Improvements in Type Distributing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1899-Accepted, 16th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Distributing Machines.
I. HUBERT BURG, of Mollkirch, near Rosheim, Alsace, Germany, Clergyman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement;―
My invention relates to distributing machines for nicked types, in which lines
of types to be distributed are contained in channels and these latter with the
lowermost type successively presented to a series of distributing slots secured
in a plate and provided with rib combinations corresponding to the several nick
combinations of the types so as to allow of the lowermost type being released
from the line as it reaches its corresponding distributing slot; and the object
of my invention is, first, to provide means for distributing types of different
body sizes by one and the same set of distributing slots corresponding in width,
to the largest body to be used; and, second, to prevent breaking of types as
arising hitherto in the said class of distributing machinery.
I attain these objects by the means represented in the accompanying drawings,
in which Figure 1 is a top view of my invention. Figure 2 a front view thereof,
partially in section on line, t, of Figure 1, and Figure 3 a side view looking
from the right of Figures 1 and 2, the guide rails for the type channels being
removed in Figure 1 for sake of clearness. Figures 4 and 5 are a diagrammatical top
view and a corresponding sectional view respectively explaining the principle of my
invention; Figure 6 is a top view of a modification of my invention, and Figure 7
a side view of the same looking from the right of Figure 6, Figures 6 and 7
corresponding to Figures 1 and 3 respectively. Figures 8 to 10 inclusive are a
top view and partially sectional views of the means for assembling the released
characters, a slight modification of Figure 10 being shown in Figure 11; and
Figures 12 and 13 are a top view and a corresponding side view of a modified
construction of the assembling means.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Referring first to the diagrammatical view, Figure 4, in order to explain the
principle of my invention, a is a horizontal plate provided with ribbed dis-
tributing slots b and showing accordingly nicked types c, d, e, within the said
slots. The slots bare throughout of the same width, the types c, d, e, however,
showing different body sizes.
Supposing these types being the lowermost ones of lines contained respectively
in vertical channels, as indicated by numerals f and g, and in the position repre-
sented with respect to the several slots, they will be obviously released from the
lines and drop through their respective distributing slots independently of the
size of the type body. It will be likewise clear that in the said position of the
types with respect to the slots, any types not accordingly nicked are prevented
by the ribs from passing through the respective slots. But supposing the type
channels being successively shifted across the slots, as commonly, a type as c for
instance of a comparatively small body, which should not pass but through its
proper distributing slot, would obviously pass through any slot, independently
077

page_text: of its nick combination. Therefore, when distributing types of a small body,
the type channel cannot be allowed of passing over the distributing slot but
such a distance that the nicked type edge remains behind the projecting ends
of the ribs, this distance moreover depending upon the depth of the nicks, that
is to say, thát types as c, with flat nicks are to be shifted farther than types with
deeper nicks, as d and e.
As concerning types of a larger body, as e, just fitting in the distributing slots or
nearly so, they cannot be wrongly released even though fully crossing such
slots; but there are other inconveniences met therewith, as appearing from
Figure 5, the removing of which is likewise the object of my invention. Sup-
posing the nick combinations of the lowermost types contained in the distributing
channels not conforming to the respective rib combinations of the distributing
slots, Figure 5, the lowermost type will be prevented from passing through the
slot and should be retained at its place as shown with respect to line fl and
channel g. But in practice the position of the lowermost type in that instance
is somewhat different, as indicated by the types c, d, e¹, their left hand edges
being not supported and therefore slightly lowered beneath the upper level of
slotted plate a, so as to thrust against the opposite edge of the slot when shifting
the type channel across the slot as usual, and cause breakage of types. To
prevent this, the type channels therefore cannot be allowed of crossing the
distributing slots.
In order to avoid the said inconveniences, the type channels in my invention
are given two movements, say a reciprocating movement from the right to the
left and back to the right, Figure 4, for presenting their ends to the distributing
slots in the position represented Figure 4, and then removing them again from
the slots without crossing the same; and, second, a shifting movement for
'successively bringing each channel into the reach of the several distributing
slots, the said shifting movement taking place after the slotted plate likewise
having been shifted so as to present full portions to the open ends of the type
channels, the lowermost types thus being firmly retained in their position.
I am now describing my invention with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and 8 to 10.
In a horizontal frame plate 1 is provided an opening 2, and a plate 3 is
reciprocated therein, being flush with plate 1 and provided with two rows of
ribbed distributing slots 4, 41, as fully appearing from and hereinafter described
with respect to Figures 8 to 10. A reciprocating movement is imparted to
plate 3 from the main driving shaft 5 by means of a cam groove 6 on the inside
of a disc 7 and a rock shaft 8 provided with levers 9, 10, 15, levers 9, 10, being
connected by rods 11, 12, to guide bars 13, 14, of plate 3, and lever 15 engaging
with groove 6 by a roller 16 and connected by a rod 17 to a slide 20. The latter
is guided in 'bearings 18, 19, and temporarily coupled with an adjacent slide 21.
A lever 22 is loosely mounted on the other end of shaft 8, engaging by a
roller 23 with a cam groove 24 of a disc 25 on shaft 5 and connected by a rod 26
to a slide 29. The latter is guided in bearings 27, 28, and temporarily coupled
with an adjacent slide 30. By these means, as appearing from Figure 3,
slide 20 and plate 3 are reciprocated in conformity with each other, and slide 29
in an opposite direction respectively, the strokes of slide 20 and 29 being the
same as to the extent and about the double of the stroke of plate 3.
Above plate 1 are provided a series of receptacles or boxes 31 containing in
channels 32 lines of types to be distributed. The type boxes are carried along
guide ways I, II, as represented by arrows, passing from guide way I to
guide way II on the left, and again from guide way II to guide way I
on the right hand end, so as to perform a continuously circulating move-
ment. On their way above plate 3 the boxes are supported by rollers 33 and
guide rails 34, 35, 36, Figures 2 and 3, plate 3 thus being released from the
weight of the boxes and only charged with the weight of the type columns.
Guide rails 34, 36, are fixed to bars 37, 38 longitudinally extending between
cross bars 39, 40, the latter being supported by the bearings 18, 19, 27, 28; and

page_text: guide rail 35 consists of a I shaped bar bearing with its ends on plate 1. For
sake of clearness with respect to the other parts guide rails and bars 34, 36, 37,
38, 39, 40, have not been represented in Figure 1.
Each type box is provided on the lower part of its ends with teeth 41, 42, to
engage with racks 43, 44, performing a swinging and a reciprocating movement
and serving the purposes of reciprocating the type columns to and from the
distributing slots, of shifting the same step by step into the reach of the several
slots and carrying the boxes along their ways.
.
The racks 43, 44, are loosely guided in sleeves 45, 46, and engage by studs 47,
48, with the forked ends of levers 49, 50, mounted on rock shafts 51 and 52
respectively.
Shaft 51 is rocked by a lever 53 fixed thereto and engaging by a roller 54
with a cam groove 55 of disc 25, and shaft 52 is similarly rocked by a lever 56,
roller 57, and cam groove 58 of disc 7.
By these means the racks 43, 44, are intermittingly reciprocated within their
guide sleeves in accordance with the shape of cam grooves 55, 58.
Sleeve 45 is supported by two arms 59, 60, pivotted on studs 61, 62, beneath
plate 1 and firmly connected to slotted levers 63, 64, pins 65, 66, being fixed
to the guide bars 13, 14, of plate 3 and engaging with the slots of levers 63, 64.
With respect to sleeve 46 the corresponding parts are indicated by numerals 67,
68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 respectively. Levers 63, 64, and 71, 72, extending
respectively in opposite directions from their shafts, the sleeves 45, and 46 are
simultaneously rocked in opposite directions so as to bring racks 43 and 44
simultaneously into and out of engagement with the teeth 41 of the boxes
travelling on guide way I and the teeth 42 of the boxes travelling on guide
way II respectively. Thus during the engagement of the racks with the teeth
of the boxes, the latter will be reciprocated together with the racks but remain
stationary during the other time.
By means of the cam grooves 6, 55, 58, plate 3 and boxes 31 are shifted with
respect to each other as follows:-Plate 3 is kept at rest for a time at the ends
of its stroke during the passage on roller 16 of the circular portions k, l,
and m, n, of cam groove 6. During the passage on roller 16 of the portion m, n,
plate is kept in the position represented Figure 1, with slots 4¹ in the guide
way II and in the path of the type boxes travelling that way, the row of slots 4
being out of guide way I and the path of the corresponding boxes. During
this time of rest, racks 43, 44, are in engagement with the teeth 41 and 42 of
the boxes on guide ways I and II respectively, as appearing from Figures 3 and 1,
and as at the same time the portion o, p, of cam groove 58 passes on roller 57,
rack 44 together with the boxes on guide way II will be shifted towards the
left, presenting the lowermost types of these boxes to the slots 4¹ in a position
as heretofore described with reference to Figure 4.
Rack 44 is then stopped for a short time in this position of the boxes in
order to allow the respective types of dropping through the corresponding slots,
and after that reciprocated back the same distance to the position represented
Figure 1, in which the type columns bear against the full portions or partitions
between the several slots 41 of plate 3. In the meantime, portion q, r, of cam
groove 55 has passed on roller 54, shifting rack 43 together with the boxes on
guide way
from the right to the left a distance of two adjacent slots 4.
As now plate 3 performs its stroke, racks 43, 44, are temporarily disengaged
from the teeth 41, 42, of the boxes owing to the shape of slots of the levers 63,
64, and 71, 72, Figure 3, rack 43 thus being shifted inoperative towards the
right and rack 44 kept stationary. During the following stand still period
of plate 3 at the end of its stroke, the racks are again engaging with the teeth
of the boxes, and the slots 4 placed in the path of the boxes on guide way I,
slots 4' being at the same time removed out of the guide way II.
As now rack 43 performs its reciprocating movement towards the left and
back towards the right together with the boxes on guide way I, the lowermost

page_text: types of these boxes are presented to the distributing slots 4 and the respective
types released to pass through the corresponding slots, whilst at the same time
the boxes on guide way II are shifted by rack 44 a distance of two adjacent
slots, the lowermost types of the latter boxes bearing again on full portions of
plate 3 during this shifting movement.
During the following stroke of plate 3, rack 44 is shifted inoperative back
towards the left, and rack 43 kept stationary, thus all parts assuming again the
position represented in the drawing after a complete revolution of shaft 5.
By these means therefore the boxes on one guide way are reciprocated to
present the types to the several distributing slots, without crossing the said
slots by the type channels, whilst the boxes on the other guide way are simul-
taneously shifted a distance of two adjacent slots, this shifting movement taking
place on a full portion of the slotted plate and the shifting of the boxes thus
being likewise performed without crossing the distributing slots by the type
channels.
The shifting of the type boxes from guide way I to guide way II and back
to guide way I is performed as follows:-A pawl 75 is pivotted to slide 21 to
engage with a tooth 76 of slide 20, and is normally held out of engagement with
the tooth by a spring 82. But as the box 31* in its successive shifting movement
on guide way I is forwarded to freely project therefrom, it reaches the pawl
and the latter is thrown into engagement with tooth 76, plate 3, and slide 20
assuming then the position represented in Figure 1.
In consequence thereof, at the next following stroke of slide 20 and of plate 3
slide 21 will be shifted together with slide 20, taking along with the released
box by means of an angle piece 77 and shifting the same into the path of guide
way II. The shifted box is stopped by a fixed rail 78 and intercepted on its
other side by a rail 79 projecting lengthwise from a spring actuated swinging
frame 79, 80, 81, so as to be guided between rails 78 and 79.
Slide 20 performing its back stroke takes along with the slide 21 by a finger
84 and a pin 85 restoring slide 21 to its normal position represented in the
drawing, whilst pawl 75 released from the pressure of the box is thrown out of
engagement with tooth 76 by means of spring 82 to bear against a stop pin 83.
By similar means, the boxes are shifted on the right hand end from guide
way II to guide way I, as appearing from the drawing, the corresponding swing-
ing frame S6, 87, SS, being moreover represented Figure 3 in side view.
I am now describing the modification of my invention represented, Figures 6,
7, and 12.
In this modification, distributing plate 31 is provided with four rows of
distributing slots 4*, 4**, 4***, 4**** in order to enlarge the capacity of the
apparatus. In Figures 6 and 7, I have indicated by corresponding indexed
numerals the parts corresponding to Figures 1 and 3 as to construction and
operation. I am therefore describing hereinafter only the novel parts appearing
in the present modification. As concerning the lateral cam grooves of discs 71,
251, to engage with the rollers 161, 231, of levers 151, 221, I have not represented
the same in Figure 7 for sake of clearness with respect to the other parts, as
moreover they do not at all differ from the corresponding cam grooves 6, 24,
appearing in Figure 3.
The rocking movement of sleeves 45' and 461, and racks 431, 44', is performed
by means of cam discs 89, 90, and levers 93, 94, engaging with cam grooves 91,
92, of the discs by rollers 95, 96. Lever 94 is pivotted to a stud 621 and firmly
connected to an arm 601 and a lever 97, the latter being pivotally connected to
a lever 98 pivotting on a stud 70 and firmly connected to an arm 681. By
similar means, the armis 591, 671, are actuated from lever 93. The racks 43', 441,
therefore will engage with the teeth. 41, 421, of the type boxes during the
passage on rollers 95, 96, of the large circular portions of grooves 91, 92, and
will be kept out of engagement with teeth 41, 421, as the short projecting por-
tions s, t, of grooves 91, 92 pass on the said rollers, the period of the said dis-

page_text: engagement beginning after three quarter of one revolution of shaft 5¹ from its
position represented Figures 6 and 7.
During the stand still period of plate 31 at the end of its stroke, represented
in the drawing, the distributing slots 4** are in place beneath the type boxes
on guide way I, and slots 4**** beneath the type boxes on guide way II.
As then the portions o, p, and ol, pl, of the cam grooves of cam discs 7¹, 25¹,
passed on rollers 57 and 54' respectively, the type boxes on both guide ways
have been reciprocated by the racks 433, 44', engaging therewith to present the
types to the distributing slots, release types respectively and restore the boxes
again to their position represented in the drawing with the type columns bear-
ing on the full portions between the distributing slots. As then plate 3' per-
forms its stroke, the boxes are kept stationary and the type columns therefore
further supported by full portions of plate 31. At the end of the plate stroke,
the slots 4 are in place beneath the type boxes on guide way I, and the slots 4***
beneath the boxes on guide way II, the type columns bearing again on the
partitions between the several slots.
Plate 3 is now kept stationary and during this period, the type boxes still
engaging with the racks are reciprocated to distribute types and assume again
their normal position. Shaft 5 has then performed half a revolution, and
plate 31 begins its back stroke, the type columns being again supported by full
portions of the plate.
On the midway of this stroke that is to say as the full sections v, w, of plate 3',
Figure 12, pass beneath the type boxes on guide ways I and II respectively,
the following movements take place: Racks 431, 44', being at the same time
disengaged from the type boxes are shifted, riz.: rack 431 a step towards the
right, and rack 44' a step towards the left, and then at once coupled again with
the type boxes (as the groove portions s, t, are very short), and at once shifted
back, viz. rack 431 towards the left, and rack 44¹ towards the right, thus shifting
the type boxes a distance of two adjacent slots on their respective guide ways and
in the direction of the arrows respectively.
Therefore at the end of the stroke of plate 31, as represented in the drawing,
the type columns are again bearing on the partitions between the slots 4**
and 4 respectively, the type boxes however having been shifted a step.
Plate 3 will then be reciprocated again, and the above described movements of
parts repeated in the same succession. Accordingly to my invention, the type
lines to be distributed are therefore shifted step by step on the guide ways I
and II and successively presented to the several distributing slots, without
crossing the latter.
The shifting of the type boxes from guide way I into guide way II and from
the latter back to guide way I is performed by the same means as described
with reference to Figure I and represented in the drawing.
The means for assembling the released types are represented in Figures 8 to 13
inclusive, Figures 8 to 11 referring to the feature of my invention represented
in Figures 1 to 3, and Figures 12, 13 to the modification shown in Figures 6
and Figure 9 is a left hand view of Figure 8 partially in section on line y, y,
and Figure 10 a front and partially sectional view of Figure 8. Figure 13 is a
front view of Figure 12.
Referring to Figures 8, 9, and 10, the distributing plate 3 consists of
three sections 99, 100, 101 leaving clear spaces between each other and
extending between bars 13, 14. The distributing slots are formed by par-
titions 102 inserted between the said sections, and provided with rib pro-
jections 103, 104 on their upper edge, as represented in Figures 8 and 9
with respect to several slots 4. There are fixed to the underside of plate 3
inclined guide plates 105, 106, Figure 10, extending with strips 107, 108, into
the several slots 4 and 41 respectively and provided with guide grooves 109, 110.
There are secured partition strips 111 at the lower ends of plates 105, 106, leaving

page_text: clear spaces 112 between each other in such manner that every two of the
grooves 109, 110, in line with each other will discharge into one and the same
clear space 112. Beneath the strips 111 and in close proximity thereof an end-
less web 113 is continuously running and an inclined guide plate 114 is secured
in front of the web, provided with grooves in line with the clear spaces 112,
the said grooves discharging into the several assembling channels for the types.
As the types released pass through the distributing slots, they are at once inter-
cepted by the strips 107, 108, and accordingly tilted so as to descend by gravity
on guide plates 105, 106, and pass on web 113. By the latter, in combination
with the guide strips 111, the types are delivered to the respective grooves of
guide plate 114 and finally discharged into their assembling receptacles. The
web running continuously, whilst plates 105, 106, perform a reciprocating move-
ment, it may occur that the types are to be passed from the plates onto the web
within the period of the commonly directed movement of both.
In order to prevent the types then being troubled in their course the web
is given a faster speed than the plates so that the relative movement of both
takes always place in the same direction independently of the plates being
shified either the one or the other way.
It will be obvious that in the construction represented Figure 10 each two
distributing slots 4 and 4¹ placed in line with each other are supposed to be
uniformly ribbed so as to release both like type character as the respective types
reach one and the same assembling receptacle. In order to free the said cou-
struction from such restriction, I have substituted for the one common web 113
two separate webs 115, 116, Figure 10, and accordingly provided two guide
plates 117, 118, delivering each the types to separate assembling boxes.
In the assembling device represented Figures 12 and 13, endless running
webs are dispensed with, and the several distributing slots 4*, 4**, 4***, 4***
placed in line with each other are supposed to release distinct type characters.
To this purpose the guide plates 119, 120, 121, 122 (corresponding to
plates 105, 106 of Figure 10) are provided with spring tongues 123, 124, 125, 126
extending from the several guide grooves of the plates between partitions 127
of a guide box and bearing against guide rails 128, 129, 130, 131 secured
between each two partitions. In the relative position of the parts, as represented
Figure 13, the tongues are kept straight, whilst at the end of the left hand
stroke of plate 3' they will assume a slightly curved shape, as indicated with
respect to plate 119 and its corresponding tongue 123 by numerals 1191 and 123¹.
By these means each type released is carried to its assembling box in whatever
relative position of the reciprocated plate 31 with respect to the stationary guide
box.
It may be observed that the assembling apparatus represented in Figures 11
and 13 can likewise be used in combination with a distributing plate provided
with a plurality of uniformly ribbed distributing slots releasing like type
characters at different places, as it may be convenient with respect to the
characters most frequently used in order to enlarge the capacity of the distribut-
ing apparatus.
This object is attained without any departure from the means represented by
finally joining the several guide grooves for like types to a common guide dis-
charging into the respective assembling box.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of a type
box provided with channels for lines of types to be distributed, a guide way for
guiding the type box, means for alternately reciprocating and shifting the type
box along its guide way, a movable distributing plate provided with ribbed

page_text: distributing slots, and means for reciprocating the said plate across the path of
the type box and underneath the same, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
2. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of type boxes
provided with channels for lines of types to be distributed, a guide way for
guiding the type boxes, means for alternately reciprocating and shifting the
type boxes along its guide way, means for shifting the type boxes from and to
the guide way, a movable distributing plate provided with ribbed distributing
slots, and means for reciprocating the said plate across the path of the type
boxes and underneath the same, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of type
boxes provided with channels for lines of types to be distributed, a plurality of
guide ways parallel to each other for guiding the type boxes, means for alternately
reciprocating and shifting the type boxes along the guide ways, means for shift-
ing the type boxes from and to the guide ways, a movable distributing plate
provided with ribbed distributing slots, being arranged in parallel rows, and
means for reciprocating the said plate across the path of the type boxes and
underneath the same, substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of a type
box provided with channels for lines of types to be distributed, a guide way
for guiding the type box, a movable rack to temporarily engage with the type
box, means for alternately reciprocating, swinging and shifting the rack and
thereby alternately reciprocating and shifting the type box along its guide way,
a movable distributing plate provided with ribbed distributing slots, and means
for reciprocating the said plate across the path of the type box, and underneath
the same, substantially as and for the purposes described.
5. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of type
boxes provided with channels for lines of types to be distributed, a plurality
of guide ways parallel to each other for guiding the type boxes, movable
racks to temporarily engage with the type boxes, means for alternately recipro-
cating, swinging and shifting the racks and thereby alternately reciprocating
and shifting the type boxes along the guide ways, means for shifting the type
boxes from and to the guide ways, a movable distributing plate provided with
ribbed distributing slots, being arranged in parallel rows, and means for recip-
rocating the said plate across the path of the type boxes and underneath the
same, substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of type
boxes provided with channels for lines of types to be distributed, a plurality of
guide ways parallel to each other for guiding the type boxes, means for alter-
nately reciprocating and shifting the type boxes along the guide ways, a recip-
rocating slide arranged at each end of the guide ways and crossing the same, a
movable bar adjacent to each of the reciprocating slides and provided with a
lateral arm to engage with the outmost type box, means for temporarily coupling
the movable bar, with the reciprocating slide and at the same time shifting the
outmost type box from one guide way to the other, a movable distributing plate
provided with ribbed distributing slots, being arranged in parallel rows, and
means for reciprocating the said plate across the path of the type boxes and
underneath the same, substantially as and for the purposes described.
7. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of a movable
distributing plate provided with ribbed distributing slots, means for reciprocating
the said plate, inclined guide plates fixed to the underside of the distributing
plate underneath the slots and provided with guide grooves for the released
types, stationary assembling receptacles for the types, and movable connections
between the said guide plates and the stationary assembling receptacles, to
receive the types descending from the guide plates and carrying them to the
assembling receptacles, substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: 8. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of a movable
distributing plate provided with ribbed distributing slots, means for reciprocat-
ing the said plate, inclined guide plates fixed to the underside of the distributing
plate underneath the slots and provided with guide grooves for the released
types, stationary assembling receptacles for the types, and a series of spring
tongues fixed with one end to the guide plates and bearing with their other
ends on fixed guide rails of the assembling receptacles, to receive the types
descending from the guide plates and carrying them to the assembling recep-
tacles, substantially as and for the purposes described.
9. In an apparatus for distributing nicked types, the combination of a movable
distributing plate provided with ribbed distributing slots, means for reciprocat-
ing the said plate, inclined guide plates fixed to the underside of the distributing
plate underneath the slots and provided with guide grooves for the released
types, stationary assembling receptacles for the types, and an endless running
web or a plurality of such webs, to receive the types descending from the guide
plates and carrying them to the assembling receptacles, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
Dated this ath day of July Ho
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Hubert Burg.