or other Preparing Printing Surface
Year: 1883

page_text: Machines for Impressing Typographic or other Characters,
Preparing Printing Surfaces, and Construction of Plates,
into which Impressions may be Sunk for Typographic or
other Purposes.
LETTERS PATENT to Charles Henry Davids, Engineer, of New York City,
in the County of New York, and State of New York, one of the United
States of America, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES FOR
IMPRESSING TYPOGRAPHIC OR OTHER CHARACTERS, DESIGNS OR DEVICES IN
DESIRED
SUCCESSION,
PREPARING PRINTING
SURFACES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATES INTO WHICH IMPRESSIONS
MAY BE SUNK FOR TYPOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES
ORDER,
POSITION AND
IN
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Henry Davids at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd April 1883.
CHARLES HENRY DAVIDS, Engineer, of New York City, in the County of New
York, and State of New York, one of the United States of America, "IMPROVE-
OTHER CHARACTERS,
MENTS IN MACHINES FOR IMPRESSING TYPOGRAPHIC OR
DESIGNS OR DEVICES IN DESIRED ORDER, POSITION AND SUCCESSION, IN PREPARING
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATES INTO
PRINTING SURFACES, AND
WHICH
IMPRESSIONS MAY BE SUNK FOR TYPOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES
26
"
My invention has for its object the production of sharply defined impressions
The soft metal thus
from clearly cut types into lead or analogous soft metal.
impressed with sunken characters can be used by inking, wiping and printing
for what is known as I plate printing"; but for ordinary printing, the plates
simply serve as matrices from which to produce relief plates by electrotyping or
analogous means. With these relief plates surface printing may be performed as
will be obvious.
The invention will be described as employed for the production of small plates,
each adapted to serve as a matrix for a portion of one column of newspaper matter.
It will be seen that a very useful effect can be produced by impressing the

page_text: characters to a very small depth, using lead as the matrix.
After getting a very
thin coating of oxide on the surface, by a sufficient exposure to the air or other-
wise, the plates can then be used as a matrix from which to cast the reverse plates
in ordinary type metal, or preferably in a more fusible metal.
The matrix or mold-plate to receive the impressions, is made by facing a rigid
back piece with soft metal joined by fusion, and is mounted in a holder capable
of being moved for the spacing, and the types are impressed successively therein
by mears of a series of punches held in a wheel in a position parallel to the axis,
and capable of being moved endwise. The wheel is rotated by suitable mechanism,
which permits it to be stopped without stopping the whole machine, and is arrested
in the right position, at the will of the operator, by striking one of a series of keys,
which brings the proper stop into contact with a spur or projection on the wheel
at a required point in its circuit. The mechanism forbids any recoil of the punch
wheel on its being arrested.
Provision is made for withholding the impressions until the type wheel is
stopped, and to produce the impression by a further movement of the same key.
The locking levers are arranged in one half instead of the whole of the circle,
and are placed in two or more tiers, acting upon a corresponding number of
flanges fixed on the punch wheel.
The depression and subsequent liberation and elevation of the proper key effects,
first, the stopping of the wheel with the desired type or punch in position, then
the impressing of that punch and its withdrawal, then the unlocking and allowing
the wheel again to commence its active revolution, and lastly, and to a certain
extent simultaneously with the unlocking &c., the feeding or moving of the mold-
plate which receives the impression, this latter being to a greater or less distance,
according to the width of the particular letter which has just been impressed.
Means are provided for an excess of force for each impression and a firmly
supported stop is placed close to the impression surface, to receive the excess of
force, and insure that all the letters are impressed to an exactly uniform depth.
Provision is also made for conveniently varying the distance of the several
letters apart, in a whole or a part of the word. After the completion of each line,
the receptive mold-plate is shifted in position to the proper extent to receive the
next line of impressions, and there are facilities for giving more or less space
between the lines in fine degrees of graduation.
There are key levers for designating the types or punches to be impressed in
their proper order. These are also connected with the feeding mechanism so that
the operation effects a proper amount of feed for each lever. There is another set
or scries of key levers for effecting the spacing between the words. These serve
by feeding the mold-plate along to a greater or less extent according to which
lever of the series is operated. And there is still a third set or series of key levers
for line spacing. When cach line is finished they move the mold-plate in the
proper direction to prepare for the next line. The extent of the space thus
induced between the lines is greater or less according as one or another key of the
series is operated.
All these several series of key levers may be side by side in an apparently
continuous line, the keys which extend up therefrom and are provided with
suitable buttons to receive the touch of the fingers, being arranged in several rows
or banks.
The mold-plate is formed by taking a block or plate of brass or other hard
metal, of sufficient thickness, and carefully tinning the face thereof. This is placed
in a mold, and on the tinned face, melted lead, tin or zinc, or a suitable soft metal
alloy is applied. If it is not practicable to mold this with a sufficiently smooth
face, it is cast with an excess of thickness, and this compound block is then placed
in a machine, analogous to a stereotype planer, and its surface shaved off and
polished to a perfectly even surface. On the soft metal thus supported by being
fused on an unyielding back, the desired characters are punched.
A punch wheel is fixed on a suitable bridge piece of the framework of the

page_text: machine, and carries a number of moveable supports or puppets, one for each
character to be used in the machine, and which slide freely lengthwise in
upright mortices, cut in equal divisions of the punch wheel near its periphery.
Each of the puppets carries in its upper end, a type punch, and its lower end is
provided with a recess.
The punch wheel is kept revolving continuously through the action of a system
of mitre gears set in motion by means of a pulley worked by a suitable belt.
Suitable friction mechanism is provided and works in connection with the pulley
so that when it is required to impress any desired character of a series, the
revolution of the punch-wheel is arrested by the depression of a lever and its
connections, which so act upon the friction mechanisin as to withdraw it from
contact with the driving pulley, allowing the punch wheel to remain stationary
while the pulley is still revolving.
Upon a shaft extending across the rear of the frame work of the machine and
resting in bearings in suitable standards is fulcrumed a series of key levers, lying
side by side and having finger buttons attached to their other ends.
The weight
of each key lever is a little more than balanced by a spring attached to its rear
end, and to the base plate of the machine. The front ends of these levers move
freely in guideways formed in a stop bar, at the front of the machine, which arrests
the descent of the key levers when depressed to the proper line.
One of these series of levers may be called type levers, and are equal in number
to the letters, figures and other characters used in the machine and serve one for
each character. To aid learners in operating, each finger button may have one of
said characters conspicuously exhibited. Each lever is connected by a link near
its fulcrumed end, with one of a series of locking levers which are equal in
number to the key levers, and are arranged in two ranks in semicircles on a
grooved locking. plate. The outer ends of these locking levers are held up by
elbow springs.
The punch wheel is provided with locking flanges extending around its whole
periphery, one for each rank of levers. Each locking flange is provided with a
narrow score or slot cut through it. Immediately adjacent on the under side is an
arresting spur which projects from the flange.
These slots and spurs bear such relation to each other and to the locking levers,
that the latter by engaging in the former will lock the punch wheel in a different
position according as one or the other key lever is depressed.
It will be seen that the depression of the type lever raises the inner end of its
connected locking lever against the proper locking flange, which nevertheless
continues to revolve freely with the punch wheel, until its spur or detent strikes
the said elevated locking lever. Then the locking lever continuing to be pressed
gently upwards by the continued pressure of the finger on the proper key lever,
passes into the slot, permitting a still further depression of the key lever. When
pressure ceases on the key lever, the locking lever returns, leaving the punch wheel
free to revolve through the action of the friction mechanism before mentioned
which closes in upon the pulley and receives its motion therefrom.
An impression lever is mounted upon the same shaft on which the key levers
are mounted, and is formed as a broad frame extending across beneath all the
type levers. Adjusting screws are set in its front part, one under each type lever.
On the upper surface of this impression lever, connections are made with a slider,
the upper part of which has a recess and lip to correspond with the lower ends of
the type puppets. These lips on the puppets constantly engage with the recess
and lip of the slider, and when, by the revolution of the punch-wheel the desired
letter has been reached, and the key lever depressed, the slider will force the
puppet upward, and the consequent impression is made in the mold-plate.
Another lever, nearly similar in form and dimensions to the impression lever, is
swung upon the same shaft, and is designed for spacing or feeding along the mold-
plate to an extent corresponding to the width of each letter imprinted. It extends
under the type levers, and is operated by each to just the proper extent..for its

page_text: Jetter. It also extends under a set of additional "spacing" levers which latter are
depressed by the operator, when required for blank spacing between the words in
place of the quadrats and spaces used by compositors. The front of this lever
carries similar adjusting screws to those described as connected with the impression
lever, one screw for each type lever and spacing lever. The height of these screws
is adjusted in the lever according to the width of the face of the corresponding
type represented by the key lever over it. In the case of the spacing lever, the
adjustment is in proportion to the amount of blank space to be thereby provided.
The spacing lever, after it has been depressed and released, is raised by a suitable
spring; being also connected to a system of ratchets of different lengths which are
carried on a suitable shaft. On this shaft are two bevel pinions gearing into
corresponding bevel wheels lying at right angles thereto which latter are on spindles,
on which are two friction clutches, fastened and released by turning suitable knobs.
They also carry wheels, which when engaged by their respectivo friction clutches,
tend to turn in opposite directions, tho whole being arranged to move the mold-
plate from one side to the other.
These wheels carry a belt or band preferably of metal, having projections on its
inner face, engaging with transverse grooves on the faces of the said wheels. This
belt is attached to a spacing carriage which slides on the under side of the frame
plate, in suitable guides, and to this carriage is attached the mold-plate to receive
the impression, being moved to one side or the other by the means described.
Suitable mechanism is attached to the spacing lever, so that when it has been
depressed and is allowed to rise again, it is delayed by a looseness of the connections,
Bo that the spacing mechanism will not begin to act until sufficient time has
elapsed to allow the type punch to leave the mold-plate. So also the several parts
must be so adjusted that the proper locking lever will retain its hold on the
punch wheel until the puppet with its punch has been drawn completely down.
One of the key levers or spacing levers being depressed, at the proper point in
its descent, strikes an adjusting screw and depresses the spacing lever, and through
its connections, operates the system of ratchets and pawls before mentioned. On
the key lever being released the parts return to their former position, by the force
of the springs hereinbefore mentioned, and in doing so, one of the pawls, which
has engaged with a ratchet wheel turns it a distance, proportionate to the extent
to which the spacing lever has been depressed.
Two adjustable stops are attached to the frame plate to aid in setting the
spacing carriage at each ond of a line, and thus determine the width of the column
or page.
Wider or narrower spaces are made between the several words, by playing
different spacing keys.
Wider or narrower spacing of the entire set of characters may be obtained by
shifting the point of connection of a link which is connected to the spacing lever
moving in a alot made therein. This link is the means of operating the system of
ratchets before mentioned.
The proper spacing betweon each line is secured as follows:-
On the shaft upon which the several series of levers hereinbefore mentioned aro
fulcrumed, is also mounted a line spacing lever which is operated by the key levers,
and extends across beneath them. It is connected by a link, with a ratchet lever,
carrying several ratchets, which operate a ratchet wheel, attached to a line spacing
shaft, upon which a spur wheel engages in a horizontal rack which abuts against
the mold plate, so that, by a depression of one of the line spacing levers, one of the
ratchets is caused to operate the ratchet wheel, and by the aid of its connections,
the horizontal rack is pushed forward, forcing the mold-plate forward the required
distance.
A suitable spring is provided for raising the lever after it has been depressed.
A lifter is provided for lifting the ratchet from the ratchet wheel, permitting the
rack to be returned to its starting point, leaving the mold-plate free to be pushed
back and a fresh line begun.

page_text: A suitable device is provided to obtain consecutive impressions of one type-punch
with a proper feed between each impression, without waiting for the type-wheel to
revolve for each. This may be especially useful in repeating the cypher in figure
work, involving large quantities
It will be understood that the clutch mechanism before described is so constructed
that the mold-plate, through its action, may slide in the guides in both directions
and that the printing may be printed one half line forward and its other half
backward for the purpose of having the ends of the lines even, but it may be moved
only in one direction as desired.
It is preferable to have the mold-plate contain but a small quantity of matter,
so that inaccuracies will never cause more than a few moments lost time.
Nearly all errors in ordinary type setting arise from "foul" cases, i.e. compart-
ments in the type cases containing types not belonging therein. The work of a
machine of this class is free from such errors.
Modifications may be made in many of the details. Parts of the invention inay
be used without the whole.
The mold-plate may have the soft metal, coating only on one face and thus be
capable of being used in only one position. It may be faced on both sides and thus
allow it to be reversed. The soft metal in this case will be fused upon a solid
centre plate having V shaped scores in the sides which aid in holding the hard
portion firmly in position in its guideways, when the letters and devices are being
impressed.
The invention is not confined to the employment of levers of the kind shewn for
locking the punch-wheel. Other kinds of levers or devices, as for example, slides
inny be used.
It is sufficient if they are employed in a series and serve as described
relatively to the key levers and to the flange or flanges on the punch wheel.
The punches used may be matrix formed, i.e. have the desired charactors
impressed in them, and thus produce a relief plate by operating the machine as
described.
If deemed advisable the mold-plate may be faced with wax or any other desired
substance instead of the soft inetal face heroinbefore described.
The mold-plate or a sufficiently hard reproduction therefrom, can be used to
produce a relief-plate by other means than stereotyping or electrotyping. It may
be used by mechanically pressing it upon a suitable yielding surface. The material
and thickness may vary according to the purpose for which it is intended to be
used. It may be made cylindrical or segmental, proper modifications being made
in the holder and in the means for moving it.
Although this invention has been termed herein, an improvement in typography
for which it has been described as being used, the same mechanism may be used
with or without modifications for the impressing of other devices than printers'
types, and for other purposes than printing. For example, punches may be
provided adapted to impress scrolls or other decorative devices, or parts of such
devices, which may be combined in a great variety of ways upon a mold-plate,
which mold-plate may afterwards be used as a matrix from which to produce dies
for use in embossing, chasing and decorating paper, leather, woven fabrics, &c., for a
great variety of purposes.
A modified form of this mechanism may also be used as a type-writer, so called,
ic machines to produce single copies on paper by successive impressions of single
types.
A modification of this machine may also be used to perforate stencil plates or to
effect the punching of diverse designs on sheet metal or other material.
By reason of the fact that the mold-plate is composed of two materials, the back
portion of hard and rigid metal, and the front portion of a soft metal as of lead,
and of the further fact that the two materials are united over the whole surface by
fusion so as to be quite solid, a more than usually rigid mounting of the soft metal
face which receives the impression is ensured; and by using metal as a face in
which to stamp or impress the punches, it is not sufficiently effected by ordinary

page_text: changes of temperature or by moisture to prevent it from being in the proper
condition for immediate use at any time after being prepared for the machine.
Furthermore it will not adhere to the punches, and each successive impression will
not injuriously affect those previously made. These advantages will become
apparent to their fullest extent when the mold-plate is used as a matrix-plate from
which a relief plate is to be cut.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Henry Davids in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd October 1883.
CHARLES HENRY DAVIDS, of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and State of
New York, one of the United States of America, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINES
FOR IMPRESSING TYPOGRAPHIC, OR OTHER CHARACTERS, DESIGNS OR DEVICES IN
DESIRED ORDER, POSITION AND SUCCESSION, IN PREPARING PRINTING SURFACES,
AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATES INTO WHICH IMPRESSIONS MAY BE SUNK
FOR TYPOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES,"
The invention has for its object the production of sharply defined impressions
from clearly cut types into lead or analogous soft metal. The soft metal thus
impressed with sunken characters can be used by inking, wiping and printing,
for what is known as "plate printing"; but for ordinary printing the plates
simply serve as matrices from which to produce relief plates by electrotyping or
analogous means. With these relief plates, surface printing may be performed, as
will be obvious.
The invention will be described as employed for the production of small platos,
each adapted to serve as a matrix for a portion of one column of newspaper matter.
It will be seen that a very useful effect can be produced by impressing the
characters to a very small depth, using lead as the matrix. After getting a very
thin coating of oxide on the surface, by a sufficient exposure to the air, or
otherwise, the plates can then be used as a matrix from which to cast the reverse
plates in ordinary type metal, or preferably in a more fusible metal.
The matrix or mold-plate to receive the impressions is made by facing a rigid
back piece with soft metal joined by fusion, and is mounted in a holder capable
of being moved for the spacing, and the types are impressed successively therein
by means of a series of punches held in a wheel in a position parallel to the axis,
and capable of being moved end wise. The wheel is rotated by suitable mechanism,
which permits it to be stopped without stopping the whole machine, and is arrested
in the right position, at the will of the operator, by striking one of a series of keys,
which brings the proper stop into contact with a spur or projection on the wheel
at a required point in its circuit. The mechanism forbids any recoil of the
punch-wheel on its being arrested.
"

page_text: Provision is made for withholding the impressions until the type-wheel is
stopped, and to produce the impression by a further movement of the same key.
The locking levers are arranged in one half instead of the whole of the circle,
and are placed in two or more tiers, acting upon a corresponding number of flanges
fixed on the punch-wheel.
The depression and subsequent liberation and elevation of the proper key effects,
first, the stopping of the wheel with the desired type or punch in position, then
the impressing of that punch and its withdrawal, then the unlocking and allowing
the wheel again to commence its, activo revolution, and lastly, and to a certain
extent simultaneously with the unlocking &c., the feeding or moving of the
mold-plate which receives the impression, this latter being to a greater or less
distance, according to the width of the particular letter which has just been
impressed.
Means are provided for an excess of force for each impression, and a firmly
supported stop is placed close to the impression surface to receive the excess of
force, and insure that all the letters are impressed to an exactly uniform depth.
Provision is also made for conveniently varying the distance of the several letters
apart in a whole, or a part of a word. After the completion of each line, the
receptive mold-plate is shifted in position to the proper extent to receive the next
line of impressions, and there are facilities for giving more or less space between
the lines in fine degrees of graduation.
}
There are key-levers for designating the types or punches to be impressed in
their proper order. These are also connected with the feeding mechanism so that
the operation effects a proper amount of feed for each lever. There is another
set or series of key-levers for effecting the spacing between the words. These
serve by feeding the mold-plate along to a greater or less extent, according to
which lever of the series is operated. And there is still a third set or series of
key-levers for line spacing. When each line is finished, they move the mold-plate
in the proper direction to prepare for the next line. The extent of the space thus
induced between the lines is greater or less according as one or another key of the
series is operated.
All these several series of key-levers may be side by side in an apparently
continuous line, the keys which extend up therefrom, and are provided with
suitable buttons to receive the touch of the fingers, being arranged in several rows
or banks.
The following is a description of what I consider the best means of
carrying out the invention. The accompanying drawings form a part of this
specification.
Figure 1 is a front view of the entire machine, partly in section.
Fig. 2 is a plan view with a portion broken away to show the parts below.
Fig. 3 is side elevation.
The succeeding figures are on a larger scale.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing certain portions. It is a section through the
center of the punch-wheel, in a plane extending forward and back.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of certain parts, partly in section.
Fig. 6 is a front elevation showing certain parts.

page_text: excess of thickness, and then place this compound block in a machine, analogous to
a stereotype planer, and shave the soft face, and polish to a perfectly even surface,
and trim the edges. On the soft metal, thus supported by being fused on an
unyielding back, I punch the desired characters.
The punch-wheel, T w, revolves on a stud, 7, fixed on a bridge-piece 9, of the
frame, and has locking-flanges, lf, on its periphery. This punch-wheel, T w, carries
a number of movable supports or puppets, p, one for each character to be used in
the machine, and which slide freely lengthwise in upright mortices, cut in equal
divisions of the punch-wheel near its periphery. Each of the puppets, p, carries in
its upper end a type-punch, tp. Near its lower end is a recess, a', in one edge,
leaving a lip a. Each type-punch is fixed in its puppet by a set-screw, b, which
also acts as a stop, preventing the puppet from dropping below the desired point.
A mitre-wheel, g, is formed or secured on the hub of the punch-wheel T w, and
gears into a similar wheel, g', on a horizontal shaft, revolving in fixed bearings.
Power is received by a belt from a line shaft, not shown. The belt runs on a
pulley, P, fixed on a sleeve sl. A friction-plate, f, slides on the sleeve sl, but is
prevented from turning thereon by the spline d. Between the friction-plate, f, and
the adjacent surface, which is the side of the pulley P, a washer w, of felt or other
frictional material, is compressed by the nut N, on a screw-thread formed on the
sleeve sl.
A shaft, 1, extending across the rear of the machine, rests in bearings in
standards, 2, and is the fulcrum for a series of key-levers K L, K t, and K 8, lying
side by side, having finger buttons attached. The weight of each key-lever is a
little more than balanced by a spring, 3, attached to its rear end, and to the base
plate B. The front ends of these levers move freely in the guide-ways forined in a
stop-bar S b, at the front of the machine, which arrests the descent of the key-
levers when depressed to the proper line.
The levers Kt, which may be called type-levors, are equal in number to the
letters, figures and other characters used in the machine, and serve one for each.
To aid learners in operating each finger-button may have one of said characters
conspicuously exhibited. Each lever K t, is connected by a link, 4, with one of the
locking-levers, ll, which, equal in number to the levers, K t, are arranged in two
ranks in semi-circles on the grooved locking-plate lp. The outer ends of the
locking-levers, l, are held up by elbow-springs, G. The inner ends stand under the
locking flanges, lf, one for each rank of levers, on the periphery of the punch-
wheel T w.
Each locking-flange, lf, has one narrow score or slot 8, cut through it. Inme-
diately adjacent on the proper side is an arresting spur, 8, which projects from the
flange. These slots, 8, and spurs 8, bear such a relation to each other and to the
locking-levers, ll, that the latter, by engaging in the former, will lock the punch-
wheel Tw, in a different position according as one or the other key-lever. K t, is
depressed.
A clutch-plate, e, on the end of the sleeve sl, (see figure 5), engages with a clutch-
plate, e', on the shaft r. The hub of the plate e' is notched, preferably in one full
turn of a spiral, and engages with a collar, C³, having a like formation on its face.
A spiral spring, h, encircling. the shaft r, has one end attached to the notched
The clutch-
collar C, and the other end to a collar, i, secured to the shaft r.
plate e¹, has a circumferential groove in its hub, and in this groove a yoke, y,
engages, which is hinged at one end to the framework of the machine, and at its
other end to a link, j, connecting with one arm of a bell-crank lever, k. The other
arm of the lever k, is connected by a link ³, with a lever m, operated by the
working of the toggle, 12, 13.
The receiving power pulley P, being revolved, the nut N is screwed up on the
sleeve sl, until the friction-plate, f, compresses the elastic washer w, sufficiently.
The collar i, on the shaft r, is adjusted so that the spring h, will hold the clutch-
plate e' against the clutch-plate e. The shaft r, with its mitre bevel-wheel g¹,
being thus made to revolve, turns the punch-wheel, or type-wheel T w.
The

page_text: lever m², being depressed, opens the clutch e, e', by operating the link ♬¹, bell-crank
lever, k, link, and yoke y, and the punch-wheel T w, stops.
It will be seen that depression of a type-key-lever Kt, raises the inner end of
its connected locking-lever l, against the proper locking-flange lf; which never-
theless continues to revolve freely, until its spur, or detent 8, strikes the said
elevated locking-lever . Then the locking lever, continuing to be pressed gently
upward by the continued pressure of the finger on the proper key-lever, passes
into the slot 8, permitting a still further depression of the key-lever Kt, which
then moves quite to the bottom of its groove or guide-way in the stop-bar, Sb.
When pressure ceases on the key-lever, K t, the locking-lever U, returns, leaving
the punch-wheel T w, free to revolve, and the clutch e, e, is closed. The notched
collar C, on the end of the spring h, in connection with the notched end e³, of the
hub of the clutch-plate c', acts as a click or ratchet to prevent the machine from
revolving in the wrong direction. Should the punch-wheel T w, be stopped, and
the clutch e, e¹, not be opened soon theroafter, the friction devico P, w, f, will permit
the pulley P, to revolve without injury to the machine.
On the shaft 1, (see figure 3) is mounted the impression lever, I l, formed as a
broad frame extending across beneath all the type-levers Kt. Adjusting screws, o, o,
are set in its front part, one under each type-lever K. t. On its upper surface it
carries a forked standard, 10, between the levers K t, and connected by an adjustable
link, 11, with a bell-crank lever, 12, which with the link 13, forms a toggle or knee
joint. The link, 13, is also jointed to the slider, 14, the upper part of which has
a recess, a³, and a lip a³, to correspond with the like formation of the lower ends of
the type-puppets p. The slider, 14, moves in the slide-plate, 15, which is secured
to the bridge-piece 9, of the frame of the machine. The bell-crank lever, 12, is
attached to the rock-shaft, 16, which rocks in the journal-boxes 17, 17, and which
carries on its end the lever m³, before-mentioned. A stop-screw, or pin, 18, in the
slider 14, moving in a slot in the slide-plate 15, acts as a stop on the slider 14,
permitting its descent only to the point where it will engage with the puppets, p.
A spring, n, raises the impression lever after it has been depressed.
A positive stop, Ps, (see figuro 4), attached at one end to the stud 7, is extended
outward across the path of the type-punches, tp, and firmly bolted to the fixed
framing. Through a sufficient hole in this stop, the type-punches tp, are successively
thrust, as the several impressions are produced; but the ends of the puppets p, are
received by the stop Ps, and thus regulate the impression.
On the posts, 30, (see figure 1), I place on each side of the frame-plate, fp,
adjusting nuts, 31, 32, two on each of the four posts (30), one of each pair (31)
being below, and the other (32), above the frame-plate fp. These serve to adjust
the distance of the mold-plate, mp, from the type-punches tp, when the thickness
of the mold-plate is subject to considerable variation.
The ends of the adjusting screws o, o, in the impression lever I l, (see figure 4),
are at such a distance below the type-levers K t, that the latter, when operated, do
not touch them until the type-wheel T w, is locked. They are arranged to com-
pensate for the springing of the impression lever I l, and for the difference in the
pressure required by the various type-punches tp. One of the type-levers Kt,
being depressed a little, raises the corresponding locking-lever ll, into contact with
its proper locking flange, lf, and then is compelled to wait until the punch-wheel
Tw, is arrested, and the slot a receives the locking-lever ll. Thon the key-lever Kt,
is allowed to sink lower, and depresses in turn the impression lever 1. This, by
the thin, forked standard 10, playing between the key-levers draws down the
link 11, and by the action of the toggle-joint, 12, 13, pushes up the slider 14.
several parts must be so arranged and proportioned that on the stoppage of the
punch-wheel, the puppet required has been presented in line above the slider, and
engaged there with by means of its lip a The slider 14, rises, carrying the engaged
puppet p, and its type-punch, tp, and forces the latter into the soft surface of the
mold-plate mp, until the puppet p is arrested by the stop P 8. On the return
motion of the slider 14, its lip a, retracts the puppet p, until both are stopped, the
The

page_text: slider 14, by the stop-pin 18, and the puppet p, by the set-screw b, and all is
ready for the revolution of the punch-wheel T w, to be again resumed.
On the shaft, 1, swings a broad lever, Sl, nearly similar in form and dimensions
to the impression lever I l. This lever is for spacing, or feeding along the mold-
plate to an extent corresponding to the width of each letter imprinted. It extends
under the type-levers Kt, and is operated by each to just the proper extent for its
letter. It also extends under a set of additional levers, K 8, which latter are
depressed by the operator when required for blank spacing between the words, in
place of the quadrats and spaces used by compositors.
The front of the lever S, carries adjusting screws, q, q, which are set to engage
under the levers Kt, and,Ks, one screw q for each lever Kt, or Ks. The height of
these screws q, 9, (see figure 4), is adjusted in the lever Sl, according to the width
of the face of the corresponding type represented by the key-lover over it. In the
case of the levers K. 8, the adjustment is in proportion to the amount of blank space
to be thereby provided.
The spacing lever S7, after it has been depressed and released, is raised by a
suitable spring. It is connected by an adjustable link, 19 (see figure 1), with a
ratchet lever R, which carries a series of ratchets R, R, of different lengths,
operating the ratchet wheel, Rw, on the spacing shaft, 20. On this latter are two
bevel pinions, 21, 21, gearing into corresponding bevel-wheels, 22, 22, lying at
right angles thereto, which latter are on spindles 23, 23, on which are two friction-
clutches t, t, fastened and released by the turning of knobs u, u. These friction-
clutches, parts of which will be designated by further marks, when necessary,
as t, t, carry wheels x, x, which, when engaged by their respective friction clutches,
tend to turn in opposite directions.
These wheels x, x carry a belt or band, V, preferably of metal, having projections
on its inner face engaging with transverse grooves on the faces of the friction-
wheels x, .
This belt is attached to the spacing carriage Sc, which slides on the
under side of the frame-plate, fp, in guidesz, z.
A turn-buckle, 33, serves to keep a suitable tension on the spacing belt V, to
prevent loss of motion by looseness thereof.
The ascent of the adjustable link 19, when the spacing lever Sl, has been
depressed and is allowed to rise again, is delayed by a looseness of the connections,
represented in figure 3, so that the spacing mechanism will not begin to act until
sufficient time has elapsed to allow the type-punch tp to leave the mold-plate m p.
So also the several parts must be so adjusted that the proper locking-lever l, will
retain its hold on the punch-wheel T w, until the puppet with its punch has been
drawn completely down.
Each friction-clutch, (see figure 8), has a circular plate, t, fixed on the sleeve t¹¹,
to which the gear-wheel, 22, is keyed, and a similar circular plate, t2, fixed on a
sleeve, in line with the first. Within these sleeves is a stem 23, which extends
also through the wheel x. The end of this stem is screw-threaded, and receives a
hand-wheel or nut u, which is threaded differentially, that is to say, on the end of
the stem 23 is a screw tapped through the nut, and on the sleeve 2, is a screw
thread of different pitch, also engaging with the nut u.
Each clutch revolves in journal-boxes, (see figure 3), attached to the frame-
plate fp. The screw-threads act differentially in opening or closing the plates t¹
and t, against the wheel x, by means of the nuts u.
One of the key-levers Kt, or K 8, being depressed, at the proper point in its
descent strikes an adjusting screw q, and depresses the spacing-lever Sl, thus
allowing the link 19, to fall, and the ratchet-lever, RL, and ratchets R, to draw
back for a fresh hold. On the key being released, these parts return to their former
positions by the force of the springs n', and 3, and in doing so, one of the pawls R,
which has engaged with the ratchet-wheel R w, turns it a distance proportionate
to the extent to which the spacing-lever SL, has been depressed. The ratchet-
wheel Rw, turns the shaft 20, and necessarily also the beveled pinion 21, and
wheel 22, with the attached sleeves t", t2, and plates t¹, t², each pair in an opposite

page_text: direction. One of the clutches being disengaged and the other engaged, the latter
will at each rise of the link 19, feed forward the mold-plate mp, to a distanco
corresponding to the breadth of the letter which has just been impressed. Should
the left-hand clutch be brought into operation by screwing up the left-hand nut u,
the carriage Sc, will move from right to left; but should the left-hand nut be
released and the other nut be tightened, the motion of the carriage will be
reversed.
Two adjustable stops, 34, 34, are attached to the frame-plate fp, to aid in setting
the spacing carriage Sc, at each end of a line, and thus determine the width of the
column or page.
When a certain portion of the line, say from one-half to two-thirds, has been
impressed by beginning at the commencement of the line, in the usual way, the
forwarding clutch then in operation, which is the left-hand one, is released by
turning the hand-wheel or nut, u, at the left. The spacing carriage Sc, is next
pushed by the hand of the operator quite over against the stop 34, at the end of
the line. Then the reversing clutch, on the right, is engaged and the remainder
of the line is set up backward. This allows the ends of the line to be exactly
even.
Wider or narrower spaces are made between the several words, by playing
different spacing keys K. 8.
Wider or narrower spacing of the entire set of characters may be obtained by
shifting the point of connection of the link 19, moving in the slot 28, in the
spacing lever St.
The proper spacing between each line and the next is secured as follows:
On the shaft 1, swings a line-spacing lever L, which is operated by the key-
levers K, and extends across and beneath them. It, Ll, is connected by a link, 24,
with a ratchet-lever, 7, carrying several ratchets, r, which operate the ratchet-
wheel, rw, attached to the line-spacing shaft, le, on which is the spur-wheel, Sw,
engaging in the rack, rk, which abuts against the mold-plate mp, sliding between
guides,, on the spacing-carriago Sc. Adjustments 27, 27, are provided in the
stop-bar, Sb, for the line-spacing key-levers Kt. They may bo small blocks of
different lengths, as shown, or adjusting screws, as may be deemed best.
A spring, 25, raises the lever Ll, after it has been depressed. A lifter, 26, lifts
the ratchet, from the ratchet-wheel, permitting the rack, rk, to be returned to
its starting point.
An additional key-lever, m', (see figure 5), is connected to the link 7, to operate
the clutch e, e¹, at will, independently of the impression mechanism. I can use it,
either for the purpose of stopping the punch-wheel for examination, or for any
purpose while the belt is still connected, or by using it in combination with any
given key-lever, Kt, to obtain consecutive impressions of one type-punch, with a
proper feed between each impression, without waiting for the type-wheel to revolve
for each. This may be especially useful in repeating the cypher in figure work
involving large quantities.
OPERATION.
The spacing carriage being against the proper stop in the position for com-
mencing a line, and the letter-spacing device properly adjusted, the operator puts
a mold-plate, mp, in the guides a¹, a, places copy before him, and connects the
belt, P', to set the type-wheel Tw, revolving, and closes the spacing clutch, t,
which moves the spacing carriage Sc, forward. He then depresses the lever K 8,
that represents an m quadrat, once or oftener, as may be necessary. He then
consecutively depresses different type-levers, Kt, until the first word is forined.
He then depresses a key-lever Ks, which represents an ordinary space between
words, and then consecutively depresses levers K t, to form the next word.
suitable point, before the line is completed, he opens and disengages the left
clutch, t, which had been operative, moves the spacing-carriage Sc, with the mold-
plate mp, against the opposite stop, and having by a quick mental process
At a

page_text: determined what word or part of a word will come at the end of the line, proceeds
to impress in a reversed order as much matter as will be necessary to fill out the
line, spacing it more or less as required.
Having finished the line, he opens the reverse clutch, t, and applying his hand
moves the spacing carriage Sc, with the mold-plate, m p, to the other stop, 34, and
closes the forwarding clutch. Then, to put the plate in position for the next line,
he depresses the proper lever Kl, thus moving the mold-plate m, forward more
or less, according to which lever is so depressed, and, commencing a new linc,
repeats the operation previously described until the plate is filled, or the copy is
all composed.
Should the operator discover an error before beginning the next line, he composes
a corrected line beneath the incorrect one, and continues as before, leaving the
incorrect line to be cut out of the casting or electrotypo taken off of the mold-
plate. It is hardly necessary to say that, should errors be discovered after
succeeding matter has been correctly composed, all the incorrect matter can be cut
out of the casting or electrotype taken therefrom, and correct matter can be inserted
in its place. In like manner, author's corrections of text may be made.
It is preferable to have the mold-plate contain but a small quantity of matter,
so that inaccuracies will never cause more than a few moments' lost time.
Nearly all the errors in ordinary type-setting arise from "foul" cases-i.e. com-
partments in the type-cases containing types not belonging therein. The work of
a machine of this class is free from such errors.
Modifications may be made in many of the details.
be used without the whole.
Parts of the invention may
The mold-plate may have the soft metal coating only on one face, and thus be
capable of being used in only one position. But I prefer to face both sides, and
thus allow it to be reversed. The V-shaped scores in the sides aid in holding the
hard portion firmly in position when the soft metal coating is applied in a mold,
and also aids in supporting the mold-plate in its carriage, when the letters and
devices are being impressed.
I do not confine the invention to the employment of levers of the kind shown
for the devices ll. I can use therefor other kinds of levers, or devices, as, for
example, slides. It is sufficient if they are employed in a series, and serve as
described relatively to the key-levers, and to the flange or flanges lf.
The punches used may be matrix formed,-i, e, have the desired characters
impressed in them, and thus produce a relief plate by operating the machine, as
described.
If deemed advisable, the mold-plate may be faced with wax, or any other
desired substance, instead of the soft metal face herein before described.
The mold-plate mp, or a sufficiently hard re-production made therefrom, can be
used to produce a relief-plate by other means than stereotyping or electrotyping.
It may be used by mechanically pressing it upon a suitable yielding surface. The
material and thickness may vary according to the purpose for which it is intended
to be used. It may be made cylindrical or segmental, proper modifications being
made in the holder, and in the means for moving it.
Although I have termed this invention an improvement in typography, for
which I have described it as being used, the same mechanism may be used, with or
without modifications, for the impressing of other devices than printers' types, and
for other purposes than printing. can, for example, provide punches adapted to
impress scrolls or other decorative devices, or parts of such devices, and use this
machine to combine them in a great variety of relations on a mold-plate, which
mold-plate may, if desired, be afterwards used as a matrix from which to produce
dies for use in embossing, chasing and decorating paper, leather, woven fabrics &c.,
for a great variety of purposes.
A modified form of this mechanism may also be used as a type-writer, so
called, .e. machines to produce single copies on paper by successive impressions on
single types.

page_text: A modification of this machine may also be used to perforate stencil plates, or to
effect the punching of divers designs on sheet metal or other material.
By reason of the fact that the mold-plate mp, is composed of two materials-
the back portion of hard and rigid metal, and the front portion of a soft metal, as
of lead and of the further fact that the two materials are united over the whole
surface by fusion, so as to be quite solid, I insure a more than usually rigid
mounting of the soft metal face which receives the impression and by using
metal as a face in which to stamp or impress my punches, I am provided with a
material that is not sufficiently affected by ordinary changes of temperature, or by
moisture to prevent it from being in the proper condition for immediate use at
any time after being prepared for the machine. Furthermore, it will not adhere to
the punches, and each successive impression will not injuriously affect those
previously made. These advantages will become apparent to their fullest extent
when the mold-plate is used as a matrix plate, from which a relief plate is to be
cast.
I claim as my invention:-
1: The combination of the key-levers K. t, impression levers I, link 11, toggle
joint 12, 13, slider 14, puppets p, and type-punches tp arranged substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
2: The key-levers K t, and impression lever Il, with an adjusting device on
the link 11, and train of connections to the type-punch tp, substantially as
shown.
34: The key-levers Kt, impression lever I Z, and its adjustments o, o, in com-
bination with a train of connections to the type-punches tp, substantially as
shown and described.
4th The combination of the key-levers Kt, the impression lever Il, the con-
nections from the impression lever I l, to and including the slider 14, and the
return stop 18, arranged substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5th A punch-wheel, and its rotating mechanism, in combination with the
locking-levers, and with a cushioning spring h, the latter interposed between
the driving mechanism and the punch-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
6th: The device h, C and C³, for preventing the communication to the punch-
wheel of a reversed motion of the rotating mechanism, in combination with said
punch-wheel and rotating mechanism, substantially as specified.
7th In combination with each other, and with the mechanism for rotating a
carrier containing a set of punches, a continuously operative friction clutch, and a
positive clutch e, e', which is disengaged while a punch is being impressed, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes specified.
8th The friction plate f, and means for adjusting it, compressible washer w, and
pulley or driving-wheel P, in combination with a punch-wheel, and mechanisın for
revolving the same, substantially as set forth.
:
9th A series of key-levers K t, and their connections, in combination with the
punch-wheel Tw, with one or more flanges if thereon, whereby the type key-
levers, after a partial movement, are detained until the punch-wheel is stopped,
substantially as herein described and shown.
10th A punch-wheel, provided with a detaining flange f, having a releasing
slot 8, in combination with the key-levers K t, and connected mechanism, as herein
specified.
11 A punch-wheel, provided with a detaining flange lf, in combination with
its rotating mechanism, and with the key-levers and their connections, arranged
substantially as shown so as to prevent the simultaneous complete operation of
two or more of the latter.
12th A series of locking-levers or devices, adjacent to, and arranged around a
punch carrier, the latter furnished with a slotted flange into which the locking
devices may engage singly, to prevent motion in the punch-carrier, substantially
as shown.

page_text: 13th: The punch-wheel T w, having a slotted detaining flange lf, and spur 8,
in combination with the locking-levers 1, the latter arranged to perform the
double function of stopping the punch-wheel, and locking it to prevent motion
thereof in either direction, substantially as set forth.
14 A punch-wheel having a detaining flange lf, furnished with a slot s, and
a spur 8, in combination with checking devices, substantially as shown.
:
15th The grooved locking-plate, 12, formed substantially as described, and a
series of locking devices pivoted therein, in combination with a spur, and slotted
detaining flange on a punch-carrier, substantially as shown.
:
16th The key-levers Kt, and suitable connections, substantially as described,
to a series of locking mechanisms, substantially as described, in combination with
each other, and with a detaining flange lf on a punch-wheel or carrier, substantially
as set forth.
17: In a machine for impressing types successively, the combination of a
friction wheel x, friction plate t, and means, substantially as described, for
engaging them at will, with a spacing carriage, and letter-spacing mechanism and
connections thereto, all substantially as described.
18th A mold-plate and spacing carriage, in combination with reversible letter-
spacing mechanism, substantially as described.
19th The compound mold-plate m p, described, having the main body and
back m, of hard metal, and the face p of soft metal, united by fusion, as herein
specified.
..
In Witness whereof, I, the said Charles Henry Davids, have hereunto set my
hand and seal the Eleventh day of September, One thousand eight hundred and
sighty three
Witnesses.
JOHN CHRISTOPHER RAHMINGS
WILLIAM. CLARK. DEY.
CHA HENRY. DAVIDD
: