Im- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING TYPE
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Kastenbein, of No. 26, Osborne Terrace,
Clapham Road, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING
TYPE."
Sealed the 11th March 1873, and dated the 28th September 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Kastenbein at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 28th September 1872.
I, CHARLES KASTENBEIN, of No. 26, Osborne Terrace, Clapham Road,
in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY FOR COMPOSING
AND DISTRIBUTING TYPE," to be as follows:-
My improvements have reference to the apparatus or machinery for
composing and distributing type described in the Specification to Letters
Patent granted to O. D. Abel on the 6th July 1869, No. 2031 (being a
communication to him from me).
In the type composing machine there described the type was first
caused to fall from its horizontal position in the type box into a vertical

page_text: position on the notch of a lever, which was then actuated so as to allow
the type to fall in a vertical position into the channel in which it was
conducted down to the conduit leading to the justification desk.
According to one of my present improvements I dispense with the
said notched lever, and I cause the type to fall directly from the type
box into its channel. The type is for this purpose pushed by the slide
from the type box so as to rest with its face end on a fixed ledge, from
which it then falls in a vertical position with its face end upward into
its channel.
Another improvement consists in providing at the mouth of the con-
verging channels through which the type descends two fingers or balance
guides so arranged that the type on entering the mouth passes cither
between the two fingers or between one of them and the side of the
mouth, and is guided thereby so as to be prevented from turning as it
descends into the conduit leading to the justification desk, the one finger
or balance guide being for this purpose made to extend down into the
said conduit.
Another improvement has reference to the justification desk of the
composing machine. Instead of constructing such desk as described in
the aforesaid Specification I arrange the same as follows:-Upon a
pedestal is fixed an inclined frame or desk, in which is a slide capable of
being moved up and down in the desk. This slide works between guides
on the desk, in which it is held by springs so as to remain in whatever
position it is moved. In commencing operations this slide is in a line
with the conduit leading the type into the justification desk, so that the 2
operator cuts a line of type to its required length and pushes it on to
the slide. Above the slide is a bar or plate connected by arms to a
spindle at the back of the desk, which spindle is connected by a lever
and connecting rod to a pedal at the bottom of the pedestal.
A line of type having been placed on the slide as described, the 3
operator depresses the pedal with his foot, whereby the before-mentioned
bar is made to descend so as in pressing upon the line of type to push
this together with the slide downwards in the desk to an extent corre-
sponding with the thickness of the type.
The operator then cuts a second line of type and places the same in 3

page_text: of the pedal, and so on until he has justified the requisite number of
lines one above the other in the desk.
The part of the conduit nearest the justification desk is twisted from
the vertical position, which it has at the receiving end, into an inclined
position, so as to conduct the type from the vertical position in which it
enters the conduit into an inclined position corresponding with that of
the justification desk.
One of my improvements in the type distributing machine described
in the Specification to the before-mentioned Patent consists in providing
a separate distributing channel for each description of. type instead of
making one channel serve to distribute two descriptions of type as
described in the said Specification. I also provide on each side of the
main shield or frame containing the distributing channels a smaller shield
containing channels for distributing capitals. Each of these lateral
shields communicates by means of a main channel with the spout of the
central shield, and flaps or doors similar to those described in the before-
mentioned Specification are provided at the junction of these channels
with the said spout, whereby a capital entering the spout is diverted into
the main channel of one or other of the lateral shields, where the typo
is conveyed into its particular channel in the same manner as described
in the aforesaid Specification with reference to the main distributing
shield.
Another improvement has reference to the arrangement for conveying
the type from the frame containing the unsorted type into the distri-
buting channels. In front of the frame is a "pusher" or plate capable of
being slid up and down between guides by means of an upright bell-crank
lever moved by the operator. The front row of type is moved from the
frame on to this pusher, and this is then raised so as to bring the row of
type into a conduit above. In this conduit is a sliding bar which is
pressed against the end of the row of type by means of a weighted cord,
whereby the row of type is pushed to the end of the conduit. At the
end of the conduit is a side opening leading to the spout of the distri-
buting channels. The first type of the row in the conduit being situated
opposite this opening it is pushed into the same so as to fall into the
spout by means of a slide situated at the side of the frame containing the
unsorted type. This slide is actuated by a bell-crank lever connected to
a lever on a rocking frame extending along the front of the machine

page_text: just above the inner ends of the levers of the finger keys, so that by the
act of depressing a finger key the rocking frame is rocked so as to
actuate the slide and cause it to push the type into the spout. The slide
is afterwards drawn back by a spring.
As the thickness of the type varies considerably it is necessary to
regulate the width of the opening through which the type is pushed
according to the thickness of the particular type about to be pushed
through it, as otherwise two or more thin type might be pushed through
the opening instead of only the last one in the row.
To effect this regu-
lation a small slide is made to project more or less beyond the side of 1
the opening by the following means:-The slide is connected by a pin
to a sliding bar extending along the front of the machine, and actuated
by bell-crank levers. Each of these levers is actuated by a cam on a
rocking shaft, to which is connected a bar passing over the inner ends of
certain of the finger key levers. Thus by depressing one of these finger 1
keys corresponding to a type of a certain thickness the rocking shaft and
its cam are turned so as to cause the cam to move the bell-crank lever,
whereby the sliding bar and slide are moved so as to regulate the size of
the opening, as above described.
Another improvement has reference to the mechanism for actuating a
the flaps or doors in the distributing channels, and for introducing the
sorted type into their respective compartments after passing down the
distributing channels. The vertical rods of the finger keys that effect
the opening and closing of the flaps or doors in the distributing channels
are so connected at their lower ends by means of bell-crank levers to the
slides that push the type into their boxes, that the slide is pushed for.
ward on the depression of the finger key, and consequent raising of the
rod. The end of the slide when in this position is situated underneath
the opening of the corresponding distributing channel, so that the type
in descending through such channel falls on to the end of the slide.
The rod to each finger key has a notch on its face, which notch when
the rod is raised catches on to a spring bar extending horizontally in
front of all the rods, so that the rod is held in its raised position by the
spring bar, and thus keeps the flap of its distributing passage open
until by the depression of another finger key and consequent raising of
its rod the spring bar is moved, so as to release the first-named rod;
this then descends, thereby closing the flap or door of its distributing

page_text: channel, and allowing the slide to be withdrawn by a spring from
beneath the channel. The type that had fallen on to the slide, as
before described then descends into the mouth of its compartment in
front of the slide, and on the next depression of the same finger key the
slide pushes the type into the compartment.
By the above contrivance for automatically holding up the rods until
the depression of the next finger key the doors of the distributing
channels are held open a sufficient length of time for allowing the type
to pass through them without its being necessary that the operator
should keep the finger key-depressed with his hand for this purpose.
The finger key on being released is raised to its original position by a
spring.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Kastenbein in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 25th March 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
KASTENBEIN, of No. 26, Osborne Terrace, Clapham Road, in the County
of Surrey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Charles Kastenbein, Her special license
that I, the said Charles Kastenbein, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I; the said Charles Kastenbein, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
OR MACHINERY FOR COMPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING TYPE," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Charles Kastenbein, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be

page_text: performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE that I, the said Charles Kastenbein, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be 5
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheets of Drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon, that
is to say :-
My improvements have reference to the apparatus or machinery for 10
composing and distributing type described in the Specification to Letters
Patent granted to C. D. Abel, on the 6th July 1869, No. 2031 (being a
communication to him from me).
In the type composing machine there described the type was first
caused to fall from its horizontal position in the type box into a vertical 15
position on the notch of a lever, which was then actuated so as to allow
the type to fall in a vertical position into the channel in which it was
conducted down to the conduit leading to the justification desk.
According to one of my present improvements I dispense with the
said notched lever, and I cause the type to fall directly from the type 20
box into its channel. The type is for this purpose pushed by the slide
from the type box so as to rest with its face end on a fixed ledge, from
which it then falls in a vertical position with its face end upward into
its channel.
Another improvement consists in providing at the mouth of the con- 25
verging channels through which the type descends two fingers or balance
guides, so arranged that the type on entering the mouth passes either
between the two fingers, or between one of them and the side of the
mouth, and is guided thereby, so as to be prevented from turning as it
descends into the conduit leading to the justification desk, the one finger 30
or balance guide being for this purpose made to extend down into the
said conduit.
Another improvement has reference to the justification desk of the
composing machine. Instead of constructing such desk as described in
the aforesaid Specification, I arrange the same as follows:-Upon a 35
pedestal is fixed an inclined plane frame or desk in which is a slido

page_text: capable of being moved up and down in the desk. This slide works
between guides on the desk, in which it is held by springs so as to
remain in whatever position it is. In commencing operations this slide
is in a line with the conduit leading the type into the justification desk,
so that the operator cuts a line of type to its required length, and pushes
it on to the slide. Above the slide is a bar or plate connected by arms
to a spindle at the back of the desk, which spindle is connected by a
lever and connecting rod to a pedal at the bottom of the pedestal.
A line of type having been placed on the slide as described, the
operator depresses the pedal with his foot, whereby the before-mentioned
bar is made to descend, so as, in pressing upon the line of type, to push
this together with the slide downwards in the desk to an extent corre-
sponding with the thickness of the type.
The operator then cuts a second line of type and places the same in
the desk, after which he again depresses the slide with the type by means
of the pedal, and so on until he has justified the requisite number of
lines one above the other in the desk.
The part of the conduit nearest the justification desk is twisted from
the vertical position which it has at the receiving end into an inclined
position, so as to conduct the type from the vertical position in which it
enters the conduit into an inclined position corresponding with that of
the justification desk.
One of my improvements in the type distributing machine described
in the Specification to the before-mentioned Patent consists in providing
a separate distributing channel for each description of type, instead of
making one channel serve to distribute two descriptions of type, as
described in the said Specification. I also provide on each side of the
main shield or frame containing the distributing channels a smaller
shield containing channels for distributing capitals. Each of these
lateral shields communicates by means of a main channel with the spout
of the central shield, and flaps or doors similar to those described in the
before-mentioned Specification are provided at the junction of these
channels with the said spout, whereby a capital entering the spout is
diverted into the main channel of one or other of the lateral shields,
where the type is conveyed into its particular channel in the same
manner as described in the aforesaid Specification with reference to the .
main distributing shield.

page_text: "
Another improvement has reference to the arrangement for conveying
the type from the frame containing the unsorted type into the dis-
tributing channels. In front of the frame is a 'pusher" or plate
capable of being slid up and down between guides by means of an
upright bell-crank lever moved by the operator. The front row of the
type is moved from the frame on to this pusher, and this is then raised so
as to bring the row of type into a conduit above. In this conduit is a
sliding bar which is pressed against the end of the row of type by means
of a weighted cord, whereby the row of type is pushed to the end of the
conduit. At the end of the conduit is a side opening leading to the
spout of the distributing channels. The first type of the row in the
conduit being situated opposite this opening it is pushed into the same
so as to fall into the spout by means of a slide situated at the side of
the frame containing the unsorted type; the slide is actuated by a bell-
crank lever connected to a lever on a rocking frame extending along
the front of the machine just above the inner ends of the levers of the
finger keys, so that by the act of depressing a finger key the rocking
frame is rocked so as to actuate the slide and cause it to push the type
into the spout. The slide is afterwards drawn back by a spring.
As the thickness of the type varies considerably it is necessary to
regulate the width of the opening through which the type is pushed
according to the thickness of the particular type about to be pushed
through it, as otherwise two or more thin types might be pushed
through instead of only the last one in the row. To effect this regulation
a small slide is made to project more or less beyond the side of the
opening by the following means:-The slide is connected by a pin to a
sliding bar extending along the front of the machine and actuated by
bell-crank levers. Each of these levers is actuated by a cam on a
rocking shaft, to which is connected a bar passing over the inner ends
of certain of the finger key levers; thus by depressing one of these
finger keys corresponding to a type of a certain thickness the rocking
shaft and its cam are turned, causing the cam to move the bell-crank
lever, whereby the sliding bar and slide arc moved so as to regulate the
size of the opening as above described.
Another improvement has reference to the mechanism for actuating
the flaps or doors in the distributing channels and for introducing the
sorted types into their respective compartments after passing down the
distributing channels. The vertical rods of the finger keys that effect

page_text: the opening and closing of the flaps or doors in the distributing channels
are so connected at their lower ends by means of bell-crank levers to the
slides that push the types into their boxes that the slide is pushed
forward on the depression of the finger key and consequent raising of
the rod. The end of the slide when in this position is situated under-
neath the opening of the corresponding distributing channel, so that
the type in descending through such channel falls on to the end of the
slide.
The rod to each finger key has a notch on its face, which notch when
the rod is raised catches on to a spring bar extending horizontally in
front of all the rods, so that the rod is held in its raised position by the
spring bar and thus keeps the flap of its distributing passage open, until
by the depression of another finger key and consequent raising of its
rod the spring bar is moved so as to release the first named rod, this then
descends, thereby closing the flap or doors of its distributing channel
and allowing the slide to be withdrawn by a spring from beneath the
channel. The type that had fallen on to the slide as before described
then descends into the mouth of its compartment in front of the slide,
and on the next depression of the same finger key the slide pushes the
type into the compartment.
By the above contrivance for automatically holding up the rods until
the depression of the next finger key, the doors of the distributing
channels are held open a sufficient length of time for allowing the types
to pass through them without its being necessary that the operator
should keep the finger key depressed with his hand for this purpose.
The finger key on being released is raised to its original position by a
spring.
The Figures on Sheets I., II., and III., refer to the apparatus for
0 composing types constructed according to my Invention. Fig. 1,
Sheet I., is a perspective front view of the composing machine; of the
upper part of which Fig. 2, Sheet II., represents a vertical section
drawn to natural size (the height being broken to accomodate the Figure
on the Sheet); Fig. 3, Sheet III., represents to natural size a front view
5 of the lower part where the type channels converge, which is fitted
with a slide, shewn in plan at Fig. 4, Sheet III.; Fig. 5, Sheet III., is

page_text: desk.
The sorted types are contained in a number of tubes A and B of
rectangular section placed on the upper part of the machine. Each
tube contains a number of types of the same letter piled one above
another, the lowest type in each case resting on a bar d, which extends
along the row of tubes. The tubes at the back marked A may be most
conveniently supplied with ordinary letters, while those in front marked
B contain italics and small capitals. Under each of the tubes A is fitted
a pushing slide C slotted in front, so as to pass over the bar d, and drawn
back by a spring o. Each of those slides is advanced by a bell-crank m
worked by a rod attached to one of a row of finger keys L. Each of
those keys is marked with a letter the same as that contained in the
tube A with which it is connected, as above described. Under each of
the tubes B is likewise fitted a pushing slide D drawn back by a
spring t, and the end of each of these slides has a flat piece R, which
can be pressed by the finger, and which is marked with a letter the
same as that contained in the tube B with which it is connected.
Each pushing slide C or D has the part e above its slot made the
thickness of a type, so that when it is pushed forwards, either by the
action of the operator's finger on one of the keys L for working the
slide C or by the pressure of the finger on one of the faces R for
working the slide D, the part e pushes the lowest type of the tube off
the bar d, and causes its front end to lodge on a ledge n extending along
the row of tubes. When the pressure of the finger is withdrawn from
the key L or the face piece R the spring o ort draws back the slide C or
D, whereupon the bottom end of the advanced type is left free, and the
type falls with its face upwards (as indicated in Fig. 2) into one of the
channels pin the shield E, along which it descends. These channels
are all made to converge towards one outlet at the bottom, and the front
of the shield E in which they are formed is a glass door hinged to the
shield. Should any type stick in its channel, or should there be any
obstruction to its descent, it can be seen through the glass, and the door
can be opened to clear it. At the common outlet of the channels P there
is mounted on a pivot a tongue piece g free to swing to cither side, so as
to let a type pass it, while it prevents the type from turning over in the
widened mouth of the channels. There is also mounted a balanced
guide piece f, along the face of which the type slides into the horizontal

page_text: conduit G, this guide fyielding as the type passes it, and being caused
to return after the passage of the type by the weight of the tail pro-
jecting from it. A spring / fixed to one side of the conduit G holds
the last delivered type, and a pusher H serves to advance the line of
types along the conduit G towards the justifying desk N, hereafter to be
described. The pusher H is drawn back by a spring, and has a roller
mounted at its end, which roller bears against a cam face on a pulley I,
which is driven from a pulley worked by means of a crank and treadle
by the foot of the operator. The conduit G in its course towards the
justifying desk N is twisted helically nearly one quarter round, so that
the types which entered the conduit with their faces upwards are turned,
so as to present their faces towards the back of the apparatus as they
reach the justifying desk, which is presented to a second operator. This
desk hás at its side a frame V with compartments for leads and other
fittings for justifying. The frame of the desk N is provided with a side
rule, which can be set to any required width of column, and it has at top
a slide M worked from a treadle O by the foot of the operator. The
desk N is also fitted with a slide 9 provided with springs at its ends, so
that it can slide downwards with a certain degree of tightness sufficient'
to support the weight of the type above it. The body of the type above
the slide q with that slide itself being forced down the thickness of a
line by the operation of the slide M a fresh line of matter is supplied.
from the conduit G, which line is in its turn justified and pushed down.
Thus while one operator works the keys L or R and the pusher H, so as
to supply types in proper order to the conduit G, and to force them
along that conduit, a second operator justifies the types so supplied, and
brings the matter into column on the justifying desk.
The Figs. on Sheets IV., V., and VI. refer to distributing apparatus
constructed according to my Invention; Fig. 7, Sheet IV., is a
perspective back view of the machine; and Fig. 8, Sheet V., is a
perspective front view of a portion of it. The other Figures on these
Sheets represent parts in detail, hereafter to be referred to. At the top
of the machine is fixed a frame A, whereon is placed the form, the
types of which have to be distributed. A plan of this frame is repre-
sented in Fig. 9, Sheet IV.; a side view in Fig. 10, Sheet IV.; and a
front view in Fig. 11, Sheet IV. On this frame in the space marked A
the form is secured by a side bar T held by screws o, o, and by a slotted
end bar U, to which is attached a ratchet rack a engaging with a pawl b,

page_text: so that as the rack is advanced tooth by tooth the pawl b prevents it
from receding. In the front part of the frame is mounted a knife N
worked up and down by a lever handle R.
Fig. 12, Sheet V., represents a section of the front part of the
frame A when the knife N is down; and Fig. 13, Sheet V., represents
a similar section when the knife is up. It will be seen that the
knife N is about the thickness of the line of type, and that when
it is moved up by the hand of the operator pulling the handle R
towards the right, the foremost line d of tpye in the form is raised,
as shewn in Fig. 13, into a space between two guide bars. Along
these guide bars works a presser f which is advanced towards the
left by means of a weight i hanging from a string g. Thus, the
first or left-hand type of the foremost row is pushed against a pusher
slide p facing an opening e in front of the frame. The pusher slide p
has near its end a shoulder, which when the slide p is advanced (as
will hereafter be described) catches the first type and pushes through
the opening e. When the slide p recedes the line of type being
advanced by the weight i another type is brought within reach of
the shoulder of p, and is in its turn pushed through the opening e,
and so on successively till all the types of the clevated line of the form
have been pushed off. When one line of the form has thus been
exhausted the knife N is drawn down, the bar U with its rack is
advanced another tooth so as to bring the form forward the width
of another line of type, the presser f is drawn back and another line
is in its turn raised by the knife N and its types are separately pushed
off in the manner already described.
For working the pusher slide p for causing each type pushed off
by it to pass into its own compartment, and for adjusting the opening e
to suit the width of each particular type, the mechanism and operation
are as follows:-A number of keys / marked with different letters are
arranged side by side, and in two or more tiers, one key for each letter.
Fig. 14, Sheet V., represents a vertical section of part of the machine,
shewing the connection of these keys to the mechanism on which they
operate; and Fig. 15, Sheet VI., is a front view of the shield containing
the channels of distribution. Each of the keys h is kept up by a 3
spring attached to its hinder arm.
The operator seeing what type is to be pushed off the frame A by the
nushor slide
ne shove described prosses down the kov & marked with

page_text: the name of that type, and thereby elevates its hinder arm.
This action
by means of the mechanism connected to the key effects the four fol-
lowing operations :-
First. A bark extending along the row of keys is raised; this bar
is fixed to arms l, l, on a rocking shaft G, so that when the bar is
raised by the depression of any of the keys h the rocking shaft G is
partly turned. On this rocking shaft is fixed an arm m which, by
means of a bell crank n and connecting rod o (see Fig. 10, Sheet IV.),
advances the pusher slide p. Thus the depression of any key h causes
a type to be pushed through the opening e. When the key h is allowed
to rise again a spring causes the pusher slide p to recede.
Second. The width of the opening e is adjusted to suit the particular
type which has to pass it in the following manner:-One side of the
opening e is the end of a slide a' connected to a slide bar z which is
3 pulled towards the left by a spring ", and is moved to the right by the
action of two bell-crank levers b', 6', which rest on cams z, z, fixed on
a rocking shaft ¹. From this rocking shaft project arms that rest on
the ends of some of the keys h, so that when that key is depressed the
rocking shaft is turned partly round, more or less, according as the
type to be passed is of greater or less thickness. The cams being
thereby partly turned move the slide bar x and slide a more or less
towards the right so as to allow the passage of a type of greater or less
thickness through the opening e.
Third. The vertical rod r connected to each of the keys h is raised
5 when that key is depressed. Projections q from this rod work in the
slots of bell cranks, which are connected to arms fixed on the spindles
of the guide doors or valves mounted in the channels of the shield;
or some of these projections a work directly in slots in arms fixed on
the spindles of valves v. The Figures 16 and 17 on Sheet V., shew
0 respectively these two modes of connecting the projections q to the
valves v, the one being suited for turning a valve which may be at
some distance from the particular rod r which has to work it, and the
other being suited to the case where the operating rod is contiguous
to the valve. On looking to the arrangement of channels in the
5 shield B, as shown in Fig. 15, Sheet VI., it will be seen that they all
diverge from the one passage e at top, so as to form numerous separate
channels of issue for the types at the bottom of the shield. A type

page_text: of passage to the distributing channels to suit the width of the type
appropriate to that key, substantially as herein-described.
Eighth. The arrangement of apparatus, substantially as described with
reference to Fig. 14, Sheet V., in such manner that the setting of the
suitable valves in the distributing channels, and the movement of the
pusher S is effected by the raising of the vertical rod 7, and that the said
rod is kept up notwithstanding that the key which raised it is released
until another key is depressed, whereby time is given for a type to pass
along its appropriate channel.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Kastenbein, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three.