connected to v, of the counter-levers u, u¹ provided
with toes m", and of tappets on the axles n to be operated upon by the toes of
levers v¹, u and ut, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. The combination with the described toe-levers and the rotating disk c, of
the type-ejectors p and of ejector-actuating axles n consisting of two or more
sections such as n³, n, rotative independently of each other, provided with tappets
and having notches 8' adapted to receive the opposite portions of the ejector,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination with toe-levers v and k having beaks to enter into the type-
notches, and with the ejectors p, of axles n carried by the disk c and consisting of
sections such as n¹ n" having notches 81, tappets cooperating with the said levers,
and a tappet operating against a fixed stud 21, as and for the purpose
described.
5. The combination with toe-levers as described, disk c and ejectors p, of
different series of axles, each axle consisting of two or more sections provided
with tappets and having notches a¹ which in all the sections of the axles of one
series are normally in a position as not to register with the ejector, while in the
other series of axles one or some of the sections of any axle do in norinal position
present their notches to the ejector, substantially as and for the purpose spectied.
6. The combination with the rotating disk c of type-ejectors p having lugs or
projections r adapted to enter into the notches of the axles n, and which
ejectors are impelled upward by springs 811 and levers t, has hereinbefore
described.
7. The combination with the ejectors 2, of the levers t having the projections e¹¹¹
of different height, adapted to cooperate with the section 1-2 of the disk d", and
the surfaces n¹, which are normally all at the same elevation and arranged to
cooperate with the sections 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and 5-1 of the disk d", as and for
the purpose described.
8. The combination with a type-case h of a sliding cover t¹ with projections 2²,
of the stud on disk y, and of the slide q" bearing with its pin q on the
lever t, and having the wedge-shaped projection ql, adaptod to pass between the
stud and projection z¹, so as to raise the cover t¹; as and for the purpose set
forth.
9. The combination with the sliding type-case-cover t¹ having the projection ¹,
of the projection el engaging with the cam-groove y' of the adjustable disk y, as
and for the purpose specified.
10. In combination with the type-case h, the plate g projecting with its
end all into the case so as to form a type-guide, and arranged to be withdrawn
from the case by a cam-surface on the part k", as hereinbefore described.

page_text: 11. In combination with the disks c and d and a type-receiving case 6, the
socket fon disk c and the slit with spring g on disk d, adapted to hold the
case e, substantially as specified.
12. The automatic disengaging-gear of the distributing-machine consisting in
pin with edged top, projection adapted to engage with a notch v¹¹, and
inclined arm i*, the said pin being operated by a type-supporting-friction slug z¹
and spring , in combination with the stopping and starting lever g₁ engaging
with lover b' that carries the friction-wheel b, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
13. The method of distributing types by a machine operating to select the types
through the agency of feelers engaging with notches on the
same, which consists
in the use of two series of types, the types of the first series being notched
according to their denomination on one side only, while the types of the second
series are notched on one side according to their thickness, and on the other
according to their denomination, and in the distribution of the types, first,
according to their notches on one side, and subsequently, in the respect to the
types of the second series, according to the notches on the opposite side,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
D
11001