SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Timothy Alden, of New York, in the United States
of America, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "SETTING AND
DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES."
Sealed the 19th June 1857, and dated the 29th December 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Timothy Alden at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 29th
December 1856.
I, TIMOTHY ALDEN, of New York, in the United States of America;
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES," to be as follows:-
My Invention of improvements in type setting and distributing consists in
a machine, partly automatical in its operation, and partly operating by the
action of. an attendant. The purely automatical part lies in the type dis
tributing operation, while the setting of type is governed by the attendant.
Both setting and distributing may be going on at the same time or
separately. The machine consists principally of a type-carrying wheel, sup-
ported in a horizontal position above a suitable bed plate or table, a plan view
of which is semicircular, or rather of a horse-shoe form. Around the circular
part of the table are arranged the type cases; these consist of a series of narrow
channels of the width of a type, and pointing toward the centre of the type-
A

page_text: carrying wheel, the inner ends of the channels terminating near the circum
ference of said wheel. These type cases embrace about two-thirds of the
carrying wheel. The square part of the bed plate forms a table, upon which
stands the mechanism for distributing and composing, in connection with the
type-carrying wheel, the right-hand half of the said table being occupied by
the former and the left by the latter. Upon the extreme left is the galley
wherein the type as fast as set up into lines is formed into column; immediately
joining which is a series of keys, consisting of buttons, the shanks of which
pass vertically through the table and actuate a series of levers leading to the
inside of the carrying wheel, where they effect the set of the indicator, by
which the proper type is taken from its case and brought round to the setting
table, where they are deposited in a channel, and fed along towards the galley
to be formed into column. On the opposite side of the table is another galley
or bed to hold the column of "dead matter," or type to be distributed. At the
head of this galley is a channel, which terminates at about the centre of the
table, and near to the periphery of the carrying wheel, and tangent to said
wheel. By the operation of suitable mechanism, as a line of type is taken off
the column that line is forced along the channel towards the carrier, so that
as the type is picked off and distributed, the column is fed up, and another
Jine is taken off, and so on, until the whole is distributed into the cases. The
manner in which the type is distributed, so that the proper case it is to go into
can be indicated, is effected by a system of nicks upon the shank of the type
itself, whereby before leaving the channel and being taken up by the conveyor
en the carriage wheel, certain parts are set in a given position, which indicates
the proper case into which the type is to be deposited, so that the wheel holds
on to the type until by its revolution the type arrives opposite the mouth of
the appropriate channel of the set of cases first mentioned, when it is deposited
therein, the type maintaining always its erect position. Upon the face of the
carrying wheel are two sets of conveyors, one set being for distributing and
one for setting. These are plates, so constructed and fixed to the carrying
wheel, that while the latter has a constant and unvarying motion, the former
inay be permitted to stop for a period and then go on with the wheel, and also
to overtake and assume the fornier position. On each conveyor is a pair of
fingers to grip the type, and also certain parts which effect the opening and
closing of the same, together with means for thrusting the type out of the
conveyor. The times for opening and closing the fingers and for thrusting
the type out are governed by two sets of mechanism. In the case of dis-
tributing, this is accomplished automatically, and is determined, as before
remarked, by the nicks on the type; but in setting, it is governed according

page_text: to the will of the "compositor" who plays upon the keys. These conveyors are
arranged around the carrier alternately, i. e., first, a setting conveyor, and.
next, a distributing conveyor, &c. There may be eight or ten of each kind to
the wheel. These conveyors, when the machine is both composing and
distributing, stop twice at each revolution of the carrying wheel, as follows:-
The distributing conveyors always stop at the end of the channel leading from
the column of type being distributed, and having taken a type, stop again at the
proper channel in the case for that letter. The composing conveyors stop at
the channel indicated by the compositor through the keys, and stop again to
deposit their types at the mouth of the channel leading to its column on the
galley. My machine has also this peculiar characteristic, viz., that the com-
positor can compose ahead or faster than the type is delivered by the wheel.
There is a twofold object for this: the one is, that the carrying wheel shall
have a constant and unvarying motion without regard to any exactness of time
in the compositor's playing of the keys; second, by being able to compose
ahead, ho is relieved from so constant attention to the copy, and may have
intervals of time to look occasionally to see to the correct working of the
distributing part, as also to "justify" his lines, and set the same into column
upon the galley, besides affording a certain amount of physical relief. The
continuous revolution of the carrying wheel is therefore effected by an inde-
pendent power of suitable character, and the speed of the same is to be such
as to allow of the necessary time for the conveyors to operate.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Timothy Alden in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
29th June 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, TIMOTHY
ALDEN, of New York, in the United States of America, Mechanical Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-ninth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Timothy Alden, Her special licence that I, the said Timothy Alden, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Timothy
Alden, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
A 2

page_text: 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 "SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING
PRINTING TYPES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Timothy
Alden, by an instrument in writing under my hand. and. seal, should particu-
Jarly 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.
F
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Timothy Alden, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
My Invention of improvements in type setting and distributing consists in
a machine partly automatical in its operation and partly operating by the action
of an attendant. The purely automatical part lies in the type distributing
operation, while the setting of type is governed by the attendant. Both setting
and distributing may be going on at the same time or separately. A machine,
of which the functions are so varied, must of necessity be composed of many
parts, having more or less complexity both in construction and operation. In
order to a clear comprehension of those parts while being described in detail,
I propose to give, in the first instance, a general description of the Invention.
In the Drawings accompanying, Fig. 1 is a top view or plan of my machine;
Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section thereof on the line AB of Fig. 1,
looking toward the back; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line DC of
Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top or plan view of the parts below the bed or floor of the
machine, that floor being removed; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line
EF of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a like section on the line GII of Fig. 1,
both of these, being as seen toward the front. The other Figures are all of
parts in detail, and are fully referred to in their appropriate places, Similar
letters indicate like parts in all the Figures.
My machine may be properly set forth under three general heads or
divisions, viz.-1st, the mechanism for, conveying the type to and from the
type cases and composing and distributing tables, including the arrangement
of the type cases; 2nd, the mechanism for distributing the type in connection
with the aforesaid means; and, 3rd, the mechanism for setting the type
in connection with said first-named means. The type is carried from one
place to another upon the edge of a wheel kept in constant rotation by some
suitable power independent of the attendant upon the machine. This whicel

page_text: is supported in a horizontal position above a suitable bed plate or table, a plan
view of which is semicircular, or rather of a horse-shoe form, as in Fig. 1, the
carrying wheel being seen at J. Around the circular part of the table are
arranged the type cases K, being a series of narrow channels each of the
width of a type, and pointing toward the center of the type-carrrying wheel,
the inner ends of the channels terminating near the circumference of said
wheel. The type cases embrace about two-thirds of the carrying wheel. The
square part of the bed plate forms a table, upon which stands the mechanism.
for distributing and composing, in connection with the type-carrying wheel, the
right-hand half of said table being occupied by the former and the left-hand
by the latter. Upon the extreme left is the galley M, wherein the type as
fast as set up into lines is formed into columns; immediately adjoining which;
is a series of keys L, consisting of buttons, the shanks of which pass vertically
through the table, and actuate a series of levers and wires leading to the
inside of the carrying wheel, where they effect the set of the indicators, by.
which the proper type is taken from its case and brought round to the setting
table, where they are deposited in a channel (f), and fed along toward the
galley to be formed into column. On the opposite side of the table is another.
galley or bed W to hold the column of "dead matter," or type to be dis-
tributed. At the head of this, galley is a channel (a), which terminates at
about the center of the table, and near to the periphery of the carrier wheel,
and tangent to said wheel. By the operation of suitable mechanism, as a line
of type is taken off the column that line is forced along the channel toward
the carrier, so that as the type is pricked off and distributed the column is fed
up and another line taken off, and so on, until the whole is distributed into
the cases. The manner in which the type is distributed, so that the proper.
case it is to go into can be indicated, is effected by a system of nicks upon
the shank of the type itself, whereby before leaving the channel and being
taken up by the conveyor on the carrying wheel, certain parts are set in a
given position, which indicates the proper "case" into which the type is to
be deposited; so that the wheel holds on to the type until by its revolution the
type arrives opposite the mouth of the appropriate channel of the set of cases
first mentioned, when it is deposited therein, the type maintaining always its
erect position. Upon the face of the carrying wheel are two sets of conveyors ▸
(c & d), one set (d) being for distributing only, and one (c) for setting.
These are plates so constructed and fixed to tlie carrying wheel, that while the
latter has a constant and unvarying motion, the former: may be permitted to:
stop for a period and then go. on with the wheel; and also to overtake and
re-assume their former position. On each conveyor is a pair of fingers to grip

page_text: the type, and also certain parts which effect the opening and closing of the
same, together with means for thrusting the type out of the conveyor. The
times for opening and closing the fingers, for taking the type, and for thrusting
the type out are governed by two sets of mechanism. In the case of dis-
tributing, this is accomplished automatically, and is determined, as before
remarked, by the nicks on the type. But in setting, it is governed according
to the will of the "compositor" who plays upon the keys. These conveyors
are arranged around the carrier alternately, i.e., first a setting conveyor and
next a distributing conveyor, &c. There may be 8 or 10, or even more, of
each kind to the wheel. These conveyors, when the machine is both com-
posing and distributing, stop twice at each revolution of the carrying wheel, as
follows: The distributing.conveyors always stop at the end of the channel (a)
leading from the column of type being distributed, and having taken a type
stop again at the proper channel in the cases K for the letter they carry. The
composing conveyors stop at the channel indicated by the compositor through
the keys, and stop again to deposit their types at the mouth of the channel (f)
leading to the column on the galley. My machine has also this peculiar
characteristic, viz., that the compositor can compose ahead or faster than the
type is delivered by the wheel. There is a twofold object for this: the one
is, that the carrying wheel shall have a constant and unvarying motion without
regard to any exactness of time in the compositor's playing of the keys;
second, by being able to compose ahead, he is relieved from so constant
attention to the copy, and may have intervals of time to look occasionally to
see to the correct working of the distributing part, as also to justify bis lines,
and set the same into column upon the galley, besides affording a certain
amount of physical relief. The continuous revolution of the carrying wheel is
therefore effected by an independent power of suitable character, and the
speed of the same is to be such as to allow of the necessary time for the
conveyors to operate.
The first division.-Under this head will be described the mechanism for
conveying the type from place to place, the arrangement and construction of the
type cases, with the mode of delivering and receiving the type in those,
together with the various devices for indicating what types are to be thus
delivered and received in the process of composing and distributing.
The type is carried to and from the cases upon the edge of a constantly
rotating wheel placed horizontally upon a central axis. This wheel, repre-
sented at J in the several Figs., is not supported by its axis, the pin (k),
forming said axis, being merely to keep the carrier accurately in a central
position. As the types are conveyed upon the circumference of the wheel by

page_text: distinct conveyors it is fitted to support them in the following manner:--A
frame is formed by the addition of a metal ring of the same diameter as the
wheel J, and to which it is attached by a series of bars or pillars, thus leaving
a space between the two sufficient for introducing the conveyors; this ring-
is shown in section at (f³), Figs. 2 and 3, in connection with the wheel J.
The wheel J is supported by this ring, the lower side of which has a bead or
rail fitting into bearers fastened to the table; these, to reduce friction, ought
to be rollers, an example of which is given in Fig. 23. Three or four such
bearers are sufficient, if placed at equal distances apart at different points of
the ring. The wheel J is made to revolve by a toothed circle screwed to the
under side of the arms, as at (1), into which a pinion () works, and which is
driven from beneath by being geared to the main shaft S, as seen in Fig. 3.
The conveyors, which form an essential part of the type carrying apparatus,
are attached to the wheel, so as to occupy the space between the ring (f³) and
the rim of J. The general shape of these is that of a square plate slightly
curved, a front view being given in Fig. 20 and a top view in Fig. 19, as well
as in several other Figs. One of these in Fig. 20, viz., (c,) carries the type
for setting, and the other, viz., (d,) carries those which are being distributed.
There is a slight difference required in the construction of the two on account
of the one being to receive type from the cases while the other is to deposit
them therein; in other respects both are required to go through the same
set of motions upon the carrier. These motions are of two kinds: the one
is a slight vibratory or rocking motion upon a center pin, by which the plates
are attached to the wheel, said pin standing vertically, and a second, a recipro-
catory or sliding motion in the direction of the circumference of the wheel.
To understand the object of these motions a description of the mechanism of
the conveyors will be necessary. And, first, the mechanism for gripping the
type. This is formed of two principal pieces, the one stationary and the
other movable, the two combined forming the cavity into which the type is
placed for being carried. The stationary piece is placed near the upper right-
hand corner of the plate, as in (5), Figs. 19 & 20, and forms a projection
beyond the face of the plate (c) Gr (d). In the recess thus formed the type is
placed, resting at the same time upon a small foot (y), Fig. 20. The other
or movable piece is a bolt, lying horizontally, and playing back and forth, so
that one end may strike against the projection (9). This bolt is seen at (0),
and thus when a type is placed against (9) it may be brought up against
the type, which is done by the force of a spring, and this constitutes the
gripper or finger before mentioned. In the conveyor (d), Fig. 20; this
bolt is shown closed against (25), and on (c) it is shown withdrawn, while

page_text: in section No. 5 of Fig. 19 it is represented as grasping a type, and in
section No. 6 without a type. The withdrawing of the bolt away from
the fixed surface is effected by a cam piece placed at the proper position
upon the table, and which strikes à cranked lever upon the conveyor as
the latter is carried by on the wheel. The cranked lever is shown at (5),
Fig. 20, the upper end being attached to the back end of the bolt, as shown.
The lower end lies nearly parallel with the bottom of the plate, and has a short
toe turned down to strike the inclined surface of the cam, which is shown at
(45). The conveyor (d) shows the finger as closed, but as the wheel J moves
onward in the direction of the arrow, when the toe of the cranked lever strikes
(u) the bolt will be withdrawn, as shown by conveyor (c), which has just
passed by (u). When the bolt has been withdrawn, it must be kept so until
the conveyor has arrived at the place where it is to take a type; as before
remarked it flies, shut by the force of a spring (s³), therefore a latch is
provided, which catches in a notch (a) in the bolt, and thus retains it open.
This latch is shown at (v') lying across the bolt and standing vertically; it is
kept constantly pressing upward by a spring, so that the moment the notch in
the bolt has passed by to a suflicient distance the latch will fly up and take
into the notch (a); so soon as a.type has been deposited upon the conveyor
the latch must be disengaged, and for this purpose the upper end is bevelled, so
that a projecting pin (y) upon the wheel. J passing by at that moment throws
down the latch, and allows the bolt to spring forward against the type and grip
it firmly in place.
:.
There is now to be described the means for discharging the type from the
conveyors. Upon the gripping end of each of these there is a plate (x), attached
nearly at right angles to the face, as in Fig. 19; and along the inner side of
this is a sliding piece or pusher having a forked end, the two points of which,
project through to the front, as shown at (5), Fig. 19 & 20.
When a type is
plate, but when
in the grippers the ends are drawn back flush with the face
the type is to be discharged these ends are pushed forward from behind and
thus thrown out. The object of having two or forked ends is in order that the.
type may be thrust off in its perpendicular position. The manner of working
the pusher is by the piece (6), shown in the back view of a conveyor, Fig. 21.
It is a plate binged upon the pin (h), having a point (h) rising above the top
edge, and another (c) which projects through. the. pusher (2), as in Fig. 21.
A spring under (6) tends to keep the pusher always withdrawn at the proper.
moment for discharging the type from a distributing conveyor, which is when
the gripper is directly opposite the inner end of a. type. case; a cam (d) upon,
the edge of the wheel J passes by, striking the tail (h), and by thrusting

page_text: it forward carries the pusher (5) with it, thus throwing off the type directly
into the type channel
Section No. 4 of Fig. 19 shows the act of depositing a type in its appro-
priate case. The cam (d°) consists of a movable bar, placed in a groove
on the upper edge of the wheel J, as shown in top view in Figs. 1 and 19,
and in edge view in Fig. 20; it is kept constantly pressing forward by the
springs (e), and is made moveable, because at certain times its bevelled ends
must be able to pass by (h) without striking, for at the moment previous to the
conveyors receiving a type it has received an onward motion, which would
carry () past the cam, and thus, unless kept out of the way, the type would
encounter the ends of the pusher, and then could not be received upon the
conveyor. To effect that motion, the inner end of the bar (d) has a toe prc-
jecting downward, and which rides over a fixed cam (d'), Fig. 19, placed on
the inside stationary excavated ring, at the proper point to accomplish the
object, and which point will be hereafter described. The above .method of
discharge refers to the distributing conveyor; the setting one is slightly
different, in that the piece (do) does not effect this object, but the type is dis-
charged by a lever placed in a stationary position, because a setting conveyor
must always discharge its type at one point, viz., at the galley table and into
the channel (f), Fig. 1. At (u), Fig. 1, this discharging lever is shown; it
is a right-angled piece, centered at (v) to the permanent inside excavated ring
(yet to be described); the bent end passes through a hole in said ring, so that
by a forward movement given to it at the moment when the gripper of a
setting conveyor is at the mouth (e) of the channel (f), the end (1) will strike
the back end of the pusher (5), Figs 20 & 21, and thrust it forward, thereby
causing the points at the front to push the type off, when it will be received in
the mouth (e) of the channel. The setting conveyor has, however, a plate (1),
which is to operate another pusher not in the distributing conveyor at all, and
the operation of this pusher is connected with the method of receiving a type
from a case; it is shown at (a) on (c) at Fig. 20, and it is also shown in
dotted lines in the Fig. 21. The point (5) would in this have to be trans-
ferred to through (a), as in the dotted lines; there is a cam (d) therefore to
each kind of conveyors. In the case, however, of the distributing conveyors,
they effect the discharge of the type, but in the setting they effect the receiving
of the type into the conveyor, in a manner to be yet set forth.
The arrangement of the conveyors on the carrying wheel and their operation
will now, be described.The necessity for the two motions given to the con-
veyors as they are carried round by J, as already mentioned, grows out of the
fact that, inasmuch as the carrier has a regular and unvarying motion, the type

page_text: could not with any certainty be deposited upon the conveyor were it carried
around in like manner; hence, while receiving or delivering a type the conveyor
comes to a positive stop long enough to accomplish the purpose; thus it lags
behind for a moment, as before remarked, but so soon as the type is taken or
discharged it goes on and overtakes its first position upon the wheel. The
conveyors are placed in the space between the upper rim of J and the ring
(f), and their width is such that they fill that space. The lower edge rests
upon this ring, and they are kept from falling out by a bolt or pin, which passes
through the rim of the wheel and the ring below, and also through boxes in the
back of the conveyors. These pins are shown at (5), Figs. 19, 20, & 21, and
elsewhere, and they do not pass through circular holes in the wheel or ring,
It is thus seen how a
bnt through elongated apertures or slots (³), Fig. 19.
conveyor may be permitted to stop for a moment while the wheel is in motion,
for if a pin (5) be at the forward end of a slot its conveyor may stop during
the time it takes for the wheel to travel over a space equal to the length of
the slot. This length is regulated, therefore, by the time it is required to take
or deposit a type in connection with a given speed of wheel within a certain
limited extent. The other motion of the conveyor is a vibrating or rocking one
upon the pin (h) as an axis. The opposite ends of the conveyor in vibrating
approach and recede from the face of the wheel. The face plate of a conveyor,
as already mentioned, is slightly curved, which curve coincides with the edge
of J, as in Fig. 19, and when the conveyors are moving along with the same,
their position is such that the two curves are concentric, as in section, Nos. 1
& 7 of Fig. 19; as the open ends of the type channels stand a little distance
away from the conveyors, it is necessary, before a type can be delivered
or taken away from the same, that the grippers be made to approach so near
that the type cannot escape passing from the one to the other. To do this then
is one object for the rocking movement of the conveyor upon the pin (1³).
In Fig. 2, at section K' of type cases, a setting conveyor is represented with
the gripper end projected outward, joining the end of a channel, and is in the
act of receiving a type. The moment when a distributing conveyor shall
project its gripper end forward to receive or deliver a type is governed by the
distributing mechanism being automatic or self-operating, and for the setting
conveyors by the action of the compositor. The conveyors are made to vibrate
back and forth by the action of springs upon their inside surfaces, so arranged
that the same spring both throws out the gripper end and also causes it to return.
This will be illustrated by Fig. 19, where a feather spring (1) is fastened to
the column (95), so that its free end will press upon the back of the conveyor
at that part where it is made thicker to form a hole for the bolt (5) to pass

page_text: through; as the conveyor and this bolt slides along the wheel to the extent of
the slot () the point of the spring is transferred from one end of the piece
upon which it presses to the other, and doing so transfers its action to opposite
sides of the bolt (h³).
In section No. 2 it will be seen that the position of the conveyor is such on
the carrier wheel, that the bolt (h) is at the extreme forward end of the slot (").
In that position the spring (15) rests against the extreme end of the plate upon
which it travels, and at the farthest distance from the bolt on that side, hence
its force is exerted to throw out the gripper end of the conveyor; this, how-
ever, is prevented by the opposite end pressing by its indicator points (a part
not yet described, but which are shown at (0), Fig. 10,) against the surface of
the excavated ring (m), also yet to be described.
As the wheel goes on a
place is reached where there is an excavation in the ring, conforming to the
set of the said points, and accordingly to sink into it, as there is no further
resistance to the spring; and thus the gripper end is thrown out, which can
only be done when said gripper will be opposite to some spot where it is to
take or deliver a type. At such point the conveyor is caught by a stationary
hook, which strikes agaiust a projecting piece (9), Figs. 20, 22, 23, 24, and
its further onward motion is thereby arrested; these hooks may be seen at
(x, a), Figs. 1, 22, 23, 24, there being one at the mouth of each type channel.
Being thus held fast, and the wheel continuing on, the bolt (5) will slide along
the slot (), sections No. 4, 5, & 6 of Fig. 19, showing different stages of the
progress along it; at No. 6, it has traversed the whole length, and the spring
will then be seen pressing on the opposite side of the bolt to that in section
No. 2, and hence the force is directed to throw the indicating end out and the
gripping end inward, which it accordingly does, and the conveyor being
thereby released from the detaining hook (x, x), continues on with the carrier
wheel, having in this interval either taken or discharged a type.
The excavated ring and indicator points on the conveyor will be described
together, as they act in conjunction. The first is a broad flat ring of moderate
thickness, and is of such diameter and width, that when secured in place upon
the table it shall fit just within and under the carrier wheel J; it is shown in
section at (m), Figs. 2, 3, 10, 22, 23, & 24. In constructing it, a portion
of the outer surface has a series of grooves cut upon it of equal width and
parallel to each other, as seen in the enlarged part of a portion of the ring in
Fig. 12. The excavations are made in these grooves by cutting slots of
different degrees of length, and after a certain order, but having an irregular
general appearance, as shown in Fig. 20. The conveyors are placed upon the
carrier wheel so as to stand opposite to this line of excavations, as in Fig. 20.

page_text: The indicator points are pieces fixed to the conveyors on the end opposite to
that of the grappers; they are a series of separate pieces of pointed metal, and
are attached to the end plate by pins; and, as represented in Fig. 10, at (0%);
the points project toward, and are intended to press into the grooves in the
ring (m), a section of which is also shown. The points (0) are not pinned
rigidly to the conveyor, but must be able to have movement; each one is,
therefore, provided with a friction piece to cause them to stand in any position
that may be given to them; on the ring there are two grooves to such
indicating point; thus, on Fig. 12 eighteen grooves are shown, while in Fig.
10 there are nine indicator points exhibited, and it is by shifting these points
so that they will track into these different grooves, according to a set given
them at a definite starting point, that the proper indications are formed for
depositing, and taking the type from the cases. In every revolution of a
conveyor it passes a place on the excavated ring, where these points receive a
sct, which may be called a zero, and from which place a new set is given for a
different type than the one previously carried, or, in fact,, even if it is to carry.
again a second type of the same character as the former one. This is accom-
plished by placing a row of inclined planes in each alternate groove, as shown
at (g), Fig. 12; beginning at the bottom, they are numbered 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4,
3, 2, 1, and the intermediate grooves are represented by (); as each indicator
point has two grooves into which it may play, some may have been previously
put into the grooves (0), and some allowed to remain in those bearing the
numbers 9, 8; 7, &c., but it is intended that at each revolution all the points
shall be set so that there shall be one point bearing on each of the grooves (0)
and none in the others. Suppose that as a conveyor approaches (which it will
in the direction of the arrow) all its points had been previously set by the
indicator, so that they rested in the grooves 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, respectively,
all these points would-be intercepted by the inclined planes (g), and as the
surfaces of these incline upward, the points would slide up, and they all would
be turned on their pivots, and set so as to ride into the grooves (0), that is to
say, the point in groove 9 would be turned into 92, point in No. 8 into 8%, &c..
throughout. The indicators are a device for afterwards shifting these points:
or a portion of them back again from groove? to those marked by the numbers:
9, 8, 7, &c. Suppose an excavation in the ring, which would be indicated by
merely shifting one of the points, allowing all the others to remain as they
are, as for example, from 9° to 9, this would be performed by the indicator
acting only upon such point to effect its transferrence. These indicators are
small inclined planes; precisely like those already described, and project
through the ring into the channels in the same; but there is this difference,

page_text: that they are movable instead of being fixed as the others are, in order that
they can be withdrawn below the surface of a groove; in fact, in their normal
position they are all below such surface; secondly, they occupy also or act
within each alternate groove, bat are situated in the grooves., as seen at
(e), and their inclined surfaces project downward, the reverse of (9'), as
shown. Each indicator (e') is attached to a plate (d'), which is pivotted at
one end, and all are secured to the inside of the excavated ring. There are
two sets of indicators in the ring, one set is acted upon automically by the
distributing mechanism and the other by the compositor. As by the
stationary inclined planes (97) all the indicator points are shifted into the
grooves, so by the indicators (e) may they all he shifted from said grooves
to those numbered 9, 8, 7, 6, &c. By suitable mechanism any of these
indicators may be moved forward, so as to oppose their. action to the points.
In Fig. 10 is a section of the excavated ring through the line of indicators
(e), and it will be seen that the lower three are projected. forward, and have
acted upon the three lower indicator points, and have transferred them from
98%, 7, to 9, 8, & 7; and if, for instance, that be the indication for the
letter "a," the conveyor would move on until it arrived at the case or
channel containing said letter, where would be found excavations in the ring
suitable to allow all the points to sink in, as shown in Fig. 10, when the
conveyor would be immediately arrested, and the type taken or deposited,
according as it was a setting or distributing conveyor, acted upon as already
described..
conveyor,
Before a conveyor can receive a type, or deposit one, the bolt (5), on which
it turns, must always be in the advancing end of the slot (j), or, as shown in
Fig. 19, section No. 1, because while doing so the conveyor must stop, and
the carrying wheel by continuing its motion slides, as it were, past the e
that having been arrested by a fixed stop (x, x), Figs. 1; to regain its former
position at the bead of the slot, there is a curved sliding bar fixed on tho
inside of the excavated ring, as seen at (n), Figs. 1 & 3; at one end a spring
(0) constantly pushes it in the direction in which the carrier J revolves, and
upon the top of this bar there are two pawls (2) and (p), Fig. 1, situated a.
short distance apart; the points of these project forward through slots cut at
this place in the excavated ring. The bar has its return motion against the
force of the spring, given to it by two cams (), upon the vertical shaft, which
comes up through the bed to drive the pinion (k), which propels the carrier
wheel; these camis strike a lever (16), the forward end of which gears into the
bar, and thus drives it back. When the cam clears the pin (4), the spring
cets to throw the bar forward, which it is permitted to do with considerable

page_text: speed by the abrupt angle of the cam at this place. The movement of this
part is so timed with that of the wheel J that a conveyor is always in position
to receive the action of the two pawls at the moment the cam (j) releases
the bar; as the speed of the bar in a forward direction is much greater than
that of the carrier J, the points of the pawls (p) drive forward the conveyor
to the forward end of the slots again. These pawls act like latches, the
points being always pressed forward by a spring, thus, as they interfere with
the conveyor on returning to take a new one, the point, as it strikes any
obstruction, retreats and springs out again so soon as it has passed over the
projecting edge of the conveyor, at which moment the cam releases the spring
(0%), and thus it is carried forward again taking the conveyor with it.
These two pawls are situated at the front part of the machine. The mouths
of the distributing and setting channels (a) and (f) are quite near to each
other, and it is intended that the first of these pawls shall push forward all
the conveyors before they arrive at the mouths of either channel, while the
second pawl is situated so as to act upon all the conveyors after they have
passed by said channels. From what has been said before, the necessity for
this is obvious, for as cach conveyor has in passing round the whole circuit
stopped at some type case either to receive or to deposit a type, it will be seen
that they will approach the type setting and distributing channels with their
pivots (5) at the back ends of their slots (55), so that before they can act
again at those places they must all be advanced to the forward ends of said
slots. This is done by the first of the pawls (p) and the bar (n).
A type-
setting conveyor (c), Fig. 1, having in its circuit received a type, must be
advanced in order that it may stop to deliver it. It is shown as just in the
act of being advanced by the pawl (2), which will take place when (*) leaves
(). It is supposed as having arrived at the mouth (c) and delivered its
type; by this act it has again travelled to the back end of the slot, as shewn,
and at this moment the sliding bar again moves forward and the second
pawl (2) pushes it to the head of its slot once more. Thus by one movement
of the bar two conveyors are advanced, one preparatory to action and the
other subsequently thereto. By an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be seen, that
all the conveyors, before they reach the type cases, are in the forward ends of
their slots, but on leaving are all on the back ends thereof.
The type cases or depositories may be divided into three classes: first, for
the regular type; second, for the irregular; and third, for the excess. The
regular cases are to receive the type ordinarily employed; the irregular are
intended to contain such type as are but seldom used, including the thin or
justifying spaces, and which are to be put into the lines by hand; the third is a

page_text: provision whereby in case the distributing part has continued so long that the
regular depositories are filled the excess may be received here. These last
cases, therefore, will receive promiscuously any type presented by a conveyor,
whereas in the regular cases none but the correct type can be deposited. The
regular type cases are narrow channels, formed by setting up upon a flat be:l
(h) two plates forming parallel sides; one of these sides is comparatively thick
and rigid, while the other may be thinner. The space between these is wide
enough to receive the type flatwise, and therefore they differ in width to suit
the different letters. The inner end, or where the types are received and
discharged, is of a peculiar shape, and is fitted to partially close the opening,
in order to prevent the type falling out as well as to readily receive the same.
In Fig. 22, A is a top view of a type channel (7), being the thick side. At
the mouth this is bevelled inwards, as shown, while the opposite or thin plate
is bent as a spring, forming a little within a narrow throat. It will be seen
that so soon as a type is thrust past this it will be so secured within the
channel that it cannot fall out except by the action of a positive force. A
certain number of such channels are arranged upon a bed plate and placed so
that they radiate from the axis of the wheel J as a center. In the Fig. 1 are
shown six beds of type cases, forming as many sections as shown by the letter K.
These sections with the types may be wholly detached from the machine with--
out disturbing any other part, and others containing different "fonts" sub-
stituted. The irregular cases are cups, as N and O, placed respectively at the
beginning and ending of the regular cases, as shown. These are to receive, in a
manner to be herein-after shown, every thing not intended for the regular cases,
and when any thing therein is to be used, the compositor must pick it out by
hand. The case for the excess is a channel shown at Q; its mouth has a different
formation from that of the regular cases (as it does not deliver type), and it is
intended to open and thrust along the types by a positive motion; this only
receives type from the distributing conveyors, and hence it does not have pro-
vision for effecting discharge to a conveyor. All the regular cases both receive
and discharge type. The channel P may be to some extent considered as an
irregular case, since it has no provision for delivering type on to a conveyor.
Its use is to receive only "quadrats," and in this view it is, in fact, a regular
case; but as these types are inserted by the hand of the compositor when
required in the lines, and are never brought by a conveyor, it needs only pro-
vision for receiving, and therefore this channel is situated, as shown, near to
the hand of the operator. In receiving a type into the regular cases, the
provision for thrusting it in is upon the conveyor, but the discharging is effected
by a separate mechanism attached to each channel, as follows: In the channel

page_text: back of the line of type there is a block, which presses squarely up against the
rear one; this block is propelled forward by a rack and pawl feed. In Figs
22, 23, & 24 are enlarged sections of a portion of the type bed. At () is
shewn the block just named at (1), the ratchet and the pawl at (m). The
pawl is affixed to the top end of of a pendulum lever, standing vertically, and
having its lower end weighted at (n). Below the bed (h) there lies a rod
(p), the back end of which abuts against the lever (7), while its forward end
projects a little beyond the inner opening of a type channel. In Figure 22
a setting conveyor is represented as having stopped to receive a type; on the
conveyor there will be seen at (a) a small bolt, constituting a pusher, just
touching the end of the rod, and to the inner end of this bolt is attached the
swinging plate (b), already described under Fig. 21. As the carrier J moves
along, the point of the slide (d) will strike the top point (h) of the swinging
plate and push it forward; this also pushes out (a), thus thrusting back the
rod (p) and end (n') of the lever. The pawl taking into the ratchet pushes
that in the contrary direction, or toward the conveyor, and thus thrusts the whole
line of type forward the distance necessary to push one into the grippers upon
the conveyor. By this time the latter has moved along its slot so far as to
cause the tilting spring (P), Fig. 19, to act upon the opposite side of the bolt
and throw in the gripper end of the conveyor, whereby it is disengaged from
the stationary hook (ai, x); and the whole goes on with the carrier wheel, in-
cluding the 'type: 'The weight (n) now causes the lever to withdraw the pawl
and push in the rod (7), as at first, and as shown in Fig. 23. In every return
of the pawl its acting end is lifted and kept clear of the ratchet, by having its
curved end brought into contact with the edge of the rim (7), Fig. 23. The
reason for this is, that it must be out of the way when the depositing of a type
takes place from a distributing conveyor.
In a font of type there are many more of some letters than of others, hence,
in arranging them into the cases, several channels will be required to contain
the most numerous, while a single one may suffice for the fewest. Thus, for
instance, it might require three channels for the letter "a," while one would
suffice for the letter "x," &c. The operation of a conveyor is such, that it
always-stops at the first channel (where there are several having letters of the
same name) and takes from that (or deposits therein, as the case may be,) until
it is emptied (or filled), it will then go on to the next, &c. In distributing,
then, a conveyor will carry all the letter "a," and begin to fill, say, the first
channel, Fig. 2. When that is filled it will go on to the next and fill that, and
so on; and in case there are still more "a's" than the channels devoted to that
letter can hold, the conveyor will continue all round, and finally deposit it in

page_text: the channel of excess Q, as before named, which will, therefore, receive every
letter which cannot be got into its proper channel. The setting conveyors will
in like manner draw from the first channel until empty, and then go on to the
next of that set; and where by chance the whole of a letter has given out, the
conveyor will come round empty, but will stop at the composing channel just
the same as if it had a letter to deliver. These results are accomplished by
means of a device attached to each channel, the effect of which is to prevent
the gripper end of the conveyor from tilting forward when it comes opposite to
the mouth of a channel at which it cannot act; as, for instance, a setting con-
veyor has been set to indicate the letter "a:" the moment it arrived at the first
of the series of channels containing that letter the indicating points would
drop into the excavation in the ring proper for said letter. Now, if that
channel were empty, by means of the mechanism to be described the conveyor.
would be prevented from tilting forward, and consequently could not be engaged
by the detaining hook (a, a), it would, therefore, pass to the next, and if letters
were there it would be allowed to come into action. The same would occur
with a distributing conveyor; if the case were full it would go on to the next,
and if all were full it would come round and deposit in the channel Q of excess.
At (s) Fig. 22 is a lever supported out of its center, so that the inner end is
longer than the outer; thus, that longer end will always fall by reason of its
greater weight. Directly over the shorter end is suspended a pendulum lever
(t), called so because it is free to swing back and forth, having its lower end
heaviest. The top of this lever stands alongside of the ratchet (F), as shown.
On its lower end two notches are formed, the notch on the back being higher
than that on the front, and between these the bottom of the lever is cut square.
In the extreme end of (s) there is a pin (w), and there is also a like pin at
each of the ends of the ratchet piece (y') and (a). The natural position of
the pendulum lever () is to hang vertically, and when in that position the
pin (w) will be caught under the square end, as in Fig. 22, the opposite end
of (s) being then kept elevated. Upon the front edge of the ring (f") there
is a tripping cam, shown at (v), Fig. 20; this, as it is carried round by the
ring, will strike the inner ends of all the levers (s), and lift them, they dropping
again after it has passed. This horizontal lever has three positions: the first
(as seen in Fig. 22), when the pin (7) rests on the bottom of the pendulum
(t); the second, when the pin (w') rests in the back notch, as in Fig. 23;
and the third, when the pin (27) rests in the front notch of (t), as in
Fig. 24; the pendulum (7) having therefore three positions these effect the
giving off by or the receiving of type into the channels. When the lever (s')
stands as in Fig. 22, type may be either taken from or received by the channel;

page_text: when, as in Fig. 23, type may be taken from but cannot be received by the
channel, because it is then quite full; and when, as in Fig. 24, the channel
being empty, a setting conveyor must not stop there, though a distributing one
may. As the distributing conveyor deposits the last type that a channel can
contain, it pushes thereby the ratchet (7) back so far that the pin (a) strikes
the top of the pendulum (7) and moves it back, thus allowing the pin (w) to
fall into the back notch (Fig. 23). The front end of (s) will then stand directly
opposite to a projecting point placed upon all the distributing conveyors at (7),
and thus a conveyor having a proper type for that channel will not be able to
tilt forward to attempt its deposit by reason of the interference of the lever (s7),
as in Fig. 23. When a channel is empty, the setting conveyor will be pre-
vented from stopping by the pin (y) striking the pendulum in the opposite
side, and thus the pin (w) will fall into the inside lower notch. This will
support the lever (s7) in another position, and in so doing it will be opposite to
a projection (as) on all the setting conveyors, as in Fig. 24, but will not inter-
fere with the projections on the distributing conveyors. The lifting of the
inner ends of the lever (s7) is to allow of the shifting of the pin (w) to the
different notches in the pendulum, according to circumstances. When the
setting and distributing go on regularly together, the types are so proportioned
that they are taken from and deposited in the cases, so as to keep those properly
supplied, and therefore the usual position of the stop lever (s') is that shown in
Fig. 22, and in that it is clear of either of the projections just named. As
before remarked, when a type cannot be deposited in- its appropriate channel
or channels it is to be carried on and deposited in the channel of excess; and
this is accomplished by having at that channel such form of excavation in the
excavated ring as to allow the conveyors to act upon all combinations of the
indicating points. The channel of excess, and that for "quadrats "P, have
at their mouths a device for receiving the type from the conveyors, whereby
the type is thrust in and the opening is immediately closed. These are seen
at (m³) and (3) in Fig. 1, and in detail in Figs. 28 to 30. At (6) is a bolt,
which is drawn back by a lever (es), worked by a cam on a shaft beneath the
table. The cam revolves regularly, being timed to withdraw the bolt as often
as a distributing conveyor has passed. This, however, may not be necessary,
since those conveyors may have already deposited their type in its proper
channel. If this has been done they will be at the back end of their slots (")
when approaching the mouth of the channel of excess, and consequently not in
a position to deposit therein. When, therefore, one revolution of the cam has
withdrawn the bolt, it remains so until a type has been deposited in the mouth,
being during that time locked by a pin (e) on the latch (2). At such time

page_text: the mouth is in effect open to receive a type; though, in order to prevent the
one last put in from falling out (as by the jarring of the machine it might be
apt to), there is a piece, seen at (j), made to slide at a right angle across it,
and to remain there until pushed away to deposit another type. The end of
the latch (3) terminates under the head of this slide, as seen in dotted lines in
Figs. 28 and 29. If, now, an approaching conveyor has a type to be deposited,
being at the forward end of its slot, that conveyor will be acted upon by its
indicating points, finding a place on the excavated ring into which they can
enter. The type is discharged by the piece (d) Fig. 2, which thrusts it off, in
doing which the slide (") is pushed back, disengaging thereby the pin (e') from
the bar (6), and this then by the force of the spring (%) returns and drives the
type into the channel. The cam now acts again on (e) to withdraw the bar
(8), the slide () returning to its place across the mouth by the force of the
spring (). The cam below is constantly in action, but when the bar (6) is
withdrawn, the lever which acts upon that is at the extent of its throw, and
therefore at that time only the point of the cam touches it at cach revolution,
and without imparting any motion, until the bar has been again disengaged.
If, now, the next conveyor is at the back end of its slot it will pass without
disturbing the position of the several parts at the mouth; but if at the forward
end, having a type to deposit, these movements will be repeated, as described.
The distributing mechanism, being the second head, will now be described.
The parts for this occupy chiefly the right-hand side of the table in front of
the carrier and type cases, and by inspecting Fig. 1 the principal parts visible
may be embraced generally in the space inscribed by the line X-E. Opposite
to X stands the apparatus for actuating the set of the indicators, thereby
determining the destination of each particular type. The distributing channel
(a) will be seen to terminate at the inside corner of its frame. Adjoining
this at W is the feeding table, for supporting the column I of type, and to or
near which are the several parts for actuating the feed. At the head of tho
feed table there is an abutting plate to the main bed plate, so as to stand a
little distance off, or as seen at the letter (y), Figs. 1, 8, & 9, and which
forms a portion of the type channel (a). On the inside and parallel to this is
the other plate to complete the channel, as at (2). This plate is supported
above the table W, and so high as to allow the column of type to pass beneath
its lower edge. Its ends are attached to columns (a), in the same Figs., and.
it can also be moved to or from the other plate (y) by set screws (c). From
this it will be understood that the lines of type by passing under () get into.
the channel from beneath, a whole line being passed up at a time.. This is:
done by a sliding floor, which rises at the proper time, lifts the line and.
B 2

page_text: supports it in that elevated position until the line is exhausted; when the floor
descends a feed of the column takes place, and another line is lifted up into
the channel, and so on. In Fig. 5 is a section through the line FE, of
Fig. 1, and just back of the distributing table, but showing the parts toward
the front of the machine. In this (3) represents the floor, being a thin
plate, which stands between the end of W and the fixed channel piece (y).
When lowered its top edge is flush with the feeding table, and forms a con-
tinuation of it. At (%) are two legs, descending below the bed and terminating
in the frame (os) of Fig. 5, which performs the raising and lowering.
When a line of types has been raised into the channel they must be fed along
toward the place of discharge. This is accomplished by a pushing ratchet
(m²), Fig. 1, which is urged forward by the click (92) upon a vibrating arm
(s2), actuated from beneath by a cam (w²), Fig. 5. Upon the shaft T there
is a coiled spring (0%), attached to the end of the ratchet, which tends always
to pull it back; to prevent this there is a check click at (p²). The throw of
the click (9) must constantly vary to feed for type of different thickness;
the force, therefore, which urges the click along is a spring pulling upon the
arm (u), Fig. 5, and which keeps the end of the arm constantly pressing
upon the cam (w), so that when the cavity shown passes by, the friction roller
sinks in and a feed is given. As a type is thrust from the end of the line, the
whole are fed along until the gap left is closed, the types then striking against
a positive stop. Thus the depth of the cam is deeper than required for
closing up the gap left by discharging the thickest type. At (2) is a stop for
holding the click out of contact with the cam, and thus the feed can at any
time be arrested. By moving the lever (2), Fig. 1, back and forth between
the two holes (¹), the engaging and disengaging is effected. When a line of
type has thus been fed off, the ratchet clicks (9) and (p2), will be disengaged,
and the spring (02) allowed to pull the ratchet back, and a feed of the whole
column of type I will take place, and the next line be elevated into the
channel (a). Figs. 1, 4, 8, & 9 will be involved in the explanation of this
part. It will be seen, (Fig. 1), that the feeding table W is of greater width
than the column of type represented thereon; each side of the table has a
gauge plate, and the column is placed to fit against the plate on one side,
while to fill out the space on the opposite one a block (g) is introduced, and
fitted so as not to press or squeeze the type. At the foot of the column there
is also a small block (r) and of the same width (Fig. 1, 8, & 9). Extend-
ing quite over the table is a cross bar (r), the two ends of which are attached
to toothed racks (1), lying parallel to the sides of the table, as shown;
working into these racks are two wheels (t), shown in dotted lines, Figs. 8

page_text: & 9, and adjoining which are two ratchet wheels (s). These are all upon.
one shaft, which lies beneath the table, and extends from side to side. At the
extreme ends of the shaft are hung two levers (u), having upon them, in
proper position for taking into the teeth of the ratchet, a pawl each, as shown
at (v). Upon the end of each of these levers is a link or connecting rod (w),
suspended by lengthened slots, indicated by the dotted cross lines in Figs. 8
& 9, and these rods pass through the bed plate and terminate in a frame.
(a), as represented in the several Figs. This frame is hinged at (p³), near
the back end, and consequently a portion of its weight is sustained by the
levers (u). The frame is raised up by means of a cam (g) upon the main
shaft S, but falls by its own weight. The feeding up of the column of typo
can now be readily understood. As the cam (3) lifts (w), these latter raise
the levers (u), and cause the pawls (v) to take a next ratchet tooth, as in
Fig. 8. The dropping of the frame (a), as in Fig. 9, turns the pinion (t);
these acting upon the rack (11), pushing against the cross bar (¹), force up
the column of type until the top line strikes the plate (y). This line must
now be elevated to the position shown in Fig. 8. During the time that the
line itself is being fed off, the frame (a) is held up in its elevated position,
and only drops down at the moment of giving the feed of the column. It is
kept up by a swinging hanger (a³), which performs also the operations of
disengaging the clicks from the ratchet (m²). At the lower part of this
hanger there is a notch-rest, upon which the frame () is held by a support-
ing pin (3). The corner of this rest is rounded or bevelled, as at (2). The
hanger extends above the pin (63), upon which it swings, the top terminating
just under the ratchet (m²), therefore it can swing back and forth without
interfering with that ratchet. At one side there is a bolt (d), kept constantly
pressing upward by a spring (e) at the bottom, and at the back of the.
hanger there are two feather springs (93) and (4). The spring (³) is stiffer
than the other, and it is only acted upon periodically, while (g³) is constantly
tending to press the top of the hanger forward. At (f³), Figs. 1 and 5, there is.
a small wedge attached to the ratchet. This is an important piece, as it effects
the unlocking of the parts which cause the feed of both line and column.
While the line is being fed off, the hanger (a) stands vertically, as in Fig 8,
and is kept in this position by the bolt (d³), pressing against the side of
the ratchet (m). By the time the line of type is fed off, the wedge (f³)
has arrived at the place where the bolt (3) stands, (best seen in Figs. 1.
and 5); continuing on, the wedge strikes the top of said bolt and depresses.
it below the ratchet, when by the force of the spring (3) it will be thrown
under. The hanger thus swings so as to bring the supporting pin (1) on.

page_text: the edge of the inclined plane (3³). At this part a cross bar (³) at the to
of the hanger (seen best in Figs. 1 and 5) strikes against the two clicks
(9 & p²), the ends of which project below the bottom of (m²), and the
pin (s) sliding down the inclined plane (3) moves the hanger still further
and thus effects the disengagement of the clicks. The object of the incline
() is for the purpose of assisting the spring (g), by the force derived from
the weight of the end of the frame (a). The frame now drops down, as in
Fig. 9, and the ratchet (m²) flies back by the pull of the coiled spring
(o). When it has gone far enough to bring the driving end clear of the
line of type, the bolt at the top end of the hanger (a) must come from under
and take its place again, as in Fig. 8. Upon the ratchet there is another
wedge, which is movable and may be clamped at different positions; it is
shown at (). As the ratchet flies back the point of the wedge enters under
the spring (3), and increases its tension so much as to overcome the force
of the lower spring (g). If there were no obstruction the hanger (a³) would
become perpendicular at once, but it will be seen that the spring (), Fig. 9,
keeps the bolt still under (m²); this it must do, because although the
column of type has been fed up, the line at the top has not been raised into
the channel. The cam (g) now lifts the frame (a) to a certain height, when
it will engage the ends of another and interior frame (o), which will now
be carried along with it in its ascent. The engagement is by means of two
springs (), the projecting ends of which rest upon the cross-bar of (x),
as in Fig. 4. To this latter frame the type-lifting floor (w) is attached by
the rods (3), as in Fig. 5, The frames now rise together to their full height,
and the line of type is raised vertically from the position shown in Fig. 9
to that in Fig. 8. At the last part the pin (3) gets clear of the bottom of
the hanger, and the spring (1) together with its weight causes the hanger
to fall now into a perpendicular position, as in Fig. 8. The clicks being by
that act re-engaged, the feed of the line of type immediately commences.
It
must be understood that the shaft S is in a constant revolution, all these
changes have therefore taken place in a moment. It will be observed that
the interior frame (0) is lifted by the springs (a), and in most of the moving
parts the connections are in some form or other capable of being relieved
by springs as safeguards. Thus, in case from any cause the types stick too
hard together to be easily broken from the column, it will be seen that the
springs would give, and thus a breakage be probably avoided. There is a
part, however, not yet described, for relieving the pressure at which the
column of type was left when fed up against the plate (y). When the column
is first fed up it is not allowed to strike said plate, but strikes a movable

page_text: As the frame
plate which is let in from the back, and which is made to protrude beyond
he face inside to a very slight degree, but receding again so soon as the
veight of the frame (a) is taken off the rack (7"). Thus the top line can
be raised free from obstruction. In Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through
he plate (y) at the place of the insertion of the false plate, shown at (d²);
at (e) is a slide, with wedge-shaped ends lying behind it. (), Fig. 5, arc
two springs attached to (d), tending to pull it backward; (2) is a standing
bar, connected with the frame (r) at one end, and at the other to the slide
(e), by means of a pin (), which plays in a crooked slot in (3). The bar
is kept in position by a guide strap (j), which embraces it.
(x) drops down the pin () plays along the crooked slot (h²), moving thereby
the sliding bar (e) laterally, and thus bringing the wedge-shaped ends under
the confining straps (9); and then the false plate (de) is thrust forward, so
that when the column of type is fed up, the top line will strike against said
plate. On raising the frame (a) the wedges on the bar (e) will be withdrawn,
and the plate (d) will retreat before the line of type begins to be raised by
the lifting floor; thus when the latter does come into action it will find
As each type
the line of type free to rise without friction or pressure.
leaves the advancing end of the line it is received upon a platform at
the right-hand inner corner of the box containing the indicating mechanism,
which box is placed upon the bed at the position of X, Fig. 1, and is
Before the
shown also in detail in the Figs. from 10 to 18, inclusive.
type is taken from this place by a distributing conveyor the indicators (e'),
Fig. 12, must be set to act properly upon the indicating points of that
conveyor. This is accomplished by a system of sliding bars and levers, which
are brought into play by means of certain nicks cut in the shank of the type,
each type having a certain order of nicks, whereby both their thickness and
their denominations are ascertained by the machine. In Fig. 27 is shown
a theory for a complete system of such nicks. These, it will be seen, are
divided into two groups, and consists of incisions or cuts upon the edge of
each type within spaces formed by certain lines, of which the upper set are
within seven lines and the lower within eight lines, forming six spaces for
the upper and seven for the lower. In the box X there are thirteeen thin
and nicely constructed levers, supported in a horizontal position, all upon one
axis, and are, furthermore, arranged in groups, so that the projecting ends
will coincide with the spaces formed upon the types. Six of the levers belong
to the upper set,of. spaces and seven to the lower. These are shown at
(3), Figs. 13, 14, & 15. In 13 & 14 are top views; and 15 is a side view,
a portion of the levers being in dotted lines. All the levers are held in a

page_text: frame (1), which is contained in a chamber formed at the end of the box
a side view of (y³) is given in Fig. 18, the end of the box being removed
The fulcrum pin of these levers is (a), which it will be seen divides then
lengthwise unequally. The frame has play back and forth in its chamber
and when moved carries the levers with it. At the back end is a graduated
stop, which arrests the movement of the frame in one direction by the tails
of some of the levers striking it. It is graduated, because the frame must
have greater or less movement, according to different thicknesses of type
The stop is a plate standing vertically within the chamber, as seen at (c)
in Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive. The edge is notched out to form the graduations
as in Figs. 15, 17, & 18. At the opposite end the frame (y³) has a pro-
longation from one side with a crossed termination, and which is so situated
as to close the mouth of the type channel, and the line of type, therefore, as
it is fed up by the clicks strikes against this piece, as represented in Fig. 13.
The short ends of the levers (23) stand in such position that they project a
little over the edge of the type as it comes up against the frame just in front
of them, and as shown in Fig. 13, where (a) represents the line of type;
and it is on that side that the type is nicked, as shown in the reverse view,
Fig. 15. In combination with the levers (), which I call the type levers,
there is a second set, but these are right-angled at both ends; they are
shown at (), Figs. 11, 13, & 14, and are placed on the outside of the
indicating box. By Fig. 11 it will be seen that they are disposed in two
groups, and correspond precisely with the type levers. They have their axis
at (a). The short right-angled ends enter the side of the box, and terminato
so as to overlap the type levers, cach levor having a match-type lever, against
which it presses.
This pressure is applied by a set of small springs (m)
acting upon the projecting tails, as shown at Figs. 13 & 14. The opposite
ends of these levers at (u') also turn inward at a right angle, and are pointed;
these pass through the side of the box, as shown in dotted lines. Upon
the inside of the box there are two sets of bars, lying parallel thereto and
close together, as at (p). The upper six belong to the upper six levers (),
and the lower set of seven belong to the like lower set of levers. All of them
have a notch (v) cut within them, which notches stand directly opposite to
the points of (u), and which when engaged are detaining points. On the
opposite side of the box is still another set of bars, the topmost one being
seen at (y'), while the others are represented by (4), in Fig. 10, which is a
view in elevation of the interior of 13 & 14, the side (m) being removed.
These bars are spaced farther apart than the others, as shown, and there is
fewer of them. These two sets of bars, viz., (p) as one, and (') and () as the

page_text: other, are connected together, so that the movements of one set will be trans-
mitted to the other by a set of cross levers ('), which are pivoted to the top and
bottom of the box at their centers. These levers consist of plates extending
the whole depth of the box, an edge view of which is given in Fig. 10, where
they are seen through the bars (*). The bars (p*) are connected to the levers
by pins, which embrace or clamp them on both sides, but the opposite bars (y')
and () have but one pin, therefore the levers can act but in one direction
against them, being allowed in the other to go free. There are two bars, one
on each side, which act upon all the levers, viz. (y') & (t), Fig. 10 & 11.
Thus, in Fig. 14 the bar (y) will be seen to have a pin pressing against the
end of each lever toward the inside. These two bars are for the purpose of
giving motion to all the others, and may be called the prime movers, while
(P) & () may be called the indicating bars. Bar (1), Fig. 11, connected
to bar (r) by the lever (1), Fig. 11 & 13, may be called the "a" bars, as
being those which set the indicator for that letter. The sets of bars (p') are
required to be very compact and close together, hence one necessity for trans-
ferring their movements to the indicators through the second set of bars (2),
which it will be seen are arranged open and have more freedom. I have
stated, as an example, that movement of the bar (r), Fig. 11, would move (¹)
on the opposite side. These bars are not connected with each other through-
out in this single manner; on the contrary, some form combinations, as, for
instance, a movement of two bars (1) may be so connected as to move every,
alternate one of (). The changes, therefore, may be very great in number,
and such is necessary in order to effect indications for all the letters. There
is a separate lever at (w), which connects the two moving bars (t) & (y'),
and in addition to this it also acts upon all of the bars (*), while (*) acts upon.
all the opposite bars (2). In Fig. 13A is a view of this lever detached.
On the side which faces the front of the machine there is a series of feather
springs (a), the free ends of these all press upon the bars (1), a spring to a
bar; (t) engages the lever a pin, as shown, and (y) by depressions on the.
opposite side. The movement of (t) turns the lever (w) and moves along.
(y), while the springs (a) pressing upon the pins on (), those will be likewise
moved. Now, as the bars (t) & (y') move at the giving of
while of () all are not allowed to move, some being held
by their yielding are to permit of their being so held.
this is shown, where it will be seen that one of the springs (a) has been held
back by the non-moving of a bar. Upon each of the other levers (9) there is
a single feather spring (s), the free end of which is projected, so as to be on a
line with the bar (*). This bar has as many pins as there are levers, and these
every indication,
back, these springs
In Figs. 13 & 144,

page_text: press upon the springs. Thus, the movement of the bar (t) would, if un
opposed, move also all the levers. When, however, some are held back thei
springs yield, as in the former case, and as seen at (s), Fig. 14ª and (s) in
that Fig. is a lever allowed to be carried along by (t). The movements of
the bars () are communicated to the indicators (e) by means of a set of con
necting rods, shown at (a') of Fig. 10. The vertical levers (2) attached to the
side plate (m) of the box (which plate is omitted in Fig. 10) connect the bars
(7) with the rods (a), as shown, and these latter are connected to as many
short arms (), Fig. 12, to which the different indicators are attached, in a
manner already described. In Fig. 10 the three upper bars have been acted
upon; these have withdrawn three connecting rods (a), and accordingly three
of the lowest of the indicators have been projected through the excavated ring
(m), as shown. The line of type stands in its channel with that side which
has the indicating nicks facing the front of the machine, as at (a), in Figure 15,
which is a section through Y-Z of Figs. 13 & 14. As the feeding click
forces the line along, the head type pushes against the frame (y³), Fig. 13,
driving that before it. The type now enters the box and rests upon a base, as
in Fig. 11 at (a); in this position the short ends of the set of levers (23) are
in front and lap upon the type; the cam (0%) retreats from under the levers
(n), and these in turn press by their inner ends upon the levers (23), causing
them all to be driven against the edge of the type; those levers, which stand
opposite to any nick sink in, thus allowing the points (u') of their match
levers to enter the notches (2) of their appropriate bars, while all those
resting against the plain edge of the type are held back.
Here comes in the arrangement to regulate the feed for thickness, because
no more than one type at a time must be admitted to the box, and as a very thin
space may be followed by the thickest type, the necessity for a varying feed
is obvious, as otherwise there would be at once a derangement of parts. This
feeding in of type of different thicknesses upon the base (a) is managed by the
stop (c), for by the sinking in of some one of the levers (3) in the top set, its
tail will be made to stand directly in the way of that stop, as seen in Fig. 13,
and the frame (y) will be arrested in its movement by said tail striking the stop.
In Figs. 17 & 18 a profile of the stop (c) is given, and by the notches upon it
it will be seen that the frame may move further before some of the levers will
strike than others. Thus a nick at the top of the type will move a lever at
the top; opposite to this on the stop is a notch of a certain depth, equivalent
to the thickness of some one type; the next notch may be deeper still, and
would allow a further movement of the frame, and of course this would admit
a thicker type upon the base. In the next place it will be seen how these

page_text: nicks are made to effect the indicators. Some one or more levers in the lower
set will sink into a nick or nicks at that part of the type. As the crooked
levers (n) all press upon (3) when any of them move, similar ones in that set
will also move. In all the sliding bars (p) there are notches cut at (v), so
that when any of these levers move, the pointed ends (u') on (n) will drop into
these notches. As for instance, suppose there are six nicks in a type, six of
the crooked levers will be allowed to move, by reason of a movement of a like
number of (3), dropping into these six nicks of the type, and a like number of
points () will drop into the notches (v) of as many different bars. Now,
when the driving bar (t) moves, six of the bars (p) will be detained, con-
sequently only as many levers can move as are required for making the proper
combination for indicating the letter; and in Fig. 10 it will be seen that six
of the bars (7) have been held back, while the others are allowed to move
(the two bars (y) as already stated, moving at every indication), and thus the
indicators in the excavated ring are set. These movements of the bars are
caused by a power derived from a set of cams and pins placed upon a vertical
shaft (), which has a vibrating or rock shaft motion. This motion is regu-
larly given in a proper manner and in time by a cam upon one of the cross
shafts beneath the bed, as seen at (p²) in Fig. 4. This cam actuates a lever
(20), Figs. 4 & 10, and (wo) is a stop brought into play by 'moving (v), Fig. 1;
it catches the tail of the lever, and prevents it from vibrating when en-
gaged. The first cam is at the top upon a wheel, as at (e), Figs. 10, 13, & 14.
This moves a piece, shown in (a), Figs. 11 & 16, the end of which stands
directly over a type when in the box, and that end is allowed to come down
upon the type by the force of a spring (d) as the former is fed in. The
object of this is to insure that the type shall stand solidly upon the base, for
that forms a gauge whereby all the nicks are sure to stand opposite to their
proper levers. Before the type is discharged the cam piece (5) comes under
an arm on the cross piece, by which (a) is hinged, and raises it, as shown.
At () is a pin, which strikes against the bar (y), and by driving that
bar returns all the levers and bars of both sets and on both sides to their
starting position, as seen in Fig. 14, where all the pins are in action. On
the side of the wheel opposite to this pin is a segment working into a rack
bar (); this is the discharge for thrusting the type into the grippers of
the conveyors. In Fig. 13 it is seen withdrawn, and in Fig. 14 pushed
forward, having discharged a type. The end of this is forked, as in (¹),
Figs. 17 & 18, and strikes the type in three places, so as to push it off
squarely upon the conveyor. Lower down, on (5") at (), Fig. 10, is
another wheel, and on the side of this, as in dotted lines Fig. 11, also

page_text: (1)
scen in 14, is a pin, which strikes against the driving bar (t), and is the
power to drive all the levers and bars when setting the indicators, as
operates to return them after such action. Upon (") is another cam, no
seen, as it is on the opposite side, but which vibrates a piece which lifts all the
points (4) out of the notches (*). That piece is a post, standing vertically
upon which are two toes, one (0°), Figs. 11 & 14, being at the top, and the
other (o) at the bottom; (0%) stands between the levers (n) and the outside o
the box, while the end of the toe (0*) extending into the box is acted upon by
the cam on (j). In Fig. 14 (o) is in action, having lifted (u) out of ()
In Fig. 13 its toe (0°) has retreated, thus allowing the levers to act. There
are certain pieces which must always return with accuracy to a given position
and of these the frame (y³) is one, for the least play here might falsify the
setting. I provide, however, both for freedom and accuracy to this as
follows: For accuracy, the inner side is made always to face and keep in
contact with the inner end plate of the box, effected by a spring brought into
action to press it up just before a feed of type takes place, and for freedom,
the pressure is taken off at the time the frame returns. The spring is shown
at (f), Figs. 13 & 14; it does not press directly upon the frame, but acts upon
a small bell crank (e'), seen in dotted lines, one end of which comes through a
hole in the division plate, and presses upon (33); the end of the crank through
this hole is seen at (e) Fig. 17, the other end or tail is for lifting the crank off,
and is acted upon by a pin (1) beneath the top wheel of (). In Fig. 13
this piece is shown in action pressing upon the side of (y). In that position the
type is just being fed in, and then it is most necessary that these parts have an
accurate adjustment. When the type has been discharged the frame imme-
diately returns, and is driven back by a spring (d'), Fig 15, 17, & 18,
previous to which action the friction produced by the pressure of (e) is taken
off, as seen in Fig. 14, thus allowing the frame and its set of levers to be
carried back easily. There is one type which has no indicating nick upon
it, and is not to be deposited within the regular cases, as it belongs to the
cup N, Fig. 1. This is the thin space, and it is always set in the line, when
wanted, by the hand of the compositor. When this presents itself to be
distributed the indicating levers do not act, and it requires, therefore, a special
stop to check the feed at the right distance. This stop is a small lever (g')
hinged to the frame at ('); a side view of it is that of a plate, and it is as
deep as the whole set of indicating levers, as seen at (91) Figs. 15 & 15.
When, therefore, these latter do not act (which is when the aforesaid type
without nicks approaches), the stop (g) will come into play, as exhibited in
Fig. 14; but when these levers act, this is pushed to one side, escaping the stop

page_text: ltogether, as in Fig. 13, wherein (g') is shown in dotted line; the pin ()
acting upon it to put it into position by the intervention of the secondary
piece (), as shown. As this secondary piece imparts the movement to bring
his special stop into action, there must be at every feed of type a provision to
elieve the graduated stop (c) itself, because, when not in action, as before
so that when the
remarked, the end of (9') will lie at the side of the stop (c'),
pin (1) comes into play, the force would be received upon the stop and break
it were it not able to yield; (c) has therefore some lateral play allowed it, and
reacts against a spring shown at (c) in Figure 16, and in 13 & 14. The
piece (9) also moves back the lever (³) to the position shown in Fig. 14 after
the discharge of cach type.
The third head of the composing or type-setting mechanism will now be
described. The Figures used will be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 25, 26, 33, 34, & 35.
The front left-hand half of the table, Fig. 1, is devoted to the parts operated
by the compositor, and is also the place where the type is received and formed
into column. At the back of this table is the receiving channel, where the
type is delivered by the setting conveyors, and forms a long line, as at (f);
the channel terminates at the top of the galley M, upon which a column of
type is represented in process of formation. This galley has one fixed side,
and one movable (20), which may be set to different distances from the other
for different widths of columns. At (10) is a follower for pushing down the
column after a line has been received. This is operated by a handle (6),
Figs. 1, 5, and 6, by which a short vibration is given to it. At (f10), same
Figs. is a gauge for measuring the length of line necessary to go across the
page. This is a wedge fixed by an upright to a bar (91), along which it can
slide and be set by a screw, and this wedge can be pushed back out of the way
of the line of type. The compositor divides the line (f) with a thin metal
plate, and pushes it along until it strikes the end of (e), which closes the end
of the channel after it has pushed down the column, and then the distance
from that end to the gauge (f) is the same as the width of the column; he
now pushes (e) back, and carries on the type, seperated by bringing the
wedge of (10) into the line /, until it strikes against (20), and the column is
then pushed down that distance by (e10) as before. At L is the table of
indicator keys, a sectional view of which is given in Fig. 3. These connect by
means of a system of levers and "trackers" with the indicating mechanism in
the center and beneath the carrying wheel. In the description of the dis-
tributing mechanism it was shown that all the movements for effecting the set
of the indicators were accomplished through the movement of the nine rods
() of Fig. 10. In the composing mechanism there are a like number of

page_text: indicators for effecting the set of the points upon the conveyors, and these are
acted upon by nine levers which connect the keys with the nine indicators;
but as there are a much greater number of keys than of indicators, of course
these latter act to form combinations of movements, and these calculated by
the rule for permutation upon nine places of figures would be ample for the
most extensive alphabets or characters of any known language. The keys as
shown are pins with buttons on top for the convenience of fingering. The pins
pass through holes in the table, which holes are arranged in a regular order,
so as to form parallel rows, as shewn in Fig. 1, cach pin acting upon a small
cranked lever (aº), Fig. 3. Beneath these levers is a series of sliding bars
(1), a bar to each lever and key. These, in consequence of their number and
the space they occupy, must be very thin, and are most conveniently made of
strips of steel. They are arranged in a rack formed by the plates (610), as in
the Fig. 4. Upon the top of each bar there is a single projecting pin
against which the cranked levers (a) strike, these pins being in a different
situation according to the position of the cranks and keys. Upon the under
side there are also projecting pins, but instead of being limited to one to each
bar, they are not only of various, numbers, but also in varying positions, as
illustrated in Fig. 4B, where two bars are seen detached; the upper side shows
the single pin (a, a.) with which each is provided, but on the under side, one
has two pins (i, i,) stationed far apart, while the other has three (0, 0, 0,) in
succession. One of these bars has nine in succession, and this corresponds with
the nine indicators in the excavated ring, and as has already been described at (e)
of Fig. 12. Thus, when the key which acts upon this slide is pressed down
all the indicators will be set also; if the key which acts upon the slide (i, i,)
Fig. 4, only two indicators would be moved, viz., the top and bottom ones; while
with the next slide three consecutive levers would be moved, as also seen in action
at (c), Fig. 3. There are nine levers (°), shaped as shewn in Fig. 3*; they have
a long fulcrum or axis, the top half of a lever being a blade, while the lower
half is simply an arm placed near one extremity of the axis, but as oach of
these arms connects with one end of one of the trackers (e) which lead off to
the center of the machine at right angles, the arms cannot be placed equally
near the end, as otherwise the trackers could not be engaged. These latter
lay beneath the bed of the machine, and their position is seen in the plan
view of said bed in Fig. 4, wherein the ends of the levers (d) will be seen
engaged, and which will sufficiently explain their arrangement upon the axes,
as above referred to. It will be seen that the whole row of slides (6")
lie across the tops of the levers (d), and at right angles to them; thus
any slide can be made to act upon as many levers as may be required

page_text: for effecting movements in the indicators, according to the position of
the pins (i, i, or o, o). Of the one hundred and nineteen keys represented
in the Drawings, each one corresponds to a type of a different name or
character. Thus the indications must be obtained by variously combined
movements of the nine levers (d). The trackers terminate at their other
ends in a second set of levers, seen at (f), Figs. 2, 25, 26, and shaped as in the
detached view, Fig. 26. Embracing their lower half is a swing frame (n³),
Fig. 26, the bottom of which is constantly kept pressing against the lower
ends of the levers (f). This frame pulls the levers back after having been
acted upon by the trackers. The tops of (f) are bevelled, as shown, for the
purpose of transmitting motion to a third set of levers (9), which stand at
right angles thereto, one of the ends resting at the bottom of the bevelled top
of each lever, as in Fig. 26. Thus, by pulling (e), as shown in said Fig., (9')
will be raised by sliding along the inclined top. The levers (9) form the
connecting links for carrying on the motion of the keys to the register levers
seen at (9).
It has been stated that the compositor could compose ahead of the operation
of the machine, i. e,, that without regard to the speed of the carrying wheel or
the delivery of type by the conveyors, he could indicate letters to be delivered
to the compositor's table considerably in advance, so that he could be able
to stop working and yet have the letters so indicated delivered without any
further attention on his part.
I will now describe the parts whereby this is accomplished. The movement
of the keys does not directly effect the set of the indicators, but operates
instead upon what I call a "register wheel," so contrived that a considerable
number of signs or letters can be as it were recorded upon it. The revolution
of the register brings these successively to act upon the indicators in time to
effect the set of the indicating points upon the next approaching conveyor.
The register is composed of two broad rings, one of less diameter than the
other, but both of the same breadth. The smaller is placed within, thus
leaving an annular space between. The outer ring is represented at the
letter R (marked upon the cross arms spacing the top), Figs. 1, 2, 3, 25 & 26.
Figs. 2 and 3 are in section in the machine, and Fig. 26 a separate sectional
view enlarged. In Fig. 1 is a top view as seen in the machine, and Fig. 25
5 a like view detached and enlarged. The inner ring is represented at (.).
Through both rings is made a series of small holes, each hole in the one being
directly opposite to a hole in the other. Nine holes are drilled in a vertical
line, and at equal distances apart. A short space from these, nine more are
drilled in a vertical line, and thus continued until the whole circumference is

page_text: filled, care being taken that each hole in every vertical line is also on the same
horizontal line with its neighbour. The holes are then to be fitted with pins
long enough to project beyond the face of the rings, and to keep them from
falling out they are enlarged in the middle. These pins are seen at (0°) in
the several Figs., and by these is also shewn the order in which the holes were
drilled. Every vertical row of nine pins represents the nine indicators, and it
is by these that those indicators are acted upon. Thus, if there were one
hundred such vertical rows upon the circumference of the ring there could be
a like number of indications effected by one revolution of the same, and it is by
pushing these pins out that the indicators can become acted upon by them. At
(0%) three pins are shown pushed out at the bottom of a vertical row, while all
those on the opposite side are pushed in, and consequently out of action. The
register is supported upon the fixed axes (2) and turns upon it. The motion
is intermitted, i.e., moves along by means of the action of pawls, notch by
notch, the cogs for which are seen in the top views, and the action of the
driving pawl at (2) of Fig. 1. Each movement, however, is of the precise
distance between the rows of pins measured around the circumference. The
pressing down of a key L will immediately cause the pushing out of one or
more of the pins in a vertical line, the pressing down of another key would act
immediately to push out certain pins in the next vertical line, and in this way
nearly all the pins might be set ready to indicate letters on the indicators, and
such setting of the types would take place in due time as the register revolved.
I say nearly all the pins, because, in fact, a portion of the interior space is
taken up by fixed mechanism, and consequently the circumscribing register
levers would be interrupted at that part. These register levers have a peculiar
action, and this consists in their sweeping round the interior of the ring, and
having also a vibratory motion. This vibratory motion is imparted at the
center, where one end of each lever remains, while the other ends sweep
around. It is the outer ends that act upon the pins. These levers are seen at
(2) hung in a frame (³), which projects horizontally from the center shaft (1º),
to which it is attached by two eyes in the ends of the top and bottom pieces,
as seen in Fig. 26, the frame turning about the said shaft as its axis. The
nine levers (h) are sustained in a vertical line by the fulcrum pins (2). The
inner end of each lever terminates in a flattened ring, through all of which the
shaft passes freely, so that they are not touched by it. The outer ends of
these levers terminate just short of the surface of the inner ring (a), and
when acted upon by the keys they lie in such position that their ends can pass
between horizontal rows of the pins, the top lever standing below the top pin
and the lower beneath the lowest pin. These levers are composed of thin

page_text: "
plates of metal, but having considerable breadth, being nearly the same as that
of the rails (), as in the top view, Fig 25. The outer ends of the levers are,
furthermore, bevelled in one direction, as in (P), same Fig. Attached to the
frame () is a pulley (19), to which a cord (72) is attached, having a weight at
its free end, as shown in Fig. 2. The force of this weight is directed to pull
the frame and its levers around the interior ring in the direction of the arrow
(y), Fig. 25. The travel of the frame is governed by an escapement, which
allows it to move only a certain distance at a time, and this distance must be
only the interval between one vertical row of pins and the next. At the inside
top of the ring () is a series of two rows of pins, set in the manner of the
pin wheel escapement" of a clock, as in Fig. 25. The piece acting as a
pallet is the end (2) of a vertical bar (m³) fixed near the end of the frame
(). This point (no) rising and falling escapes from one pin to the next,
allowing the weight to pull the frame accordingly. Through the bar is a
series of slotted holes one to cach of the levers (7), to all of which it is con-
nected by pins projecting from each lever through the hole opposite, as in
Fig. 26, so that the movement of any lever will raiso the escapement bar,
and thus allow the whole frame to move. To bring it down again there is a
spring (p), as shown. At (g) is a series of coupling levers, one to each
register lever; the inner ends of these rest upon the rings on the inner ends of
the former, while the other ends stand against the set of levers (f) in the
position Fig. 26, the whole arrangement being shown in Fig. 26. Thus it
will be seen that no matter in whatever portion of the circle the setting levers
may be as respects their outer ends, the couplers (9) will always be able to act
upon them by reason of still pressing upon some part of these rings. The
manner of transmitting the movement upon the keys to the register levers and
their action upon the register pins can now be seen. In Fig. 3, key (a) is
represented as pressed down; this moves along the slide (6), upon which there
are three engaging points, and accordingly three of the levers (c) were acted
upon; these pull three trackers, the motion of which is transmitted to the
three lower register levers (h) by the opposite ends of (9) sliding up the
bevelled ends of those three levers (f) pulled by the trackers, as seen in
Fig. 26. The outer ends of the register levers are by this movement brought
so as to interfere with the inner ends of the register pins, and the bar (m)
being raised at the same moment the escapement acts, and the frame is
allowed to move along. The bevelled ends (19) of the three raised levers will
strike three pins in the next vertical row, opposite to which it is now brought
up by the escapement, and three pins are pushed out, as at (0%), Fig. 26;
taking the finger off the key allows the register levers to fall back to place. The
C

page_text: escapement bar drops down, and is caught by the lowest of the escapemen
pins (10), a second movement of the swinging frame then takes place, moving
the ends of the register levers, so as to stand half way between two vertica
rows of pins, for it will be evident that if this were not done the vertica
movement of the levers (h) would be interfered with by said pins. Any other
key being pressed down, another set of the levers will take place, according to
any particular combination required to give the indications of the next letter
required in the composition, and the proper pins will be pushed out in like
manner in the next vertical row. In this way the register levers will sweep
round the whole interior, until they arrive at the division plate (s), upon
which the levers (f) and (g³) are affixed. At this place a warning will be
given by a stroke upon a bell, seen at (a° in Fig. 1). The register wheel will
thus contain a record of as many letters to be indicated as there are pins
pushed out in the vertical rows, the compositor stopping on hearing the signal,
and these letters will all be delivered in regular order in the channel before
the compositor, without further attention on his part. It now remains to
describe, in connection with this part, the mechanism for and the manner in
which the pins act upon the indicators and effect their setting. The position
of the register is seen in Fig. 1 suspended upon the same axis with the carrier
wheel and is beneath it; the register has, moreover, rotary motion in the same
direction as the carrier, and it is moved by said carrier at the proper time and
to the right distance for giving the set to the indicators. At (v) is a cranked
lever affixed upon the top of a post rising from the bed plate, and having a
cam (w) on one end and a pawl (u) at the other. This pawl works into the
ratchet upon the rim of the register, and by the vibrations of the lever gives
to the register its progressive motion. On the arms of the carrier J there is
a series of pins projecting below the surface, each of which is designated by a
dotted circle at (w); as these pass along they strike the cam (u), thus
moving the lever (v) and causing the pawl to retreat and take a hold in a
ratchet tooth. So soon as the pin has passed by, the lever returns by the
force of a spring, and thus pushes the register along the distance of one notch,
and in the same direction that the carrier wheel itself is moving. At (m) is
a series of parallel rods, being nine in number, corresponding with the number
of indicators, and also with the number of pins in a vertical row. On each
end of a rod is an arm; the outer ones of those at (°) are straight, but the
ends of the inner ones are inclined or bent, as at (nº), Fig. 2. These arms
stand horizontally, and the inner set of arms terminate near the face of the
register, and so that each setting pin as it passes along will go between two
arins, as in the last-named Fig. If a vertical row passes by in which no pins

page_text: project, no action will take place upon the arms; but where any project those
will strike the bent ends of such arms as they pass between, thereby raising
them. The outer arms (°) are by this means brought to act upon the
indicators in the following manner. These indicators are bevelled, wedge-
shaped pieces, placed in a vertical row in the excavated ring, and are of the
same form as those already described at (e') of Fig. 12; but instead of being
attached to arms (d), as in that Fig., are secured to lengthened rods or bars,
seen at (f), Fig. 1. These bars are supported in a framework, so that they
can play back and forth, to and from the excavated ring; each one has a
notch at (°), and attached to each is also a feather spring (9°) the force of
which is directed to push the indicator outward in the direction of the arrow.
All these rods are held back by a.lever (i) standing upon the bed plate of the
machine, and one end of that lever is a broad flat plate, against which all
these bars press by a shoulder cut out as shown. At (jº) is a spring pressing
upon the lever against the force of the nine springs (9°), and is sufficiently
powerful to overcome them all. At (°) is a cam raised upon the other arm
of the lever (), and this cam is struck by the pins (w), as they pass along.
When so struck, the lever is moved and immediately the indicators also move
outward, by the force of these several springs causing them to follow the lever;
to effect, therefore, the set of the indicators, it is necessary to hold those back:
which are not required to enter into the combination. This is accomplished
by the arms (), and which when not in action stand in the spaces betweeir
the parallel bars (f), but whenever any of the setting pins in the register
have by passing along raised any of the opposite arms (n); such as are se
raised lift also their opposite arms (ko) into the notches (1), immediately after
which a pin (w) passes along and strikes (h), thus moving the lever: All
the indicators (f) will now begin to move, but those having arms (ko) in the
notches (1) will be held back. Thus, in Fig. 26, three pins (o") were pushed
out, these will remain in that position until, as the register is fed along, they.
would be brought to pass between some of the arms (°), and as these pins
are the lowest ones, the three lowest arms will be raised, and hence three of the
lowest indicators held back while all above would be allowed to move forward;
thereby projecting six indicators beyond the outer face of the excavated ring.
These indicators, it will be seen, are placed just at the entrance to the series of
type channels, so that the indicating points upon the conveyors belonging to
the composing part receive their set before they reach the types. The whole
of this part of the mechanism is so timed as to bring the indicators into action
just before a conveyor approaches, and to retreat and remain out of the way
until the distributing conveyor which follows has passed by. The indicating
0

page_text: points on a setting conveyor pass by the indicators, and receive their action
while the pin (w) is on the cam (°); the moment this gets clear the levers
draw back all the indicating bars (ƒ). The next row of setting pins now
approaches and another set is given, and so on continually, so long as there
any to act.
As soon as the setting pins have acted, they must be pushed in
again. This is accomplished by a bevelled plate (s), Fig. 25, standing close
to the face of the register, whereby, as the wheel passes, all projecting pins are
pushed in. It must not be understood that the compositor is obliged to
continue to operate the register levers until he has worked them round to the
alarm bell; on the contrary, he composes fast or slow, and may work quite
irregularly, stopping at frequent intervals to set his lines into column, to space,
and to justify, as may be required. Thus while composing he is working the
register levers and frame (") along in a direction contrary to the motions of
the register; but if he works no faster than the register moves, the levers and
frame will remain about in one place; if faster, he will work the frame round
to the alarm, and then he must stop; thenever he stops, the levers and frame
are carried along with the register wheel, because they are both connected by
the escapement. Thus if allowed to go on, it would be brought into contact
with the framework and levers, which form a division, as before remarked.
Just before arriving at this place, the lower bar of the frame strikes a toe (c),
Fig. 1, and by that means engages a stop pawl (d), and thus holding the
register in check, the operation of setting ceases. The setting conveyors will
merely pass round empty, but the distributing will, if there be type on the
galley, go on independently.
The operation is as follows:-The main shaft S is to be set in motion
by some suitable power, where it will be maintained in revolution with
the proper and as near as may be at unvarying speed; this puts the great type
carrying wheel J also in motion, with all the various parts therewith connected
and operated, as has already been described. If a column of "dead matter"
has been placed upon the distributing table W, properly set up and blocked, dis-
tribution will commence by setting the two stops (22) and (v) so as to release
the levers (u) and (0) of Fig. 4, whereby those levers will follow the curves
of their two actuating cams (w2) and (p). By means of the pawl lever (82) will
begin to feed up the line of type, if that has been raised into the channel (a); if
not no action will take place until such has been done by the operation of the
tilting frames (a) and (08), as already described under Figs. 5, 6, 8, & 9.
All the parts are so timed, that the moment the first type presents itself at the
indicating box, the ends of the levers (3) will be in position to act upon it, by
the frame (y) having moved just previously up to the mouth of the type

page_text: channel. At this moment the end of the arm (u²) of Figure 4 has ascended
the inclined side of its cam, and rests upon the level surface of (w), and the
cam (2) comes into action, moving (20), which turns the cam shaft (j'), as
seen in Fig. 10. The cam on (j) now leaves the toe (o'), Fig. 11, whereby
the upper toe (o) retreats, thus allowing all the levers (n) to act, which
action, as already stated, presses the ends of the indicating levers (23) upon
the edge of the type, and then such levers as are opposite to nicks sink in; the
cam shaft ("), moving at this time, as shewn by the arrow in Fig. 14, con-
tinues on until the indicators (e) have been set in the excavated ring, according
to the nicks upon the type, and in the manner already described. At the
conclusion of these motions, the lever (0) has ridden out of its cam, and rests
upon the level part of the cam wheel without further motion, and the other
cam on (w) has passed round the shaft, so that a feed now takes place, the
pawl driving along the line of type, and this in turn pushing the frame (y')
until it is arrested by the tail of the lever, which is set for thickness, striking
against the stop (c), at which time the type is in position upon the base and
just at the opening for its discharge. The feed, as has already been mentioned
is performed by the force of a spring (2), Fig. 5, the whole force of which is
still acting; but before the type is discharged, the line is relieved from this by
the opposite curve of the cam acting upon the lever (u²), and it rides upon
the level surface of the edge of the cam wheel. The motion of (³) is now
reserved, and it is turned in the direction shown in Fig. 13. The former
motion of () was caused by the riding of the lever (2), Fig. 4, out of tho
cavity of the cam, the present motion is by that lever descending into said
cavity, the edge of which arrives just as (w) has ceased to act. The forked
ends of the discharging pusher (*) now approach the type, striking it at three
places, and pushes it off the platform upon which it stood on to a setting con-
veyor, which has just previously been caught by the detaining hook (x, a,)
Figs. 13 & 14. While the discharge is in action, several other parts are
being restored to their position, as at starting, viz., the pin (*) has struck the
bell crank (e), as in Fig. 14, thus taking the pressure off the frame (y³); it
has also acted upon the lever (*), whereby all the indicating levers are
brought into line in readiness to act by the means already described. The
toc (o) has acted to carry the levers (u') clear of (vt), the indicating bars
being returned by the pin (2) striking (y). The moment the type is clear
of the stop on the end of the frame (y), the spring (d) is allowed to act to
drive it back, bringing up across the mouth of the channel and against the
next type, and in which position the ends of the levers will all overlap the
edge of the next type, as shown in Fig. 14. The distance at which the ends

page_text: may overlap is only the amount which they project beyond the face of the
stop upon the frame (y³), and this distance is no greater than the thickness of
the thinnest type, which has indicating nicks upon it. The lever (20) now
begins to ride out of its cam, and thus the motions are again reversed of ().
The discharge () is withdrawn, (0%) retreats, and the levers (y) pressing
upon the type, the indications are performed as before. The next is as to the
proper arrival of a conveyor to receive the types at the moment the discharging
pusher comes into action. In Fig. 4 it will be seen that the shafts S & T are
geared together by equal wheels (0) and (n); they therefore revolve alike.
As the shaft S propels the type-carrying wheel, the movement of the latter
must be so timed as to bring a distributing conveyor into position a little
before each action of the discharge, and which action, by the Drawings, is
shown to be once for each revolution of T. On the carrying wheel ten
distributing conveyors are shown; the revolutions of the said wheel are there-
fore as one to ten of T. The starting points of the conveyors being at equal
distances apart, and the wheel set so as to bring that point opposite to the
detaining hook at the discharge opening, the conveyor is always caught in
time to receive its type. The position of the indicators () is such as to
effect the set of the indicating points on the conveyor as it approaches the
discharge opening and before it is caught by the detaining hook. After a
type is received, the conveyor is released by its tilting spring throwing its
gripper end inward, and it then moves on with the carrier wheel, but at the
back end of its travelling slot ("); it is, however, made almost immediately
to overtake its first position by the movement of the second pawl (p) of
Fig. 1, as already described. It thus carries its type firmly held by the
grippers until it has arrived at the mouth of its proper type channel, at which
place there is an excavation or set of excavations in the grooves of the ring
(m), corresponding to the set given to the indicating points at starting, and
which represent the letter carried; the conveyor is accordingly permitted to
tit its gripper end toward the cases, where it is caught by the detaining hook
(x, x,) and held there until the type is discharged into the case by the pusher,
as already set forth.
The operation of the composing mechanism is as follows:-The compositor
stands in front of the table of keys L, Fig. 1, the galley M being at his left
hand, and his copy before him in a convenient position for reading. The width
of the intended column of page is fixed by the gauge plate (20), and the
length of each line to correspond by the gauge (1). He now commences
"registering" the letters by operating upon the keys; this he may do without
any regard to regularity or speed. If he presses down the keys faster than

page_text: the carrier wheel delivers the type, he records signs upon the register wheel
ahead of their delivery, as already described, and the speed of the carrier
wheel is such that he is able to do this. In continuous working, the revolving
frame having the register levers (h) may be worked round, so as to stand
about midway between its two extreme points of motion, as it will be remem-
bered that it cannot complete a whole revolution about the register ring.
When in this position, enough letters will have been recorded ahead to allow of
time to stop and justify the lines by the insertion of the thin spaces and make
other corrections as may be needed. The type will now begin to arrive at the
setting channel at (e), and be regularly deposited therein in the proper order
and position. In Fig. 1 a portion of a column is represented with its top
line just fed in by the compositor; he now pulls the handle (10) toward him,
this moves the follower (e), and causes the whole column to be pushed down
by the distance of that line; the follower will then stop the end of the
channel. The gauge (f), which is a sharp edged blade affixed to a vibrating
post, is now to be pushed back, being out of the way, the compositor may
push up his line of type in the channel until it strikes against the end of (e10),
and then (f) is to be brought forward; the sharp edge of the gauge passing
between the types separates off a line of the right length for the width of the
column. Here is the time to space the letters or words, because it may
happen that the gauge may strike against a type instead of meeting it at the
point dividing two types, which it must accurately do in order to make correct
width of column. Thin spaces are for this purpose inserted, being taken out
of the cup N by hand as wanted. This donc, the gauge (10) cuts off the
line at the right length, and it may then be sent in upon the galley; for this
purpose the follower (e10) is moved back, so as to be flush with the face of (f),
the opening formed in this way being a channel. The compositor with a thin
plate of metal in his hand drives the line into place, and the column is forced
down as before. The thick spaces or quadrats are introduced in like manner
for filling out a line when a sentence terminates short of the width of the
column, or wherever such spaces are required.
The italic type, numbers, and algebraical signs are or may be introduced
into the cases, for it is evident that any type channel may be devoted to type
of any character by giving such type or character an appropriate set of nicks
and like indices in the excavated ring at such channel, as already set forth.
The machine may be devoted wholly either to setting or distributing, as the
type cases are set upon beds in sections, and may be removed for different
ones to be introduced without interfering with any portion of the operating
mechanism. When any machine is devoted, therefore, exclusively to either

page_text: branch, it may be arranged to perform an increased amount of work; I am
aware also of various changes which may be made both in the arrangement
of parts and in the special combinations of mechanism I have described, with-
out changing at all the general character of my machine. As, for instance,
the excavated or indicating ring is described as having slotted excavations
passing through and through. This is not absolutely necessary, as it is only
essential to have them deep enough to allow of the sinking in of the indicating
points upon the conveyors far enough to allow them to tilt to the required
distance to be engaged by the detaining hooks (x, x).
I claim, first, the method, substantially as described, for conveying the type
to and from the type cases and the composing and setting tables, consisting of
a type carrier in combination with a series of conveyors, which are capable
of receiving any type indiscriminately, and also of receiving an indication
representing the type so received or that required, whereby that type may be
deposited into or taken from the type cases, substantially as set forth.
Second, the herein described or any equivalent method of attaching the
conveyors to the carrier, by which they are permitted to stop while delivering
or receiving type, without arresting the motion of said carrier, substantially as
set forth.
Third, giving to the conveyor a vibratory or tilting motion upon its central
pin, whereby its gripping end is made to closely approach the place at which
the conveyor is to receive or deposit a type, for the purposes and in the manner
substantially as described.
Fourth, the manner of arranging the types in the type cases, so that the
types shall be received and delivered edgewise, whereby a uniform throw can
be given to the pusher for all types.
Fifth, in combination with the type channels the mechanism for pushing
out the type, consisting of the rack, pendulum, lever, and propelling rod, and
the pusher upon the conveyors, or any equivalents thereof, as described.
Sixth, in combination with the type channels the mechanism for preventing
the stopping of a setting conveyor at a type channel when it is empty, or a
distributing conveyor at a channel when full of type, consisting of the tilting
bar (s), the pendulum lever, and rack, or equivalents, as described.
Seventh, the method of discharging the type from a distributing conveyor
into the type channels or of causing it to be received from such channel into
a setting conveyor, consisting of the cam (d) and the pusher plate (6), or
equivalents thereof, as described.
Eighth, the mechanism for setting the gripping bolt upon the conveyors,
and for releasing the same, consisting of the stationary cam () and crank

page_text: lever () for the setting of said bolt, and for the releasing thereof of the latch
() and cam or pin (y), as described.
Ninth, the method, substantially as described, of effecting or ensuring the
deposit of each type into or the taking thereof from an appropriate case, con-
sisting of the excavated ring (m"), or any equivalent thereof, which shall have
upon it, at or near each type case, a device indicative of the denomination of the
type contained in said case, and which device shall cause at the proper place
an action of the conveyor to receive or to deposit a type, as the case may be,
in accordance with any given set upon the conveyor, as set forth.
Tenth, the stationary inclined pieces (9) in combination with the grooves
of the ring (m) for restoring the indicating points upon the conveyor to a
zero or starting point, as described.
Eleventh, the movable indicators (e), or their equivalents, in combination
with the grooves in the ring (m") and with the shifting bars of the distributing
mechanism, as described.
Twelfth, the method of setting the distributing indicators by means of the
system of levers (3), or equivalent mechanism, so constructed and operated as
to be acted upon by a system of nicks upon the type, by which certain parts
are allowed to be brought into operation to move the indicators in accordance
with the plan or combination of nicks, and whereby the appropriate case or
place of deposit of type is indicated upon the conveyors, as described.
Thirteenth, the graduated stop (c) in combination with the indicating
levers (3) for regulating the feed of the line of type, as described, and also in
combination therewith the mechanism described under (e), (i), and (74), for
restoring said levers into position when about to return for a now setting, and
for setting the frame (y) against its guide plate, as described.
Fourteenth, the arrangement of mechanism for transmitting the movements
produced upon the levers (3) by the nicks in the type, and for effecting the
proper combinations upon the indicators (e), consisting of the detaining levers
(), the bars (p), bar (t), bar (), bar (y'), and the connecting levers (g'),
together with the operating cams upon the shaft ("), or any equivalent com-
bination, whereby the same results will be produced, as described.
Fifteenth, the mechanism for feeding up the column of type and for
clevating the successive lines thereof into the channel or equivalent devices,
as described.
Sixteenth, the method of engaging and disengaging the feeding pawls, con-
sisting of the hanging lever (a) in combination with the frame (a), with the
means for depressing the bolt (), and with the ratchet having the engaging
and disengaging wedges, as described.

page_text: Seventeenth, I claim, in combination with the keys, the arrangement of
mechanism, whereby the separate different signals represented by each of a
great number of keys may be produced by a less number of indicators, as
described.
Eighteenth, the radially revolving registering levers in combination with
the register wheel and with the keys, as described, or the equivalents thereof.
Nineteenth, the independent registering apparatus, either constructed as
described, or in any other way which will effect the recording of the letters or
signs indicated by the keys independently of the type carrying apparatus,
substantially as set forth.
Twentieth, the mechanism for transmitting the indications from the register,
consisting of the detaining levers (0) or equivalents in combination with the
setting indicators and with the register, as described.
Twenty-first, so combining the register and the setting indicators (f) with
the type carrier that the latter shall effect the movements of the register to
set the indicators in time to act upon the setting conveyors, and immediately
thereafter effect the retreat of the said indicators previous to the passage of a
distributing conveyor, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Timothy Alden, have hereunto set my
TIMOTHY ALDEN. (L.S.)
Taken and declared at Her Britannick Majesty's
Consulate, at New York, this Twenty-ninth
day of May, A.D. 1857. Before me,
(L.S.) JOSEPH FOWLER,
H.B.M. As Consul.
New York. 29 May, 1857.