Improvements in Machinery for Distributing and for Setting up Type.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 26th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Distributing and for Setting up
Type.
I, JOHN HOOKER, of Lancaster Place, Station Road, Beccles, in the County
of Suffolk, Printer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In some distributing machines especially in distributing machines such as are
described in the Specification of a Patent to William Hazlett Mitchell No. 155 in
the year 1857 a line of type is fed to the machine along a feed channel by a driver
drawn along the channel by a cord and weight and when the line of type has been
fed to the machine the driver has to be drawn back by the attendant and another
line placed into position for the driver to push it forwards and during this time the
machine is running without doing work.
By my invention I make the feed continuous so that the machine may be kept
continuously at work and the amount of work performed by the machine will be
greatly increased. To do this I use two drivers which are made to come into
action successively one after the other. Each driver is formed of a block which
slides in grooves or guides above the level of the top of the line of type which is
to be fed to the machine. From the block a thin blade descends into the channel
along which the line of type is being fed-this blade is movable and can be raised
out from the channel when required. The blade is carried by a slide which has an
arm extending sidewise from it. When either of the blocks has arrived to within
two or three inches of the delivery end of the feed channel a lever worked by a
cam acts against the arm which extends from the slide and lifts the blade clear of
the type, this leaves the block free to be at once drawn forward by the weighted
cord which is acting upon it and when it has been drawn to the end of the guideways
or grooves it is free to be lifted away and moved back to the entrance end of the
guideways.
Sometime prior to the block being liberated in this manner another line of type is
placed into the feed channel in rear of the block and a second block is made to act
against the rear end of this line and so this second line follows on close in rear of
that which is pushed forward by the first block only the thin movable blade of this
block then separating the lines of type. When the blade is raised the two lines of
type meet and become continuous and are pushed forward by the action of the
second block and so on continuously. The underside of the blocks comes just above
the top of the type and the thin blade passes downwards through and fits a slot in
the block so that when the blade is lifted the type on either side of it cannot be
lifted along with it. The underside of the tail end of each block is inclined
upwards so that the foremost type of the line of type placed in rear of it may
readily be pushed forward below it and brought against the thin blade.
In order that the movable blade of the driver may be lifted and put out of action
at the proper time I cause the lever to be acted upon by a cam so set that the blade
shall be moved out of action at the time when the foremost type in the line is
resting against a finger which is acted on by another cam and allowed to recede
slowly whilst the type which was previously foremost in the line is carried away
sidewise to be delivered to the distributing drum of the machine.
In Mitchell's machine provision is only made for distributing about forty types.
In order to increase the number to be distributed, I so arrange the classes or
divisions into which the types are arranged around the machine, in such a manner
that a number of thin types and a number of thick types may each have exactly
the same nicks for distributing them into their channels, but I arrange a projecting

page_text: platform at the point where the types should be lowered by their class-nick, in such
a way that the thin types are allowed to pass down the incline and so allowed to
drop and rest on the pins of the ring in the proper position to be shipped off, while
the thicker types, bridging over the distance formed by the groove, rest on the
projection, and are thus prevented from sliding down the incline, but pass on to the
next class, where there is no projecting bridge, and are there allowed to run down
the incline, and pass on to their second- nick, and thus be made to drop into their
proper channel.
The columns of type of like kinds set up by the distributing machine are taken
as required to the setting up machine.
In order to enable a compositor working the setting up machine to expeditiously
break up the line of set up type which issues from the machine into short lines of
approximately the required length for the width say of the page of a book I
provide the setting up machine with an indicator one pointer of which indicates the
increase in length of the type line as each type is liberated from the reservoirs of
the setting machine whilst another pointer indicates the number of words or spaces
in the line. This enables the compositor to judge accurately whether to divide a
word near the end of a line or to put in the whole word and the number of words
or spaces being indicated will enable the compositor to judge accurately the amount
of space at his disposal in each line and will thus secure proper and even spacing.
The indicator for indicating the length of line I construct to shew it in "
parts" preferably of an em" (the em" being the square of the body of
the type used) and the types are divided into classes according to their thickness-
the classes running from 2 to 1 of the "em."
66
66
"
ems or
The indicator may be worked mechanically or electrically and may be adapted
to any type setting machine but preferably I work it electrically and use it in
conjunction with an electro magnetic type setting machine such as is described
in the Specification of a former Patent granted to me No. 477 in the year 1874.
When working the indicator electrically and in conjunction with machines such
as are described in the above Specification I attach contact arms to the armatures
of the electro magnets used for liberating the type one by one from the type
reservoirs.
When any one or other of the armatures is drawn down its contact arm near the
end of its movement is caused to make contact with one or other of a set of
metallic conductors which run the length of the machine. In doing so it closes a
circuit through the coils of one or other of a series of electro magnets used for
giving movement to the hands of the indicator. The axis on which the indicator
hands are mounted I range in a line with one another. Each hand is carried by a
tubular sleeve which can turn freely around the axis but which is clutched to it
whilst a line is being set up. Each axis has a ratchet or other toothed wheel fast
with it. The toothed wheel on the axis of the "em" indicator hand can be turned
step by step a greater or less distance by one or other of a series of pawls or
drivers operated by the armatures of the electro magnets above mentioned. For
one class of letters such as u, n, v &c. the wheel would be turned one distance, for
another class of letters such as 1, i, f &c. the wheel would be turned a shorter
distance and so on.
Similarly the space indicator hand is turned step by step as each space is delivered
to be set up in the line.
The "space hand" only moves when a space is liberated but whenever the space
hand is moved the hand for indicating the length of the line is moved with it a
distance corresponding to the width of the space used.
"
or it
At the end of each line the operator causes two specially formed "blanks
might be a single blank to be delivered and set up at the end of the line to divide
it from the next.
The armatures of the electro magnets used for delivering these blanks from their
reservoirs carry contact arms which when the armatures are attracted bring back
the indicator hands to zero. When two blanks are delivered in succession I

page_text: preferably cause the armature which causes the delivery of the first blank to carry
a contact arm which when the armature is attracted completes a circuit through
the coil of an electro magnet the armature of which when attracted causes a
hammer to strike a travelling strip of paper against any one or other of a number
of figures that may then have been brought opposite the hammer.
The figures
are upon the circumference of an arc on the sleeve which carries the "space"
indicator hand and the number printed on the paper will indicate the number of
spaces in the line.
"
The record thus obtained would be taken with each galley to the justifying
machine and by suitable mechanism made to unwind and display to the operator as
each line was taken into the machine to be justified the number of spaces in each
line thus saving the time and trouble of counting.
The armature of the electro magnet which causes the delivery of the second blank
carries a contact arm which completes a circuit through the coils of another electro
magnet the armature of which when attracted liberates both indicator hands from
their axes and allows them to be brought back to zero by springs or weights.
In place of the index hands being made to turn on axes as above described they
might be moved in straight lines and carried by straight toothed racks to which a
step by step movement is imparted.
In this case pawls worked by magnets arranged as previously described will move
these racks a distance according to the thickness of the type liberated and when the
compositor has liberated sufficient type to form a line all the pawls which retain the
racks may be withdrawn either by the action of a magnet or otherwise and the racks
with the index hands allowed to return to zero.
As the type passes from the setting machine it advances in a long line the
types at intervals being separated by the specially formed blanks above mentioned
into short lines of the required length.
As the long line advances I cause the short lines to be delivered one by one into
a galley in the following manner.
As the line advances towards the galley it is made to pass under a finger or feeler
which is pressed lightly against the type by a spring. The finger is made to bear
upon the centre of each type as it passes below it.
The blanks above mentioned are hollowed at the centre so that when the blanks
come below the finger the finger drops between them and two pins which it carries
drop into two holes formed through the two ends of the foremost blank.
The finger is carried by a block which can be moved to and fro along guides
which are parallel with the line of type.
As the finger drops, an arm on the opposite side of its axis is raised-this brings
it into the path of a pusher to which a slow reciprocating to and fro movement is
continuously imparted.
When the pusher in its forward movement comes against the tail end of the
finger it carries the finger forward along with it and so carries forward the blank
which the finger is holding and all the types that are in front of the blank and
pushes them into one of the lines or divisions of a galley which at the time has been
brought to coincide with the line of type.
As the types are being thus pushed into the galley they pass under and slightly
lift a catch which when the last letter in the line has passed on to the galley drops
into the hollow between the last type and the blank and so prevents the return of
any of the type.
When the pusher goes back the block which carries the finger is drawn back
along with it by the action of a weighted cord.
The finger carries back the blank along with it as the finger is being thus carried
back it is brought against an incline which lifts its acting end and after clearing it
from the blank leaves it resting as before upon the type in the line and ready to
again move forward the next short line. Two blanks will in this way be left in
front of the short line and when this line is pushed forward into the galley they
will be pushed forward along with it.

page_text: After a line has so been delivered into the galley it is caused to rise a proper
distance by a rack attached to it and by a pawl moved at the required time.
The pawl may be carried by a rod parallel with the rack and coupled to one arm
of a lever which is rocked in a direction to lower the pawl when the block that
carries the finger above mentioned is moved forwards and rocked in the opposite
direction when the block is carried back. A projection from the block may act
upon the one arm when the block is moved forward and a projection from the
pusher acts upon the other arm when the pusher gets back. When the galley is
full it may be taken to a justifying machine for the lines to be justified or they may
be justified by hand.
If desired arrangements might be made for lowering the galley instead of raising
it after each short line of type has been delivered into it.
Either the indicator or the mechanism for delivering lines of type of the
proper length into a galley or both may be used with other forms of type setting
machines.
The indicator itself may also be actuated mechanically instead of electrically.
In this case keys or buttons when pressed down might be made to actuate levers
which work pawls instead of the pawls being worked by electro magnets.
Dated this 27th day of December 1890.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Distributing and for Setting up
Type.
I, JOHN HOOKER, of Lancaster Place, Station Road, Beccles, in the County
of Suffolk, Printer, 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:-
In some distributing machines especially in distributing machines such as are
described in the Specification of a Patent to William Hazlett Mitchell No. 155 in
the year 1857 a line of type is fed to the machine along a feed channel by a driver
drawn along the channel by a cord and weight and when the line of type has been
fed to the machine the driver has to be drawn back by the attendant and another
line placed into position for the driver to push it forwards and during this time the
machine is running without doing work.
By my invention I make the feed continuous so that the machine may be kept
continuously at work and the amount of work performed by the machine will be
greatly increased. To do this I use two drivers which are made to come into
action successively one after the other. Each driver is formed of a block which
slides in grooves or guides above the level of the top of the line of type which is to
be fed to the machine. From the block a thin blade descends into the channel
along which the line of type is being fed--this blade is movable and can be raised
out from the channel when required. The blade is carried by a slide which has an
arm extending sidewise from it. When either of the blocks has arrived to within
two or three inches of the delivery end of the feed channel a lever worked by a
cam acts against the arm which extends from the slide and causes the blade to be
lifted clear of the type, this leaves the block free to be at once drawn, forward by
the weighted cord which is acting upon it and when it has been drawn to the end
of the guideways or grooves it is free to be lifted away and moved back to the
entrance end of the guideways.
Sometime prior to the block being liberated in this manner another line of type
is placed into the feed channel in rear of the block and a second block is made to
act against the rear end of this line and so this second line follows on close in rear
of that which is pushed forward by the first block only the thin movable blade of

page_text: this block then separating the lines of type. When the blade is raised the two
lines of type meet and become continuous and are pushed forward by the action of
the second block and so on continuously. The underside of the blocks comes just
above the top of the type and the thin blade passes downwards through and fits a
slot in the block so that when the blade is lifted the type on either side of it
cannot be lifted along with it. The underside of the tail end of each block is
inclined upwards so that the foremost type of the line of type placed in rear of it
may readily be pushed forward below it and brought against the thin blade.
In order that the movable blade of the driver may be lifted and put out of action
at the proper time I cause the lever to be acted upon by a cam so set that the blade
shall be moved out of action at the time when the foremost type in the line is
resting against a vibrating finger which is acted on by another cam and allowed to
recede slowly whilst the type which was previously foremost in the line is carried
away sidewise to be delivered to the distributing drum of the machine.
In Mitchell's machine provision is only made for distributing about forty types.
In order to increase the number to be distributed I so arrange the classes or
divisions into which the types are arranged around the machine, in such a manner
that a number of thin types and a number of thick types may each have exactly
the same nicks for distributing them into their channels, but I arrange a projecting
platform at the point where the types should be lowered by their class-nick, in
such a way that the thin types are allowed to pass down the incline and so
allowed to drop and rest on the pins of the ring in the proper position to be
slipped off, while the thicker types, bridging over the distance formed by the
groove are slipped off their class-nick, rest on the projection and replaced on
the same nick and are thus prevented from sliding down the incline, but pass on
to the next class, where there is no projecting bridge, and are then allowed to
run down the incline, and pass on to their second nick and thus be made to drop
into their proper channel.
The columns of type of like kinds set up by the distributing machine are taken
as required to the setting up machine.
In order to enable a compositor working the setting up machine to expeditiously.
break up the line of set up type which issues from the machine into short lines of
approximately the required length for the width say of the page of a book I provide
the setting up machine with an indicator one pointer of which indicates the increase
in length of the type line as each type is liberated from the reservoirs of the setting
machine whilst another pointer indicates the number of words or spaces in the line.
This enables the compositor to judge accurately whether to divide a word near the
end of a line or to put in the whole word and the number of words or spaces being
indicated will enable the compositor to judge accurately the amount of space at his
disposal in cach line and will thus secure proper and even spacing. The indicator
for indicating the length of line I construct to shew it in " ems
or « parts
preferably of an "em" (the "em" being the square of the body of the largest-
type used) and the types are divided into classes according to their thickness-the
classes running from 1 to 13 of the em.
23
-
"
22
When working the indicator electrically and in conjunction with machines such
as are described in the Specification of a former Patent granted to me No. 477 in
the year 1874 I attach contact arms to the armatures of the electro magnets used
for liberating the type one by one from the type reservoirs.
When any one or other of the armatures is drawn down its contact arm near the
end of its movement is caused to make contact with one or other of a set of metallic
conductors which run the length of the machine. In doing so it closes a circuit
through the coils of one or other of a series of electro magnets used for giving
movement to the hands of the indicator. Each hand is carried by a tubular sleeve
which can turn freely around an axis. Each sleeve has a ratchet or other toothed
wheel locked to it whilst a line is being set up. The toothed wheel locked to
the axis of the "em "indicator hand can be turned step by step a greater or less
distance by one or other of a series of pawls or drivers operated by the armatures.

page_text: of the electro magnets above mentioned. For one class of letters such as un v &c.
the wheel would be turned one distance, for another class of letters such as lif &c.
the wheel would be turned a shorter distance and so on.
Similarly the space indicator hand is turned step by step as each space is delivered
to be set up in the line.
The "space hand" only moves when a space is liberated but whenever the space
hand is moved the hand for indicating the length of the line is moved with it a
distance corresponding to the width of the space used.
" or it
At the end of each line the operator causes two specially formed "blanks
might be a single blank to be delivered and set up at the end of the line to divide
it from the next.
The armatures of the electro magnets used for delivering these blanks from their
reservoirs carry contact arms which when the armatures are attracted bring back
the indicator hands to zero. When two blanks are delivered in succession I
preferably cause the armature which causes the delivery of the first blank to carry
a contact arm which when the armature is attracted completes a circuit through
the coil of an electro magnet the armature of which when attracted causes a
hammer to strike a travelling strip of paper against any one or other of a number
of figures that may then have been brought opposite the hammer. The figures are
upon the circumference of an arc on the sleeve which carries the "space" indicator
hand and the number printed on the paper will indicate the number of spaces in
the line.
The record thus obtained would be taken with each galley to the justifying
machine and by suitable mechanism made to unwind and display to the operator as
each line was taken into the machine to be justified the number of spaces in each
line thus saving the time and trouble of counting.
The armature of the electro magnet which causes the delivery of the second
blank carries a contact arm which completes a circuit through the coils of another
electro magnet the armature of which when attracted liberates, both indicator
hands from their axes and allows them to be brought back to zero by springs or
weights.
In place of the index hands being made to turn on axes as above described they
might be moved in straight lines and carried by straight toothed racks to which a
step by step movement is imparted.
In this case pawls worked by magnets arranged as previously described will
move these racks a distance according to the thickness of the type liberated and
when the compositor has liberated sufficient type to form a line all the pawls which
retain the racks may be withdrawn either by the action of a magnet or otherwise
and the racks with the index hands allowed to return to zero.
As the type passes from the setting machine it advances in a long line the types
at intervals being separated by the specially formed blanks above mentioned into
short lines of the required length.
As the long line advances I cause the short lines to be delivered one by one into
a galley in the following manner.
As the line advances towards the galley it is made to pass under a finger or
feeler which is pressed lightly against the type by a spring. The finger is made to
bear upon the centre of each type as it passes below it.
The blanks above mentioned are hollowed at the centre so that when the blanks
come below the finger the finger drops between them and two pins which it carries
drop into two holes formed through the two ends of the foremost blank.
The finger is carried by a block which can be moved to and fro along guides
which are parallel with the line of type.
As the finger drops, an arm on the opposite side of its axis is raised-this brings
it into the path of a pusher to which a slow reciprocating to and fro movement is
continuously imparted.
When the pusher in its forward movement comes against the tail end of the
finger it carries the finger forward along with it and so carries forward the blank

page_text: which the finger is holding and all the types that are in front of the blank and
pushes them into one of the lines or divisions of a galley which at the time has been
brought to coincide with the line of type.
As the types are being thus pushed into the galley they pass under and slightly
lift a catch which when the last letter in the line has passed on to the galley drops
into the hollow between the last type and the blank and so prevents the return of
any of the type.
When the pusher goes back the block which carries the finger is drawn back
along with it by the action of a weighted cord and the finger carries back the blank
along with it. As the finger is being thus carried back it is brought against an
incline which lifts its acting end and after clearing it from the blank leaves it
resting as before upon the type in the line, and ready to again move forward the
next short line. Two blanks will in this way be left in front of the short line and
when this line is pushed forward into the galley they will be pushed forward along
with it.
After a line has so been delivered into the galley it is caused to rise a proper
distance by a rack attached to it and by a pawl moved at the required time.
When the galley is full it may be taken to a justifying machine for the lines to
be justified or they may be justified by hand.
If desired arrangements might be made for lowering the galley instead of raising
it after each short line of type has been delivered into it.
Either the indicator or the mechanism for delivering lines of type of the proper
length into a galley or both may be used with other forms of type setting
machines.
The indicator itself may also be actuated mechanically instead of electrically.
In this case keys or buttons when pressed down might be made to actuate levers
which work pawls instead of the pawls being worked by electro magnets.
Figures 1 and 14 shew a plan view and Figures 2 and 24 a side elevation of the
greater part of a distributing machine such as is described in the Specification of
the above mentioned Patent having my improvements applied to it.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a portion of the machine shewing how the
distributed type are set up in line in the receiving channels.
Figures 4 and 5 are vertical sections of one of the slides by which the line of
type in the feeding channel is fed forward continuously.
Figure 6 is a face view of a portion of the revolving wheel and one of the bridge
pieces past which the wheel travels.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are vertical cross sections through the wheel in different
positions shewing how the thick type are supported by the bridge piece.
Figure 10 is a similar face view and Figures 11, 12 and 13 are similar vertical
sections shewing how the thin type drop on to an inclined supporting ledge which
lowers them until they are supported by the next nick which they have formed
in them.
Figures 14 shew side views of four sets of types which the machine can be made
to separate without the use of any bridge pieces.
Figures 15 shew how by making thick types with identically the same class nicks
as thin ones the machine can be adapted for distributing a much larger number of
type than heretofore.
A see Figures 1 and 2 is the channel along which the line of type which is to be
distributed is fed continuously. B is the vibrating finger for conveying away the
type sidewise one by one from the end of the channel. C is a conical wheel
revolving above a conical bed. The wheel is formed with grooves down its inclined
or conical face each of a size for a type to be able to lie in it-C₁ (see Figures 6
to 13) is a small pin at the bottom of each groove to enter a notch in the side of
any type delivered into that groove and hold the type suspended. D are inclines
in steps one slightly at a higher level than the preceding one for the lower end of
the type to strike against. E are radial channels for receiving the type as they
are detached from the revolving wheel by the action of the stepped inclines D.

page_text: One such channel being situated below each inclined step. F are radial pushers
which act against the type as they are dropped into the receiving channels and
move the types forward in these channels. The several pushers are as shewn at
Figure 3 coupled by links F¹ to a ring F2 to which an oscillating to and fro motion
around the axis of the wheel C is imparted from a crank G¹ on the lower end of a
vertical cam shaft G, and in this way the pushers are moved to and fro.
The revolving wheel C is driven by a toothed wheel C² gearing with an inter-
mediate pinion Č³ which is in gear with a pinion C4 on the vertical cam shaft G to
which a continuous revolving motion is imparted. On this shaft G is a cam G³
for giving a to and fro motion to the vibrating finger B and another cam G³ for
giving a to and fro motion to a lever H which serves as a stop for the forward end
of the column of type to bear against at a time when the foremost type has been
carried away sidewise by the vibrating finger and which when the vibrating
finger has returned to its original position allows the column of type to move
forward slowly to bring the next type into position for the vibrator to carry
it away.
In all the above respects the machine is constructed in a similar manner to that
described in the Specification of Mitchell's Patent above mentioned.
I will now describe more fully my arrangement of mechanism for feeding forward
continuously a line of type along the feeding channel A. H* H* are dovetail guides
formed along the two opposite sides of the feeding channel A. I II are blocks
capable of being slidden along these guides. J is a slide capable of being slidden
up and down in vertical guides formed in the block-it carries a blade J¹ which
descends into the channel A when the slide is in its lowest position and is raised
above the channel when the slide is in its highest position. -J2 are springs for
drawing the slide upwards. J³ is an adjustable stop which limits the extent to
which the slide can be drawn upwards by the springs. J is a lever catch jointed
to the slide at J. When in the position shewn in Figure 4 the shorter arm catches
under the block I and keeps the slide J from being drawn upwards by the springs.
When the longer arm is struck upwards the shorter arm is disengaged from below
the block I and the slide is at once drawn upwards by the springs.
I is a projection from the block I which comes above the line of type in the
channel A, the blade J' passes down through this projection and the projection
serves to prevent the types which are in contact with the blade from rising with the
blade at the time when the blade is drawn upwards.
Each block I is drawn forwards by a cord which passes forwards from it and
around a pulley K then back and over a pulley K¹ and has a weight K² attached
to its end.
I will now describe the way in which the blade J¹ is lifted up above the line of
type in the channel A whenever the block I which carries it has arrived within a s
short distance from the foremost end of the channel.
L is a rod carried by arms L' which project out from an axis L². One end of
the rod enters as lot in the end of a lever L3 which turns on a pin at LA. The other
end of the lever carries a truck L' which is acted upon by a cam G4 on the cam
shaft G. The cam is as shewn formed in such a manner as to depress the truck L 4
once for each revolution of the cam shaft and it depresses the truck just when the
vibrating finger has moved to one side carrying a single type along with it and the
column of type in the channel A. is therefore at rest. Each time that it is depressed
it raises the rod L above the level of the lower end of the longer arm of the catch
lever J. When the block I has travelled forward to such a position that the rod L 5
in rising strikes against the lower end of the catch lever it turns this lever until the
slide J is no longer held down by it. Preferably I make the lower end of the catch
lever inclined as shewn at Figure 2 so that it may require two or three upward
movements of the rod L to release the catch. The slide is then drawn upwards by the
springs J2 and the blade J¹ so withdrawn from amongst the type in the channel A. 5
The block is then free and is drawn forward by the action of the weight K until it
comes against a spring stop L' which arrests it just before the block is free from

page_text: the end of the dovetail guide H* along which it slides. The stop L is carried by
a horizontal rod L' which can be turned on a vertical axis L³. When the block is
drawn forwards against the spring stop the end of the rod L' enters a hole L³ in
the block and keeps the block from being jerked out of place. Normally the
horizontal rod L' is held in the position shown in Figure by the action of a
spring L. To free the block I from the end of the dovetail guide H* the
attendant takes hold of the block and draws it forward thereby still further forcing
back the spring stop. When the block is free from the guide H× the attendant
moves the block outwards away from the channel A, the rod L' then turning on
the axis L. allowing him to do so and he then draws the block from off the rod and
carries it back to the opposite end of the channel A and again places it on to the
guide H* after that a line of type to be distributed has been pushed into this end
of the channel A.
The mechanism for enabling a line of type to be fed into the channel A is shewn
in Figures 14 and 2ª and is the same as is described in the Specification of the
before mentioned Patent. It consists of an open channel or slide A¹ which can be
turned into an inclined position as shown in the cross section Figure 2AA and when
in this position a line of type can readily be laid on to it. It can then be turned
into a vertical position, when in this position the type are prevented from falling by
their coming against the rod A2 and the attendant can readily with his finger slide
them along the channel A' and make them enter the channel A. When this
has been done the channel A' can be turned back into its inclined position.
In order that the pressure upon the type which are in rear of the foremost block
may only be just sufficient to make them move forward along with the block and
not materially increase the pressure which is upon the type in front of the foremost
block I for the most part balance the weight which is drawing forward the
second block by a counterweight M. A cord M¹ passes from this weight over a
guide pulley M and is attached to a slide M³ that can slide freely along a rod M*
but cannot turn around it.
Each time that one of the blocks I is placed on to the end of its guide H* the
rod M is turned into such a position than an arm M extending from the slide M³
is brought in front of the block I and the weight M which tends to draw back the
slide M³ along the rod M' tends to draw back the block I with it but is somewhat
overpowered by the weight K2 which tends to draw the block forward.
So soon however as the foremost block I goes out of action it is necessary that
the next block should be set free from the counterweight M.. which was retarding
its movement and that the block should be drawn forward by the whole of the
weight K2 to do this the rod M' is turned so as to move the arm M' from in front
of the block I so that the block is no longer retarded by it and the slide M³ is
drawn back by the action of the weight M.
In order to turn the rod M' in this way at the proper time the rod has a weighted
arm M extending from it which at the time when the foremost block is to go out
of action is above an incline J which stands out from the slide J so that when the
slide J is liberated and is drawn upwards by the springs J' as above explained the
incline strikes against the arm Me and throws it over.
In Figures 14 and 15 I have shewn how I form some of the thicker types with
the same class nicks as some of the thinner ones.
The nicks N in the type are the thickness nicks which govern the distance to
which they can be protruded beyond the foremost end of the channel A as described
in the Specification of Mitchell's Patent above mentioned.
The nicks are what I call distributing nicks-and the nicks O' what I call
class nicks.
In class-1 the types have no class nicks O' and only distributing nicks O and all
these are at a greater distance from the bottom of the type than the class nick O'
of the type of the second class-the class nick O' of this class is somewhat higher
than the class nick O' of the third class and the one in the third class higher than
H

page_text: that in the fourth. It will be seen that in some cases the nicks N serve also as
distributing nicks.
All of the type in class 1 when they are made to hang by their first nicks upon
the pins C' of the revolving wheel C will therefore all be at a lower level than the
type of the other classes which are suspended by their class nicks and will all be
at different levels and as the wheel revolves they can be brought against inclined
stops D which again are at different levels and as the lower end of each type is
brought into contact with one or other of the stops it is moved outwards away from
the wheel until the pin no longer supports it and the type drops into its proper
receptacle E just as described in the before mentioned Patent and so the several
type in this class are delivered each into their
proper receptacle.
In the machine shown in Figure 1 three bridge pieces Pare used one between
the receptacles of classes 1 and 2. One between two and three and one between
three and four. Figures 6 and 10 shew full size the bridge piece which is
between the receptacles of classes 3 and 4.
The top of the first bridge piece is at such a level that the type of classes 3 and 4
as they hang upon the pins C¹ of the revolving wheel are carried past without coming
in contact with it-and the second bridge at such a level that the type in class 4 do
not come in contact with it.
Each bridge piece is at such a distance from the wheel that a gap of sufficient
width is left between them for the thin type of the class that the bridge acts upon
to drop through whilst the thicker ones are supported by the bridge and not
allowed to drop.
As
Just before the type of class 2 arrive at the first bridge P their lower ends come
against inclines Q which move them outwards away from the wheel and disengage
them from the pins C' the type then drop slightly on to a supporting ledge R.
the wheel continues to revolve the thinner type of the class are carried through the
space between the bridge and the wheel and as the supporting ledge R is made to
slope gradually downwards until the pins C¹ enter their distributing nicks and the
types then hang suspended from the pins. The thicker type as they come against
the bridge piece are slightly raised by it so as to bring their class nicks O' again
to the level of the pins C¹ and the type then again drop onto and hang by
these pins.
In place of the type being allowed to drop slightly when disengaged from the
pins C¹ and then raised again to replace them on to the pins-they may be raised
by riding up an incline and then lowered.
The thin type of class 2 are therefore distributed into their proper receiving
channels and in the machine shewn in the drawing the thicker type of this class are
all detached from the wheel by a fixed incline as they come to the last of the
receiving channels of this series and all drop into this channel so that they may
subsequently be distributed by again feeding them into the machine after that the
bridge pieces P have been turned to one side to put them out of action.
In larger machines however the distribution of the thicker type of this class
might be proceeded with immediately after the thinner ones had been distributed
and before arriving at the point at which the thinner type of the third class
commence to be distributed.
At the second bridge the type of the third class are acted upon just in the same
way and at the third bridge the type of the fourth class.
Figure 16 Sheet 13 is a diagram plan view of the composing machine with its
indicator and mechanism for dividing the set up type into lines of the required
length and for placing them into the compartments of a galley.
In this diagram Z is the composing machine constructed as described in the
Specification of my before mentioned Patent. Y is the composing or contact plate
on which the operator who may be situated at X makes the several contacts
required for discharging type from the reservoirs of the composing machine. W is
a box containing for the convenience of the operator a small supply of such types

page_text: as are seldom used and not provided for in the machine. V is the indicator and
U the mechanism for placing the lines into a galley.
In the composing machine the type are contained in reservoirs Z' and are ejected
as required from the lower ends of these reservoirs by pusher blades actuated by
magnets as described in the above mentioned Specification.
The types as they are ejected are received onto endless travelling tapes Z² and
delivered by them on to an endless band Z³ and by this band are carried into a
position where they are set up into line by the action of a constantly reciprocating
pusher Z and by this pusher the line of type is made to travel forwards along the
channel A to the receiving galley.
Figure 17 is a plan view of some of the magnets of the row of magnets of the
type setting machine shewing the arrangement of contact arms for sending electric
currents for actuating the indicator mechanism.
Figure 18 is a plan view partly in section of the indicator mechanism.
Figure 19 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the same.
Figures 19 and 19B are detached views shewing the electro magnet ³ and parts
worked by it.
Figure 20 is a section on the line A. B. Figure 18 and Figure 21 a section on the
line CD Figure 18.
Figure 22 is a face view of the dials, and Figure 23 shew views of the special
type employed for separating the end of one line from the beginning of the next.
In Figure 17 a a are electro magnets a', their armatures carried by axes a²-the
armatures are held away from the magnet pole pieces by the action of springs.or
weights. Each rocking movement of any of the axes a when the armatures they
carry are attracted by their magnets causes a type to be delivered from one or
other of the reservoirs of type in the type setting or composing machine to be set
up in line with the other types which have been similarly discharged from the type
reservoirs.
Each axis a has upon it an arm a³ and when the armature which the axis carries
is attracted by its magnet the arm descends between two contact springs A* A*
which are insulated from one another and makes an electrical contact between
them. The contact springs A' are all connected to one pole of a battery. The
contacts A are connected to one or other of a series of electrical conductors 6' &c.
to 10. From each of these electrical conductors a wire is led to one end of the
coils of one or other of a series of 12 electro magnets e³ to c¹ of the indicator
mechanism shewn in Figures 18 to 23. The other end of the coil of each electro
magnet is coupled to the other pole of the battery.
Or instead of using the plates A₁ the arms a³ may all be placed in electrical
contact with one pole of a battery through a binding screw attached to the metal
of the machine to which the springs for bringing back armatures are attached, and
spring contact pieces fixed to the ends of arms a³ which, when armatures of
composing machine are attracted will make a rubbing contact with pieces A³.
All contacts in connection with the electrical conductors are for types of the
same thickness-those in connection with 62 are for types of another thickness
and so on.
Two of the magnets a Figure 17 are for discharging the two special spaces which
are to be set up at the end of each line. In the drawing they are shewn to be the
two at the left hand end of the row of magnets but they might be in any other
position.
In this way whenever the armature of one or other of the numerous electro
magnets of the composing machines is attracted by its magnet the armature of one
or other of the twelve electro magnets of the indicating machine is attracted likewise
the particular magnet set into action being dependent on the thickness of the type
ejected from the composing machine.
If the type ejected by the action of the electro magnet is the thickest of the type
used then the electro magnet c¹ would be caused to attract its armature. If the
type ejected is only one quarter of the thickness of the thickest type then the

page_text: magnet is caused to attract its armature and so on for any of the intermediate
thicknesses.
d is an electro magnet through the coils of which a current is sent whenever is
space is ejected from the composing machine.
eto e are the armatures of the magnets c³ to c¹² the arms which carry the
armatures eto e are loose upon a spindle f-they have also arms ex projecting back-
wards from them which are drawn by springs exx against a fixed bar exxx. The
armature arms e² to e¹² are loose upon a spindle g and arms ex projecting backwards
from them are similarly drawn by springs exx against another fixed bar exxx.
The spindles and g are coupled by arms upon them connected together by a
connecting rod has shewn in Figure 21 so that when the spindle g is turned the
spindle turns with it and to a greater extent as the arm on the spindle g is longer
than the arm on the spindle f-this is done in order that the armatures which have
to advance the ratchet wheel a longer distance may be brought nearer to the cores
of their magnets.
The armature d' of the magnet d is carried by an arm d² that stands out from a
tube d³ which can turn freely around the spindle f-the tube d³ has also an arm d
extending from it which by a spring d is drawn downwards onto the stop bar exxx.
Each arm e to e12 has a pair of screws i passing down through it see Figure 20-
the lower ends of these screws come against arms k which are fixed to the spindles
and g. The arm d² has also a screw passing through it to come against an arm k
fixed to the spindle f.
In this way whenever the armature of any one of the magnets is attracted the
spindle f is turned a distance and so soon as the armature is released the spindle is
turned back to its normal position by the action of a spring f which is coupled to
an arm fixed upon the spindle-the spring turns the spindle back until an arm f
which projects from it comes down on to the bar e*** Similarly the spindle g
has an arm g2 upon it to which a spring g¹ is coupled to draw another arm g³ which
is fast upon the spindle down on to a bar exxx.
In this way the armatures are normally held at different distances from their
magnets the armature e³ is nearest to its magnet the armature at a slightly
greater distance and so on-the distance being adjusted by the screws i or by screw
stop pins which screw through the arms e*.
On the spindle f is an arm see Figures 10 and 21 carrying two pawls f³ to
engage with the teeth of ratchet wheels m which are side by side and fast on a
spindle m-the wheels are set so that the teeth on one wheel are half a tooth in
advance of the teeth of the other wheel so that between them they form one ratchet
wheel having twice as many teeth as each separate wheel.
The tube which is free to turn around the spindle f has also an arm sce
Figure 18 extending from it which carries a pawld that engages with the teeth of
a ratchet wheel n which can turn freely around the spindle ma a are pawls for
preventing the ratchet wheels m and n from being turned in a backward direction.
The spindle m¹ has fast with it a wheel m² see Figure 19 that has fine teeth cut in
the side face of its rim. Similarly the ratchet wheel n has fast with it a similar
wheel n² and through these two wheels motion is transmitted to the two hands
of the indicator dials.
The dial is the one on which is indicated the length of the line of type set up
by the composing machine after its indicator hand o has started from zero and
P. the dial upon which is indicated the number of spaces that have been introduced
into the line. The hand o' is fast on a sleeve 02 which can turn freely around a
spindle and the hand.pl is fast on a sleeve p² which can turn freely-around-the
sleeve of. The sleeve o² has an arm o³ extending from it the end of which engages
with the teeth of the wheel m² and the sleeve 2 has a similar arm. which engages
with the teeth of the wheel n². To make them engage with the teeth of these wheels
the spindle o is pressed endwise by a spring o. At the end of each line they are
liberated from the teeth of the wheels by the spindle y being pressed endwise in the
opposite direction.

page_text: This is done by a pin q' which projects from it being acted upon by an arm r
which extends from an axis r that carries the armature 2 of an electro magnet³
see Figures 19, 194 and 19³. An electric current is sent through the coils of this
magnet at the time when the second of the special spaces which are delivered from
the composing machine at the end of each line is discharged from the channel or
reservoir containing these spaces.
When the two indicator hands o¹ are thus set free they are turned back to
their zero position one by the action of a coiled spring o³ contained in a case of the
other by the action of a spring p contained in a case p.
The sleeve p² which carries the hand of the space dial has also upon it a segment p
see Figures 18 and 19 which has figures projecting from its circumference denoting
the number of spaces. The end of an arm s see Figure 18 is made to strike a strip
of paper against the segment at the time when the first of the special spaces is
delivered from the composing machine at the end of each line. The arms is for
this purpose carried by an axis s¹ which also carries the armature of an electro
magnets through the coils of which an electric current is sent at the time when the
first of the special spaces is discharged from the reservoir of the composing machine
in which these spaces are contained. After each impression the paper is moved
forward a distance so as to be ready for the next impression. In this way a record
is kept of the number of spaces introduced into each line so that when the lines are
subsequently justified it is unnecessary to count the number of spaces in them.
Figures 24 to 27 shew the mechanism for setting the continuous line of type into
line. Figures 28 to 34 are diagrams explaining the action of the same. Figure 24
is a view taken at right angles to the receiving galley. Figure 25 a view taken
parallel with the galley. Figure 26 is a section on a larger scale taken through a b
Figure 1 and Figure 27 is an elevation on a small scale.
A is the channel along which the continuous line of type is made to advance-
BB are the type and CC the special blanks or spaces which are inserted at the
end of each line into which the continuous line is to be divided. D is the finger
or feeler which is pressed lightly against the type by a spring E. When a pair of
special blanks or spaces C arrives below the feeler the end of the fecler drops
between them as shewn in diagram Figure 28 and pins G which are carried by the
same arm as the feeler drop into two holes in the foremost blank.
The feeler and pins are carried by a lever arm D' which turns on an axis at D³—
this axis is carried by a block D³ which can be moved to and fro along horizontal
guide bars D-D³ is an arm extending from the axis D2 on the opposite side to the
arm D. When the pins G drop into the holes in the foremost special blank the
block D³ is drawn along with the type. H H see Figures 24 and 25 are rods
parallel with the guide bars D. they can be moved endwise to and fro through
guides HH2 is a crosshead connecting the two rods H-H³ is a connecting rod
coupling this crosshead to a crank pin H' which stands out from the side of a
wheel H to which a slow continuous revolving motion is imparted. He is a pawl
carried by a crosshead H' which couples together the foremost ends of the rods H.
When the pins G have dropped into the holes in the foremost special blank the end
of the lever arm D" comes into position to be caught by the pawl H and to be
driven forward by it as the pawl is moved forwards by the crank. The several type
in front of the special blank which is so driven forward along the channel A are in
this way delivered into one of the compartments of the galley I-as shewn in
Diagram 30-J is a spring-catch which then drops down behind the last type and
between it and the foremost special blank.
The galley is now moved upwards one step. This is done in the following
manner.
The galley holder I has fixed along the centre of its underside a toothed rack I*
see Figure 26 into which gears a pinion 1³ on a spindle I see Figures 25 and 26-
on this spindle is a ratchet wheel. 1.. K is a spring pawl which engages with the
ratchet wheel and restrains the galley holder from descending. K is a spring pawl

page_text: carried by an arm K² which can turn around the spindle I' and which is connected
by a link to a lever arm J as shewn in Figure 26-this lever arm as shewn in
Figure 24 extends from an axis J which has also extending from it another arm J².
When the block D³ is moved forwards along the guide bars D' a small wheel D
which it carries comes against the lever arm J2 and thereby turns the arm K² a
distance around the spindle I and brings the pawl into position to engage with
another tooth of the ratchet wheel 1" to that with which it was previously engaging.
Afterwards when the rods H and crosshead Hare drawn back by the action of the
crank pin a small wheel H³ comes against the lever arm J2 and moves it back to its
former position-thereby turning the ratchet wheel and moving the galley holder
one step upwards.
As the rods H and pawl H are drawn back by the action of the continuously
revolving crank the block D³ is drawn backwards likewise by a weighted cord D7
which constantly draws back the block and keeps the upper end of the lever D'
bearing against the pawl H and the pins G draw back with them the special
blank that they are holding until the wire stems of the pins come against an incline L
see Diagram 31 which lifts them and disengages the pins from the blank and so
soon as the pins are disengaged from the blank the incline further tilts the lever D¹
until its rear end D³ comes below the pawl H as shewn in diagram Figure 31.
The block is then at once drawn backwards by the weighted cord to the end of its
travel and it remains in this position until the pins G again drop into the holes of
one of the special blanks. M is a fixed incline situated a short distance in front of
the pins G at the time when they are in their rearmost position-this incline is to
prevent a portion only of a line being delivered into the galley should any one or
other of the type in the line be turned over on to its side as shewn in diagram
Figure 33. If the type so turned over is so thin that the pins G drop sufficiently
for the rear end of the lever D' to be raised into position for the driving pawl H
to engage with it when the pawl makes its next forward movement the
lever D would be pushed forward by the pawl and the pins G would
carry forwards into the galley all type that were in front of them. The
incline prevents this because as the pins commence to make their forward
movement its thin end comes under the bent wire stems of the pins and lifts
them until the rear end of the lever D is disengaged from the driving pawl H®
as shewn in diagram Figure 34. N is a bar which serves to retain the type within
the galley when the galley is taken away after being filled with lines of type. The
several division plates of the galley are notched for the bar to lie in. When the
galley is full catches OO hinged to the top and bottom of the galley are made to
drop over the bar and lock it to the galley--and the galley can then be carried
away without any risk of type dropping out from it. Whilst a galley is being
filled the bar is held in place by a pin P passing through a hole in its upper end.
When the galley has been taken away the galley holder is lowered to its lowest
position to bring it into place for carrying the next galley which is to be filled and
for moving it upwards step by step after each line of type is placed into it.
When the galley holder is to be lowered both of the pawls K K¹ are disengaged
from the ratchet wheel 1° by pressing upon the lever R and the galley holder can
then be lowered quietly by turning the pinion 13 by a handle 16 which is fast on
its axis.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The employment of two slide blocks coming into action one after the other to
push forward a line of type continuously into a distributing machine substantially
as described.
2. The combination of mechanism substantially as described for feeding forward
a line of type continuously to a distributing machine.

page_text: 3. The combination of mechanism substantially as described for releasing each
slide block from the type as it arrives near the end of the channel along which the
line of type is being moved.
4. The arrangement substantially as described for enabling the released slide
block to be removed when it has arrived at the end of the guideway along which
it moves.
5. In a distributing machine in which nicked type are hung by their nicks on
pins projecting from the circumference of a revolving wheel and are carried round
by the wheel and brought opposite to the channels into which they are to be
delivered and when brought opposite to their own proper channels are disengaged
from the pins and delivered into the channels the employment of bridge pieces
acting substantially in the manner described to admit of the machine being used for
distributing type in some of the classes or divisions of which contain two or more
sets of type which have the same distributing nicks cut in them but are of different
thicknesses.
.
6. The construction of distributing machines substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 15.
7. The nicking of type substantially in the manner described and illustrated at
Figures 14 and 15 to adapt them for being distributed by the machine.
8. Indicator mechanism for indicating the length of line set up by a composing
machine in which as each type is discharged from one or other of the reservoirs of
the composing machine an electric circuit is completed through the coils of one or
other of a series of electro magnets according to the thickness of the type and in
which the magnet by attracting its armature causes an indicator to be moved a
greater or less distance according to the thickness of type discharged there being a
separate magnet for each thickness of type used and each magnet moving the
indicator a different distance or in which mechanical in place of electrical means are
used for effecting the same movements.
9. The construction of indicators for indicating the length of line set up by a
composing machine substantially in the manner herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 18 to 22 of the drawings annexed.
10. Mechanism for dividing a continuous line of type into short lines and for
placing such short lines into the compartments of a galley consisting of a
constantly reciprocating pusher, a finger resting on the type and then having its
tail end out of the way of the pusher but which is moved when a special dividing
space comes below it and has its tail end brought into the way of the pusher so that
it will be pushed forward when the pusher makes its next forward movement and
in front of it will be pushed forward into the galley.
the type
11. Mechanism constructed substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in Figures 23 to 34 for dividing a continuous line of type into short
lines and for placing such short lines into the compartments of a galley.
Dated this 26th day of September 1891
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.