Year: 1889

page_text: A communication from abroad by LOUIS KOSSUTH JOHNSON and ABBOTT AUGUSTUS
Low, both of Brooklyn, United States of America, Citizens of the United States
of America.
I, JOHN CLAYTON MEWBURN of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, 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 :-
These improvements relate to the class of compositors' type cases in which the types
are removed from the lower ends of type containing channels in which the types are
arranged in lines or columns in prescribed position with relation to each other, as
set forth in United States Letters Patent No. 230,784, No. 254,019, No. 263,707,
No. 271,711, No. 279,168 and No. 268,409.
The object of the present invention is to render this class of compositors case more
compact and convenient than heretofore, and the main feature of the invention
consists first, in combining and arranging the type and channel supports &c., in such
imanner that 2 or even 3 channels are accommodated and their types presented for use
in but little more than the space heretofore monopolized by a single channel,-
including in this connection the special form of a duplex "finger piece."
Secondly, in a compositors' case formed to accommodate 2, 3 or more sorts of
types, the containing channels being arranged in parallel series upon bed plates
which are removable from the case bodily, and the case itself being counterweighted
and arranged to be raised or lowered vertically to suit the convenience of the
compositor by suitable means which also sustain it in the required position, and
lastly in certain features of combination and construction hereinafter described.
By utilizing the space in the case heretofore practically valueless, by the use of the
duplex finger pieces, the working area or face of the case can be materially reduced,
thus proportionately reducing the time and labor involved in the operations of setting,
since the hand of the compositor has to travel in the aggregate, a much less distance
than heretofore. The cost of construction is also materially reduced, since double or
treble the number of channels &c. can be provided for without any material increase
in the quantity of material used in constructing the case, while the simplicity of the

page_text: means for adjusting and supporting the type columns renders the cost of the duplex
finger piece but little if any greater than the old form of single finger piece.
Since compositors upon ordinary "solid matter" such as newspaper work &c.
usually have to resort to 3 cases or sorts of type, as agate, non-pareil and minion,
which have heretofore been arranged in separate cases, it is obvious that by con-
centrating all the types required in a single case, the different portions of which case
may be easily and quickly brought into easy reach for use by the operator without
change of position upon his part, the operations of composition will be materially
facilitated.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the suspended type
channel case, without the channels &c., Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, the
vertical rail upon that side being omitted and the lower drum being shown in section
to more clearly illustrate the action of the detent. Figure 3 is a vertical section of
the body of the case with the type channels and their beds removed, Figure 4 is a
side elevation, and Figure 5 a top view of the same. Figure 6 is a front view of one
of the type channel beds removed from the case. Figure 7 is a transverse section
of the same and the adjoining portions of the side of the case. Figure 8 is a detail
view illustrating the method of supporting the front edges of the channel beds by
stationary shoulders extending across the face of the case. Figures 9 to 14 are
detail views, full size, of the duplex finger pieces and adjoining parts of the channel
bed. Figure 9 represents an end view and Figure 10 a face view of the said finger
piece and the lower extremities of type containing channels resting therein: Figures 11
and 12 are opposite side elevations of the same. Figure 13 is a transverse section of
a portion of the channel bed, and Figure 14 a face view of a duplex finger piece
detached from the channel bed.
Figure 15 is an isometrical view of the duplex finger piece.
The body A of the improved compositor's case is suspended vertically in such
manner that it may be conveniently elevated or lowered by the compositor when
he desires to have access to type channels higher or lower than those immediately
opposite him in the case.
It is obvious that various means may be employed for thus raising or lowering the
case bodily, and I do not confine myself strictly to the special construction and
arrangement shown and described herein, as other well known means may be sub-
stituted therefor, but for simplicity, and to enable the operator to readily and
positively control the case in motion or at rest without leaving his position in front of
it, it is preferred to use means substantially like those shown in the accompanying
drawings in which the case A, is suspended from an elevated pulley or windlass a, by
wire ropes b, b, or their equivalent and has its weight neutralized by a counter-
weight B. To hold the parts taut and steady and to afford means for locking them
in a desired position and controlling their speed when in motion, other lower wire
ropes, or equivalents are attached to the under sides of the case A, and
weight B, passing around a lower windlass or drum C, suitably mounted in stationary
bearings. By passing either or both of the ropes b, b₁, one or more times around
their respective drums, according to the weight and strain to which they are to be
subjected, all danger of their slipping over the drums will be obviated; and it
hence only remains to provide suitable means for preventing or controlling the
revolution of one of the drums in order to effectually operate and govern the whole
apparatus.
In the drawings provision is made for thus controlling the motion of the lower
drum C, by the foot of the operator thereby obviating the necessity of his moving or
changing his position in front of the case, and also leaving his hands free to direct the
movement of the case; although it is obvious that the same result may be effected by
other mechanical means.
Referring to the construction shown herein, the foot lever F fulcrumed in suitable
bearings is formed upon one side of its fulcrum with the foot-rest f, underneath which
is arranged a spring which tends constantly to cause the pawl f to press against
the periphery of the drum C and thereby engage with one of the recesses or notches c

page_text: formed therein. The lever F is also formed with an arm f³, which projects under-
neath the drum C, said arm being formed with a brake shoe f which, when the outer
end of the lever F is depressed, and the pawl f2 thereby withdrawn from the notches c¹
in the drum C, engages with the periphery of the said drum, so that the operator, by
varying the pressure exerted upon the outer end of the lever F, can control the
rotation of the drum in either direction.
In order to prevent lateral movement or swinging of the case A, it is preferably
held and guided between 2 or more vertical ways or rails G, suitable friction
wheels g, g being arranged at proper intervals upon the sides of the case to engage
therewith; or any desirable arrangement of upright grooves or guides may be
substituted therefor. In like manner the special method of suspension shown herein
may be varied in accordance with circumstances of use or situation.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the body of the case alone is shown, the type
containing channel plates or beds D being omitted, but their supports a', a² within.
the case being shown in Figures 1 and 3, in which a', a represent the inclined
parallel ribs or supports arranged upon each side wall A', A' of the case, while a², a²
represent the transverse supporting rods or shoulders which extend at the front of the
case between the said side walls A³, A¹.
The transverse rods or shoulders a¹, a' are situated so as to project slightly above
the upper edges of the inclined supports a', a¹ at their forward and lower onds, so
as to engage with and retain the lower front edges of the channel bed plates D, as
illustrated in Figure 8.
In placing the type channel heds in position in the case the upper inner end of
each bed is inserted above one of the front bars or shoulders a² and the hed D slid
upward until the lower front edge of its plate d, falls behind the said shoulder a², as
indicated in Figure 8, which thereafter sustains it in its position upon the inclined
ribs a', a which support the edges of the plate d, at the sides.
Heretofore the type containing chaunnels have been arranged upon their flat sides
in grooves d², separated by solid parallel ribs (corresponding to the spaces d³ in the
drawings), to the lower ends of which the finger pieces J were attached, as will be
seen by reference to the Patents herein before referred to.
But in the present
construction the divisions and grooves for the channel base D are formed by stamping
out a sheet of metal D¹ into the shape shown in Figures 6, 7 and 13, an attaching
such prepared sheet to a suitable base or stiffener d.
By this means in addition to the usual channel grooves d², upon which the type
channels T are arranged upon their flat sides as heretofore, the spaces d³, d³ can be
utilized for the reception of additional type containing channels which latter are
preferably arranged on edge, at or approximating right angles to the channels situated
in the grooves ².
Two extra type containing channels may be thus arranged within the longitudinal
spaces d³, when desirable but it is preferred to arrange a single extra type channel
in each such space as shown in the drawings.
Duplex finger pieces J are used formed each with 2 type channel supporting
shoulders and 2, and adjustable type supports ³, and j³, constituting respectively
the seats J and J. The shanks J³ of the finger pieces J are flanged and are
inserted into the lower ends of the spaces d³, and secured to the plate D', or base d,
or both in any suitable manner, as by riveiting, soldering or otherwise. Aside from
their arrangement at an angle to each other, the type and channel sets J₁, and J
are substantially the same in principle of construction as those shown and described
in United States Letters Patent 268,409 in which an adjustable type supporting
shoulder is described and claimed broadly; in that case the type supporting shoulder
is sufficiently long and wide to bear the whole weight of the column of types above,
and the adjustment of the screw increases or diminishes the size of the transverse
slot formed by and between the lower side wall of the channel and the upper edge
of the type support, the adjusting screw entering the spine of the type containing
channel itself. The present construction embodies a finger piece for the support of
both channel and type column formed with a stationary channel supporting shoulder

page_text: and with means for adjusting the available opening for the removal of the types
below the position of the lower front side wall of the containing channel when in
position.
In the Patent referred to the parallel type supporting shoulder constitutes practically
a part of the type containing channel itself, and substantially the same form of type
shoulder and adjustment might be used upon the finger piece in the present con-
struction in combination with the stationary channel supporting shoulders, but it is
preferred for simplicity, and also for the purpose of decreasing friction and facilitating
a rapid "cut off" or removal of the types, to use a simple screw (j³ or *) projecting
upward through the lower part of the finger piece into the path of the column of
type above when the containing channel is in position. The stationary type floor
or shoulders j³, 18, against which the heels of the lowest types in a column rest is
shown in Figure 10, are situated a sufficient distance below the stationary channel
supporting shoulders j', j, to afford the necessary degree of variation or adjustment
to be attained between the ends of the screws 3, 4, and the lower side walls of the
type containing channels T.
It will be noticed that the protrusion of the ends of the screws j³, j₁, above the
floors jo, jo, not only regulates the available space through which the types may be
withdrawn laterally but also obviates all frictional contact with the types excepting
at the points of contact of the heel with the floor jo, jo, and of the body of the type
with the end of the screw.
In order to render the operation of cutting off or removing a type as rapid as
possible, the screws j, j are arranged well back toward the channel shoulders j¹, j2
as shown in Figure 10, so that only the rear portions of the types rest upon the
screws from which the types will be instantly detached and freed at the commencement
of the lateral movement during their withdrawal.
I am thus, by a simple and cheaper form of construction, not only enabled to
attain the advantages of the adjustment of the type supporting shoulder set forth
in United States Patent No. 268,409 but also to attain in an increased degree the
advantages of the contracted type supporting shoulder described in United States
Patent No. 279,168.
The type containing channels T arranged on the flat, may be inserted or removed
from their grooves and seats as heretofore, and the other type channels T¹ arranged
at an angle may be also in like manner inserted or removed from the front of the
case, the finger pieces J, being formed to permit of their insertion or removal through
the space K, shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14.
In practice the case A may be made to accommodate as many sorts of types as
may be desired, the case shown in the drawings being presumably for newspaper or
other similar work and having accommodation for 15 type channel beds, each of
which, owing to the use of the duplex finger pieces, will accommodate 20 channels so
that the case is adapted to receive 3 sorts of type as non-pareil, minion and agate.
Thus when, in use the compositor desires to change from one sort of type to another
he has simply to press his foot upon the end of the lever F, and raise or lower the
case as required by hand, when by releasing the lever, the case will be automatically
locked in the new position, the exertion required being in any case comparatively
slight, since an equilibrium between the case and the counterweight will be practically
maintained continuously owing to the fact that as fast as a channel is exhausted it
is replaced by a full one thus tending to maintain an average quantity of types in the
case.
When it is desired to change or substitute an entire sort of type the removable
channel beds D, each holding a large number of channels, facilitates the transfer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me, I declare
that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a compositors' type case A, adapted to hold two or more
sunernased serios or fon's of tyne.” substantially as described of the suspenders b. b³.

page_text: and counterpoise B, arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the
purpose described.
2. In combination with a compositors' type case substantially such as designated,
the suspending ropes b, b, drums a and C, and counterweight, arranged and operating
substantially in the manner and for the
described.
purpose
3. In combination with the type case A, counterweight B, pulleys a, C and
suspenders b, b, a foot brake F, arranged and operating substantially in the manner
and for the purpose described.
4. In combination with the type case A, counterweight B, pulleys a, C and
suspenders, ¹, a pawl adapted to automatically engage with and restrain the motion
of the parts, and to be disengaged by foot pressure substantially in the manner and
for the purpose described.
5. In combination with the type case A, counterweight B, pulleys a C and
suspenders, the guides G for preserving the alignment of the case substantially
in the manner and for the purpose described.
6. In a compositors' type case, substantially such as described, a duplex finger
piece formed with separate type channel and type supports, arranged at an angle to
each other substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
111
301
Tana 1880
J. C. MEWBURN.