Improvements in Type Distributing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 15th Mar., 1900-Accepted, 5th May, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Distributing Machines.
We, PHILIP ELIOT HODGKIN, Engineer, of The Pulsometer Engineering Com-
pany, Limited, Nine Elms Iron Works, Nine Elms, in the County of London,
and GEORGE ENOS KENNEY, Fitter, of 161, Victoria Buildings, Battersea Park
Road, in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to type distributing machines of the kind in
which ordinary types in galley form from a printing machine can be distributed
into separate compartments for future use, and it has for object to simplify the
construction and improve the working of such machines.
According thereto a column of types suitably guided and supported, is pressed
by à follower against a wall formed at a suitable height with a recess onto
the bottom of which the lines of types are transferred one at a time by the
action of a vertically movable plate and the follower so as to bring each line
of types in turn opposite a trough along which it is forced by another follower.
At one end of the trough and in line therewith is an opening that extends
from, the floor of the trough to a height equal to rather more than that of a
space but less than that of a type and through which spaces will be automatically
forced when brought up thereto. At the same end of the trough and extending
at right angles through its front and rear walls are two openings, the front one
being made variable in size by a sliding plate or block and the rear one being
fitted with a type ejector by operating which the foremost type of the line
thereof in the trough can be forced sideways through the front opening and
allowed to fall through a hole or passage into one or other of a series of channels
which is opened to it by movement of the corresponding type key and by which
it is directed to a suitable receptacle.
In order to reduce the number of channels that would be necessary if a
separate channel were provided for each type, the different types to be distri-
buted are assumed to belong, according to their size, to one or other of a con-
venient number of groups, and all the types of a group are caused to fall
through the same channel into a device in which the different types of the
same group are separated from each other and allowed to fall into separate
receptacles or troughs in which they may be packed in line form by any suit-
able packing device such as a rotary eccentric. Thus assuming there are 80
different types to be distributed and that they are divided into sixteen groups
each containing five types varying in thickness from a thick type or capital
down to a thin type, then it will suffice to provide sixteen distributing channels
each leading to a type separating device and to make the width of the type exit
opening in the front of the type distributing trough of one or other of five
different widths corresponding to the particular type that is to be separated
from the line of types, and which the machine operator can determine by

page_text: looking either at the line of types itself, or at a copy of the matter printed
from the column or forme the types in which are to be distributed.
Apparatus to operate in the manner set forth can be constructed in various
forms.
In one arrangement the top of the machine is provided with a galley adapted
to contain and guide the column of types to be distributed. The front end
of this galley is closed by a fixed wall the rear side of which at a height about
half that of the types, is recessed to an extent sufficient to receive and support
a line of types, this recessed part being in line with a trough or guide way that
extends at right angles to the galley.
Through the floor of the galley, adjacent to the front wall, is a slot fitted
with a vertically movable plate that has a thickness corresponding to the thick-
ness of a line of types and is connected to one end of a lever the other end of
which is provided or formed with an upward or lateral extension arranged in
the path of a tappet pivoted to a line follower that is constantly forced by
suitable means, such as a cord and weight, against the line of types in the recess
and trough, the arrangement being such that when the line follower is drawn
backward, it will depress one end of the lever and raise the other sufficiently
high to bring the line of types resting thereon to the level of the floor of the
recess whereupon the lever will be released and the plate drawn down by the
action of a spring or weight leaving the raised line of types which will be
immediately forced into the recess by the column of types which is constantly
pressed forward by the weighted follower that acts thereon. A stop is provided
above the column of types to prevent any line of types except the foremost one,
being raised by the "plate.
The forward end of the trough is provided with an uncontrolled space exit
opening, and with a type exit opening and type ejector as herein before men-
tioned. One side of the type exit opening is formed by a sliding plate or block
adapted to be operated by the type keys in such a way that there will be
presented opposite the foremost type. an opening of one or other of say five
different widths, according to the thickness of the foremost type, and through
which such type will be forced and brought above or opposite the type exit
hole or passage, without rubbing against the sides of the opening, by the hori-
zontal type ejector which is operated from the keys and the thickness of which
is made rather less than that of the thinnest type to be ejected. The type exit
hole or passage is or may be provided with means, such as a pivoted weight,
to prevent turning of the type falling therethrough to the distributing channels.
The distributing channels according to one arrangement are formed by and
between a number of plates or shutters pivotted at their lower ends and enclosed
in a chamber which may have a glass front and is of gradually increasing width
from top to bottom, the lower ends of the plates or shutters being spaced apart
from each other and from the inner sides of the chamber. The chamber is or
may be inclined to the horizontal. When the types to be distributed are to be
first separated into sixteen groups, there may be fifteen shutters so that with
the sides of the chamber in which they are enclosed sixteen channels can be
formed. The arrangement is such that when a type key is depressed to detach
a type from the line of types under treatment, if the proper distributing
channel be not open to direct the detached type to the corresponding type
separating device, the shutters will be moved in such a way as to open the
proper channel.
The type selecting device in connection with each distributing channel com-
prises according to one arrangement a box formed with a main inlet channel
that serves for all the types of a group and which may be provided with means,
such as a pivoted weight or arm, to prevent the type turning in such channel.
This channel at different parts of its length is made of different thicknesses
corresponding to the different thicknesses of the several types, composing the
group, which the device is to separate from one another, and at the place where

page_text: cach difference in thickness begins the channel is connected with a separate
branch passage and provided with a deflecting or guiding surface, preferably
curved, leading to such passages, the arrangement being such that the thinnest
type of the group will pass through all the different parts of the main channel;
the next thickest will pass through all but one of such parts and will be
deflected by the bottom deflecting or guiding surface into the adjacent branch
passage; the next thickest type will pass through all but the two lower parts of
the main channel and will be deflected by the last but one deflecting guiding
surface into the adjacent branch passage and so on for the different thicknesses
of the several types of the group which are thus separated the one from the
other. The separated types are led to separate receptacles cach of which may
be a trough into which they are or may be packed by a rotary eccentric packing
device, care being taken to prevent the type turning, as for example by arranging
that the throw of the eccentric shall be slightly less than the thickness of the
type to be packed by an amount equivalent to the distance through which the
types will be moved by the forward impulse imparted to them by the action
of the eccentric.
The action of the machine is as follows:-
Upon depressing a type key, the sliding plate or block forming one side of
the type exit opening from the trough will be first moved sufficiently to, admit
of the passage of the forward type, unless this type corresponds in thickness to
the normal width of opening, in which case the plate or block does not move,
after which the type ejector will be operated to eject the foremost type and
cause it to fall through the type exit hole or passage. The operation of the type
key will also move the pivoted shutters, unless the particular channel left open
be the proper one for the type to be ejected, in which case the shutters will
remain at rest, the ejected type in each case passing through the open channel.
to the type separating device. Upon spaces being brought opposite the space
opening in the end of the type trough they will be automatically forced into
and afterwards through such opening, and, it may be into a space trough, by
the action of the follower bearing against the line of types, the top of the space
opening preventing the passage through such opening of the next foremost.
type which will be further supported by the last removed space which will
fill the space opening until displaced by a succeeding space.
The arrangement and means for operating the sliding plate or block, type
ejector and shutters from the type keys can be variously modified.
In one arrangement, the sliding plate or block normally occupies a mid
position in which it forms a type exit opening corresponding in width to that
of the third or middle type of a group comprising five types of different widths,
and is moved to two different extents to either side of the said mid position to
form openings corresponding in width to the four other types of the group.
For this purpose there extends from one side of the, block a horizontal pin
which extends through a vee-shaped notch in one end of a spring-actuated lever
that serves to normally hold the block in its mid-position but which will permit
the block to be moved to a small extent to either side of such mid position
and will afterwards act to return the block to the mid position when it is
relieved of side pressure. Below the pin are four vertically movable slides each
formed with an open-ended slot at its upper end, two of the slides being adapted
to act upon one side of the pin and move the block to two different extents
in one direction and the other two slides being adapted to act upon the opposite
side of the pin and move the block to two other and different extents in the
opposite direction. The several type keys are carried by levers pivotted at
their rear ends upon a rod and are adapted, when depressed, to act upon the
forward part of one or other of five frames or levers that may be of rectangular,
triangular or other shape and are pivotally arranged one within the other, each
pivotal frame being arranged to be operated by the keys corresponding to one
or other of the five different thicknesses of types. Four of the pivotted frames

page_text: are each connected to that one of the four vertically-movable slides that is
adapted to move the slide block sufficiently to allow of the passage of the types
corresponding to the keys that act upon the particular frame. The remaining or
fifth frame, which corresponds to the types of middle thickness, has no slide.
The type ejector is moved in the operative direction, against the action of
a spring, by a lever connected, as by a link, to one arm of a lever that may
be pivotted on the same rod as the five frames above referred to and the other
arm of which is or may be also made of the same shape as such frames and
is arranged to be depressed, so as to operate the ejector, each time any one of
the type keys is depressed, the arrangement being such that upon depressing
a type key, one or other of the five frames will be first depressed to adjust the
position of the sliding block, if this should need adjustment, after which the
sixth frame or lever will be depressed to cause the type ejector to make its
forward and operative stroke, the parts resuming their normal position when
the key is released.
For operating the several shutters, each shutter is fixed upon a spindle that
extends through the back of the chamber in which the shutters are mounted and
is provided on its rear end with a lever adapted to be rocked in opposite
directions by one or other of fifteen rock shafts arranged horizontally above
the levers carrying the type keys. Each of the rock shafts is connected to each
of the five levers carrying the type keys corresponding to one or other of the
groups of types in such a manner that when any key is depressed, if the proper
channel is not open for the passage of the type to be ejected the corresponding
rock shaft will be operated and move one or more of the shutters so as to open
the proper channel which will then remain open until the key corresponding to
a type of a different group is operated when the shutters will be again reset
to open
the proper channel for such type. The connection between each key
lever and the corresponding rock shaft may conveniently comprise two hook-
like parts so arranged that the rock shaft will only be operated on the descent
of the key. The connection between each rock shaft and the corresponding
shutter may conveniently be effected by means of a two-armed lever fixed on
one end of the rock shaft and provided, except as to the lever on each extreme
end rock shaft, with two pins arranged one at each end of the two-armed lever
and so as to embrace between them a two-armed lever fixed on the spindle of the
corresponding shutter so that movement of any one of the rock shafts in one
direction will operate the corresponding shutter, and also all the shutters that
may be on one side of such shutter, to open the proper channel for the passage
of the type to be ejected. The levers on the end rock shafts need only one
pin each.
The details of construction of mechanism of the kind herein referred to can
be variously modified.
As will be obvious some of the parts of a type-distributing machine of the
kind herein dèscribed can be used without others and in type-distributing
machines which in other respects vary from that herein before set forth.
Dated this 15th day of June 1899.

page_text: Improvements in Type Distributing Machines.
We, PHILLIP ELIOT HODGKIN, Engineer, of The Pulsometer Engineering Com-
pany, Limited, Nine Elms Iron Works, Nine Elms, in the County of London,
and GEORGE ENOS KENNEY, Fitter, of 16H1, Victoria Buildings, Battersea Park
Road, in the County of London, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement: —
This invention has reference to type distributing machines of the kind in
which ordinary types in galley form from a printing machine can be distributed
into separate compartments for future use, and it has for object to simplify the
construction and improve the working of such machines.
According thereto a column of types suitably guided and supported, is pressed
by a follower against a wall formed, at a suitable height, with a recess onto.
the bottom of which the lines of types are transferred one at a time by the
action of a vertically movable plate and the follower so as to bring each line
of types in turn opposite a trough along which it is forced by another follower.
At one end of the trough and in line therewith is an opening that extends
from the floor of the trough to a height equal to rather more than that of a
space but less than that of a type and through which spaces will be automatically
forced when brought up thereto. At the same end of the trough and extending
at right angles through its front and rear walls are two openings, the front one
being made variable in size by a sliding plate or block and the rear one being
fitted with a type ejector by operating which the foremost type of the line
thereof in the trough can be forced sideways through the front opening and.
allowed to fall through a hole or passage into one or other of a series of channels
which is opened to it by movement of the corresponding type key and by which
it is directed to a suitable receptacle.
In order to reduce the number of channels that would be necessary if a
separate channel were provided for each type, the different types to be distri-
buted are assumed to belong, according to their size, to one or other of a con-
venient number of groups, and all the types of a group are caused to fall
through the same channel into a device in which the different types of the
same group are separated from each other and allowed to fall into separate
receptacles or troughs in which they may be packed in line form by any suit-
able packing device such as a rotary eccentric. Thus assuming there are 80
different types to be distributed and that they are divided into sixteen groups
cach containing five types varying in thickness from a thick type or capital
down to a thin type, then it will suffice to provide sixteen distributing channels
each leading to a type separating device and to make the width of the type exit
opening in the front of the type distributing trough of one or other of five
different widths corresponding to the particular type that is to be separated
from the line of types, and which the machine operator can determine by
looking either at the line of types itself, or at a copy of the matter printed
from the column or forme the types in which are to be distributed.
Apparatus to operate in the manner set forth can be constructed in various
forms.
Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying illustrative drawings show in front
elevation and plan respectively, one construction of type distributing machine
according to this invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical sections on the lines A A
and BB respectively, of Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show parts of the machine

page_text: in section on the lines C, C, D, D, E, E, and F, F, respectively of Fig. 2. Fig. 9
shows in face view, and Fig. 10 in section on the line GG of Fig. 9, the type
distributing and separating devices, Fig. 11 shows in detail, and Fig. 12 in
section on the line H, H, of Fig. 11, type distributing plates or shutters and
operating means therefor. Fig. 1 shows in detail a part hereinafter referred
to. Figs. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 show views, to some extent diagrammatic,
illustrating the action of certain parts of the machine. The figures are drawn
to different scales and in some of them parts are removed to show other parts
more clearly.
(Fig 2) is a galley adapted to contain and guide the column of types to
be distributed. The front end of this galley is closed by a fixed wall the
rear side of which, at a height about half that of the types b, is recessed at
d (Fig. 5) to an extent sufficient to receive and support a line of types, this
recessed part being in line with a trough or guide way e that extends at right
angles to the galley a.
Through the floor of the galley a, adjacent to the front wall c, is a slot f
fitted with a vertically movable plate y that has a thickness corresponding to
the thickness of a line of types (Fig. 5). This plate is provided with a pin h
that extends through a hole i in one end of a lever that is pivoted at 7 and
the other end of which is provided or formed with an upward or lateral
extension m (Fig. 1) arranged in the path of a tappet n pivoted to a line
follower o that is constantly forced by suitable means such as a cord p passing
over pulleys, and a weight r, against the line of types in the recess d and
trough e. The arrangement is such that when the line follower o is drawn
backward against the action of the weight r, by means of a thumb piece , the
tappet will act upon the upward extension m so as to depress the corresponding
end of the lever and raise the other end sufficiently high to bring the line
of types immediately above the plate to the level of the floor of the recess d,
whereupon the raised line of types will be immediately forced into the recess d
by the column of types b, which is constantly pressed forward by a weighted
followers acting thereon, and the lever will be released, and the plate y drawn
down by the action of springs t. A stop is provided above the column of
types to prevent any line of types except the foremost one, being raised by the
plate g.
At the forward end of the trough e and in line therewith, is an exit
opening (Figs. 2, 6 and 7) that extends from the floor of the trough to a
height equal to rather more than that of a space but less than that of a type and
through which spaces will be automatically forced when brought up thereto.
the same end of the trough and extending at right angles through its front
and rear walls are two openings, the front one being made variable in width
and the rear one being fitted with a type ejector y by operating which the
foremost type of the line thereof in the trough e can be forced sideways through
the front opening a. To render the type exit opening variable in width, one
- of its sides is formed by a sliding plate or block adapted to be operated by
the type keys 1 in such a way that there will be presented. opposite the fore-
most type an opening of one or other of a number of different widths,
according to the thickness of the foremost type, and through which such type
will be forced and brought above or opposite a type exit hole or passage 2,
without rubbing against the sides of the said opening, by the horizontal type
ejector which is operated from the keys 1 and the thickness of which is
made rather less than that of the thinnest type to be ejected. The type exit
hole or passage 2 is or may be provided with means, such as a pivoted weight 3,
to prevent turning of the type falling there-through to distributing channels 4,
(Figs. 8 and 9).
At
In order to reduce the number of type distributing channels 4 that would
be necessary if a separate channel were provided for each type, the different
types to be distributed are assumed to belong, according to their size, to one
or other of a convenient number of groups, and all the types of a group are

page_text: The distributing channels 4 in the arrangement shown are formed by and
between a number of plates or shutters 5 pivoted at their lower ends and enclosed
in a recess or chamber which may have, although not so shown, a glass front
and is of gradually increasing width from top to bottom, the lower ends of the
plates or shutters 5 being spaced apart from each other and from the inner
sides of the recess or chamber 7. The recess or chamber 7 may, as shown, be
inclined to the horizontal. When the types to be distributed are to be separated
into sixteen groups, as in the example taken, there are fifteen shutters 5 so that
with the sides of the recess or chamber in which they are enclosed sixteen
channels 4 are formed. The arrangement is such that when a type key is
depressed to detach a type from the line of types under treatment, if the proper
distributing channel 4 be not open to direct the detached type to the corre-
sponding type separating device, the shutters 5 will be moved in such a way as
to open the proper channel 4.
The type, selecting or separating device in connection with each distributing

page_text: channel 4 comprises, according to the arrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 10,
a plate 8 formed with main inlet channels each of which serves for all the
types of a group and may be provided, as shown, with means, such as a pivoted
weight or arm 10, to prevent the type turning in such channel whilst passing
therethrough. Each channel 9 at different parts of its length is made of different
thicknesses .e. depths, corresponding to the different thicknesses of the several
types composing the group which the device is to separate from one another,
and at the place where each difference in thickness or depth of the channel begins,
the channel is connected with a separate branch passage and provided with a
deflecting or guiding surface, preferably curved, leading to such passages.
In
the example shown the difference in thickness or height of the channel is made
by covering the channel with four bridge pieces 11, 12, 13 and 14 arranged at
different distances from the bottom of the channel (see Fig. 10), 15, 16, 17
and 18 being the branch passages leading from the main passage 9, and 19 the
deflecting or guiding surfaces. As will be seen the arrangement is such that
the thinnest type of the group directed to each main channel 9 will pass under
the bridge pieces 14, 13, 12 and 11 of the main channel; the next thickest
type will pass under the bridge pieces 14, 13 and 12 and will be deflected by
the bottom deflecting or guiding surface 19 into the adjacent branch passage 15;
the next thickest type will pass under the bridge pieces 14 and 13 and will be
deflected by the last but one deflecting guiding surface 19 into the adjacent
branch passage 16 and so on for the different thicknesses of the several types
of the group which are thus separated the one from the other. The separated
types are led to separate receptacles 20 (Fig. 1) each of which may be a trough
into which they are or may be packed by a rotary eccentric 21, a pivoted "weight
or arm 22 being provided to prevent the type turning.
The arrangement of and means for operating the sliding plate or block,.
type ejectory and shutters 5 from the type keys can be variously modified.
In the example shown, the sliding plate or block normally occupies a mid
position in which it forms a type exit opening corresponding in width to that
of the third or middle type of a group comprising five types of different widths,
and is moved to two different extents to each side of the, said mid position to
form openings corresponding in width to the four other types of the group. For
this purpose there extends from one side of the block a horizontal pin 23 which
extends through a vee-shaped notch 24 in one end of a spring-actuated lever 25
that is pivoted at 26, and serves to normally hold the block z in its mid-position
but which will permit the block to be moved to a small extent to either side
of such mid position and will afterwards act to return the block to the mid-
position when it is relieved of side pressure. Below the pin are four vertically
movable slides 27 (Figs. 14, 15, 17, 18) each formed with an open-ended slot 28
at its upper end, two of the slides being adapted to act upon one side of the
pin 23 and move the block to two different extents in one direction, say to
the right, and the other two slides being adapted to act upon the opposite side
of the pin 24 and move the block to two other and different extents in the
opposite direction, say to the left.
The several type keys are carried by levers 29 pivoted at their rear ends
upon a rod 30 and adapted, when depressed against the action of springs 1.
to act upon the forward part of one or other of four frames or levers 34, 35, 36, 27.
These four frames or levers, which may, as shown, be of rectangular shape, are
pivotally arranged one within the other, pivot pins 38 carried by brackets or
lugs 39 being common to the four levers. Each of the four pivotal
frames 34, 35, 36 and 37 is arranged to be operated by the keys corresponding
to one or other of four of the five different thicknesses of types and they are
each connected through a separate lever or link 40 (Fig. 3) to that one of the
four vertically-movable slides 27 that is adapted to move the slide block suffi-
ciently to allow of the passage of the types corresponding to the keys that act
2.

page_text: upon the particular frame. 3 are springs that press upon one end or the
pivotal frames 34-36 and return them to their normal position after having
been operated by the type key levers.
The type ejector y is moved in the operative direction, against the action of
a spring 41, by a bell crank lever 42 pivoted at 43 and connected, as by a
link 44, to one arm of a frame or lever 45 that may be of rectangular shape,
as shown, and is pivoted at 46 to a lug or bracket 47 and is arranged to be
depressed, so as to operate the ejector y, each time any one of the type keys 1
is depressed, the arrangement being such that upon depressing a type key,
one or other of the four frames 34, 35, 36, 37 will be first depressed to adjust
the position of the sliding block r, if this should need adjustment, after which
the fifth frame or lever 45 will be depressed to cause the type ejectory to make
its forward and operative stroke, the parts resuming their normal position, by
the action of the springs 31 and 41 respectively, when the key is released.
Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive show the positions of the type keys 1, key levers 29,
levers 34, 35, 36, 37 and 45, slides 27, slide block with pin 23, and notched
lever 25 when type keys 1 corresponding, to the five different thicknesses of
type are successively operated, Fig. 14 showing the relative position of the parts
when the type exit opening is set for the exit of type of least thickness, and
Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18 the positions of the parts when the said opening is
set for the exit of type of the second, third, fourth and fifth degree of thick-
ness respectively. In those figures it will be seen that the levers 34, 35, 36, 37
and 45 are so arranged and the lower side of each key lever 29 is so notched
that when the corresponding type key is depressed, the key lever will first
depress. the corresponding lever 34, 35, 36 or 37 and afterwards the lever 45,
except in the case of Fig. 16, corresponding to the mid-position of the slide
block z, where only the lever 45 is depressed.
For operating the several shutters 5, each shutter is fixed upon a spindle 48
(see Figs. 11 & 12) that extends through the back of the recess or chamber ī
in which the shutters 5 are mounted and is provided on its rear end with a
two-armed lever 49 adapted to be rocked in opposite directions by one or other
of sixteen rock shafts 50 arranged horizontally above the levers 29 carrying the
type keys 1.
Each of the rock shafts 50 is connected to each of the five
levers 29 carrying the type keys 1 corresponding to one or other of the groups
of types in such a manner that when any key is depressed, if the proper
channel 4 is not open for the passage of the type to be ejected, the corresponding
rock shaft 50 will be operated and move one or more of the shutters 5 so as
to open the proper channel 4 which will then remain open until the key corre-
sponding to a type of a different group is operated, when the shutters 5 will
The connection
be again reset to open the proper channel 4 for such type.
between each key lever 1 and the corresponding rock shaft 50 may conveniently
comprise two hook-like parts 51 and 52 (see Fig. 13) so arranged, as shown,
that the rock shaft 50 will only be operated on the descent of the key. The
connection between each rock shaft 50 and the corresponding shutter 5; except
as to each extreme end rock shaft, may conveniently be effected by means of
a two-armed lever 53 pivoted to an arm 54 fixed on one end of the rock
shaft 50 and provided with two pins 55 arranged one at each end
of the two armed lever 53 and arranged so as to embrace between
them the two-armed lever 49 fixed on the spindle 48 of the corresponding
shutter 5. Each extreme end rock shaft 50 has a pin 56 fixed to its arm 54
and so arranged as to act against one arm only of the lever 49 fixed on the
spindle 48 of the corresponding shutter 5. One half of the rock shafts 50 are
arranged to be moved by the corresponding key levers 1 in a direction towards
the central lever 49 (Fig. 12) the other half of the rock shafts being arranged
to be moved by their key levers in the opposite direction towards the said
central lever 49. As will be seen the arrangement is such that when any one
of the said rock shafts, except the end ones, is turned by a key lever in the

page_text: direction mentioned, the pin 55 on the lower arm of the corresponding lever 58
will act against the lower arm of the corresponding lever 49 whilst the pin 55
on the upper arm of the same lever 53 will act against the upper arm of the
next adjacent lever 49 towards which it is moved, the result being that one
of the shutters and any that may be resting against it, will be turned in one
direction whilst the remaining shutters or shutter will be pressed and held in
the opposite direction so as to open the proper channel 4 for the passage of the
type to be ejected. When either of the extreme end rock shafts 50 is operated,
the corresponding pin 56 will act against the adjacent lever 49, if the same
be resting against it, and force all the shutters 5 in the opposite direction so
as to open the corresponding extreme end passage if this be not already open.
The action of the machine is as follows:
Assuming a line of type to be in the trough or guide way e, then upon
depressing the type key 1 corresponding to the foremost type to be separated
from the line of type, which the machine operator can determine by looking at
either the line of type itself, or at a copy of the matter printed from the column
or forme the types in which are to be distributed, the sliding plate or block =
forming one side of the type exit opening from the trough e. will be first
moved sufficiently to admit of the passage of the foremost type, unless this type
corresponds in thickness to the normal width of opening, in which case the
plate or block does not move, after which the type ejector
=
will be operated
to eject the foremost type and cause it to fall through the type exit hole or
passage 2. The operation of the type key will also move the pivoted shutters 5,
unless the particular channel 4 left open be the proper one for the type to be
ejected, in which case the shutters 5 will remain at rest, the ejected type in
each case passing through the open channel 4 to the type separating device:
Upon spaces being brought opposite the space opening in the end of the type.
trough e, they will be automatically forced into and afterwards through such
opening, and, it may be into a space trough 32, by the action of the follower o
bearing against the line of types, the top of the space opening w preventing
the passage through such opening of the next foremost type which will be
further supported by the last removed space which will fill the space opening w
until displaced by a succeeding space.
It will be evident that some of the parts of a type distributing machine of
the kind herein described can be used without others and in type-distributing
machines which in other respects vary from that herein before set forth; also
that apparatus according to this invention can be constructed in various forms
and that various changes cán be made in the details of construction of such
apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention so long
as the mode of operation described in the specification or the relative arrangement
of parts shown in the drawings is preserved.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that
what we claim is:-
1. A type distributing machine arranged and operating substantially as
herein before described.
2. A type distributing machine wherein upon the operation of a key lever
a type will be detached from a line of type and discharged into a type distri-
buting or grouping device adapted to be set by the operation of the key lever
so as to divide the ejected types into groups and direct. all the types corre-
sponding to each group into a stationary separating device that is adapted to
automatically sift or separate the types belonging to each group from one
another, the arrangement being such that each type key can be released imme-
diately after the ejected type has entered the channel prepared for it in the
distributing or grouping device whereby a rapid speed of working can be attained,
substantially as described.

page_text: 3. A type distributing machine wherein there is provided in connection with
a type galley having at one end feeding means and at the other end a stationary
wall formed with a recess having its bottom above the floor of the galley and
arranged in line with a type trough provided with a line follower adapted to
force a line of type along the recess and trough towards a type ejector, of a
vertically movable pusher adapted to be raised by the backward movement of
the line follower and to thereby lift the foremost line of types from a column
of types on the galley to the level of the bottom of the recess onto which the
raised line of types will be then forced by the forward pressure of the column
of types, substantially as described.
4. In a type distributing machine, the improved construction and arrange-
ment of parts for feeding successive lines of types into a trough and feeding
each line of types along said trough, substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the drawings annexed.
5. In a type distributing machine, a type trough having a type ejector and
a type exit opening arranged opposite the type ejector and one side of which
is formed by a block or plate that is moved endways by key operated mechanism
to different extents from its normal or starting position to vary the width of
the said opening to suit the particular type to be ejected and is returned to its
normal or starting position after each endways movement, substantially as
described.
6. In
type distributing machine, a type trough having a type exit opening
one side of which is formed by an endways movable block having a projecting
part, a spring lever having a notched portion engaging the said projecting part and
adapted to hold the said block in a yielding manner in its normal position, two
sets of separate adjusting devices adapted to act against opposite sides of the
said pin and move the said block endways to different extents, and key actuated
mechanism connected to said adjusting devices, substantially as described.
7. In a type distributing machine, a type trough having at one end an exit
opening in line with the trough and of a height above the floor of the trough
corresponding to that of a space, and two transverse openings formed through
the front and back walls of the trough adjacent to the said end exit opening.
the opening in the front wall being adjustable in width, a type ejector arranged
to work through the rear opening and force the foremost type of a line of
type in the said trough through the type exit opening, key actuated mechanism
for adjusting the width of the type exit opening to suit the width of the type
to be ejected, and means for actuating the said type ejector, substantially as
described.
8. In a type distributing machine, the combination of a type trough having
at one end a space exit opening in line with the trough and adjacent to this
opening and at right angles thereto rear and front openings of which the former
is provided with a type ejector and one side of the latter is formed by an
endways movable block, and mechanism for operating the said type ejector and
movable blocks, the several parts being constructed arranged and operated sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings annexed.
9. In a type distributing machine, the combination with type ejecting
mechanism, of a type grouping or distributing device comprising a series of
plates or shutters fixed at their lower ends to spindles journalled in the back
wall of a chamber or recess so that the plates or shutters can rest against one
another at their upper ends and are spaced apart from each other and from
the inner sides of the chamber or recess at their lower ends so as to form
passages in line with distributing channels. below, a series of levers each fixed
on the rear end of a shutter spindle, a series of rock shafts each carrying a
lever provided with two pins arranged to embrace one of the levers on a shutter
spindle, and key operated levers, each of the rock shafts being adapted to be
operated by each of the key levers corresponding to the particular types
belonging to a given group of types, substantially as described.

page_text: 10. In a type distributing machine, the combination with type ejecting
mechanism, of a type grouping or distributing device having a series of pivoted
plates or shutters and key operated mechanism for actuating said plates or
shutters, the said device and the mechanism for operating its plates or
shutters being constructed arranged and operated substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to and shown in the drawings annexed.
11. In a type distributing machine, a type separating or selecting device
comprising a box having a main inlet channel that serves for the entrance of
the different types to be separated from each other and which at different parts is
made of different thicknesses or depths corresponding to the different thickness of
the types to be separated, branch passages extending from the main channel at the
points where the thickness or depth of the channel is varied, and deflecting or guid-
ing surfaces between the main and branch passages, the arrangement being such
that different types fed into the device will on falling therethrough become
automatically separated from each other and fed into separate channels, sub-
stantially as described.
12. In a type distributing machine, the automatic type separating or selecting
device constructed and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to and shown in the drawings annexed.
13. In a type distributing machine, the combination of a type grouping or
distributing device and its key actuated shutter operating mechanism, and a
stationary automatic type separating or selecting device, these parts being con-
structed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and shown
in the drawings annexed for the purposes specified.
14. The improved type distributing machine constructed, arranged and
operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in
the drawings annexed.
1
ch 1900.
or the Applicants,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.