IMPROVE- MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING PRINTING TYPES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robert Johnson, of Stanbrook Cottage,
Hammersmith, and John Staines Atkinson, of No. 31, Red Lion
Square, both in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
No text detected.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Robert Johnson
and John Staines Atkinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 12th September 1862.
We, JOHN ROBERT JOHNSON, of Stanbrook Cottage, Hammersmith, and
JOHN STAINES ATKINSON, of No. 31, Red Lion Square, both in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MANUFACTURING PRINTING TYPES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object "Improvements in Machinery for Manu-
facturing Printing Types," and has reference to the Patent granted to us on
the 13th Decr. 1859, No. 2828. In the machinery described in the Specifica-
tion of the said Patent the type, as it left the casting machine, was separated
from the jet and thrust into a tube formed of two parallel pieces of metal
placed in a horizontal position. When filled the tube was removed to the
finishing machine, on the surface of which it was placed vertically. The type

page_text: dropped from the tube, and was then pushed past two cutters in succession,
in order to plane the rubbed sides; it was then passed over other cutters
to cut out the foot and smooth its surface for height to paper; returning again
to its former condition. It was then pushed over a slide in the side of a
form of a quadrant, and placed vertically between grippers, when it was then
passed in succession over two other cutters in order that the dressed sides
might be planed. The type thus finished fell through an opening upon a
"stick," where it was set up. In describing the finishing of both the rubbed
and dressed sides, we pointed out that one side only of each pair must be
planed at once, and the first side being made true, that side must be pressed
against a true surface of steel or iron, and while so held the other side must
be planed by being pushed past a second cutter, which, the second side, was
made parallel to the first.
.
In our present improvements we maintain the principle thus laid down, but
we greatly simplify and improve the machinery.
1st, by connecting the second with the first machine by a continuous
instead of a moveable tube, thus avoiding the necessity of the type being touched
in its transit from one to the other.
2nd, by placing the cutters for planing the dressed sides of the type hori-
zontally instead of vertically, adding a line with and behind those for cutting
out the foot, and by passing the type through the line of cutters thus arranged,
so that the type has not to return, but is carried gradually past such
cutters.
3rd, by placing the composing stick in a line with and behind the above
arrangement of cutters, so that the type is set up by the same motion which:
drives it through the cutters.
4th, we also greatly facilitate the adjustment of the machine in changing
from one "body" to another by placing several parts of the machine upon
packing pieces of the exact size of the "body," by simply changing which the
machinery is at once adjusted for that" body."
5th, we also render the machine easily adjustable for the different sorts of
a fount by making the letters themselves act as packing pieces for the
separation of the two parts of the tube through which the type passes, and for
defining the position of the sliding side of the table carrying the upright side
of the tube and first cutter.
6th, we have also facilitated the setting of the machine by making the
cutters used for planing the rubbed sides adjustable in a horizontal and in a
vertical plane, so as to insure flat cut upon the type.
7th, we further simplify the construction of the machine by modifying the

page_text: apparatus for adjusting the height to paper and placing it behind the dressing
cutters, instead of before them. This modification consists in the type being
stationary and the cutters movable while the adjustment is effected, and in
the type being held square by similar types in line on each side of it, instead
of by grippers, as in our first Invention.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Robert Johnson and John Staines Atkinson in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th March 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
ROBERT JOHNSON, of Stanbrook Cottage, Hammersmith, and JOHN STAINES
ATKINSON, of No. 81, Red Lion Square, both in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said John Robert Johnson and John Staines Atkinson, Her special
licence that we, the said John Robert Johnson and John Staines Atkinson,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
John Robert Johnson and John Staines Atkinson, our executors, admi-
nistrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY POR MANU-
FACTURING PRINTING TYPES," upon the condition (amongst others), that we,
the said John Robert Johnson and John Staines Atkinson, our executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our or their hands
and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Staines Atkinson, on behalf of
myself and the said John Robert Johnson, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he

page_text: particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in machinery for manu-
facturing printing types, and has reference to the Patent granted to us on the
18th December 1859, No. 2828. In the machinery described in the
Specification of the said Patent the type as it left the casting machine was
separated from the jet and thrust into a tube formed of two parallel pieces of
metal placed in a horizontal position. When filled the tube was removed to
the finishing machine, on the surface of which it was placed vertically. The
type dropped from the tube, and was then pushed past two cutters in succession,
in order to plano the rubbed sides; it was then passed over other cutters to
cut out the foot and smooth its surface for height to paper, returning again to
its former position. It was then pushed over a slide in the form of a quadrant,
and placed vertically between grippers, when it was then passed in succession
over two other cutters in order that the dressed sides might be planed. The
type thus finished fell through an opening upon a "stick," where it was "set
up." In describing the finishing of both the rubbed and dressed sides, wo
pointed out that one side only of each pair must be planed at once, and the
first side being made true, that side must be pressed against a true surface of
steel or iron, and whilst so held the other side must be planed by being
pushed past a second cutter, by which the second side was made parallel to
the first.
In our present improvements we maintain the principle thus laid down, but
we greatly simplify and improve the machinery.
1st, by connecting the second with the first machine by a continuous instead
of a moveable tube, thus obviating the necessity of the type being touched in
its transit from one to the other.
2nd, by placing the cutters for planing the dressed sides of the type
horizontally instead of vertically, and in a line with and behind those for
cutting out the foot, and by passing the type through the line of cutters thus
arranged, so that the type has not to return, but is carried gradually past
such cutters.
3rd, by placing the composing stick in a line with and behind the above
arrangement of cutters, so that the type is set up by the same motion which
drives it through the cutters.
4th, we also greatly facilitate the adjustment of the machine in changing
from one "body" to another by placing several parts of the machine upon
packing pieces of the exact size of the "body," by simply changing which tho
machinery is at once adjusted for that " "body."

page_text: 5th, we also render the machine easily adjustable for the different sorts of a
fount by making the letters themselves act as packing pieces for the separation
of the two parts of the tube through which the type passes, and for defining
the position of the sliding side of the table carrying the upright side of the
tube and first cutter.
6th, we have also facilitated the setting of the machine by making the
cutters used for planing the rubbed sides adjustable in a horizontal and in a
vertical plane, so as to ensure a flat cut upon the type.
7th, in some modifications the type may be stationary and the cutters
moveable, while the adjustment is effected and the type held square by
similar types in line on each side of it, instead of by grippers, as in our
first Invention.
Having stated the nature of our improvements, we now proceed to shew
them in detail, reference being had to the Drawings appended.
Plate 1, Figure 1, is a plan of the top of the table upon and under which
the chief parts of our new machine are supported, the feeder leading from the
casting machine being removed in order to shew the construction of important
parts beneath it, its position being represented by dotted lines parallel
to A, B.
Plate 2, Figure 2, is a longitudinal section of the table of the machine
through A, B, in Plate 1, Figure 1. Part of the feeding tube is shewn in
this view, the tinted line indicating the course of the type through the tube
and machine in this and other Figures; Figure 3 is another longitudinal
section through C, D, shewing the dressing apparatus; Figure 4 is a trans-
verse section through F, E; Figure 5, a transverse section through G, H, of
the feeding tube; Figure 6, a section of the circular cutter for taking off the
bevels in ascending and descending types.
Plate 3, Figure 7, is a plan of the under surface of the table, upon which
are fixed the levers and rods for transmitting motion from the cams to the
acting parts of the machine.
Plate 1, Figures 8, 9, 10, are a side view, front view, and plan of the
breaker.
a, a, a, a, is the table, having an opening in its centre similar to that of our
first machine; b, b, b, is a plate of cast iron, let flush into the table, and
having a slight movement from and towards the opening in the table. This
plate has a hole c, through which the stud d, cast upon the table a, a, passes.
This plate carries one half of all the acting parts for rubbing the type, that is,
of planing the two "rubbed " sides of the type, and also the pusher p for
removing the type from the rubbing into the dressing apparatus. e is a piece

page_text: of brass, which is connected with the upper side of the feeding tube (see
Figure 2); m is the holder, let into the plate b; f, the first cutter; g, the
hardened steel h, which supports the side of the type while passing the second
cutter h. The position of the plate 6 upon the table a is determined by
screw 17, which passes freely through the edge of b, and is tapped into the
stud d. The plate is held in this position by the bolts 18, 18, passing through
holes in b, and tapped into a.
The hole c is made in such a way with respect
to b that when the back of the hole is brought into contact with d by means
of screw 17, the first cutter f and the guide piece g are in contact with the
parts fixed opposite to them upon the fixed table on the other side of the
opening, but if the types i, i, be inserted and held firmly between the edges
of c and d, by means of screw 17, the parts e, m, f, g, are separated from
the parts opposite to them by a distance exactly equal to the thickness of the
types inserted.
As regards the parts of the machine which perform the rubbing, all are
dentical in principle to those described in our first machine. The construction
of the cutters f, h, will be evident from the Drawings. They differ from those
used in our first machine by having the means of adjustment in a horizontal
and vertical plane, and they are moved to and from the central opening in the
table by the pull and thrust screws 8, 8, and their teeth are formed about
inch apart. .,, is the floating bed, which holds the type laterally
while its first rubbed side is being planed by the first cutter f. The floating
bed is formed of three superposed parts j, j, j". The first or upper part j
is a strip of metal equal in thickness to the body of the type to be rubbed, and
as wide as the type is long; it is fixed to by two screws, that at the tail
of; passing through a slotted hole, so that ; may have a slight angular motion
upon the other screw acting as a centre, by which arrangement the type when
held against the cutter f by the edge of j may be planed equally at the head
or foot, or unequally, accordingly as the edge of j be set parallel or at an
angle to the line of motion. is let tightly into " in the recess shewn in
Figure 1, until the upper surface of each is "flush" with the other. It is
maintained in position by a screw passing through j, and through a slotted
hole in, but which is tapped into 7. The head of a small screw tapped into
the end of ¹ drives it forward towards the opening, and determines the
position of the acting edge of j with respect to the feeder, and the acting parts
m, f, and g, upon the plate b, b; j", carrying j¹ and j, moves freely upon k by
means of a dovetailed slide (see Figure 2), and is held up and tightened by a
wedge. k slides upon the bar 1, 1, fixed firmly upon the lower surface of a, a.
The driving blade n, shewn in Figure 4, is fixed firmly upon k, so that it may

page_text: be in the centre of the opening between the edge of j and the opposite parts,
so as to touch neither. It is formed of a strip of steel thinner than the type
to be rubbed, having a recess formed in front to receive the type. The form
of this recess will therefore vary with the body of the type to be dressed. The
edge of this recess resting against the foot of the type we call the heel of the
driving blade, and it serves to drive the type through the cutters. It will be
seen that as & moves forward upon l, it carries forward also the floating bed
j, j', j", but to insure this and determine its position we add the india-rubber
spring, which holds firmly to a screw in the stud fixed upon k. By
means of the screw and stud the position of j with respect to k, or rather to n,
which k carries, can be accurately adjusted, so that the type may be held
at the side by j, and pushed forward simultaneously by the heel of n.
The construction of the feeder is represented by Figures 2, 4, and 5. It
consists of two bars of metal 7, 6; the opposite surfaces of each are planed, as
shewn in section, Figure 5, to form three "rails" upon which the types slide.
The upper one & is held apart from the lower y by the following arrange-
ment:-,, are four lugs projecting from 6; and 7', ', are similar lugs also
cast on y;,, are four pins fixed firmly into the upper lugs and resting upon
the bottom lugs, being held steadily by holes in the latter made carefully to
fit,. The holes in 7', ', and the pins ?, ?, are adjusted so that when tho
latter rest upon the bottom of the former, the surfaces of the rails, made true
and perfectly parallel, are so nearly in contact that only a sheet of stout paper
can pass between them. On inserting four types 6, 6, of the exact thickness
of those to be rubbed under the pins ?, through transverse holes in n¹, n',
made for that purpose,
à is raised above y for the necessary distance to allow
such types to pass. The ends of 7, 8, next the casting machine form a tube
for the reception of the type similar to the feeding tube described in our first
machine. The end of y at the opposite extremity is shaped so as to form a
quadrant terminating in the upright portions, the surface of which coincides
with the acting edge of the floating bed j. The tube is continued over the
curved portion of y by a strip of clock spring, about inch broad, fixed to
the upper bar by screws, and at the other end to a piece of brass sliding by a
dovetail into the piece e, fixed upon the sliding plate 6. The spring can be
tightened or slackened upon the quadrant, and its distance therefrom regu-
lated by screw 6 on changing the types for others of different dimensions.
The types are thrust into and along the tube from the casting machine by the
movement of that machine. They are brought to the other end of the
feeding tube by means of the saddle piece K', and a string and weight passing
over a pulley which is fixed upon a small column on the frame of the machine.

page_text: A pin passes through each flap or side of the saddle piece between the rails of
the feeding tube and behind the type. On removing the pin the saddle piece
can be lifted and drawn back towards the casting machine to bring forward
fresh type, the pin being inserted behind them for that purpose. The feeder
is open at both sides for the whole of the length of the horizontal portion, and
the type are held in it by means of projections at head or foot if necessary,
but
after the jets are broken the types are guided on their passage over the
quadrant by the pieces (+, +,) one of which, that carrying the breaking
edge, is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2, the edges of both being seen in
the portion of the feeder above the driving blade in Figure 4. The type may
also be brought forward to the finishing machine by means of a small pair of
rollers or pullies covered with leather or other flexible material, and fixed in
the top and bottom rail of the feeding tube, as shewn by the dotted lines in
Figure 2; or an endless belt may pass under and over pullies or rollers on
the upper tube. Both the pair of rollers above mentioned and the endless
belt must have continuous motion given to them from either casting or
finishing machine, by which the types are carried forward and made to press
upon the driving blade. When the feeder is full and the types are not carried
forward by the dressing as fast as the rollers or belt supply them, these slip
over the type until the latter are again in motion from the action of the
dressing machine. In our former machine we broke off the jets from the type
at their entry into the feeding tube. In our present machine we pass the
types unbroken through the tube, and only break off the jets when the types
arrive at the quadrant, by which they are brought into a vertical position.
This is accomplished by a projecting piece upon one of the side pieces (+),
as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, which represent the said pieces in threo
different views.
Having described all the important parts of the machine which perform the
operations of feeding, breaking, and "rubbing," or more properly planing the
"rubbed sides," we will now describe these operations more clearly by tracing
a type in its passage from the casting machine before proceeding to describe
the dressing apparatus.
Having obtained six types already rubbed to the true thickness, we place
two of them at i, i, to adjust the plate b, b, fixing the plate firmly by means
of the bolts 18, and thereby adjusting the vertical part of the feeding
tube by the position of e, and its attached clock spring, the holder m,
the first cutter f, the steel edge 9, and the pusher p. We now adjust
the horizontal part of the feeder, which we effect by inserting tho
remaining four types at 6, 0. We have only now to see that the steel

page_text: ribbon or clock spring is parallel to the quadrant of 7, or to make it
so by the pull and thrust screw 6. The casting machine being set
to work and the feeder filled, the saddle piece K' is drawn back, its pin
inserted behind a portion of the type, and the attached weight allowed to act
upon it. The type are drawn forward and press upon the recess in the
driving blade, which is immediately under the feeder, see Figure 4. Parallel
to it on each side is the edge of the floating bed ; and the end of the holder
respectively. The finishing machine is now set in motion, the holder m is
driven forward to hold the type firmly against the edge of the floating bed j,
and k, with n attached, then move forward bringing the type over the cutter f,
which planes the first side, and upon the smooth edge of the piece g. The
floating bed here comes in contact with the side of the opening ● (see
Figure 1) in the table a, and is arrested in its course, the india-rubber
spring yielding, and allowing k, carrying the driving bladen, to pass forward;
these drive the type past the second cutter h, removing all superfluous sub-
stance, and making the second rubbed side parallel to the first. The type is
then brought under the boot-shaped piece 9, which is a strip of steel thinner
than the type, mounted upon a small dovetailed piece, upon which it can slide
up and down. It is held down by a small india-rubber spring, and is adjusted
at the proper height by means of a small set screw r; the pressure of 9
acting upon the type prevents it being thrown forward, when n driving it is
arrested; n having brought the typo under q, has arrived at the end of its
course; it now stops until the pusher p advances, pushing the type laterally
from between the surfaces of n and 9 into the canal in connection with the
dressing apparatus to be described, and thereby "setting it up" on its dressed
sides. The slide k then returns with the driving blade n to its former
position (see Figure 4), bringing back with it the floating bed j, the screw of
the stud coming in contact with " as it returns; k and n are now arrested,
and the holder m having been withdrawn before their arrival, another type
falls into the recess in n, which in its turn is driven forward. The type has
been prevented from falling until this moment by being supported upon the
back of the driving blade which is continued behind the recess for that object.
The cam moving is so made and timed that the course of k is divided into
four epochs or phases of equal amount, constituting one revolution of the
driving shaft. One quarter revolution is occupied in moving the type from
the feeder to the boot-shaped piece q, one-fourth in resting there for the type
to be shifted into the dressing apparatus, one-fourth in returning to its first
position, and the remaining fourth in standing opposite the feeder to allow

page_text: time for the fall of the type, and of its being gripped by the holder and edge
of the floating bed.
Having shewn the apparatus by which the type is broken off, is planed on
its "rubbed" sides, and set up in the dressing canal, we would observe that
the said apparatus constitutes a machine which is complete in itself, and may
be used alono for the operations specified, the type being received from the
table of the machine on a stick, and removed to be dressed by hand, or by
the dressing apparatus to be described mounted as a separate machine.
We will now describe the apparatus for the subsequent operations, namely,
cutting out and smoothing the foot, and planing the typo on its "dressed"
sides. The apparatus consists of one series of parts let into the surface of the
table, and another series which are bolted upon the table, but supported at a
distance from its surface, and consequently from the surface of the parts let
into it equal to the body of the type to be "dressed." This distanco is main-
tained by steel packing pieces slightly exceeding in thickness the "body" of
the type to be dressed.
We will first describe the former series of parts, viz., those which are let
into the table, and which form the lower surface of the canal or conduit
through which the type passes. s³, s, Figure 8, is a plate of steel, having a
suitable surface with a projecting part corresponding to the "nick" of the
type as it has been cast, and which fills that "nick." The "nick" is shown
in the type under q, in Figure 4, as square in section, but is usually semi-
circular, and the projecting part upon s', s, is then a small half round bead.
This is continued for the whole length of s', and serves to maintain the type
in line, and prevent the face of the type being thrust against the packing pieces
during the act of cutting out and smoothing the foot. x is the spring bed, a
lozenge-shape piece of steel, shown in plan by the dotted lines upon u, let into
a hole in the table, and kept in position by the piece x' screwed upon the
under surface of the table, see Figure 7. It is held up to the level of s' by
two spiral springs resting upon a', and it is prevented from rising above s¹ by
the two screws tapped into it, and passing freely through . The first
cutter is a piece of well tempered steel with a bevelled edge somewhat like
a plane iron laid flat; it is oblique in plan, so that its cutting edge is parallel
to the lozenge-shaped spring bed, and is maintained at such a distance from
the edge of the latter that the interstice between them may be about nd of
an inch, being sufficient only for the passage of the dust or shavings removed
from the under surface of the type. ' may extend to the edge of the table a,
or it may be shorter, and the remaining part of the groove in the table planed

page_text: out for the reception of the different pieces just described may be filled up by
a separate piece of steel or iron, so as to make up the surface flush with the
surface of the table.
We will now describe the upper series of parts of the dressing apparatus.
s is a square piece of brass carrying the slide of the boot-shaped piece q; t is
the box carrying the cutters for cutting out and smoothing the foot, and is
identical in every respect with that described in our former Patent; its
functions are also similar, the operations differing from those of our former
Patent in the mode in which the types are carried through the box. In the
former Patent the type was passed singly when held between grippers; in the
present, the type is passed through in a continued line, the parallelism of
the type maintaining them at right angles with the line of motion, and the
bead upon s¹ entering the nick, ensuring the position of the type in the line of
motion; u is a piece of brass carrying the circular cutter (shewn in section in
Figure 6), and the adjusting bed y opposite the spring bed ; vis a second
similar box carrying the second cutter 23, shewn in plan with its sharpened
edge projecting from the front of v; wis a third similar box or piece of brass
carrying a strip of metal, upon the under surface of which a piece of card
cloth is secured. All the parts s, t, u, v, w, are fastened firmly to the table, and
are maintained at the proper height above it by the steel packing pieces before
described; the adjusting bed y is maintained in its position under the lower
surface of u by the four thrusting screws 1, 1, 1, 1, and the pulling screw 2, by
which arrangement it can be set at any angle to the surface of the table within
certain limits. The second cutter is fixed and adjusted in v by a precisely
similar arrangement; the screws 3, 3, 3, 3, and 4 acting like 1, 1, and 2 respec-
tively. The cutters, adjusting bed, and spring bed of the upper and lower series of
parts are not exactly parallel to each other, but they vary from the parallel
position so minutely that their exact position can hardly be shewn in the
Drawing without exaggeration. For instance, the spring bed x is slightly
"proud" at the edge next to the first cutter. The surface of the adjusting bed
y is in two planes, the "proud" edge being in a line exactly opposite the cutting
edge of. If this edge be adjusted by the screws 1, 1, so as to be parallel to
the edge of the cutter, and be sufficiently depressed so that the type in passing
comes in contact with the edge of z', then the cut is parallel and will vary in
amount with the degree at which y is depressed, the spring berl x yielding to
lower the type in front of the cutter. If the proud edge of the bed y be made
lower at one side than another, the type will be cut more at the head or foot,
according to the side of y lowered. The second cutter is set somewhat
proud at its cutting edge, which is made strictly parallel to the surface of

page_text: ¹, in order to ensure the parallelism of the type after passing through the
opening between them; the size of the type therefore depends upon the size
of that opening.
The double circular cutter Figure 6 is used for taking off tho bevils of the
ascending and descending letters, capitals, &c., or for "bearding" the type, that
is, cutting out a portion of the stem of the letter to deepen the face. It is screwed
into the piece u, and can be lowered or raised by the screw, and can be fixed
firmly at any elevation by the jam nut. The cutter proper is a piece of steel
of the form shewn by B³, 83. The inner edges B³, 83, only cut. The type is
placed between these edges; by lowering, the cutter B, C, only cut, and the
bevils of ascending letters are removed by raising it, 83, 83, come into play; and
descending letters are thereby "dressed." For bearding types the edges of B³, ß³,
must be rounded, and be shorter, to make a deeper cut without touching the
face of the letter. The cutter must be driven at a high velocity by any suitable
motion. We use a gut running over the pullies, which is driven from a pulley
upon a shaft under the frame of the machine, put in motion by another gut
running over the fly wheel.
Having described all the important parts of the dressing apparatus, we will
now follow the type in their course through it, in order that we may define
more clearly the functions of its parts.
The types driven by pusher p from between the driving blade n and the
boot-shaped piece 9 gradually accumulate under s and arrive at t. The first of
the cutters or saws fixed horizontally upon the sliding pieces there cuts out tho
groove in the foot of the type, and the second smoothes its surface as each typo
advances. The line of type continuing to advance arrives between y and x,
depressing the latter more or less according to the amount of substance to be
removed from the under surface of the type. Thus depressed, the first cutter Z'
planes off all beneath its surface, taking a parallel or angular cut according to
the position of y with respect to the cutting edge of Z'. The line of type con-
tinues to advance supported by the upper surface of the first cutter, which
now performs the functions of the steel edge g in the rubbing part of the
machine. Thus supported, the types arrive under the proud edge of the second
cutter Z, where the upper surface of the type is rendered parallel to the first,
as has been already described. The types next pass under the card cloth,
pressed down by spiral springs, and so to the composing stick e, supported at
one end by pins in the edge of the table a, a, and at the other by a bracket on
the table of the casting machine.
We have only now to shew the levers and rods in plan, Figure 7, to com-
plete the description of our machine. Motion is given to the whole by a shaft

page_text: fitted with three cains, two of which are simple eccentrics, which give motion
to the holder m and the pusher p respectively. m is moved by one of these
eccentrics through the rod 15, and p by the other through the rod 16. Each
of these operations only lasts part of a revolution. The slide k carrying
the floating bed j,,", and driving blade n, is moved by the third cam
through the rods and levers 10, 11, 12, 18, acting by the two rollers 14, 14.
The cam is so constructed that a revolution is divided into four equal parts,
two being occupied in rest and two in a reciprocating motion, rest and motion
alternating in each quarter.
The description of the operation of planing the rubbed sides will sufficiently
explain the "timing" of the machine, for all the movements are included in
the performance of this operation, the motion of 16, by which the pusher p is
actuated when removing the type from the driving blade into the dressing
canal, alone serving for all the operations which constitute the dressing of the
type.
We prefer to employ circular cutters in the modified form of our dressing
apparatus for cutting out the groove, nicking and smoothing the foot, and also
for the planing of the rubbed and dressed sides.
It should be stated, that although the cutters might be made to move whilst
the types remained stationary, it is preferred that the types should be moved
past the cutters, as above explained.
Having thus described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, we would have it understood that we make no claim to
any of the mechanical parts separately; but what we claim is the combination
of the parts as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Staines Atkinson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
JS ATKINSON (LA)
JS ATKINSON (LS)