Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan.,
1899
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of Birkbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention (as communicated to me from abroad by the firm, Impresa
Macchina Compositrice Lamonica Garlanda & Co., of Turin, Italy), to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a construction and arrangement of type composing
apparatus in such a manner that an operator by depressing keys, during certain
periods of movement of the mechanism effected by extraneous power, can compose
types for successive syllables which are mechanically collected into lines and arranged
in a forme for printing.
There are 4 reservoirs each containing cases of superposed types and so arranged
that the lowest type of the tier can be pushed out on to a table along which the
reservoirs are ranged, the types so pushed out in proper order being swept by a
pusher to one end of the table, where another pusher acting at right angles to the
former, pushes as many of the types as will form a line on to a rocking shelf. Here
the line receives spaces and is then by an oscillation of the shelf raised upright and
pushed on to a galley, the successive lines of types delivered on the galley consti-
tuting a forme.
There are two sets of keys one for the right and one for the left hand, and the
type cases in the 4 reservoirs are arranged so that the cases for types corresponding
to the right hand keys occupy the right hand side of each reservoir and the cases
for types corresponding to the left hand keys occupy the left hand side of each
reservoir. The keys and types are selected for the two hands in such a manner
that they suit the general syllabic character of the language.
"
"
Thus there are a number of consonants on the left hand and vowels and other
consonants on the right. Assuming for instance that such a word as precise
were to be composed, then the left hand would depress keys for "pr," the right a
key for "e" and then keys for "cise," so that all the types for the word would be
extruded from their cases in proper order upon the collecting table.
The cycle of operation of the mechanism, that is to say one revolution of the
driving shaft, is divided into 4 periods, and the mechanism is so arranged that the
keys held down during each of those periods act on the types in each of the reser-
voirs, but the keys themselves do not act directly on the types, they only move
certain levers and rods so as to interpose vertically sliding pins between pushers
worked by the power shaft and horizontal slides at the bottoms of the type cases.
If, for instance, the key marked is held down during the first period it raises a
vertical pin in front of a pusher which makes its stroke during the first period and
this pin being in front of the slide at the bottom of the case of p type, the stroke of
the pusher advances that slide pushing out a p type. Special types for capitals,
numerals and punctuation marks are acted upon in the same way by a pusher
TD 017

page_text: brought into action by means of a pedal and key. At a certain point of the cycle
a pusher is caused to travel along the table on which the extruded types lie, and to
collect them all at one end where they are divided into lines and transferred to the
galley as above mentioned.
n
DOLL
1007
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Composing Apparatus.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of Birbeck Bank Chambers, Southampton Buildings, Chancery
Lane, in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention (as communicated to me from abroad by the firm, Impresa
Macchina Compositrice Lamonica Garlanda & Co., of Turin, Italy,) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a construction and arrangement of type composing
machine in such a manner that an operator, by depressing certain keys during
certain periods of movements of the machine effected by extraneous power, can
compose types for successive syllables which are mechanically collected into lines
and arranged in a forme for printing as I shall describe referring to the accompany-
ing drawings.
Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the general arrangement of a type composing
machine according to this invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the machine.
Figure 3 is a back view partly in longitudinal section.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the left end, and
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5-5 Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a plan shewing in section bearings for the shaft L.
Figure 7 is an elevation of the right end of the machine.
Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11 shew details hereinafter referred to.
Figure 12 is a plan of the key-board.
Figure 13 is a plan on the line 13-13 of Figure 2.
Figure 14 is a part transverse section on the line 14-14 of Figure 6.
Figure 15 is a part plan shewing some of the ejecting slides.
Figures 16 and 17 are part transverse sections like Figure 14 but shewing different
positions of the parts.
Figure 17 and Figures 18 to 27 inclusive shew details hereinafter referred to.
Referring first to Figure 1, W1, W2, W³, W4, indicate 4 type reservoirs which
contain columns of like types lying horizontally with their characters presented
towards a plate U, so that the lower type of any column can be pushed out on to U.
The types thus pushed out, marked 1 to 9, are moved along the plate by a collector R
until a number are collected at the left end, and then a pusher B transfer a number
sufficient to form a line on to a rocking plate M, where, after receiving spaces
advanced by a pusher Z from a case O and inserted by hand where required the
types are turned into an upright position by partial rotation of M, and are then
transferred to a galley C₁ where they are made up into a forme for printing.
There are as many finger keys A as there are different types in each of the
reservoirs W', W2, W³, W³, each of these containing the same sets of types. The
number of these reservoirs determines the number of syllables that can be composed

page_text: during one complete cycle of the machine. Assuming for instance that the cycle
were divided into four periods, the keys held down during the first would act on the
types in W, those held down during the second period would act on the type in W2
and so on in respect of W³ and W. The keys A are in two divisions one for the
right and one for the left hand, the right hand keys acting on types in cases which
occupy the right hand sides of the 4 reservoirs and the left hand keys acting on the
types in cases occupying the left hand sides of the reservoirs. It is to be understood
that the depression of a key does not directly move a type from its column, but by
holding down a key during a period of the cycle of the machine, the mechanism
advances the particular types determined by the keys which are depressed during
that period.
In order to facilitate the composing of syllables which in every language follow
certain general laws, the types in the reservoirs are arranged in relation to those
laws. I shall describe an arrangement suitable for the Italian language, as an
example, by which can be understood arrangements suitable for other languages.
In each reservoir the types are arranged in cases in the following order from the
left. S, B, C, D, F, G, M, P, Q, T, V, Z, H, L, N, R, I, U, E, O, A, O, E, U, T,
B, C, D, F, G, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, Z. This arrangement suits almost all
Italian syllables. The letter S, for instance, appears first and also near the last,
because in almost all Italian syllables the letter S occurs at the beginning or at the
end or in both places. By carefully considering the formation of syllables generally
the order given has been adopted, first a number of consonants followed by vowels,
and consonants in nearly inverted order. There are added partly at the beginning
partly at the end accented vowels, punctuation signs and spaces. Although the
arrangement may be made to suit most syllables, there are naturally some for
which the manipulation has to be somewhat varied. As an example I shall describe
the mode of operating to compose the word "principe." During the second period
of the cycle, the operator with his left hand depresses the keys pr and with his
right the keys in and holds them down during the second period. Just before
the third period begins he raises his hands, then with his left hand depresses c and
with his right; in like manner during the fourth period he depresses with the
left P and with the right e. The mechanism during the successive periods ejects
the tyres forming the syllable prin, from W2, ci from W³ aud pe from W, and
collects these along the plate U.
In order to provide for capital letters, numerals, points &c., types for these are
accommodated in the reservoir W₁, but these are brought into connection with
their appropriate keys by a pedal. Owing to this appropriation of W¹ for capitals,
numerals, &c., syllables have to be formed from only the three reservoirs W2 W3 W*,
and therefore the cycle of the machine is divided into three periods, during each of
which a syllable can be formed. Should the issue of a capital or other type
from Winterfere with types already ejected or about to be ejected, the operator
lets the machine be idle during one or two of the three periods until the plate U is
clear, and then he employs the pedal to get the type from W¹. Some of the keys
may be marked with two characters one for ordinary use and one for the action
varied by the pedal.
The machine being adapted for camposing three syllables in each cycle, the
cycle is divided into three periods, all performed by one revolution of the main
shaft. The various parts of the machine and their respective functions are, for the
sake of clearness, described under separate heads.
FRAMING AND GEAR.
The framing consists of two end frames T2 T2 connected rigidly by bolts T3, and
on these frames is placed the platform U on which are fixed the reservoirs W and
the guides vv2 (Figures 5, 14, 16) slotted to receive the ejectors r. On the end
frames TT are also fixed the upper frame S and the longitudinal frames J, D.
On D is fixed a ledge piece D¹ carrying the keys and a frame having uprights b¹,

page_text: to descend to its stop. The three rollers n¹ n² n³ are usually in such a position that
the arm SS3 is out of their path, so that it remains usually at rest. By means of a
pedal Q (Figures 2, 3, 6, 7, 11) and connections Q1 Q2 Q3 Q and Q acting on the
tubular shaft L in opposition to the spring this shaft L' is slid along the main
shaft L, the paths of the rollers m¹ are thus removed from the planes of the arms S³,
and the path of the rollers n¹ n² n³ is brought into the plane of the arm SS³, so that
the cases for the small letters are not acted on, but those for the capitals and
numbers are acted on while the pedal Q is depressed.
On the frame J (Figure 14) are fixed vertical plates J2 J3 slotted to form guides
for blades which are retracted by springs O¹ to the position marked 1. There is
a blade O for every character in all the cases, and they are in four sets, one set for
each reservoir. A shoulder 02 is stopped against an upright plate p attached
to J, and each blade has a sloping projection pl with a shoulder 03, also a
tooth O. When by the stroke of S5 driving the raised rod d against the end of O
the blade is advanced to the position 2 it is held by its shoulder 03 bearing against
a plate p² until it is released by descent of the arm q (Figures 6 and 14) of which
there are two each extending the length of two of the reservoirs. They are pivotted
at qon brackets q² and are connected to the springs S by which they are pulled
up against adjustable stop screws q³. The arms y have rollers q which are acted
on so as to depress the arms by the cams l. As the arms 9 descend they act on
such of the blades O as had been advanced to the position 2 by the stroke of S³,
and thus force down such of the pins N¹ as are below the blades O there being one
pin N for each blade O, fitted to slide in guides in the girder N with a little
friction due to a spring N2. The girder N which has a tooth N³ extending its
whole length, is moved towards J so as to bring the pins N¹ under the blades ()
and hold them there till the descent of 9 depresses the advanced blades O and
the corresponding pins N¹, and then N is moved towards the reservoir W. The to
and fro movements of N are effected by the cams g, Figure 10, which during one
quarter of a turn moves N towards W, during the next quarter turn moves it back,
during the remaining two quarters leaves it in its back position (Figure 14). These
movements are communicated by rollers g³ on levers g¹ pivotted at g². Under the
pins N is a bar K which reciprocates vertically rising it to the dotted position
marked 2, this movement being effected by the cams f acting on rollers f² mounted
on rods f¹. This bar when it rises pushes up such of the pins N¹ as had been pushed
down. Before being thus pushed up, they act as shewn in Figures 16 and 17 on
slides which are guided in grooves of v², each slide having its front part r
pushed through a slot in the wall of the case W so as to force out the lowest type.
Each slide has also a shoulder 2 on which the tooth N³ engages at the back
stroke of N so as to retract the slides that had been advanced. All the type cases
rest on a slab v³ sunk in the girder U.
In order to apprise the operator that he has the types in line to form a syllable
a gong is provided to sound when the blade is advanced, so that the operator
may hold down the key till he hears it. For each reservoir there is provided the
gong its hammer 7, a comb like lever 23 (Figure 17ª) having as many
teeth as there are blades 0, each of these blades having a stud (3 which, as
the blade advances moves so that the arm causes the hammer to strike the
gong.
COLLECTING MECHANISM.
The types extruded on to the table U under the guide frames P1 P2 P³ pivotted
ut P and adjusted by screws P4 P5 in height are collected by R which (Figures 24
and 25) consists of a slide R' sliding in guides R2 formed in the table U. On the
lide R is mounted a small spindle R³ having two arms R and R³ the latter attached
o a steel ribbon 8 which passes aran avida ll 0
"
The types extruded on to the table U under the guide frames P1 P2 P3 pivotted
at Pe and adjusted by screws P4 P5 in height are collected by R which (Figures 24
and 25) consists of a slide R¹ sliding in guides R2 formed in the table U. On the
lide R¹ is mounted a small spindle R³ having two arms R and R the latter attached
o a steel ribbon 8 which passes are guide pulleys of to pulleys of to which its ends
are fixed. The pulleys & have on them pinions 82 gearing with racks 85 which by
means of a connecting rod 86 a slotted lever and a crank pin F2 on a disc F¹ on

page_text: the shaft G are caused to reciprocate thus giving reciprocating motion to the
pulleys 8 and the ribbon 8. Owing to the relative position of the shaft G and the
pivot F3 of the lever 87 the stroke of the ribbons in the one direction when
collecting the types occupies about twice the time occupied by its back stroke.
In the forward stroke (Figure 25) the ribbon 8 draws the arm R5 over so as to
bring R into an upright position so as to collect the types towards V (Figure 20).
In the back stroke of the ribbon 8 (Figure 24) the arm R' is drawn back and the
arm R is turned down so as to be out of the way of the types which may be
extruded from their cases. The guide P¹ (Figures 19, 20, 21) at its right end is
provided with a catch t urged down by a spring and with a carrier V having a
tooth V and a rod V₁ connecting it by the joint V2 to the spring V³ attached to the
left end P³ of the guide. The types collected by R* pass under the catch tand
push V onwards remaining collected between # and V. An arm pivotted at h¹ is
drawn up by a spring h² and has a notch h'. A rod u is jointed to P¹ and terminates
on a bracket beyond the space for forming the line of type and is pressed down
by a spring u¹. The carrier V surmounts u and is drawn along it by a cord X¹
attached to lever X (Figure 3) which is moved by a cam 1' acting on a roller y¹ on
As V
a lever y connected by link y³ to the short arm of X, a spring y² acting on y.
is drawn onwards by X¹ it raises h (Figure 18) by its tooth V4 and as V returns it
rides over (Figure 19) and when it reaches the notch h* it drops behind the types
collected in front of t. From time to time the second operator by means of a
handle X2 moves the lever X thus advancing the types to form a line against the
bracket uº.
THE PAGING MECHANISM.
O (Figures 3 and 21) is a box containing superposed spaces and provided with a
system of levers zz¹ and retracting spring 2 (Figure 6) worked by cam 23 on a shaft z
turned by a hand wheel 25. A slide 2 moved by the lever z pushes out a space on the
plate M.
B (Figures 6, 21 and 26) is a slide having a tooth B2 and moved against
a spring B by a connecting rod B³ from a cam B5 on the shaft z. By B₁ the
line of types already advanced against the bracket u is pushed on to the plate M.
The presser Be pivotted at B7 is at BS of horseshoe shape straddling over the bar u.
At B it has two caoutchouc stamps which by the action of the spring B° on the
stud B press on the types below them, when the slide B¹ is moving, its tooth B² no
longer supporting B8. The plate M is pivotted at M¹ (Figures 22 and 23) and has
an arm M2 jointed to the rod M3 which is provided with a retracting spring M* and
is advanced by a cam M5 on the shaft ^. On the advance of M³ the plate M is
canted so as to deliver the types nearly upright on to the galley C₁which has springs C2
to hold the line of types last delivered when the plate M turns back. The delivery
of the types on to the galley is effected by hand working the hand wheel 2³, each
revolution of which effects delivery of a line.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven‍
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A type composing machine constructed and operating substantially as described
with reference to the drawings.
2. The arrangement of the type cases in four reservoirs and the finger keys in
two divisions for the right and left hands respectively, three of the reservoirs con-
taining ordinary types and being subject to the action of the keys alone, and the
fourth reservoir containing capitals, numerals and other exceptional characters and
being subject to the action of the keys in combination with a pedal, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
3. The arrangement of the cams for operating the type extruding mechanism, so
that three sets of these acting through successive third parts of a revolution of their
shaft effect extrusion successively from the three reservoirs acted on by keys alone,

page_text: while the fourth set is inoperative, and that, on shifting the cam shaft longitudinally
by means of the pedal the said three sets are rendered inoperative and the fourth
set effects extrusion from the fourth reservoir, substantially as described.
4. The type extruding mechanism substantially as described especially with
reference to Figures 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the drawings.
5. In combination with the type extruding mechanism the gong operated thereby
substantially as described.
6. The mechanism for collecting the extruded types substantially as described
especially with reference to Figures 18 to 27 inclusive.
Dated this 17th day of September 1898.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.