IMPROVEMENTS for an invention of IN MACHINERY FOR SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES
Year: 1880

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 21st day of July 1888, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
« IMPROVEMENTS
Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent, for an invention of
IN MACHINERY FOR SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES." A com-
munication from abroad by Joseph Thorne, of Port Richmond, New York,
United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th September 1889.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN of 38 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lano
"IMPROVEMENTS
London Patent Agent.
IN MACHINERY FOR SETTING AND
DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES." Communicated to me from abroad by Joseph
Thorne of Port Richmond New York United States of America.
A machine embodying these improvements is represented in Figure I by a side
elevation; in Figure 2 by a longitudinal sectional elevation; in Figure 3 by a top
or plan view, and in Figure 4 by a rear end elevation.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional plan on the line a of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation of so much of the composing
and distributing type cases and appurtenances, as is necessary to illustrate the
operation of distributing type, of which, Figure 7, is a view looking in the opposite
direction, and Figure 8, a view taken at right angles to that of Figures 6 and 7.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the hub in which the bell cranks are pivoted.
Figure 10 is a plan view of the type case of the composing apparatus.
Figure 11 is a plan view of the bottom of the distributing type case.
Figure 12 is an enlarged front elevation partly in section of the line forming
mechanism, of which Figure 13 is a vertical central sectional elevation and Figure 14
a plan view.
Figure 15 shows details of the crank motion.
The machine embodying the present improvements comprises in its organization
a type composing mechanism the case containing the vertical type channels whereof
is stationary, and a type distributing mechanism, the case containing the vertical
type channels whereof has a step by step movement, which mechanisms are

page_text: capable of operating conjointly or independently of each other, that is to say, the
type composing mechanism may be in operation while the distributing mechanism
is at rest and vice versa, or both mechanisms may be simultaneously in
operation.
The mechanisms each embody a type case provided with vertical type channels
adapted to contain lines of superposed types and from the bottom ends of which
the types may be removed, the remaining types gravitating vertically as space is
provided for such movement of them. The type channels in the distributing type
case have plane sides so that they may receive lines of type composed of different
letters, such as those constituting words and phrases and the type channels in the
composing type case are provided with wards arranged in such manner and position
as to provide each channel with a distinctive form that corresponds with the shape
given to particular type by nicks cut into their bodies, into the upper ends of
which type channels appropriate type may enter and descend vertically and from
which channels the bottom type may be removed by an ejector for the reason
that the wards terminate at a proper point to leave the lower letter in each type
case free to be removed longitudinally.
In the arrangement of the mechanism the disposition of parts is such that gravity
is utilized as a means for carrying the types into position to be operated upon by
various sets of devices; thus the types held in the distributing case rest one upon
another in the type channels thereof and descend therein by their gravity whenever
they are permitted to move by reason of the lowest type of a line contained in
such channel arriving over its appropriate type channel in the composing case
enters the same and descending therein affords it moving space and when a type
is so caused to enter a channel in the composing case and descends therein by its
gravity it gravitates down until its rests upon the bottom of such channel or upon
other types forming a line in such channel.
And when a type is ejected from a channel in the composing case and its ejector
is retracted the types remaining therein descend by gravity so as to present the
lowest one of them before the ejector.
The Invention consists primarily in a distributing type case constructed to
move with a steplike movement in order to carry its vertical type channels into
coincidence with those of a stationary type composing case the mouths of the type
channels in the composing case being provided with wards determining the character
or letter that may enter them, by means of which instrumentalities the distri
bution of type is effected.
It also comprehends the combination with such instrumentalities of various
devices and mechanisms for effecting the entering of composed lines of type into
the channels of the distributing case rotating said case and properly delivering
type from its channels; for ejecting the types from the composing case; for carrying
such ejected types to the line forming mechanism; and for forming such types into
a composed line. It also includes a peculiar key bar driving and type ejector
operating mechanism; and various combinations of parts too fully hereinafter set
forth to need further preliminary description.
In order to a clear understanding of these improvements the principal mechanisms
will first be described together with their functions, in order that their conjoint
action or cooperation which will then be explained may be the better understood.
The type composing mechanism consists of a stationary type case C preferably
of circular form, that is provided with vertical type channels 2 (Figures 5 and 6) in
perances arranged tangentially which channels may be of any number according to
the variations of the characters contained in the font or fonts used, and though these
channels are shown to be few in number and are situated at wide distances apart
it will be understood that in practice the type case C will be of such large dimen-
sions as will enable a large number of channels to be arranged closely together
with narrow walls or partitions separating them. A practical machine is thus
provided with 72 channels in a case 12 inches in diameter."
The type channels 2 are so formed in the type case as to be open at their upper

page_text: or mouth ends and they are closed at their bottom ends by means of the
base 20 which constitutes a rest block supporting a line of type lying in said
channels.
The base 20 is for convenience of manufacture preferably constructed in a
separate piece from the case C and it is provided with a hollow central chamber
in its under side, as is the case itself, to admit the proper movements of the bell
cranks 67 that actuate the type ejectors, see Figure 2.
These type channels are all furnished on one side with one
or more wards 8
which are variously arranged so as to correspond with nicks made in the types.
Thus each channel in which the types descend by their own gravity has a peculiar
form suited to the position of the nicks and consequently to the shape of the par-
ticular type it is to hold and such of the type channels as are to contain types
with small or narrow bodies as the lower case letters l. i. thin spaces and the like
are also furnished at their rear ends with a ward 10 as in Figure 10 which fits a
nick in the foot of the type and so guides such thin type as to prevent it from
turning or canting as it descends in the type channel.
The type conveying mechanism consists of a type carrying table 30, the type
receiving surface of which lies in the same horizontal plane as that occupied by the
bottoms of the type channels formed by the base 20 is mounted so as to revolve
with the centre of the type case for its centre of movement and thus is adapted to
receive type from the channels 2 upon its surface and carry the same around with
it in its circular path of travel.
A circular vertical guard 21 forms the outward limit to which the types may be
forced or moved, said guard being fixedly attached to the base 20 and so as to
project slightly above the face of the table 30 that is to say to a height at least
equal to the thickness of the largest type used in the machine, and said vertical
guard is supplemented by a horizontal guard 22, that is fixed up on it so as to
project inwardly and nearly cover the type race that is formed by the type case,
the table and the vertical guard.
The lower end of the type case is furnished with guards 24, covering the space
between the type channels that prevents type in process of composition from turning
rearwardly and becoming jainmed between the guard 21, and the type case C or
the types in its channels as will more fully hereinafter appear.
The said race way is provided with a throat 3 cut through the guard 21 at one
end of which is placed a deflector 19 that has an inclined guiding face and
rigidly projects from the guard 21 so as nearly to cross said race way.
As shown herein the revolving type carrying table 30 is constructed in the form
of a ring from the bottom of which a hub 60 projects inwardly to embrace the
contracted circular portion of the base 20, which thus provides the axial bearing
for said table and the proper vertical position of this table is maintained by means
of the horizontal bearing surfaces provided by the under face of the base 20, and
the upper face of the vertical guard 21.
The type case C and the mechanisms and devices sustained by it are supported in
place by means of a central shaft 31 that is fixedly mounted in a bed piece 61, and
by the frame work that carries the keys and their mechanisms, the side plates
62, 63 of which frame work are attached to the vertical guard 21 while its head
plate 64 is connected by a brace bar 65 to a disk 66 that is fixed to the bed piece 61
or to the shaft 31.
The means for revolving the type carrying table 30 is a vertical shaft 51, journalled
at one side of the machine in the disk 66 and a cross bar 89 projecting from the
shaft 31, which shaft 51 carries a spur-wheel 53 that engages the toothed peri-
meter 9 of said table. This shaft 51, may be revolved in any suitable way as by
means of bevil gears 56, 57 from a cross shaft 58 properly mounted above the
machine and supplied as usual with the driving and a loose pulley.
The type ejecting mechanism is constructed as follows:-Each type channel of
the type case. C is provided with a type ejector 6 each of which ejectors consist
of a flat plate of metal of a width adapted to that of the type channels, and of a

page_text: thickness less than that of the type it is to operate upon. These ejectors all have
bevelled face ends and are carried at the ends of bell crank levers 67 that are
pivotted in recesses of a fixed hub 59 and held normally in the positions shown in
Figure 2, by springs 100, the movement of which bell cranks causes the ejectors to
reciprocate horizontally in the bottom ends of said type channels and during each
forward movement to push the lowermost type out of a channel on the revolving
type carrying table and during each rearward movement to clear the channel so
that the types remaining therein may gravitate to present the lowermost type
before said ejector.
The face ends of these ejectors are bevelled from front to rear (see detached
view Figure 6) so that as they press the types forward and the same have
sufficiently cleared the sides of the type channels, they will cause such type to
incline forward or in the direction of the travel of the carrying table.
The bell cranks 67 are attached by means of cords 68 fast to the lower ends of
rocking levers 69 to the upper ends of which latter the key bars 70 are pivotted.
These key bars are provided about centrally with tappets 32, 33 attached to their
bodies so as to be above the plates 23 of a rotating type bar driver and with a
tappet 34 that is carried by a curved arm 35 so as to be below the plates 23 of
said type bar driver.
This rotating type bar driver consists of suitable heads attached to a carrying
shaft 47 and provided with a multiplicity of angularly arranged plates 23, and it
is constantly rotated by means of a pulley 54 and a belt that, runs over a pulley on
the vertical shaft 51.
The key bars are capable of being moved vertically as well as horizontally and
when carried downward their tappet 32 will be engaged by one of the revolving
plates 23 which will thus move the depressed key bar forward and carry its
tappets 33 and 34 into their foremost position. When the key bar is thrown so
far forward that the plate 23 which propelled it passes off from the tappet 23 it
will have brought its tappet 33 into a position to have its rear face engaged by
another of the plates 23 which plate in moving over the inclined rear face of said
tappet 33 presses the same upward and raises the key bar to which it is attached
thus lifting the tappet 34 high enough to be engaged by one of the plates 23
which will then by means of the arm 35 carry the type bar back to its rearward
position when it will be held by its sustaining spring in the raised position shown
in Figure 2.
Each of these key bars has its front end guided in a vertical slot in the plate 41 and
the division plate 42 of the key board frame and it carries at its front end a small
cross stud 43 that will pass through a slot at the front end of the division plate 42,
when the key bar is pressed downwards and forms a riding guide bearing against
the under side of the division plate 42 as the key bar is carried rearward or
inward. At its rear end this division plate has another slot that permits the
upward passage of the stud 43 and consequently allows the key bar to rise at the
end of its rearward stroke so that it may be moved forward with its stud 43
riding upon the top of said division plate.
Each key bar is surmounted by a key.as 36 which keys are held in vertical 4
guide slots in the top plate 38 of the key board frame and so as to rest upon the
upper surface of the key bars. When a key is depressed it forces a key bar
downward thus bringing its tappet 32, into position to be engaged by one of the
plates 23, the slot in the front end of the division plate causing the stud 43 not to
obstruct such movement. When a key bar 70 is thus moved downward a plate 23 !
engages its tappet 32 and forces the bar rearward by a positive movement, the
stud 43 then bearing against the under face of the division plate 42 and with it
acting as a guide holding said key down and the tappet 32 in engagement with the
said plate.
The rearward or inward movement of a key bar 70 moves a lever 69 and rocks
a bell crank 67 the latter forcing a type ejector 6 outward and causing it to expel a
type from its type channel.

page_text: The type thus ejected is received upon the rotating carrying table 30 and is
carried around with it face foremost, said type being forced outward against the
guard 21 by centrifugal action imparted to it by the rotating table 30 until it
reaches the throat 3 through which it is propelled onto a type conveying belt 25
5 running over pullies 26, 27, which is arranged to travel with its edge in the same
plane as that of the table 30, so as to properly receive the type therefrom without
canting the same. Such of the ejected types as are not thus propelled against the
guide 21 will be engaged by the deflector 19 that stands across the race way the
inclined guiding face of which deflector will direct said types off from the table
O through the throat 3, in the guide 21 and onto said carrying belt.
This belt travels at a speed slower than that of the carrying table and thus
conveys the type to an inclined guiding chute 28 whence it is conveyed to the
line forming mechanism with a momentum that will not cause its face to be
battered or injured.
The line forming mechanism consists of a type carrying wheel, a type elevator
and a setting stick.
The type carrying wheel 29 has a number of steps or receivers 18 cut in the
peripery of its body, each step or receiver having its side formed by the projecting
flanges of discs 72, 73 carried on opposite faces of said wheel and being of the
proper size to receive and support a single type.
The type elevator 15 is formed by a narrow plate of metal having an inclined
forward portion and it is fixed to the side frame so as to stand in a groove 16, that
is cut into the periphery of the wheel 29 so that its point is constantly below the
surface of each step or receiver 18 where it will intercept a type supported in the
same and elevate it into the setting stick above it.
This setting stick is formed by a bar 74 and side plates 13, 17 fixed to the
plate 62 of the frame work of the machine. The plate 13 terminates at its lower
end in an inwardly pressing spring 14 that just clears the perimeter of the disc 72
and the plate 17 has a lower edge adapted to fit over the perimeter of the disk 73
a continuous guide way being thus formed from the steps or receivers 18 to the
setting stick.
The type carrying wheel is rotated in proper time by means of a pulley 44 fast
upon its side and a belt 45 running over it and a pulley 46 fast upon the shaft 47
of the type bar driver and the pulley 27 is actuated by a similar belt 48 running
over a pulley 49 attached to the shaft of the pulley 44.
The type distributing mechanism is constructed as follows:-
A circular type case D is provided with vertical type channels 12 equal in
number and position with those of the setting case C and is arranged to revolve
on the shaft 31 with a step by step movement so that its type channels will at
each movement of it be carried into a position of register with those of the type
composing case C where the channels of the cases C and D stand in the same
vertical planes and form continuations of each other.
These type channels are of a width that is suited to the bodies of the largest
types that may be used in the machine. They are provided at the forward sides
of their bottom ends with frictional drag blocks 75, see Figure 11 which are pivoted
at their inner ends to the case D see Figure 11 and play in recesses provided for
them their faces being bevelled (see Figure 8) so as to bear upon the thinnest, as
well the thickest type.
The outer or front sides of these channels are open for the purpose of receiving
the line of type each is to hold as well as to enable the said line to be readily
reached and freed from any disarrangement it may receive and these open sides of
the channels are protected by flat faced fenders 40, that depend in front of them
and from guides against which the face of the lines of type may bear as they
descend in the said channels the flat faces of said fenders being held in proper
relation to the type channels by means of properly shaped sockets in the plate 78.
Each channel 12 is provided with a weight or follower 11 that fits the channel

page_text: and resting on the top of a line of type therein insures its proper descent the said
follower being provided on its outer end with a stop 76 that engages a stud 77
fixed at a proper point on the fender 40 so that said follower may be raised with
the fender. This however may be accomplished by suspending the followers by
a cord 79 running through the top plate 78 and wheel 80 and attached to arms 85
extending from the upper ends of the fenders 40 (see Figures 2 and 3).
The rotation step by step movement of the distributing case is accomplished by
means of a toothed wheel 80 attached to the top plate 78 of the said case in the
teeth of which an actuating pawl 50 engages. This pawl is pivoted to the under
side of a rocking arm 86 that in turn is journelled to its hub 87 on the hub of the
wheel 80, said pawl being pressed forward to duty by a spring 71. The arm 86 is
vibrated and with it the pawl 50 (see Figure 15) by means of a crank pin 5
carried by a vertical shaft 88 that is journelled in the cross bar 89 and otherwise
supported as may be necessary which crank pin engages in a slot in the said
arm 86 so that each revolution of the shaft will cause a vibration of the pawl 50
and hence move the wheel 80 one tooth and carry the type channels 12 of the type
case 1 from one position of register with the type channels of the type case C to
another such position.
In order to limit and determine the forward movement of the wheel 80 a stop
pawl 52 is provided such pawl being pivoted to a spindle 90 carried by the cross
bar 89 and held to duty by a spring 94 that bears against a toe 1 on its end.
This pawl 52 engages against one of the teeth of the wheel 80 as such wheel
reaches the end of its part rotation at each step like forward movement and
remains in that position until the backward movement of the carrying arm 86 is
being accomplished during which backward movement by means of an unlocking
arm 91 rigidly connected to the said carrying arm 86 which thus has its curved
face engaged with the stud 1 and pressing the same outwards the said pawl 52 is
withdrawn from engagement with the wheel 80 thus permitting the forward
movement of the pawl 50 to engage with and press forward the wheel 80 as
before.
This pawl 52 is thus disengaged from the wheel 80 during a part of the forward
movement of the pawl 50 but is released by the arm 91 in proper time to engage
the said wheel and limit its rotation.
By these means so long as the shaft 88 is rotated the case D will have slight
rotation imparted to it stop like in character and hence will have its channels 12
successively carried into register with the channels 2 in the type caso C a single
revolution of the case D sufficing to carry each separate channel it contains into
register with each separate channel contained in the case C.
If it is desired at any time to arrest the movement of the type case D without
stopping the movement of the shaft 88 as will be the case practically, it may be
done by holding the pawl 50 out of position to engage with the teeth of the
wheel 80. This is provided for by means of a spring bar 92 that projects from said
pawl and which may be rested against a pin 93 projecting from the bar 86. Thus
held the pawl 50 will move inoperatively with said bar.
It is to be observed that the throw of the pawl 50 is such as to always carry the
channels 12 over the channels 2 and that the pawl 52 holds them in such position
and further that though the spring bar 92 may be carried behind the pin 93
before the forward stroke of the pawl 50 is finished the friction between the end
of such pawl and the tooth of the wheel 80 will be sufficient to cause such pawl to
finish its forward stroke before it is withdrawn from engagement with such tooth.
A line feeding device is arranged to deliver lines of the type into the channels 12.
It consists of a galley F fixed upon a bracket attached to the case C in such a
position that the vertical feeding plate 82 that slides upon its end plate 81, will
push the forward line of type forming part of a mass of "matter" held within the
galley, by being supported upon the plate 84 and against the side plate 83, endwise
through the slot 39 in said side plate 83 and into one of the type channels 12..

page_text: This galley will be constructed of a height sufficient to accomodate a mass of
types the composed lines of which are nearly as long as are the channels 12 which
types will rest upon the bottom plate 84 and be pressed forward against the end
plate 81 and before the feeding plate 82 by a sliding follower in a manner common
in this class of devices.
Operation. To charge the type channels 12 of the distributing case D it is
stopped at the forward end of one of its step like movements by suspending the
action of the pawl 50 which is done by placing its spring bar 92 behind the stud
bar 93. The channel 12 then standing before the galley F is opened by raising its
fender 40 and with it the weight 11. The forward line of a body of types 7 in the
galley F is then pushed forward by the feeding plate 82 and the type composing
it pass feet formost into said channel. The fender 40 is then replaced by being
lowered into place which movement of it allows the weight 11 to descend and rest
upon the line of types 7 in the channel 12 see Figure 6. A rotative movement of
the case D will bring other channels successively in front of the galley F to be in
like manner charged with lines of types in which will be contained the various
characters composing words.
As the type case D is revolved it carries the lines of types in its channels 12
with it said types gravitating or pressing downwards and resting upon the
upper face of the case C as the channels 12 are moved from one position to
another over the channels 2 and as each character or letter is provided with
nicks peculiar to itself which correspond in position with the wards 8 in the
particular channel 2 designed to receive a given character it follows that when
the bottom letter contained in a type channel 12 is brought over its appropriate
channel 2 it will by reason of its nicks coinciding with the wards 8 of such
channel 2, enter into such channel and descend therein until it lies on top of the
line of types already accumulated therein, and whenever the bottom letter of a
line of types in a channel 12 is a character not belonging to the channel 2 which
it overlies it will by reason of the noncoincidence of its nicks with the wards of
such channel be supported by the upper faces of such wards aided by the frictional
drag block and thus make no movement of descent.
So long as there are types in the channels 12 and the step like movement of
the case I is kept up said types will be brought over their appropriate channels 2
and enter therein thus filling said channels 2 each with letters of like character.
And whenever one or more channels 12 have discharged their types the case
may be stopped and said channels be recharged with lines of type.
The channels 2 of the composing case are thus automatically supplied with
appropriate letters each channel containing like characters.
To set or compose these so as to form words is accomplished by the operator
touching the keys 36 in proper succession. Each key depressed sets its key bar 70
downward far enough to have its tappet 32 engaged by one of the plates 23 and
thereby be forced positively forward to reciprocate the appropriate one of the
ejectors 6. This movement will necessarily be a rapid one and the lowermost
type of a line of them in such channel 2 will be thrust face formost out into the
race way and upon the revolving carrying table 30.
As the main portion of the body of the outwardly moving type comes onto the
surface of the table and is thus mainly free from the walls of the type channel 2
the bevelled end of the ejector causes its head to turn forward or in the direction
the table is moving it thus receives a correct initial direction to cause it to be
carried properly forward by the carrying table. In this forward movement of the
type upon the carrying table the centrifugal action of such table tends to throw
the type outward to the guide 21 against the face of which such type travels as it.
is carried onward toward the line forming mechanism.
The ejected types will generally take the movements described but sometimes
as practice has demonstrated there are letters which will leave the guide 21 and
move heads foremost toward the case C.

page_text: In so moving these types come into contact with the guards 24 and are by
them redirected into proper position.
The types thus ejected from their channels enter successively onto the table and
lie thereon one behind another. As the table rotates and brings these types
against the deflector 19 its inclined face acts as a guide forcing such type to move
outwards through the throat 2 and onto the belt 25 the motion of which aided
by that imparted to the types by the table causes them to enter head foremost into
the chute 28.
This chute guides them downwards into one of the receivers 18 of the wheel 29
where they overlie the elevator 15, and as the type is carried onward under the
setting stick by the rotation of the wheel 29 aided by the inclined face of the
chute 28 and the rising part of the wheel 29 that forms the base of the succeeding
elevator the said type is caused to rise into the setting stick where it is supported
by the elevator and the spring 14. As each type is thus forced onto the setting
stick it is pressed against those that have preceded it and with them forms
a line.
The stick may be continued for any length and be twisted so as to conduct the
line of types in any direction or to a position convenient to enable such line to be
adjusted in columns or page form as a body of printing matter.
The deflector 19 is not an essential element in the composition of types though
it is useful in directing such types as have not travelled far enough to or otherwise
have failed to receive sufficient centrifugal movement to project them against the
guard 21. If dispensed with however, that portion of the type case C nearest to
the throat 3 would be without type channels 2.
As the types are carried by the table 30 to the point where the throat 3 is
provided the centrifugal force imparted to the types will cause them to pass bodily
through such throat and on to the belt 25 and the forward movement of the belt
will carry them to the line forming mechanism.
Though this belt has been described as delivering such types to the chute 28 it
is obvious that such chute may be admitted and the belt 25 extended forward
over a small pulley set near the peripheral line of the wheel 29 and thus wholly
convey the types from the table 30 to the receivors of said wheel.
The type channels might be arranged radially in the type cases or in any other
angular position with respect to each other and the type carrying table but it
is preferable that they shall lie so that when they deliver the types onto the table
such types shall be pointed in the general direction they must travel with such
table.
The type cases may of course be polygonal in their peripheral outlines and yet
have vertical type channels arranged at an appropriate angle therein.
The type distributing case might be constructed in such form as to adapt it to
receive a vibrating or reciprocating movement over a similarly arranged type
composing case the carrying table being appropriately moved.
The vertical guard 21 is not essential to the perfect operation of the apparatus
and may therefore be omitted if the table 30 is made wide enough to prevent the
types ejected upon it from being thrown over its edges.
Practically this could be done only at the sacrifice of speed and it is preferable
therefore to employ the guard and thus make the machine compact and effective.
The horizontal guard 22 is not essential to the perfect operation of the apparatus
but as it is desirable to avoid the possibility of the ejected types either jumping out
of the machine or being turned over on the carrying table it is preferable to employ
such guard the function of which is to prevent such defective operations.
Any other structure of parts for actuating the type distributing case and the
other rotating parts may be employed.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention
and the manner of carrying the same into effect I would have it understood that
what I claim is.
1. A distributing type case having vertically arranged type channels in which

page_text: the types descend by gravity which is constructed so as to move with a step-like
action whereby its said type channels are periodically brought into register with
and to a state of rest over the type channels of a composing case all substantially as
described.
2. The combination with the vertical type channels of a composing case which
are constructed with wards determining the character or letter which may enter
them, of a distributing type case provided with vertical type channels each
adapted to contain types bearing various characters which distributing type case
is constructed to be moved with a step like action so as to periodically bring its
channels into register with and to a state of rest over those of the composing case,
all substantially as described.
3. The combination with the stationary composing type case C having vertical
channels 2 that are provided with wards governing their mouths of the distributing
type case D having vertical type channels 12 and provided with means for
imparting to it a step like rotative movement, all substantially as described.
4. The combination of the horizontally moving distributing type case D having
vertical channels 12 with the stationary composing type case C having vertical
channels 2 that are provided with wards governing their mouths and with
horizontally reciprocating case ejectors, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the horizontally moving distributing type case D
having vertical channels 12, the stationary composing type case (having
vertical channels 2 that are provided with wards governing their mouths and
with horizontally reciprocating type ejectors of the horizontally moving carrying
table that transfers the ejected types to the line forming mechanism substantially
as described.
6. The combination with the type channels of the distributing case having open
outer or front sides and in which channels, the types gravitate, of the removeable
fenders arranged a distance from said open sides, whereby the types may be
introduced into and held in the channels and the condition of the same inspected,
substantially as described.
7. The combination with the vertical type channels of a moving distributing
case of the frictional drag block 75 substantially as described.
8. The combination with the type channels of a stationary type composing case
of a distributing type case arranged to move over the same, the type channels
whereof are provided with frictional drag blocks, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the channels of the type distributing case of a line
feeding device consisting of a galley supported vertically before said type case and
at an appropriate angle relative to its type channels and provided with a feeding
plate, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a composing type case having vertical type channels
from which the types are ejected of a the horizontally moving table constructed or
arranged and operating as described that receives the types and carries the same to
the line forming mechanism that communicates with the edge of the said table
opposite to that upon which the types are received upon it, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a composing type case having vertical type channels
and type ejectors reciprocating therein, of a horizontally moving type carrying
table and a conveying belt as 25, substantially as described.
12. The combination with a composing type case having vertical type channels
and type ejectors reciprocating therein of a the horizontally moving type carrying
table constructed or arranged and operating as described and a type conveying chute,
the said table receiving the types at one edge of its surface and delivering them
to the chute over the opposite edge, substantially as described.
13. The combination with a composing type case having vertical type channels
and type ejectors reciprocating therein, of a horizontally moving type carrying
table, a conveying belt as 25 and a conveying chute, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a composing type case having vertical channels 2
B

page_text: ejectors reciprocating therein and a rotating type receiving carrying table of a
guard as 21 situated a distance in front of said channels and having a throat at 3
substantially as described.
15. The combination with the composing type case, the horizontally moving type
carrying table and the conveying chute 28 of the deflector 19, the said table
receiving the types at one edge of its surface and delivering them to the chute over
an opposite edge substantially as described.
16. The combination with the type case C, and the ejectors 6 that reciprocate in
its type channels of the horizontally moving type receiving carrying table 30 and a
guard as 21 that is situated a distance in front of said channels substantially as
described.
17. The combination with the type case and the ejectors 6, that reciprocate in
its type channels of the horizontally moving type receiving carrying table 30 and
guards 21, 22, substantially as described.
18. The combination with the type case C, its type channels and type ejectors of
the moving carrying table 30, and the guard 24, substantially as described.
19. The combination with the vertical type channels and a receiving table of the
type ejectors having bevelled ends substantially as described.
20. The combination with the vertical channels of the type case the type carrying
table and its guard 21, of the reciprocating type ejectors having bevelled ends,
substantially as described.
21. The combination with the vertical channels of the type case the type carrying
table and its guards 24 of the reciprocating type ejectors having bevelled ends
substantially as described.
22. A type case provided with vertical type channels the rear walls whereof.
ward whereby a thin type is prevented from turning or canting as it
descends substantially as described.
have a
23. A line forming mechanism consisting of a type carrying wheel having type
receiving steps an inclined stationary type elevator 15 and a setting stick
substantially as described.
24. The combination with the type conveying chute 28 the type carrying wheel
having receiving steps the inclined stationary elevator and the setting stick
substantially as described.
25. The combination with type conveying belt, conveying chute, stepped carrying
wheel, inclined stationary elevator and setting stick, substantially as described.
26. The combination with the type channels of the case C and their ejectors, the
rotating carrying table, the deflector, belt, stepped carrying wheel, inclined stationary
elevator and setting stick, substantially as described.
27. The combination with the type channels in the case C and their ejectors, the
rotating carrying table, the deflector, conveying chute, stepped carrying wheel,
inclined stationary elevator and setting stick substantially as described.
28. The combination with the stepped type carrying wheel, inclined elevator and
setting stick of the spring 14 substantially as described.
29. A type ejecting mechanism consisting of a reciprocating ejector, a vertically
vibrating type bar having tappets 32, 33, 34 and a rotating driver, the latter being
constructed with a multiplicity of angularly arranged plates that engage said tappets
to propel the type bar forward and disengage from the tappets to permit the rear-
ward movement of said type bar, substantially as described.
30. The combination with the ejectors 6, the key bars 70 and their tappets 32,
33, 34, the rotating type bar driving plates 23 and retracting springs 37, substantially
as described.
31. The combination with the keys 36, the key bars 70, and their studs 43, of
the slotted plates 42, having rearward and forward recesses whereby a key bar
when depressed may be held down during its forward movement and at the end of
its stroke rise and be held upward during the rearward movement substantially as
described.

page_text: 32. The combination with the keys 36, the spring seated key bars 70, their
studs 43, and the slotted and recessed division plates 42, of the rotating type
driving plates 23 and the tappets 32, 33, 34 substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Morgan-Brown have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twenty eighth day of September in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
WM. MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Morgan-Brown, of 38, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MACHINERY FOR SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES." A com-
munication from abroad by Joseph Thorne, of Port Richmond, New York,
United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Morgan-Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th September 1880.
WILLIAM MORGAN-BROWN, of 38, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
London, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR SETTING AND
DISTRIBUTING PRINTING TYPES." A communication from abroad by Joseph
Thorne, of Port Richmond, New York, United States of America.
A machine embodying these improvements is represented in Figure 1 by a side
elevation, in Figure 2 by a longitudinal sectional elevation, in Figure 3 by a top
or plan view, and in Figure 4 by a rear end elevation.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional plan on the line a of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation of so much of the composing
and distributing type case and appurtenances as is necessary to illustrate the
operation of distributing type, of which Figure 7 is a view looking in the opposite
direction, and Figure 8 a view taken at right angles to that of Figures 6 and 7.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the hub in which the bell cranks are pivoted.
Figure 10 is a plan view of the type case of the composing apparatus.
Figure 11 is a plan view of the bottom of the distributing type case.
Figure 12 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in section, of the line forming
mechanism, of which Figure 13 is a vertical central sectional elevation, and Figure 14
a plan view.
Figure 15 shows details of the crank motion.
The machine embodying the present improvements comprises in its organization
a type composing mechanism, the case containing the vertical type channels whereof
is stationary, and a type distributing mechanism, the case containing the vertical
type channels whereof has a step by step movement, which mechanisms are
מ.

page_text: capable of operating conjointly or independently of each other, that is to say, the
type composing mechanism may be in operation while the distributing mechanism
is at rest, and vice versa, or both mechanisms may be simultaneously in
operation.
The mechanisms each embody a type case provided with vertical type channels
adapted to contain lines of superposed types, and from the bottom ends of which
the types may be removed, the remaining types gravitating vertically as space is
provided for such movement of them. The type channels in the distributing type
case have plane sides so that they may receive lines of type composed of different
letters, such as those constituting words and phrases, and the type channels in the
composing type case are provided with wards arranged in such manner and position
as to provide each channel with a distinctive form that corresponds with the shape
given to particular type by nicks cut into their bodies, into the upper ends of
which type channels appropriate type may enter and descend vertically, and from
which channels the bottom type may be removed by an ejector, for the reason
that the wards terminate at a proper point to leave the lower letter in each type
case free to be removed longitudinally.
In the arrangement of the mechanism the disposition of parts is such that gravity
is utilized as a means for carrying the types into position to be operated upon by
various sets of devices; thus the types held in the distributing case rest one upon
another in the type channels thereof, and descend therein by their gravity whenever
they are permitted to move by reason of the lowest type of a line contained in
such channel arriving over its appropriate type channel in the composing case
enters the same, and descending therein affords it moving space; and when a type
is so caused to enter a channel in the composing case and descends therein by its
gravity, it gravitates down until it rests upon the bottom of such channel or upon
other types forming a line in such channel.
And when a type is ejected from a channel in the composing case, and its ejector
is retracted, the types remaining therein descend by gravity so as to present the
lowest one of them before the ejector.
The Invention consists primarily in a distributing type case constructed to
move with steplike movement in order to carry its vertical type channels into
coincidence with those of a stationary type composing case, the mouths of the type
channels in the composing case being provided with wards determining the character
or letter that may enter them, by means of which instrumentalities the distri-
bution of type is effected.
It also comprehends the combination with such instrumentalities of various
devices and mechanisms for effecting the entering of composed lines of type into
the channels of the distributing case, rotating said case, and properly delivering
type from its channels; for ejecting the types from the composing case, for carrying
such ejected types to the line forming mechanism, and for forming such types into
a composed line. It also includes, a peculiar key bar driving and type ejector
operating mechanisın, and various combinations of parts too fully hereinafter set
forth to need further preliminary description.
In order to a clear understanding of these improvements the principal mechanism
will first be described, together with their functions, in order that their conjoint
action or cooperation, which will then be explained, may be the better understood.
The type composing mechanism consists of a stationary type case C, preferably
of circular form, that is provided with vertical type channels 2 (Figures 5 and 6) in
perances arranged tangentially, which channels may be of any number, according to
the variations of the characters contained in the font or fonts used, and though these
channels are shown to be few in number and are situated at wide distances apart,
it will be understood that in practice the type case C will be of such large dimen-
sions as will enable a large number of channels to be arranged closely together
with narrow walls or partitions separating them. A practical machine is thus
provided with 72 channels in a case 12 inches in diameter.
The type channels 2 are so formed in the type case as to be open at their upper

page_text: or mouth ends, and they are closed at their bottom ends by means of the
base 20, which constitutes a rest block supporting a line of type lying in said
channels.
The base 20 is, for convenience of manufacture, preferably constructed in a
separate piece from the case C, and it is provided with a hollow central chamber
in its under side, as is the case itself, to admit the proper movements of the bell
cranks 67 that actuate the type ejectors, see Figure 2.
These type channels are all furnished on one side with one or more wards 8
which are variously arranged so as to correspond with. nicks made in the types.
Thus each channel in which the types descend by their own gravity has a peculiar
form suited to the position of the nicks, and consequently to the shape of the par-
ticular type it is to hold, and such of the type channels as are to contain types
with small or narrow bodies, as the lower case letters 1, i, thin spaces, and the like,
are also furnished at their rear ends with a ward 10, as in Figure 10, which fits a
nick in the foot of the type, and so guides such thin type as to prevent it from
turning or canting as it descends in the type channel.
The type conveying mechanism consists of a type carrying table 30, the type
receiving surface of which lies in the same horizontal plane as that occupied by the
bottoms of the type channels formed by the base 20 is mounted so as to revolve
with the centre of the type case for its centre of movement, and thus is adapted to
receive type from the channels 2 upon its surface and carry the same around with
it in its circular path of travel.
A circular vertical guard 21 forms the outward limit to which the types may be
forced or moved, said guard being fixedly attached to the base 20, and so as to
project slightly above the face of the table 30, that is to say, to a height at least
equal to the thickness of the largest type used in the machine, and said vertical
guard is supplemented by a horizontal guard 22 that is fixed up on it so as to
project inwardly and nearly cover the type race that is formed by the type case,
the table and the vertical guard.
The lower end of the type case is furnished with guards 24 covering the space
between the type channels that prevents type in process of composition from turning
rearwardly and becoming jammed between the guard 21 and the type case C or
the types in its channels, as will more fully hereinafter appear.
The said race way is provided with a throat 3 cut through the guard 21, at one
end of which is placed a deflector 19 that has an inclined guiding face, and
rigidly projects froin the guard 21 so as nearly to cross said race way.
As shown herein, the revolving type carrying table 30 is constructed in the form
of a ring, from the bottom of which a hub 60 projects inwardly to embrace the
contracted circular portion of the base 20, which thus provides the axial bearing
for said table, and the proper vertical position of this table is maintained by means
of the horizontal bearing surfaces provided by the under face of the base 20 and
the upper face of the vertical guard 21.
The type case C and the mechanism and devices sustained by it are supported in
place by means of a central shaft 31 that is fixedly mounted in a bed piece 61, and
by the frame work that carries the keys and their mechanisms the side plates
62, 63, of which frame work are attached to the vertical guard 21, while its head
plate 64 is connected by a brace bar 65 to a disc 66 that is fixed to the bed piece 61
or to the shaft 31.
The means for revolving the type carrying table 30 is a vertical shaft 51 journalled
at one side of the machine in the disc 66 and a cross bar 89 projecting from the
shaft 31, which shaft 51 carries a spur wheel 53 that engages the toothed peri-
meter 9 of said table. This shaft 51 may be revolved in any suitable way, as by
means of bevil gears 56, 57, from a cross shaft 58 properly mounted above the
nachine, and supplied as usual with the driving and a loose pulley.
The type ejecting mechanism is constructed as follows:-Each type channel of
the type case C is provided with a type ejector 6, each of which ejectors consists
of a flat plate of metal of a width adapted to that of the type channels, and of a

page_text: thickness less than that of the type it is to operate upon.
These ejectors all have
bevelled face ends, and are carried at the ends of bell crank levers 67 that are
pivotted in recesses of a fixed hub 59 and held normally in the positions shown in
Figure 2 by springs 100, the movement of which bell cranks causes the ejectors to
reciprocate horizontally in the bottom ends of said type channels, and during each
forward movement to push the lowermost type out of a channel on the revolving
type carrying table, and during each rearward movement to clear the channel, so
that the types remaining therein may gravitate to present the lowermost type
before said ejector.
The face ends of these ejectors are bevelled from front to rear (see detached
view, Figure 6) so that as they press the types forward, and the same have
sufficiently cleared the sides of the type channels, they will cause such type to
incline forward or in the direction of the travel of the carrying table.
The bell cranks 67 are attached by means of cords 68 fast to the lower ends of
rocking levers 69, to the upper ends of which latter the key bars 70 are pivotted.
These key bars are provided about centrally with tappets 32, 33, attached to their
bodies so as to be above the plates 23 of a rotating type bar driver, and with a
tappet 34 that is carried by a curved arm 35 so as to be below the plates 23 of
said type bar driver.
This rotating type bar driver consists of suitable heads attached to a carrying
shaft 47, and provided with a multiplicity of angularly arranged plates 23, and it
is constantly rotated by means of a pulley 54 and a belt that runs over a pulley on
the vertical shaft 51.
The key bars are capable of being moved vertically as well as horizontally, and
when carried downward their tappet 32 will be engaged by one of the revolving
plates 23, which will thus move the depressed key bar forward and carry its
tappets 33 and 34 into their foremost position. When the key bar is thrown so
far forward that the plate 23 which propelled it passes off from the tappet 23 it
will have brought its tappet 33 into a position to have its rear face engaged by
another of the plates 23, which plate in moving over the inclined rear face of said
tappet 33 presses the same upward and raises the key bar to which it is attached,
thus lifting the tappet 34 high enough to be engaged by one of the plates 23,
which will then, by means of the arm 35, carry the type bar back to its rearward
position, when it will be held by its sustaining spring in the raised position shown
in Figure 2.
Each of these key bars has its front end guided in a vertical slot in the plate 41 and
the division plate 42 of the key board frame, and it carries at its front end a small
cross stud 43 that will pass through a slot at the front end of the division plate 42
when the key bar is pressed downwards and forms a riding guide bearing against
the under side of the division plate 42 as the key bar is carried rearward or
inward. At its rear end this division plate has another slot that permits the
upward passage of the stud 43, and consequently allows the key bar to rise at the
end of its rearward stroke, so that it may be moved forward with its stud 43
riding upon the top of said division plate.
Each key bar is surmounted by a key as 36, which keys are held in vertical
guide slots in the top plate 38 of the key board frame, and so as to rest upon the
upper surface of the key bars. When a key is depressed it forces a key bar
downward, thus bringing its tappet 32 into position to be engaged by one of the
plates 23, the slot in the front end of the division plate causing the stud 43 not to
obstruct such movement. When a key bar 70 is thus moved downward, a plate 23
engages its tappet 32 and forces the bar rearward by a positive movement; the
stud 43 then bearing against the under face of the division plate 42, and with it
acting as a guide holding said key down and the tappet 32 in engagement with the
eaid plate.
The rearward or inward movement of a key bar 70 moves a lever 69 and rocks
a bell crank 67, the latter forcing a type ejector 6 outward, and causing it to expel
a type from its type channel.

page_text: The type thus ejected is received upon the rotating carrying table 30, and is
carried around with it face foremost, said type being forced outward against the
guard 21 by centrifugal action imparted to it by the rotating table 30 until it
reaches the throat 3, through which it is propelled onto a type conveying belt 25
running over pullies 26, 27, which is arranged to travel with its edge in the same
plane as that of the table 30, so as to properly receive the type therefrom without
canting the same. Such of the ejected types as are not thus propelled against the
guide 21 will be engaged by the deflector 19 that stands across the race way, the
inclined guiding face of which deflector will direct said types off from the table
through the throat 3 in the guide 21 and onto said carrying belt.
This belt travels at a speed slower than that of the carrying table, and thus
conveys the type to an inclined guiding chute 28, whence it is conveyed to the .
line forming mechanism with a momentum that will not cause its face to be
battered or injured.
The line forming mechanism consists of a type carrying wheel, a type elevator,
and a setting stick.
The type carrying wheel 29 has a number of steps or receivers 18 cut in the
periphery of its body, each step or receiver having its side formed by the projecting
flanges of discs 72, 73, carried on opposite faces of said wheel, and being of the
proper size to receive and support a single type.
The type elevator 15 is formed by a narrow plate of metal having an inclined
forward portion, and it is fixed to the side frame so as to stand in a groove 16 that
is cut into the periphery of the wheel 29, so that its point is constantly below the
surface of each step or receiver 18, where it will intercept a type supported in the
same, and elevate it into the setting stick above it.
This setting stick is formed by a bar 74 and side plates 13, 17, fixed to the
plate 62 of the frame work of the machine. The plate 13 terminates at its lower
end in an inwardly pressing spring 14 that just clears the perimeter of the disc 72,
and the plate 17 has a lower edge adapted to fit over the perimeter of the disc 73,
a continuous guide way being thus formed from the steps or receivers 18 to the
setting stick.
The type carrying wheel is rotated in proper time by means of a pulley 44 fast
upon its side, and a belt 45 running over it, and a pulley 46 fast upon the shaft 47
of the type bar driver, and the pulley 27 is actuated by a similar belt 48 running
over a pulley 49 attached to the shaft of the pulley 44.
The type distributing mechanism is constructed as follows :-
A circular type case D is provided with vertical type channels 12, equal in
number and position with those of the setting case C, and is arranged to revolve
on the shaft 31 with a step by step movement, so that its type channels will at
each movement of it be carried into a position of register with those of the type
composing case C, where the channels of the cases C and D stand in the same
vertical planes and form continuations of each other.
These type channels are of a width that is suited to the bodies of the largest
types that may be used in the machine. They are provided at the forward sides
of their bottom ends with frictional drag blocks 75, see Figure 11, which are pivoted
at their inner ends to the case D, see Figure 11, and play in recesses provided for
them, their faces being bevelled (see Figure 8) so as to bear upon the thinnest as
well the thickest type.
The outer or front sides of these channels are open for the purpose of receiving
the line of type, each is to hold as well as to enable the said line to be readily
reached and freed from any disarrangement it may receive, and these open sides of
the channels are protected by flat faced fenders 40 that depend in front of them,
and from guides against which the face of the lines of type may bear as they
descend in the said chaunels, the flat faces of said fenders being held in proper
relation to the type channels by means of properly shaped sockets in the plate 78.
Each channel 12 is provided with a weight or follower 11 that fits the channel

page_text: and resting on the top of a line of type therein insures its proper descent, the said
follower being provided on its outer end with a stop 76 that engages a stud 77,
fixed at a proper point on the fender 40, so that said follower may be raised with
the fender. This however may be accomplished by suspending the followers by
a cord 79 running through the top plate 78 and whcel 80, and attached to arms 85
extending from the upper ends of the fenders 40 (see Figures 2 and 3).
The rotation step by step movement of the distributing case is accomplished by
means of a toothed wheel 80 attached to the top plate 78 of the said case, in the
teeth of which an actuating pawl 50 engages. This pawl is pivoted to the under
side of a rocking arm 86, that in turn is journelled to its hub $7 on the hub of the
wheel 80, said pawl being pressed forward to duty by a spring 71. The arm 86 is
vibrated, and with it the pawl 50 (see Figure 15) by means of a crank pin 5
carried by a vertical shaft 88 that is journelled in the cross bar 89, and otherwise
supported as may be necessary, which crank pin engages in a slot in the said
arm 86, so that each revolution of the shaft will cause a vibration of the pawl 50,
and hence move the wheel 80 one tooth, and carry the type channels 12 of the type
case D from one position of register with the type channels of the type case C to
another such position.
In order to limit and determine the forward movement of the wheel SO, a stop
pawl 52 is provided, such pawl being pivoted to a spindle 90 carried by the cross
bar 89, and held to duty by a spring 94 that bears against a toe 1 on its end.
This pawl 52 engages against one of the teeth of the wheel 80, as such wheel
reaches the end of its part rotation at each step like forward movement, and
remains in that position until the backward movement of the carrying arm 80 is
being accomplished, during which backward movement by means of an unlocking
arm 91 rigidly connected to the said carrying arm 86, which thus has its curved
face engaged with the stud 1, and pressing the same outwards, the said pawl 52 is
withdrawn from engagement with the wheel 80, thus permitting the forward
movement of the pawl 50 to engage with and press forward the wheel 80 as
before.
This pawl 52 is thus disengaged from the wheel 80 during a part of the forward
movement of the pawl 50, but is released by the arm 91 in proper time to engage
the said wheel and limit its rotation.
By these means, so long as the shaft 88 is rotated, the case D will have slight
rotation imparted to it, step like in character, and hence will have its channels 12
successively carried into register with the channels 2 in the type case C, a single
revolution of the case D suflicing to carry each separate channel it contains into
register with each separate channel contained in the case C.
If it is desired at any time to arrest the movement of the type case D without
stopping the movement of the shaft 88, as will be the case practically, it may be
done by holding the pawl 50 out of position to engage with the teeth of the
wheel 80. This is provided for by means of a spring bar 92 that projects from said
pawl, and which may be rested against a pin 93 projecting from the bar 86. Thus
held, the pawl 50 will move inoperatively with said bar.
It is to be observed that the throw of the pawl 50 is such as to always carry the
channels 12 over the channels 2, and that the pawl 52 hold them in such position;
and further, that though the spring bar 92 may be carried behind the pin 93
before the forward stroke of the pawl 50 is finished, the friction between the end
of such pawl, and the tooth of the wheel 80 will be sufficient to cause such pawl to
finish its forward stroke before it is withdrawn from engagement with such tooth.
A line feeding device is arranged to deliver lines of the type into the channels 12.
It consists of a galley F fixed upon a bracket attached to the case C in such a
position that the vertical feeding plate 82 that slides upon its end plate S1 will
push the forward line of type forming part of a mass of "matter "held within the
galley by being supported upon the plate 84, and against the side plate 83 end wise
through the slot 39 in said side plate 83, and into one of the type channels 12.

page_text: This galley will be constructed of a height sufficient to accomodate a mass of
types, the composed lines of which are nearly as long as are the channels 12, which
types will rest upon the bottom plate 84, and be pressed forward against the end
plate 81, and before the feeding plate 82 by a sliding follower in a manner common
in this class of devices.
Operation. To charge the type channels 12 of the distributing case D, it is
stopped at the forward end of one of its step like movements by suspending the
action of the pawl 50, which is done by placing its spring bar 92 behind the spring
bar 93. The channel 12 then standing before the galley F is opened by raising its
fender 40, and with it the weight 11. The forward line of a body of types 7 in the
galley F is then pushed forward by the feeding plate 82, and the type composing
it pass feet foremost into said channel. The fender 40 is then replaced by being
lowered into place, which movement of it allows the weight 11 to descend and rest
upon the line of types 7 in the channel 12, see Figure 6. A rotative movement of
the case D will bring other channels successively in front of the galley F, to be in
like manner charged with lines of types, in which will be contained the various
characters composing words.
As the type case D is revolved it carries the lines of types in its channels 12
with it, said types gravitating or pressing downwards and resting upon the
upper face of the case C as the channels 12 are moved from one position to
another over the channels 2, and as each character or letter is provided with
nicks peculiar to itself, which corresponds in position with the wards 8 in the
particular channel 2 designed to receive a given character, it follows that when
the bottom letter contained in a type channel 12 is brought over its appropriate
channel 2 it will, by reason of its nicks coinciding with the wards 8 of such
channel 2, enter into such channel and descend therein until it lies on top of the
lines of types already accumulated therein, and whenever the bottom letter of a
line of types in a channel 12 is a character not belonging to the channel 2 which
it overlies, it will, by reason of the noncoincidence of its nicks with the wards of
such channel, be supported by the upper faces of such wards aided by the frictional
drag block, and thus make no movement of descent.
So long as there are types in the channels 12, and the step like movement of
the case D is kept up, said types will be brought over their appropriate channels 2
and enter therein, thus filling said channels 2 each with letters of like character.
And whenever one or more channels 12 have discharged their types the case
may be stopped, and said channels be recharged with lines of type.
The channels 2 of the composing case are thus automatically supplied with
appropriate letters, each channel containing like characters.
To set or compose these so as to form words is accomplished by the operator
touching the keys 36 in proper succession. Each key depressed sets its key bar 70
downward far enough to have its tappet 32 engaged by one of the plates 23, and
thereby be forced positively forward to reciprocate the appropriate one of the
ejectors 6. This movement will necessarily be a rapid one, and the lowermost
type of a line of them in such channel 2 will be thrust face foremost out into the
race way and upon the revolving carrying table 30.
As the main portion of the body of the outwardly moving type comes outo the
surface of the table, and is thus mainly free from the walls of the type channel 2,
the bevilled end of the ejector causes its head to turn forward or in the direction
the table is moving; it thus receives a correct initial direction to cause it to be
carried properly forward by the carrying table. In this forward movement of the
type upon the carrying table the centrifugal action of such table tends to throw
the type outward to the guide 21, against the face of which such type travels as it
is carried onward toward the line forming mechanism.
The ejected types will generally take the movements described, but sometimes,
as practice has demonstrated, there are letters which will leave the guide 21 and
move heads foremost toward the case C.

page_text: In so moving, these types come into contact with the guards 24, and are by
them redirected into proper position.
The types thus ejected from their channels enter successively onto the table, and
lie thereon one behind another. As the table rotates and brings these types
against the deflector 19 its inclined face acts as a guide, forcing such type to move
outwards through the throat 2 and onto the belt 25, the motion of which, aided
by that imparted to the types by the table, causes them to enter head foremost into
the chute 28.
This chute guides them downwards into one of the receivers 18 of the wheel 29,
where they overlie the elevator 15, and as the type is carried onward under the
setting stick by the rotation of the wheel 29, aided by the inclined face of the
chute 28 and the rising part of the wheel 29 that forms the base of the succeeding
elevator, the said type is caused to rise into the setting stick, where it is supported
by the elevator and the spring 14. As each type is thus forced onto the setting
stick it is pressed against those that have preceded it, and with them forms
a line.
The stick may be continued for any length, and be twisted so as to conduct the
line of types in any direction, or to a position convenient to enable such line to be
adjusted in columns or page form as a body of printing matter.
The deflector 19 is not an essential element in the composition of types, though
it is useful in directing such types as have not travelled far enough to or otherwise
have failed to receive sufficient centrifugal movement to project them against the
guard 21. If dispensed with however, that portion of the type case C nearest to
the throat 3 would be without type channels 2.
As the types are carried by the table 30 to the point where the throat 3 is
provided the centrifugal force imparted to the types will cause them to pass bodily
through such throat and on to the belt 25, and the forward movement of the belt
will carry them to the line forming mechanisın.
Though this belt has been described as delivering such types to the chute 28, it
is obvious that such chute may be admitted and the belt 25 extended forward
over a small pulley set near the peripheral line of the wheel 29, and thus wholly
convey the types from the table 30 to the receivers of said wheel.
The type channels might be arranged radially in the type cases, or in any other
angular position with respect to each other and the type carrying table, but it
is preferable that they shall lie so that when they deliver the types onto the table
such types shall be pointed in the general direction they must travel with such
table.
The type cases may, of course, be polygonal in their peripheral outline and yet
have vertical type channels arranged at an appropriate angle therein.
The type distributing case might be constructed in such form as to adapt it to
receive a vibrating or reciprocating movement over a similarly arranged type
composing case, the carrying table being appropriately moved.
The vertical guard 21 is not essential to the perfect operation of the apparatus,
and may therefore be omitted if the table 30 is made wide enough to prevent the
types ejected from it from being thrown over its edges.
Practically this could be done only at the sacrifice of speed, and it is preferable
therefore to employ the guard and thus make the machine compact and effective.
The horizontal guard 22 is not essential to the perfect operation of the apparatus,
but as it is desirable to avoid the possibility of the ejected types either jumping
out of the machine or turned over on the carrying table, it is preferable to employ
such guard, the function of which is to prevent such defective operations.
Any other structure of parts for actuating the type distributing case and the
other rotating parts may be employed.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of the said Invention,
and the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that
what 1 claim is,-
1. A distributing type case, having vertically arranged type channels in which.

page_text: the types descend by gravity, which is constructed so as to move with a step-like
action, whereby its said type channels are periodically brought into register with
and to a state of rest over the type channels of a composing case, all substantially
as described.
2. The combination with the vertical type channels of a composing case, which
are constructed with wards determining the character or letter which may enter
them, of a distributing type case provided with vertical type channels each
adapted to contain types bearing various characters, which distributing type case
is constructed to be moved with a step like action so as to periodically bring its
channels into register with and to a state of rest over those of the composing case,
all substantially as described.
3. The combination with the stationary composing type case C, having vertical
channels 2, that are provided with wards governing their mouths, of the distributing
type case D, having vertical type channels 12, and provided with means for
imparting to it a step like rotative movement, all substantially as described.
4. The combination of the horizontally moving distributing type case D, having
vertical channels 12, with the stationary composing type case C, having vertical
channels 2, that are provided with wards governing their mouths, and with
horizontally reciprocating case ejectors, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the horizontally moving distributing type case D,
having vertical channels 12, the stationary composing type case C, having
vertical channels 2, that are provided with wards governing their mouths, and
with horizontally reciprocating type ejectors, of the horizontally moving carrying
table that transfers the ejected types to the line forming mechanism, substantially
as described.
6. The combination with the type channels of the distributing case, having open,
outer, or front sides, and in which channels the types gravitate, of the removable
fenders arranged a distance from said open sides, whereby the types may be
introduced into and held in the channels, and the condition of the same inspected,
substantially as described.
7. The combination with the vertical type channels of a moving distributing
case, of the frictional drag blocks 75, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the type channels of a stationary type composing case,
of a distributing type case arranged to move over the same, the type channels
whereof are provided with frictional drag blocks, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the channels of the type distributing case, of a line
feeding device, consisting of a galley supported vertically before said type case and
at an appropriate angle relative to its type channels, and provided with a feeding
plate, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a composing type case, having vertical type channels
from which the types are ejected, of a horizontally moving table that receives the
types and carries the same to the line forming mechanism that communicates with
the edge of the said table opposite to that upon which the types are received upon
it, substantially as described.
11. The combination with a composing type case, having vertical type channels
and type ejectors reciprocating therein, of a horizontally moving type carrying
table and a conveying belt, as 25, substantially as described.
12. The combination with a composing type case, having vertical type channels
and type ejectors reciprocating therein, of a horizontally. moving type carrying
table and a type conveying chute, the said table receiving the types at one edge of
its surface and delivering them to the chute over the opposite edge, substantially
as described.
13. The combination with a composing type case, having vertical type channels
and type ejectors reciprocating therein, of a horizontally moving type carrying
table, a conveying belt, as 25, and a conveying chute, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a composing type case, having vertical channels 2,

page_text: ejectors reciprocating therein, and a rotating type receiving carrying table, of a
guard, as 21, situated a distance in front of said channels, and having a throat at 3,
substantially as described.
15. The combination with the composing type case, the horizontally moving type
carrying table, and the conveying chute 28, of the deflector 19, the said table
receiving the types at one edge of its surface, and delivering them to the chute over
an opposite edge, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the type case C and the ejectors 6, that reciprocate in
its type channels, of the horizontally moving type receiving carrying table 30 and a
guard, as 21, that is situated a distance in front of said channels, substantially as
described.
17. The combination with the type case C and the ejectors 6, that reciprocate in
its type channels, of the horizontally moving type receiving carrying table 30 and
guards 21, 22, substantially as described.
18. The combination with the type case C, its type chaunels and type ejectors, of
the moving carrying table 30 and the guard 24, substantially as described.
19. The combination with the vertical type channels and a receiving table, of the
type ejectors, having bevelled ends, substantially as described.
20. The combination with the vertical channels of the type case, the type carrying
table, and its guard 21, of the reciprocating type ejectors, having bevelled ends,
substantially as described.
21. The combination with the vertical channels of the type case, the type carrying
table, and its guards 24, of the reciprocating type ejectors, having bevelled ends,
substantially as described.
22. A type case provided with vertical type channels, the rear walls whereof
have a ward whereby a thin type is prevented from turning or canting as it
descends, substantially as described.
23. A line forming mechanism consisting of a type carrying wheel, having type
receiving steps, an inclined stationary type elevator 15, and a setting stick,
substantially as described.
24. The combination with the type conveying chute 28, the type carrying wheel
having receiving steps, the inclined stationary elevator, and the setting stick,
substantially as described.
25. The combination with type conveying belt, conveying chute, stepped carrying
wheel, inclined stationary elevator, and setting stick, substantially as described.
26. The combination with the type channels of the case C and their ejectors, the
rotating carrying table, the deflector, belt, stepped carrying wheel inclined stationary
elevator, and setting stick, substantially as described.
27. The combination with the type channels in the case C and their ejectors, the
rotating carrying table, the deflector, conveying chute, stepped carrying wheel,
inclined stationary elevator, and setting stick, substantially as described.
28. The combination with the stepped type carrying wheel, inclined elevator, and
setting stick, of the spring 14, substantially as described.
29. A type ejecting mechanism consisting of a reciprocating ejector, a vertically
vibrating type bar having tappets 32, 33, 34, and a rotating driver, the latter being
constructed with a multiplicity of angularly arranged plates that engage said tappets
to propel the type bar forward and disengage from the tappets to permit the rear-
ward movement of said type bar, substantially as described.
30. The combination with the ejectors 6, the key bars 70 and their tappets 32,
33, 34, the rotating type bar driving plates 23 and retracting springs 37, substantially
as described.
31. The combination with the keys 36, the key bars 70, and their studs 43, of
the slotted plates 42, having rearward and forward recesses, whereby a key bar
when depressed may be held down during its forward movement and at the end of
its stroke rise, and be held upward during the rearward movement, substantially as
described.

page_text: 32. The combination with the keys 36, the spring seated key bars 70, their
studs 43, and the slotted and recessed division plates 42, of the rotating type
driving plates 23 and the tappets 32, 33, 34, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Morgan-Brown, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty eighth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
W. MORGAN-BROWN. (L.S.)