IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR SETTING TYPES and
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 the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR
SETTING TYPES 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 machine for setting types
described in the Specification of the British Letters Patent A.D. 1881, No. 4229.
In this machine the cases containing the types, are suspended on pivots, and they
are arranged to be actuated by means of keys, each depression of a key producing
an oscillating motion of a case, whereby a type is pushed out of the same into a
guiding-channel, within which it is conveyed by an endless band into a composing-
galley. The chief improvements consist in a construction of the machine-frame
which allows each transverse row of type-cases and keys, together with the
corresponding portion of the type-conducting bars, to be tilted up, and to be
removed from the machine, in devices connected with the type-cases, the composing-
galley and the type-channel leading thereto, in a signal-apparatus indicating that a
line in the galley is about to be completed, and in the means employed for dividing
continuous lines of composition.
On the annexed two Sheets of Drawings Fig. 39 is a plan of the improved
machine partly in section, and Fig. 40 a front-view of the same, a portion thereof
being broken out. Fig. 41 represents parts of an indicating mechanism. Fig. 42
and 43 are, respectively a sectional plan and a longitudinal section of the portion
of the machine containing the composing-galley. Fig. 44 is a transverse sectional-
view according to planes passing through the respective center-lines of the
axles W and V. Fig. 45 is a sectional side-view of the machine from its left-
hand side. Fig. 46 is a front-view of the foot of a type-case with types in it, and
Fig. 47 a transverse section through the foot of two cases and a part of the system
of type-guiding channels. Fig. 48 shows one of the keys F and a type-case in
connection therewith. Figs. 49, 50 and 51 are a front view, transverse section and
a plan of the lower portion of two type-cases of modified arrangement with &

page_text: portion of the guiding-channels. Figs. 52 to 60 are detail-views of different parts.
Fig. 65 shows in sectional side view an alternative arrangement of a portion of the
machine. Fig. 66 is an elevation, partly in section, of Fig. 65, showing the case-
carrying piece A with a division of the type-channels fixed thereto, but without
type-cases. Fig. 67 is a plan of Fig. 66. Fig. 68 is another view of the case-
carrying piece. Figs. 69 and 70 are details of parts belonging to the arrangement
shown by Figs. 65 to 68. Figs. 71, 72 and 73 show a modified construction of the
foot of a type-case. Fig. 74 is a plan and Fig. 75 a side-view of a device for
dividing continuous lines into sections of the required length.
The cases I containing the types, are hung in rows by means of hooks H on
pins D, projecting from the horizontal arms of standards C, and by hooks H' on
pins at the upper end of levers E, pivoted to the arms B. The parts E and H¹
are shown in detail by Figs. 52 and 53. The cases are thus free to oscillate on
the pins D, while they are prevented from shifting sideward by suitable shoulders
on the pins. Each standard C and the corresponding arm B are fixed to a separate
plate or piece A, Figs. 39, 40 and 45, to which, besides, are pivoted the keys F
designed to operate the cases of the same row. In the Drawing only two rows of
cases and keys are shown; but in a complete machine there must be about 90 keys,
which may be placed in 10 rows. Each key F is connected to the corresponding
lever E by means of a strip of metal G, Figs. 39, 45 and 48, so that by a pressure
on the key the lever E and also the type-case suspended thereon will be oscillated.
These connecting strips are rigidly secured with their forward ends to the keys,
preferably by being clamped between an upper and a lower part Fx of which the
keys are composed, see Fig. 60. Moreover they are hardened so as to spring, in
order that they may tend to return to their normal form after having been brought
out of the same by a depression of the keys; see Fig. 48.
The type-cases are partly closed at the bottom by angular plates K, Figs. 45, 49,
50, 51, on the horizontal part of which the columns of type rest. These plates
are narrower than the types are long, and they leave a sufficient space between
them and the bottom edge of the case as to allow one type to pass at a time.
Below the type-cases there is a grate L, Figs. 45 to 50, the bars and spaces whereof
are so arranged in respect to the type-cases that, in their normal position, the
latter register with a space, while the types are parallel thereto. Moreover, there
are in the bars of the grate transverse grooves having a depth equal to the
projecting parts of the angle-plates K, and adapted to serve as guides therefor and
consequently for the cases to which the plates are attached. When, with this
arrangement, any type-case is in its normal position, the lowest type will be
within the corresponding space of the grate L. The case being then pulled
backward by a pressure on the key F belonging thereto, the plate K will be drawn
away from under the lowest type, as the type is prevented from following the
plate on account of its ends bearing on either side of the transverse groove against
the grate-bar. The type thus ejected lies with its head on the inclined guiding-
piece M, Figs. 49 to 51, the top edge of which is on a level with the supporting
surface of the plate R, whereas the type has dropped with its foot on the band N
travelling along under the grate L. This band then pulls the type off the guiding-
piece and conveys it forward. The edges of the grate-bars adjacent to the
transverse grooves must be adjusted in height to suit the thickness of the types,
as in Fig. 50, or the plates K are made of varying thickness, as shown in Fig. 47,
so that it is always but the type to be ejected which comes in contact with the
grate-bar. Opposite to and above the guiding-piece M the type-case is provided
with another guiding-piece O serving to prevent the type from turning edgewise
while being expelled. In Figs. 46 and 47 a modified construction for the same
purpose is represented. In this instance the angle-plate K has at one end
a projection bent at right angles upward and backward, both guiding pieces for
the head of the type being thereby formed at the same time.
When the finger is removed from the key the connecting strip G in springing
back from its bent state shown in Fig. 48, to its normal straight form returns the

page_text: type-case as well as the key to their normal positions. The column of type which
has meanwhile rested on the upper surface of the grate-bar below it, then descends
so that it will come to lie again on the angle-plate K.
The spaces or channels between the bars of the grate L are parallel with each
other upon that portion thereof which is under the type-cases. They then
converge as at L", Fig. 39, towards the middle channel leading to the type outlet-
passage S. At the points where the types have to alter their course, that is at the
turns of the channels from the straight to the oblique direction, and from the latter
to the middle channel, thin springs Q, Fig. 40, are arranged serving to prevent the
types from turning edgewise at these points. The bars of the grate may be made
of rectangular section or tapering downward.
The type-conveying band N travels between the grate L, and the plate X'
Fig. 45, and it runs over the two rollers R, Figs. 39, 40, 42-44, one of which is
actuated by a cord and a pulley, or in other suitable manner. It is made by
preference of india-rubber or strong paper. The types expelled from the cases, are
transported along in the channels to the outlet-passage S, where upon leaving the
band they are pushed on the horizontal portion of the bottom part T of the said
passage. Within the latter there is a rotating disk U, Figs. 43 and 44 of india-
rubber or other soft material, and pressed down by a spring V acting on its axle V¹¹.
This disk turns with a peripherical speed which is somewhat less than the speed of
the band N, so as to check the progress of the types. As soon as a type is free
from the disk U it tilts on the inclined surface of the part T and slides down
thereon with its foot foremost, while being conducted by the oscillatory pendants X
and X", Fig. 43. Having arrived at the bottom of the inclined surface, the type
stands in an oblique position with its foot in the galley B¹ and is thereupon com-
pletely erected by the driver W and pushed so far into the galley as is required to
inake room for another type. Near the bottom of the outlet passage there are on
the lateral walls thereof two low projections Z, Fig. 43, forming a prolongation of
the inclined surface of T, and between which the thin middle part of the driver W
moves, whereas the upper part of the driver possesses a thickness corresponding to
the entire width of the passage; see Figs. 43 and 44. The driver is provided with
projecting teeth by which it acts on the types.
"
The galley B¹ is secured to a slide D₁ guided on a plate A¹, Figs. 42 and 43,
and drawn in the direction of the arrow, Figs. 39 and 42, by means of a cord
running over the sheave E, Fig. 43, and having a weight attached thereto. The
bottom plate of the galley is provided at both edges with slits, in which the
"leads
or space-lines C₁ are inserted with the projections on their bottom edge.
Two leads thus always form a channel agreeing in width with the body of the
types. The leads reach close to the front edge of the outlet-passage S, and they
have at this end two notches C₁ corresponding to the teeth of the driver W, so
that the galley may be shifted forward even when the driver projects into the same.
The galley is prevented from advancing by the pall Y, Figs. 39, 42, 43, engaging
by its beak with the teeth of the rack D. These teeth having the same pitch as
the type-channels of the galley, the pall, when once suitably adjusted, will always
stop the galley in a position in which a channel thereof registers with the outlet-
passage S. In the channels of the galley are placed the spring friction-slugs E',
Fig. 42, 58, 59, the office of which is, to keep in upright position the foremost type
of a row.
These slugs are pushed forward in front of the lines until they strike
against the disengaging rod F1, Figs. 42, 43, which is guided in the socket G'.
The said rod passes loosely through the post H¹ on the pall Y. When the type-
line in advancing has pushed the rod F¹ so far back that its nuts F" bear against
the post H¹, the nuts press back the latter and therewith the pall, so that the
galley can then move forward by one tooth, that is by one type-line. But, in order
to bring about the due re-engagement of the pall Y with the next tooth of the
rack D, there is another pall 1, pivoted on its middle part to the frame and with
one end to the pall Y, so that when the beak of the latter leaves the teeth of the
rack D', the beak of I will engage with the same, and vice-versa.

page_text: The aforesaid friction-slugs E¹ are serrated at their upper edge and to the
boss His attached a spring K¹, Fig. 43, serrated in a like manner and adapted
to engage with the serrations of any slug when it is driven against the rod F¹. By
this arrangement the slug is prevented from being pushed forward again by the
counter-pressure resulting from the indicating mechanism, which is now to be
described. When a line is nearly completed, this is signalled by a bell S¹, Figs. 39
and 40, while a pointer O" indicates on a divided arc Ox for how many types there
is still room in the line which is being composed, in order that the operator may
consider how to terminate the line or to divide a word. This is attained by the
following mechanism. With the head I" of the disengaging rod F¹ is connected,
by a ball and socket joint, a srew L¹, Figs. 39 to 43, screwed into the head of the
angular bar M' pivoted at N' to the lever Pl. This lever has its fulcrum on the
underside of the fraine-part 01, and its motion is conveyed by the rod Q', the elbow-
lever R¹ and the rod Q to the pointer O". As soon as the slug E¹ pushes back
the rod F, the pointer begins to rise, and a beak on the rod Q causes the
hammer S to strike against the bell S¹.
It sometimes occurs that a line must be permitted to exceed its normal length by
one or more types, so that the word at its end may be completed, the line being
In view hereof an
subsequently adjusted to its proper dimension by hand.
arrangement has been introduced which enables the compositor to maintain the
pall Y in engagement with the rack D¹ somewhat longer than usual. The device
herefor consists in a bar Z', Fig. 42, forked at one end and straddling with this
end the rod F¹, so that the nuts F¹¹ on the said rod will ordinarily act on the
post H of the pall through the medium of the said forked part. At its other end
the bar Z is pivoted to the arın W¹ of a shaft V₁ provided with a hand-lever, (not
shown in the Drawing) which is kept in its normal position by a spring. The
shaft V being turned in the proper sense by the said hand-lever, the forked end of
the bar Z will be withdrawn from the rod F¹. The nuts F1 are then free to
recede until they touch directly the post H, the course of the slug E¹ being
thereby lengthened by the thickness of the bar Z¹.
On the column of types in each type-case I lies a weight or follower U¹, Figs. 54
and 55, carrying on its front side an oscillatory T-shaped plate U" which is
marked with the letter, &c. corresponding to the type in the case.
The elevation
of this plate indicates the amount of type in store. Previous to the complete
emptying of a case the weight U¹ is drawn out thereof by means of the hook T¹,
Fig. 56, the weight being to this effect provided with a hole. A case filled on the
distributing machine may then be inserted into the upper end of the case I, which
is suitably widened for this purpose, whereupon the column of type is lowered into
the latter by the hook T¹. The plates U are arranged to oscillate, in order that
they may be turned aside by the said hook when the same is employed to withdraw
the weight U from an adjacent type-case or to fill such case.
In the modified arrangement of parts of the machine shown by Figs. 65 to 68,
each plate or piece A carrying a row of type-cases and keys, is pivoted by means of
an eye K on an axle A", so that it can be tilted or turned over into the position
shown by Fig. 68. This arrangement facilitates the examination of the parts and
the correction of any faults that may have occurred in the ejection of types. The
case-carrying piece A after having been tilted leans with its end B" against the
bracket G in which the axle A is fastened. This axle is flattened on two sides,
while the eye K¹ is provided with a slit, which allows the piece A to be lifted off
the axle after it has been tilted.
In the construction of machine described first, the grate L, Fig. 39, consists of a
number of bars connected together so as to form one piece. In the modified
arrangement the grate is divided in as many sections as there are case-carrying
pieces A, and these sections are fixed to the respective pieces A so that every
section will be lifted together with the piece to which it belongs. Each section
consists of a plate L*, Figs. 66 and 67, having a vertical rib by means of which it
is screwed to the case-carrying piece. Into the plate L* the type-channels are cut

page_text: in such a manner that the corresponding channels of the different plates will all bė
in one line.
A modification of the ejecting mechanism is shown by Figs. 69 to 73. The angle
plate K which carries the type-column, is in this case provided with two horizontal
arms or branches, for the ends of the types to rest on. From the arm N" which
supports the foot of the type a part is cut away so as to allow the type to drop
sooner from this arm than from the other one, the outer portion whereof is
identical with the guiding-piece M of the first described arrangement. When the
type-cases are oscillated the types are ejected, by means of the front edge R¹ of the
plates or abutments Px entering between the arms N₁ and M. These plates are
adjusted in height to agree with the thickness of the different types together with
that of the arms N" M, and the said arms are made of such length that by striking
against the lugs P" of the plates P*, they will stop the cases during their forward
motion at the proper point. The plates Px being screwed on the grate-bars, may
easily be transferred from one part of the grate to the other, so that alterations in
the arrangement of the keys may be made after the machine has been finished.
The keys F are connected, according to Fig. 65, to the case-supporting levers E by
rigid bars W", while the type-cases after having been acted upon by a key, are
returned to their normal position by springs, such as L Fig. 65.
In Figs. 74 and 75 a device is represented, to be used as attachment to a
composing-race for setting continuous lines on type-setting machines provided with
the described signalling apparatus, and the purpose of the same is, to guide the
compositor in dividing the continuous line into sections of the length required
for a page or column of print. The division of the continuous line in itself is
obtained by means of several broad spaces placed at the end of each section, and
which are shorter than the ordinary ones, so that recesses will be formed in the
continuous line. For the reception of the line serves the composing-race S
communicating with the type-outlet passage S of the setting-machine. At the
side of the said race there is a hook Hi pivoted to the lever P¹ of the signalling
apparatus and pressed by a spring U against the side of the continuous line, and
which is adapted to catch with its beak into the aforesaid recesses. When, with
this arrangement a recess comes opposite to the beak of the hook H₁, the beak
enters into the recess, and the first type of the following sectional-line presses, as
the line advances, against the hook, which, being thereby pushed forward, causes
the lever P¹ to operate the signalling apparatus as herein before described. When
the hook has advanced to a certain point dependent upon the required length of
line, it strikes with an inclined part V against a fixed pin I¹¹ and is thereby
pushed out of the recess. It is then returned to its starting position by a weight or
a spring that may be arranged to act on the pointer of the signalling apparatus.
According to the indications given by this device the compositor inserts the short
spaces and thereby divides the lines from each other, a considerable amount of
labour being thus economised in the justification of the lines. With terminal lines
which are shorter than the normal lines, the spaces forming the recess, are inserted
immediately after the last word, whereupon the new line is commenced. By
altering the position of the pin I" and duly regulating the signalling apparatus,
the device may be adjusted according to the desired length of line. Instead of
using short spaces to form recesses, spaces may be employed that are longer than
the types so as to project above the line, and thus to form a shoulder adapted to
act against the hook, which in this case has to lie above the face of the types.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :
1. In a type-setting machine having oscillatory type-cases I, type-guiding
grate L and travelling band N, the case-carrying pieces A to each of which is
attached a row of keys F and of type cases, and which are separately hinged to
the frame of the machine, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. The combination with the pieces A carrying each a row of oscillating

page_text: type-cases and keys, and pivoted to the machine-frame, of a type-guiding grate L
divided in sections each of which corresponds to and is individually fixed to one
of the pieces A, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. The combination with the type guiding grate L and travelling band N of an
oscillating type-case I, the foot of which is adapted to support the lowest type
and to allow it to be pushed out of the case by the edges of a grate bar or other
abutment when the case is drawn backward, and which case is provided with a
guiding piece M being level near the head of the type with the type supporting
parts of the case, substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purpose
set forth.
4. The combination with the oscillating type-case having the lower guiding-
piece M, substantially as described, of the upper guiding-piece O serving to prevent
the type from turning edgewise while being expelled, as specified.
5. In combination with the type outlet passage S, the rotating disk U, which is
pressed down by a spring V acting on the axle V₁ of the disk, as and for the
purpose described.
6. The combination with the outlet-passage S having a portion of its bottom
inclined, of the pendants X and X", as described.
7. In combination with the type-cases I, grate L L¹¹ and outlet-passage S, the
galley B consisting of a plate having slits at its edges and of the leads or space-
lines Chaving projections by which they are inserted into the said slits,
substantially as described.
8. The combination with the galley B¹ and disengaging rod F1, of a signalling
apparatus consisting of the pointer 01 and graduated arc O*, and an intermediate
mechanism for transferring motion from the rod F' to the pointer as and for the
purpose set forth.
9. The combination with the pointer O" operated by the rod F', of a hammer S¹¹
and a bell S', as described.
10. The combination with the galley B¹, pall Y and disengaging-rod F¹ having
nuts F, of the forked bar Z¹ straddling the rod F and arranged to be withdrawn
by hand, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. The employment in the type-cases I of follower-weights U₁ to which are
attached oscillatory plates Un marked with the letters and characters of the types
contained in the cases, as and for the purpose specified.
12. The combination with a type setting machine provided with a signalling
apparatus substantially as described and claimed, and a composing race S for
continuous lines, of a hook H connected to the mechanism of the signalling-
apparatus and adapted to engage with shoulders or projections formed in the
continuous line by spaces that are shorter than the ordinary spaces or longer than
the types, the said hook being provided with an inclined part VI adapted to strike
against a fixed pin 111, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
TI
1004