IMPROVEMENTS IN SETTING UP (COMPOSING) AND DISTRIBUTING TYPES."
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hadden Young, of 66, Great College Street,
Camden Town, London, County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SETTING UP (COMPOSING) AND DISTRIBUTING TYPES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hadden Young at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th March 1860.
I, JAMES HADDEN YOUNG, of 66, Great College Street, Camden Town,
London, County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SETTING UP, (COMPOSING) AND DISTRIBUTING
TYPES," to be as follows:-
The reservoirs in the composing machine have hitherto when viewed by
any one. sitting in a position to play the keys, been seen to be nearly per-
pendicular. I now prefer to place them with an inclination to the right or
to the left of the player, or some of them leaning to the right and others
to the left, as may be found convenient. The whole length of each reservoir
may have this inclination, or it may be curved so as to admit of the lower
part being for a few inches quite straight, as heretofore. This change of

page_text: inclination will not only facilitate filling the machine, but also ensure the
types in the reservoirs assuming a better position with reference to the exit
hole of reservoirs as the column of types gradually sinks down. With a view
to facilitate the construction of the reservoirs, I affix a small piece of metal
in front of each reservoir, to be held in its place by a regulating screw, or in
any convenient manner that will allow of its being raised or depressed, and
these pieces of metal may be fixed to one bar or several, so that the size of
the aperture through which the types make their exit from the reservoir may
be regulated simultaneously,, besides facilitating the construction; this will
enable a given machine to be used for different sized founts of type.
In order still farther to adapt the machine to different founts, I place pieces
of metal cut to an angle in each reservoir, so that by drawing them out or
pushing them in, the lower part of the reservoirs may be diminished or
enlarged, and these pieces may be fixed to one or more bars, so that this
may be done more expeditiously.
In order to diminish the size of the inclined plane, I place one row of
reservoirs immediately behind another. I also make the reservoirs or part
of them, somewhat like what are called type founder's (setting-up) sticks, so
that they may be placed in the distributing machine to be described further on.
In pushing the types out from, the reservoirs of the composing machine on
to the inclined plane, they may either be pushed out in the direction of their
breadth or their length. In the latter case in order to prevent the faces of
the types being injured, I construct the pusher so that it shall only strike
the shoulders of the types where that is possible, or I push them out by the
foot or tail end. Again, I sometimes, push or draw the types from the reser-
voirs, by causing the pusher to lay hold of the edges or sides of the types, and
to facilitate this, I either make use of the nicks already cut or cast on the
types, or I make additional cuts or scores on the edges or sides of the types.
Hitherto the escape hole on the inclined plane used to prevent the incon-
venience of a stoppage, has only been placed in communication with the
channels of the lower case types. I now place one also before the general
exit, and in order to ensure the types keeping to one side, so that they
may not slide into the hole except when required, I file or cut the inclined
plane at this part at an angle.
In order that the escape hole may be used for different founts of type, I
set it at any desired width by a screw, or any other convenient method.
In order to prevent the types from turning as they slide down, I cover
the grooves of the inclined plane by a piece of glass or any other transparent

page_text: material, but when the size of the types will not admit of this, I undercut the
sides of the grooves at an angle. Instead of using a handle to be moved by
the hand at the justifying box, I place a pedal so that the movement may be
effected by the foot.
To carry out my improvements in distributing types, or placing them in
order for use in the composing machine, I fix a number of receivers for
holding types in a frame, and in front of these I place an endless belt or
chain to be moved by suitable gearing at regulated intervals. From reservoirs
filled with the types to be distributed, I cause types to slide down into
recesses in the belt, and these types, by means of a range of little scrapers
attached to a bar, are dragged off the belt according as they may happen to
be scored by a line or lines, which serve to distinguish one type from the
other, and which are cut or cast on the broadest sides of the types. As the
types are drawn off the belt, they are made to slide into the receivers, and
are set in a row by means of a vibrating pusher. In dragging the types off
the belt, the scrapers may be made to raise the types a greater or less height
up a short incline plane according as the score is cut nearer one end of the
type or the other, and in this way I can more readily divide the types into a
greater number of sorts at one operation, and instead of the types sliding into
the receivers, they may be made to slide into other recesses, or dragged by
another set of scrapers, or points or hooks acting on the under side of the
types a greater or lesser height, and finally made to slide into the receivers.
The receivers are made of such a form as will allow of their being readily put
in connection with the composing machine. The reservoirs I have mentioned
have the types pushed out from them in the direction of the length of the
type; and in order that the same aperture may serve for thick or thin
types, I affix a spring that presses on the lower part of the column of types
with sufficient power to prevent more than the type actually in contact
with the pusher being moved out of the reservoir, and when the pusher
recedes, the spring is relieved, so that the column of types may descend and
up the space of the ejected type. The reservoirs may be made as those
I have just described of the composing machine, with an inclination to the
right or left.
fiil
1
The distributing machine I have described is fitted for more than one
size of types, such as bourgeois, brevier, or the larger or smaller founts, and
when the difference in size is very great, a regulating screw may be used to
ncrease or diminish the entrances of the receivers and reservoirs.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said James Hadden. Young, in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 10th September 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
HADDEN YOUNG, of No. 66, Great College Street, Camden Town, London,
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James
Hadden Young, Her special licence that 1, the said James Hadden Young,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Hadden Young, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Iuvention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SETTING-UP (COMPOSING) AND DISTRIBUTING TYPES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said James Hadden Young, my, executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Hadden Young, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:
To carry out my improvements in distributing types, or placing them in
order for use in the composing machine, I fix a number of receivers for holding
types in a frame, and in front of these I place an endless belt or chain to be
moved by suitable gearing at regulated intervals. From reservoirs filled with
the types to be distributed I cause types to slide down into recesses in the belt,
and these types by means of a range of little scrapers attached to a bar, are
dragged off the belt according as they may happen to be scored by a line or
lines, which serve to distinguish one type from the other, and which are cut or

page_text: cast on the broadest sides of the types. As the types are drawn off the belt
they are made to slide into the receivers, and set in a row by means of a
vibrating pusher. The receivers are made of such a form as will allow of
their being readily put in connection with the composing machine.
The reservoirs I have mentioned have the types pushed out from them in
the direction of the length of the type, and in order that the same. aperture
may serve for thick or thin types, I affix a spring that presses the lower part
of the column of types with sufficient power to prevent more than the type
actually in contact with the pusher being moved out of the reservoir, and
when the pusher recedes the spring is relieved, so that the column of types
may descend and fill up the space of the ejected type. The reservoirs may be
made with an inclinction to the right or left, as I shall herein-after describe in
reference to those of the composing machine.
Figure 5 is a
Figure 1 is a right-hand side view of the distributing machine, with chain
removed. Figure 2 is a left-hand side view of the distributing machine, with
chain removed. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section, with working parts
removed. Figure 4 is an end view, shewing motion of chain.
view, full size, of part of chain bed, of chain, and one square block. Figure 6,
view of principal working part of machine, full size. Figure 6* view shewing
the action of the scraper when removing the type from the chain to the
vibrating plane. Figure 7, side view of reservoirs holding types to be distri-
buted. Figure 8, front view of ditto. Figure 8*, view of an arrangement
for regulating the size of channels of reservoirs. Figure 9, plan of chain.
Figure 10, plan of principal parts of the distributing machine. Figure 11,
view of scored types (elevation and side view). A, framing of machine; B,
bracket and support of reservoirs; C, reservoirs, eight in number; D, inclined
plane for conveying types from reservoirs to chain; D', transverse section of the
inclined plane at its top, which narrows down to the size of one link of the
chain Ex E, chain passing over square blocks F, guide plate G, and
tightening drum H fixed on spindle I, revolving in brackets J; K, bandle for
driving machine; L, shaft, on which are fixed driving handle excentrics M
connected to jointed rod M', for pushing types out of reservoirs; eccentric N
and connecting rod N₁, for propelling chain eccentrics O, O, and connecting
rods 0, 0, for moving transverse bar P', which carries scrapers, Q and R,
drum with eccentric motion, and R' connecting rod, and R2 rocking bar for
giving motion to pushers U in the receiving lines T, by means of transverse
shaft S, supported by brackets S'; U¹, bed plate of receiving lines connected
to rod; M is a transverse bar a carrying pushers for pushing types out of

page_text: reservoirs; care tumbling levers; d, wedge pieces, which raise cross bar c¹;
and this raises one end of wedges e, the ends of which e' act upon f; g are
springs, and h' types.
As several parts of the machine work simultaneously, I shall, for the better
understanding of the whole, first describe their movements separately.
First, pushing types out of reservoirs.-The types to be distributed having been
placed in the eight reservoirs C, and motion having been given to the shaft L
and excentric rod M', the transverse bar a is moved forward; this causes'
pushers b, fixed to a, to push forward the lowest type in each reservoir. These,
when quite pushed out, slide down the channels in the inclined plane D'into
the divisions in the chain E, thereby filling the eight divisions into which each
link is divided. As a moves it carries forward the wedge-shaped piece d, which
releases the tumblers c, thus allowing springs g to push the ends.f¹ of levers f
against the types in reservoirs and hold them firmly. On a returning, the
wedge piece d raises the tumblers c, which act on e (by means of bar c¹) and
the ends e' compress the springs g by means off and f¹; consequently the types
being no longer held, descend by their own gravity in the reservoirs, and fill
up the space vacated by the type that has been pushed out.
Movement of the chain.-The excentric N being put in motion by shaft L
as it goes forward it moves the ratchet brace l, unnecessary to be more parti-
cularly described; which, on the return stroke, gears into the bevilled wheel i,
which again moves the wheel j, and this causes the square block F to move.
one quarter of a revolution. In this way the chain E is made to slide along
its bed tho distance of one link, the spring acting on the smaller square
block F', serves to complete the motion begun by N¹, and thus secures correct 2
position of chain.
• Movement of the scrapers.-The transverse frame P oscillates on the
fulcrum P, carried by the bar P₁; this bar is connected by screws to the
rods O, O', and from this bar are suspended by means of the spindle x, forty-
eight small hooked levers, which I call scrapers, and are marked Q. When 3
the framing P, by means of the eccentrics 0, 0, and rods 01, 0¹, is pushed
forwards, the scrapers Q fall on to the chain, or on the types that may be
lying in the divisions into which each link is divided. When the scrapers:
begin to move the hooked ends slide over the steel plate W³, and where it
ceases they fall into the score of the types, (if there is no type, or if the type 3
in the chain presents no score, the hook simply passes along,) and thus the
types being held, they are dragged on to the vibrating planer (see Figure 6*).
It will be observed that the rods O have a belly pieco m, which causes them

page_text: as they are moved to and fro over the guides n by the excentric blocks, to
rise and fall at the same time. When the end of one of the rods O¹ reaches
the piece r projecting from the vibrating planer', which vibrates on spindle³,
it causes the plane to assume the level of the chain, and thus the types are.
casily moved from the chain to the vibrating plane ; as the piece = recedes,
the plane descends to the level of the inclined plane t, and in this manner
the types slide into the receivers T. In Figure 1 will be seen the position
of as it comes in contact with r, and in Figure 6 the piece is shown as
having just left and about to return. Figure 6* shews the action more
clearly.
As the scrapers move back it is necessary to prevent them touching the
chain while it is in motion. For this purpose a piece w projects from
framing P, and this coming in contact with lever y pivoting on an upright y';
it depresses the bar P³ of frame P (shown in plan); by this bar the tails q¹ of,
scrapers Q, shewn in plan, Figure 33, are depressed, and their hooked ends
lifted up. As the bar P' returns the lever y continues to depress the tails q
until it rests on the stop y³, when the counterbalance P¹ descends and lifts the
bar P³, which was depressing the tails q' of scrapers, and allows them to fall
for a renewed operation.
The distributing machine I have described is fitted for more than one size
of types, such as bourgeois, brevier, or the larger or smaller founts, and when
the difference in size is very great a regulating screw may be used to increase
or diminish the entrances of the receivers and reservoirs. Figure 8%, C are.
reservoirs having slides c³ and c pivoting on pins c; bar d' is in connection
with sides c, and bar d' is in connection with c'; by moving these bars to the
right or left by screws not shewn in the Drawing, the channels of reservoirs
may be suited to any fount. The receivers of distributing machine may be.
similarly constructed.
I will now proceed to describe the action of the apparatus. An attendant
having filled the reservoirs with the types to be distributed, motion is given
to the handle by the hand or by any other motive power. A single type.
is pushed out from each of the eight reservoirs; these slide down into the
chain filling the divisions in one link, by the next movement the chain moves
the distance of one link, and thus presents an empty link to the inclined plane.
leading from the reservoirs, and at the same time the filled link is placed
under the action of, the first set of scrapers, eight in number. If the type in.
the filled link are all of one sort, and happen to have a score in such part of.
the length that the scrapers can take hold of them, they are dragged off the

page_text: chain and fall, as already described, from the vibrating plane into the re-
ceivers T. If, however, the scores of the types do not correspond to the
scrapers, the next movement will present these types to a fresh set of scrapers,
of which there are six sets, and so on until the types have found their proper
places.
It will be obvious that as there are only six sets of scrapers the types
will only be divided into six degrees, insufficient therefore for a complete
distribution, but when they have passed through the machine the attendant
puts them again into the reservoirs, and in so doing he lays them on a different
side, so that a nick or score cut on the other side to that previously exposed to
the action of the scrapers will now be presented.
Figure 11 shews 18 type, each type being scored in a distinct place, but.
for the machine above described, as there are only six sets of scrapers, six
distinct scores only would be necessary. Thus, supposing that by the first
operation the types have been divided into the following classes:-1st, a, e,
i, o, u, thick space; 2nd, n, r, s, t, d, h; 3rd, b, c, f, g, k, 1; 4th, m, ?, p, q, v, w;
5th, x, y, z,, !, thin space; 6th, nq, mq, ff, ffi, ff, fl; then by the next dis-
tribution the a's, e's, i's, o's, u's and thick spaces will be brought into distinct'
lines, and so on. Of course the classification admits of endless variety, and by
placing the nicks closer together, or by increasing their number, any number
of varieties may be produced. I must further point out that the quantity
distributed by the machine depends on the number of reservoirs it may be
found convenient to provide and empty simultaneously.
The reservoirs in the composing machine have hitherto, when viewed by any
one sitting in a position to play the keys, been seen to be nearly perpendicular.
I now prefer to have a short length straight, and curve the remainder either
to the left or right.
Figure 12, a, b, are two reservoirs, one leaning to the left and another to
the right, containing types c, and of course all that are required may be made
in a similar manner. With a view to facilitate the construction of the reser-
voirs I affix a small piece of metal in front of each reservoir, to be held in its
place by a regulating screw or in any convenient manner that will allow of its
being raised or depressed, and these pieces of metal may be fixed to one bar
or several, so that the size of the aperture through which the types make their
exit from the reservoir may be regulated simultaneously, besides facilitating
the construction; this will enable a given machine to be 'used for different
sized founts of type.
Figures 13 and 14. d are reservoirs; e are small metal plates having cach

page_text: a slot and screw f; by raising the plate e the aperture g for exit of type is
enlarged, and by lowering it is diminished. In Figure 14 are cross bars h
connecting metal plates, so that the reservoirs for similar sized letters may be
regulated simultaneously.
T
In order still further to adapt the machine to different founts I place pieces
of metal cut to an angle in each reservoir, so that by drawing them out or
pushing them in the lower part of the reservoirs may be diminished or
enlarged, and these pieces may be fixed to one or more bars, so that this may.
be done more expeditiously.
In Figures 15 and 16, i is a sliding piece shewn in plan in Figure 17.
When this piece is drawn out the bottom of the channel j of the reservoir is
enlarged, and when pushed in it is contracted. In Figures 15 and 16 it
is shewn as pushed in. In this way although the upper part of reservoir is
suited to the larger founts the lower can be regulated to the size of smaller
founts. k is a bar to which these pieces of different reservoirs are attached so
that they may be regulated simultaneously. In order to diminish the size
of the inclined plane I place one row of reservoirs immediately behind
another.
.
In Figure 18, l, m, are two reservoirs, and n and o are two inclined planes
leading to one common one; p are types. In this arrangement the hind
reservoir will be emptied by a pusher acting on the tail end, and the reservoir
m by dragging out, as at Figure 26. I also make the reservoirs or part of
them somewhat like what are called typefounders sticks.
In Figure 19. are reservoirs q, q, in which r is an aperture into which s con-
taining types is placed. Figure 20 is an end view of s; 2, type. In placing
these filled sticks into the machine the attendant stops one end with his fingers.
In pushing the types out from the reservoirs of the composing machine on to
the inclined plane, they may either be pushed out in the direction of their.
breadth or their length; in the latter case in order to prevent the faces of the
types being injured I construct the pusher so that it shall only strike the
shoulders of the types where that is possible, or I push them out by the foot
or tail end. Again, I sometimes push or draw the types from the reservoirs by.
causing the pusher to lay hold of .the edges or sides of the types, and to
facilitate this I either make use of the nicks already cut or cast on the types, or
I make additional cuts or scores in the edges or sides of the types.
In Figure 21 t is a pusher constructed with a fork t', which admits of the
head of the type u lying in it. It is necessary to observe that this arrangement
is only applicable to types having one or two shoulders. When there is only.
one, one of the prongs must be cut off.
;

page_text: Figure 22 is a side view of Figure 21 in connection with a bell crank v,
which may be connected to a key of the composing machine not shewn, by
means of its end v¹; this same arrangement of bell crank is made use of in
apparatus shewn in Figures 23, 24, and 23, where w is a kind of nipper
whose ends w' are held together by an elastic connection. As the nippers are
pushed forward in the direction of arrow the pin x will open the points wⓇ of
nippers. As it proceeds in its course the pin a will be found in the sloty,
and then the nippers will close on the type. The type is now pushed forward
from under the column of types, see Figure 25, and on the return of the nippers
they pass underneath the column of types p without effect, but to prevent the
column being drawn back there is a stop and spring. The nippers may be
plain or hooked as in Figure 24, so as to fall into the nick of the types. This
arrangement admits of the types being pushed or dragged out; the inclined
plane is arranged as at Figure 26 when dragged out.
I would remark that I am aware that nippers have before been employed
to take type from reservoirs, the. nippers being at right angles to the length
of the type, but what I claim is the employing nippers acting in the direction of
the length of the type.
Figure 27 is an arrangement for pushing types out by the tail end. The
pusher A pushes the end of type p until it clears the column of type, when it
falls into the channel b and follows its curve. What I claim in reference to
Figure 27 is the pushing out the types by their tail ends when an inclined plane
is used.
:
Hitherto the escape hole on the inclined plane used to prevent the incon-
venience of a stoppage has only been in communication with the channels of
the lower case types. I now place one also before the general exit, and in
order to ensure the types keeping to one side so that they may not slide into
the hole except when required, I file or cut the inclined plane at this part at
an angle. In order that the escape hole may be used for different founts of
type I set it at any desired width by a screw or any other convenient method.
Figure 28 is a plan of part of the lower exit of inclined plane, where C is.
the hole placed at the exit D, and E being the holes at the sides.
Figure 29 is a section through line A, B, which shews the form of inclined
plane at each of the escape holes; F, F, F, are regulating screws which allow
of apertures being diminished or enlarged as required. In order to prevent
the types from turning as they slide down I cover the grooves of inclined plane
by a piece of glass (or any other transparent material), but when the size
of the types will not admit of this I undercut the sides of the grooves at an
angle.

page_text: Figure 30, H are pieces of plate glass held on the inclined plane by pins I;
the glass may partially cover channels K, leaving a space in the middle of
the channel uncovered as shewn, or they may be entirely covered by a single
plate.
Figure 31 shows how channels of inclined plane may be undercut. Instead
of using a handle to be moved by the hand at the justifying box, I place a step
or pedal so that the movement may be effected by the foot.
Figure 32 M is stand, and N is justifying box. It is unnecessary to
give its details, as it may be seen in my previous Patents. o is a treddle hinged
at o', connected to P, handle of justifying box by o'. When the foot is placed
on o the line of type is depressed and the counterbalance raised, and on the
removal of the foot and the descent of the counterbalance the operation is
completed.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Hadden Young, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
JAMES H. YOUNG. (L.S.)