IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS
Year: 1859

page_text: :
LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for Patents, 66,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING
APPARATUS."A communication from abroad by Thomas Walker Gilmer,
of Virginia, in the United States of America, Administrator of John
Baker Gilmer, deceased.
Sealed the 9th March 1860, and dated the 4th November 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th November 1859.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the
nature of, the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS. IN TPYE SETTING AND. DIS-
TRIBUTING APPARATUS," to be as follows:-
The object of these improvements is to simplify the construction, and thereby
diminish the cost and liability to derangement of type setting and distributing
apparatus, thus rendering them more certain and rapid in their operation, and
making them effective labor-saving machines.
The apparatus consists of three distinct parts, a series of cases for holding
.each one of the several types used by the compositor, a composing stick for

page_text: withdrawing the types from the type cases and setting them in line, and a
distributing stick for transferring the type from the line to the type cases.
The type cases consist severally of a rectangular box properly proportioned to
receive a column of types or letters, and supported in a vertical position in an
exterior frame by pivots, so that it is free to vibrate in its frame. The case is
open at the top for the reception of the type, and also at one side that the
type may be read. A discharge opening for the type is made through the
front plate near the lower end, and the bottom of the case forms a rest for
the lowermost type. An opening is also made in the back plate of the case
opposite the front opening, and through this opening projects a discharger
attached to the rear of the supporting frame. To the front plate is attached a
sliding spring dog, with a rounded projection or nose, which descends below
the discharge opening and prevents the type from falling out. The bottom of
the frame is provided with a-mouth-piece with projecting flanges that serve
as guides to the composing stick when brought to the mouth of the case to
receive the type. When by the pressure of the composing stick the type case
is forced backwards in its frame, the discharger will enter the bottom of the
case and project the lowermost type through the front opening on to the com-
posing stick. The-type case is thrown forward again by a-spring attached to
the rear of the frame and pressing upon the back of the case.
The composing stick consists of a metallic box, the breadth and height of
which in the interior correspond with the length and breadth of the type, and
is of sufficient length to receive a full line. A spring plate covers the top at
the receiving end, and is provided with a lip or flange to hold the front type
and prevent it from turning or falling out, and also to assist in withdrawing
the type from the case. A friction slide sustains the back of the type, and is
pushed back by each succeeding type as it is received in the mouth of the
stick.
The type distributing stick in breadth and depth is the same as the com-
-posing stick, the length may be increased, if thought best, so as to receive 'two
or more lines of type. The front is closed by a plate or frame which extends
above the stick, and contains the mechanism for separating and discharging
the type through the bottom. This mechanism consists of a discharger
pivoted to one end of a rock lever. A spring acts upon the outer end of the
lever and holds the follower above the. type. The bottom of the stick directly
in front of the plate is made to ropen by pushing back a slide which is held in
contact with the bottom of the type case, and is caused to close the opening
by the action of a spring, except; when ithe types are discharged... A spring
follower presses against the rear end of the line of type and moves them

page_text: forward as they are successively discharged through the bottom opening in the
case. Between the slide and the front of the stick and on the under side,
tapered openings are made to receive projections on the top of the type case,
which, when the distributing stick is applied to the type case, force back the
slide a sufficient distance to allow the types to pass. One of these projec-
tions strikes the end of the rock lever and causes the follower to descend
and force the type through the bottom of the stick into the type case. A
modified arrangement may be used from that made by causing projections on
the distributor to actuate a swinging propellor fitted to the type case, but the
action will be the same as that described:
From the above explanation it will be understood that this Invention per-
mits of the withdrawing of the type from the type cases and setting them in line
in the composing stick without the aid of intermediate carrying mechanism,
and by the direct application of the composing stick to the type case; and,
also, the distribution of the type to the type cases by the direct application of
the distributing stick to such cases.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 4th May 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special license that I, the said Alfred
Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS," being a
communication from abroad by Thomas Walker Gilmer, of Virginia, in the
United States of America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the

page_text: said Alfred Vincent Newton, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say)
The object of this Invention, as communicated to me from abroad, is to
simplify the construction, and thereby to diminish the cost and liability to
derangement of type setting and distributing apparatus, thus rendering them
certain and rapid in their operation.
The apparatus consists of three distinct parts, vizt.-First, a series of cases
for holding each one of the several types used by the compositor; second, a
composing stick for withdrawing the types from the type cases, and setting
them in line; and, third, a distributing stick for transferring the type from
the line to the type cases.
In the accompanying Drawing, Fig. 1 represents a type case in perspective
view; Fig. 2 represents, in perspective view, the type-receiving stick; Fig. 3
represents, in perspective view, the type-distributing stick; Fig. 4 represents,
in sectional elevation, the type-distributing stick on the line x, x, of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 represents, in sectional elevation, the type case, and the receiving and
distributing sticks connected with the type case, and in position to receive and
distribute the type; Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of a modification in
the distributing stick; Fig. 7 represents a perspective view of a modification
in the discharging apparatus connected with the type case, and applicable to
the stick as represented in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 represents a second modification in
the distributing stick; Fig. 9 represents the discharging mechanism connected
with the type case, and applicable to the second modification, as represented
in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 represents, in sectional elevation, the modifications of the
type stick and discharging apparatus shewn at Figures 6 and 7; and Fig. 11
represents, in sectional elevation, the type stick and discharging apparatus
shewn in Figures 8 and 9.
The type case, Fig. 1, consists of a rectangular box A, mounted in a vertical
position in an exterior frame B, and suspended by pivots a, so that it is free
to vibrate backwards and forwards in this frame. The case is open at the
top for the reception of the type, and also at one side, that the type may be

page_text: read. A discharge opening for the type is made through the front plate near
the lower end, and the end 6 of the case forms a rest to receive the type;
an opening is also made in the back plate of the case opposite the front
opening, and through this opening projects a discharger c (see Fig. 5) attached
to the rear of the frame B. To the front plate is attached a sliding spring
dog e, with a rounded projection or nose, which descends below the discharge
opening, and prevents the type from falling out. The bottom of the frame
is provided with a mouth-piece f, with projecting flanges that serve as guides
to the composing stick when brought to the mouth of the case to receive the
type. The backward movement of the type case in its frame causes the
discharger c to enter the bottom of the case, and project the lower type through
the front opening. The type case is thrown forward against the flanges by
a spring 9 attached to the rear of the frame, and pressing upon the back of
the case.
The composing stick, Fig. 2, consists of a metallic box, the interior breadth
and height of which correspond with the length and breadth of the type, and
it is of sufficient length to receive a full line of type. A spring plate C
covers the top at the receiving end, and is provided with a short lip to hold
the front type and prevent it from turning or falling out, and also to assist
in withdrawing the type from the case. A friction slide D sustains the back
of the type, and is pushed back by each succeeding type as it is received in
the mouth of the stick.
The type-distributing stick (Fig. 3) in breadth and depth is the same as the
composing stick; the length may be increased, if thought best, so as to receive
two or more lines of type. The front is closed by a plate or frame E, which
extends above the stick, and contains the mechanism for separating and
discharging the type through the bottom. This mechanism consists of a
discharger i, pivoted to one end of a rock lever k, which turns upon a centre
pin in the plate E. A spring s acts upon the outer end of the lever, and holds
the follower above the type. The bottom of the stick, directly in front of the
plate E, is made to open by pushing back a slide m, and this slide is held in
contact with the bottom of the type case, and the opening closed, except when
the types are discharged by a small spring n attached to a bar o, extending
round to the front of the case. A spring follower p presses against the rear
end of the line of type, and moves the same forward as the types are suc-
cessively discharged through the bottom opening in the case: Between the
slide m and the front of the stick, and on the under side tapered openings q
are made (see Fig. 4), into which the projections or points r on the top of
the type case enter, and force back the slide a sufficient distance to allow the

page_text: types to pass. One of the points r strikes the end of the rock lever k, causing
the follower to descend, and force the type through the bottom of the stick
into the type case.
Fig. 6 shews a modified arrangement of distributor, which may be used
instead of that just described. This distributor consists of a box F, with an
opening s' through the bottom at the front end, and is provided with a hinged
lid H, with a projecting lip or flange t, which covers the top of the box,
leaving a small opening the thickness of a type in front of the flange. The
type is held by the spring follower in contact with the front end of the dis-
tributor; the pressure of the follower against the type, and the adhesion of
the types to each other, is sufficient to prevent them from falling out through
the opening bottom. With this distributor a differently constructed dis-
charging mechanism is attached to the type case, which is represented in
Fig. 7. This mechanism consists of a mouth-piece K for guiding the stick,
with the bottom thereof inclining downwards. To the top of the type case
is attached a curved cap I, to which the discharger u is pivoted. This
discharger z projects forward in an inclined position nearly to the front of
the mouth-piece, and is held in that position by a spring v (see Fig. 10). On
bringing the distributor up to the mouthpiece, the discharger u strikes the
projecting flange t on the cover, which guides it through the opening in the
top of the cover, so that it acts upon the upper surface of the front or foremost
type. In carrying the type stick forward, this discharger u assumes a vertical
position (see Fig. 10), enters the stick, and forces the type down through the
opening in the bottom into the type case. On withdrawing the stick, the
tongue springs forward to its original inclined position. A cavity x is made
in the rear of the cap to receive the front or end of the stick, so that
the types when discharged are directly over the opening in the interior of
the case.
A second modification of the type distributor and discharger is represented
at Figures 8 and 9. The type distributor in this modification resembles the
type stick, with the exception of the spring mouth-piece. The follower L'in
this stick is moved by the hand, and the discharging mechanism is connected
with the case. As in the former modification, the case is provided with a
mouth-piece M to direct the distributor. The discharging apparatus consists
of a spring tongue a', having a backward and vertical movement, and the end
of the tongue has a rectangular notch b¹ to cover the front and top of the
type. As the distributing stick enters the mouth-piece, this tongue presses on
the front type, which rests on the bottom of the stick and is raised by the
forward movement of the distributor. When the distributor is brought up so

page_text: that the bottom plate c', strikes the front plate d' of the case, which is raised
above the mouth-piece to be at the same level as the inside of the bottom of
the stick, the front type is projected forward by the movement of the slide L,
which throws. it against the back plate of the case over its interior opening and
beyond the edge of the bottom of the distributing stick when in that position;
the downward movement of the spring tongue discharges the type into the
case. On withdrawing the stick the tongue is thrown out by a spring f', into
the proper position for discharging the next type.
In the application of this Invention to practical use a type case is. required
for each letter of the alphabet, and for different styles or descriptions of letters
as well as for the stops and blanks. These cases may be arranged in any posi-
tion accessible by a short and easy movement of the hand and arm. In setting
or composing type by this apparatus, the front end of the composing stick is
entered between the guides of the type case, as shewn at Fig. 5, and striking
the spring dog e, raises it, and frees the front type. The pressure of the stick
against the foot of the holder, causes it to recede and the follower to pass into
the case, forcing the lower type forward into the mouth of the stick, raising
the spring plate and passing beyond the inner edge of the lip. The stick on
being withdrawn carries with it the type which is held by the pressure of tho
spring plate, and prevented from turning or falling out by the lip overlapping
the outer edge. The case when released from the pressure of the stick returns
to its first position, the type lying next above that which has just been discharged
now slides down and occupies the place of the one removed, and at the same
time the dog springs back and prevents it from falling out. The stick is then
presented in like manner successively to each case containing the letters
required to make up a line of words, and as each line is complete the same is
transferred from the stick to the column, and the stick is again filled as before.
In distributing the type it is taken from the column and placed in the distributing
stick, one or more lines at a time, depending on the length of the stick, and
then successively distributed direct to the cases to which the types belong, by
the stick being placed successively over the top or entered into the expanding
mouth of each case, as shown at Fig. 5; and as the prongs on the top enter
the tapered openings q, q, in the bottom of the distributor, or the tongue on the
case strikes the front type, the same is projected into the case, in the manner
previously described.
From the above explanation it will be understood that the Invention permits
of the withdrawal of the type from the type cases, and setting them in line in
the composing stick by the direct application of the composing stick to the type
case, and also of the distribution of the type to the type cases by the direct

page_text: application of the distributing stick to such cases, thereby greatly simplifying
the operation of composing and distributing type.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of improvements in type-
setting and distributing apparatus as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I
wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I
claim the use of type cases and composing and distributing sticks, constructed
and operating as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Fourth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
A. V. NEWTON. (L.S.)