Improvements in Type-setting Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by LOUIS KOSSUTH JOHNSON, of 540, Gates
Avenue, Brooklyn, King's County, New York, Mechanical Engineer, and
ABBOTT AUGUSTUS Low, of 31, Burling Slip, New York City, New York,
Merchant, both in the United States of America.]
Improvements in Type-setting Apparatus.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK, of 115 Cannon Street, in the City of London,
Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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, that is to say :—
Our improvements relate to the class of type setting apparatus in which the types
are arranged in prescribed positions with relation to each other in type containing
channels from the lower ends of which they are successively forwarded into position
to be grasped by the fingers of the compositor, for removal to the stick.
In our last Application No. 13,351 filed July 10th, 1894, we show means designed
to relieve the compositor of the labor involved in forwarding the type from the
containing channels into position to be grasped by the fingers of the operator;
consisting essentially in combining with mechanism for reciprocating the type
forwarder, a locking and unlocking device which is controlled and actuated by the
types themselves, the removal of the types previously forwarded unlocking the type
forwarding mechanism, and causing the advance of fresh types, which, as they
come into position for removal by hand, re-set and lock the type forwarding
mechanism until they are in turn withdrawn and the operation is repeated, and so
on continuously, the preceding types controlling the advance of the succeeding
types.
In said prior application the types themselves encounter and raise the outer end
of the controlling lever. In our present application we relieve the types of this
duty and of the wear and tear involved, so that the types simply support the
controlling lever in its elevated position when they are fully advanced and in position
for removal, their withdrawal allowing the forward end of the controlling lever to
drop and throw into action the type forwarding mechanism. The invention in this
respect consists broadly in raising and holding the forward end of the controlling
lever up above the types as the latter pass under by means of a projection upon
the type forwarding mechanism, which, after said mechanism has started forward
with the types and before the latter have reached the forward end of the controlling
lever, encounters and depresses the rear arm of the controlling lever and holds the
controlling lever in such position until, during the retractile movement of the type
forwarding mechanism, said projection passes to the rear of the controlling lever
and allows the forward end of the latter to rest upon the types just forwarded.
An incidental feature in this connection consists in forming the forward end of the
controlling lever with a weighted bearing surface, which not only holds the types
firmly in position underneath it, but also affords means positive for insuring the
forward movement of the type forwarder as soon as the types are withdrawn from
position in front of the type platform.
Another feature of our invention consists in the use of a constantly reciprocating
pusher bar to which the pusher plate or forwarder proper is coupled, or from
which it is disconnected by a latch controlled by the controlling lever herein before
referred to. By this means a whole series of type containing channels, pushers &c.,

page_text: The reciprocating forwarder F, which is actuated through the medium of the
pitman, by any suitable mechanism is formed with a recess f¹, in its under side
adapted to receive the tongue 1, of the latch L, when the plate B, and the
forwarder F, are brought into proper relation to each other. This occurs at the
end of the retractile stroke of the forwarder F, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 7.
If there are types T, in position upon the front of the type platform a', the
bearing i, upon the forward end of the controlling lever I, is held up by them away
from the type supporting platform a', as shown in Figure 4, and the cross bar i, at
the inner end of the lever I, (which latter is pivoted intermediately at 3) cannot act
to raise the tongue 1, of the latch L, into the recess f¹. If however, the types T,
have been withdrawn, the bearing i, which is also a counterweight, drops down to
the platform a', and the cross bar 2, of the controlling lever 1, raises the latch L,
into engagement with the reciprocating forwarder F, as shown in Figure 7. As
the pusher is reciprocating constantly the forward stroke thereof carries the
latch L, onto the horizontal floor surface a", thereby insuring the locking of
the forwarder F, and the type plate B, until the end of the retractile stroke of the
forwarder F. During the forward stroke of the reciprocating bar F, and the type
plate B, the controlling lever I, is again raised by reason of the contact of a
projection, upon the forwarder F, which engages with and depresses the rear end
of the controlling lever I, thereby raising the type bearing counterweight i, out of
the way of the advancing type which pass under said bearing i, and assume their
position at the front of the type platform a', at the end of the forward stroke of the
reciprocating forwarder F.
It will be seen by reference to Figure 1, that the faces of the types. do not
encounter the forward end of the lever; and in fact there is no friction between the
types and the bearing whatever, excepting possibly during the withdrawal of
the types from the front of the type platform by the fingers of the operator, for
the reason that the projection f³, upon the reciprocating forwarder F, holds the
controlling lever I, up against the weight i, until near the end of the retractile
movement of the forwarder F, when the projection f³, having passed beyond the
rear end of the controlling lever I, the bearing i, rests against the rear ends of
the types just forwarded. Thus held, the cross bar 2, of the controlling lever I,
is depressed, and as the retractile movement is completed the latch L, drops
down, withdrawing the tongue 1, from the recess f¹, in the forwarder F, in which
position it will remain until the removal of the types T again allows the counter-
weight bearing i, of the controlling lever I, to throw up the latch L, into the
inclined
horizontal position as in Figure 7. The rear edge of the forwarder F,
or curved towards the recess f¹ so as to gradually depress the latch L, until the
recess, is brought into coincidence with the tongue l, should the type be
withdrawn and the latch raised while the forwarder F, is beyond the latch.
The set screws S, are placed so as to bear against the spines of the channels
on either side of the holders A', through the side walls of which they are
screwed. By their use the type channels may be accurately centralized with
relation to the pusher &c., and by making the screws S, of sufficient length
one or more of the type containing chanuels may be dispensed with or omitted
from the holder A', if it is desired to use fewer characters in combination.
This feature of our invention also adapts the device to types and channels of
different sizes or fonts.
It is obvious that any other suitable means for adjusting and centralizing the
channels may be substituted for the screws S, with like effect.
In Figures 9 to 14, inclusive, the same result is accomplished in connection with
a reciprocating forwarding bar which is brought into action only upon the with-
drawal of the types from any one of a series of type holders and platforms, the
controlling lever as it drops not only coupling the type forwarding plate to the
reciprocal bar but also tripping the device which holds the clutch upon the rotating
mechanism, thereby causing the said reciprocal bar to advance and recede once
before the trip again catches the clutch and stops the operation, until other types

page_text: Figure 10, a sectional elevation looking towards the left hand side;
Figure 11, is a similar view showing the parts at rest;
Figure 12, is a central vertical sectional elevation of the left hand holder and
platform, showing the parts at rest;
.
Figure 13, is a view of the under side of the forward end of the type platform;
Figure 14, is a top view of the holder and platform with the front plate and
type holder removed.
The converging side walls which act similar to those heretofore shown and
described, consist in this connection of the edges w, w, of the plates W, W.
These plates W, W, are formed with flanges w¹, w', which extend underneath
the type platforms a¹, where they are secured by set screws V. The flanges w¹, w¹,
are formed with the slots w³, so as to allow the plates W, W, to be adjusted
with relation to each other and to the type containing channels.
The upper
flanges w, w, extend over the type platform a', and a sufficient distance above
its upper surface to admit the forward end of the pusher plate B, as shown.
It will be seen that the plates W, W, being held in each case by a single set
screw V, may readily be adjusted in inclination with relation to each other if
desired. This adjustment of the converging side walls, is for the purpose of
adapting the device to channels and types of various widths and sizes, or to
the use of fewer number of type containing channels in a holder.
During the forward stroke of the reciprocating bar F, and of the type forwarding
plate B, the controlling lever I, is raised by the lifter N, projecting from the
reciprocating bar F. During the forward stroke, and just prior to the time
when the faces of the types reach the holder bearing i, the forward end of the lifter N,
encounters and raises the stud is, on the outer arm of the controlling lever I, thus
raising the holder i, above and out of contact with the types. As the forwarder F,
recedes, the lifter N, recedes from under the stud i, allowing its bearing i, to rest
upon the type, as herein before stated.
The pulley M', is secured to the ratchet wheel m', and they are both mounted
loosely upon the shaft M, and rotate continuously thereon. The disc K, is secured
rigidly to the shaft M, and carries the pawl P, which tends constantly to engage
with the ratchet m', by reason of the pressure of the spring p. The shoulder p¹,
the pawl P, is however held out of engagement with the teeth of the wheel m¹,
when the apparatus is not in use, by the shoulder j, upon the upper end of the
of

page_text: lever J, situated upon the rock shaft Q. A spring, shown clearly in Figure 8,
tends constantly to rock the lever J, backward into such position that the
shoulder j, will engage with the projecting end p², on the pawl P, whenever the
rotation of the disc K, brings the said end p³, into coincidence therewith.
The rock shaft Q, extends the length of the apparatus and is provided with a's
many short arms J, as there are type platforms, they being so situated individually
as to rest against the inner ends of one of the type controlling levers I. Hence the
depression of the forward end of any one of said controlling levers will rock the
shaft Q, releasing the end, of the pawl P, from the arm J, and allowing
the spring p, to throw the point p', of the pawl P, into engagement with the
ratchet m¹. As a result the shaft M, is made to rotate with the pulley M¹, and
the pawl m, thereby causing the crank disc G, and pitman f, to reciprocate the
forwarder F. As the latter advances the finger N, raises the controlling lever I,
as bereinbefore stated, thereby depressing the inner end of said lever and allowing
the spring, to throw the arm J, back into position to engage the end p², of the
pawl P, which it does at the completion of the first revolution of the disc K,
thereby rocking the pawl P, out of engagement with the ratchet m', and locking
the rock shaft Q, until it is again rocked by the removal of types from one of the
platforms.
the
Both the front plate a, and the holder, slide vertically in the grooves aº,
plate a, being formed with a shoulder a, at the bottom which engages with
the under side of the holder i, when the plate a, is raised, thereby enabling both the
plate a, and the holder i, to be removed together or raised sufficiently to get access
to the lower ends of the channels when necessary; or if desired the holder i, may
be raised independently. The holder i, is formed with a lateral projection, which
rests on top of the outer end, of the controlling lever I. The front of the
type platform is thus left free, so that when the holder i, and plate a, are raised or
removed access to the holder A', from the front thereof, will be unobstructed.
The lifter N, is adjustable vertically upon the reciprocating bar F, by any
suitable means. As shown in the drawings it is formed with a plate n, having
flanges n', which clasp the stud n², the plate n, being formed with the vertical
slot n³, through which the set screw n³, enters to clamp the lifter N, to the bar F.
This adjustment is for the purpose of setting the apparatus with accuracy to the
work to be done, and also to compensate for variations in the widths of the fonts of
type that may be used in the apparatus. A set screw W', or equivalent device is
arranged upon the holder A', for the purpose of holding the face plate a, and the
holder i, in an elevated position when desired, to give access to the lower ends of
the type channels.
Distinguishing features in Figures 15 to 21, inclusive, consist in the use of a
single type containing channel for a plural number of types, and hence the use of a
straight instead of a concave pusher, the necessity for converging the types on the
type platform being avoided; the use of a counterweight below the type platform
coupled to the bearing plate above; and the means for automatically releasing and
stopping the type forwarding mechanism.
Figure 15, is a side view of our improved apparatus ;
Figure 16, a plan;
Figure 17, a central longitudinal section, the parts being at rest;
Figure 18, a central longitudinal section with the parts in the position they
assume immediately after the withdrawal of the types;
Figure 19, a central longitudinal section showing the parts during the forwarding
of the types;
Figure 20, a section upon plane of line v, v, Figure 16;
Figure 21, a section upon plane of line w, w, Figure 16.
.
The holder i, is connected by the swinging arms 2, 2, with a counterweight 3,
below the type platform a', said weight being pivotally supported between and
upon the lower ends of the said arms 2, 2.
The forward portion of the controlling lever 1, is bifurcated, the ends 4, 4, resting

page_text: under the trunnions or pivots d, d, on the counterweight 3. The controlling lever I,
is fulcrumed at 3, to a stationary part of the apparatus, its rear arm 5, extending
back to a position below the cam X, on the shaft M.
An intermediate lever H, is pivoted to a stationary part of the apparatus at h,
its forward end h¹, resting upon the controlling lever at 5, while its rear arm h³, is
bent upward and engages the projecting end 6, of the spring pawl P, when the rear
arm 5, of the controlling lever I, is depressed.
The pusher B, consists of a flat plate having a straight front edge 7. Pivotally
connected to the rear end of the pusher plate B, is a latch L, which tends constantly
to swing downward as before described."
The reciprocating forwarder F, which is actuated through the medium of the
pitman, by the disc crank K', whenever the latter are rotated by the shaft M, is
formed with a recess f¹, in its under side adapted to receive the tongue 1, of the
latch L, when the plate B, and the forwarder F, are brought into proper relation
to each other.
When the types are withdrawn from the platform a', by the fingers of the
compositor the holder i, drops until its foot 26, rests upon the type platform a¹.
As the holder i, and weight 3, descend they depress the outer or front end of the
controlling lever I, thereby rocking said lever on its pivot ³, and elevating the rear
end 5, of the said lever. The elevation of the rear arm 5, of the lever I, causes its
arm or spur f³, to raise the latch L, so that its tongue 1, enters into the recess,
in the under side of the forwarding bar F. Simultaneously the raising of the inner
arm 5, of the controlling lever 1, rocks the intermediate lever H, on its fulcrum h, so
as to release the end of the spring pawl 6, and allow its spring 9, to force its opposite
end 10, into engagement with the ratchet wheel m'. Since the pawl P, is attached
to the side of the cam X, which, together with the crank K', is secured rigidly to
the shaft M, while the ratchet m', is attached to the power pulley M', which is
loose upon the said shaft M, it follows that the engagement of the pawl P, with the
ratchet m', causes the rotation of the shaft M, and the disc T¹ and cam X. As a
result the pitman f, starts the forwarding bar F, forward immediately, the latch L,
being carried forward with it on the horizontal type floor, thereby insuring the
locking together of the forwarder F, and the pusher plate B, until the end of the
retractile stroke.
When the front end of the controlling lever I, was depressed by the holder i, and
weight 3, as before described the rear end 5, of the controlling lever I, was thrown
up into position shown in Figure 18. As the rotation of the shaft M, begins
the periphery of the cam X, encounters the rear end of the controlling lever 1,
depressing said rear end, and elevating its forward end, together with the counter-
weight 3, and holder i, so that the foot 26, is raised above the type platform a¹, and
sustained in that position until the forward stroke of the pusher plate B, has
advanced the types into position under the foot 26, when the continued rotation of
the shaft M, carries the cam beyond the inner end 5, of the controlling lever I, and
allows the weight 3, and holder i, to descend until the foot 26, rests upon the
type T.
When it is desired to gain access to the lower end of the type channel C, and
socket A', the weight 3, is swung forward so as to clear the type platform a', when
the holder i, may be readily elevated and withdrawn if required.
The rear of the socket piece A', is provided with a vertical slide S³, for
convenience in inserting or removing the type channel C.
When it is desired to remove the holder i, from in front of the channel holder A¹,
the weight 3, is swung forward upon the pivoted arms 2, 2, until it clears the front
of the type platform a¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
First. In type setting apparatus, the combination of one or more type containing

page_text: arm or
channels, a type platform, a type forwarding plate resting upon said platform, and
formed with a latch, a constantly reciprocating bar, formed with an
projection which passes over and prevents the raising of the inner end of the
controlling bar during the forward stroke of the said reciprocating bar, and said
controlling lever arranged to couple the type forwarding plate and reciprocating
bar together by means of the aforesaid latch, substantially in the manner and for
the purpose set forth.
Second. In type setting apparatus, the combination of one or more type con-
taining channels, a type platform, a type forwarding plate resting upon said platform,
and formed with a latch, a constantly reciprocating bar, and a controlling lever
counterweighted at its forward end to throw the said latch into engagement with
the reciprocating bar, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In type setting apparatus, the combination of one or more type containing
channels, a type platform, a reciprocating bar, a type forwarding plate resting upon
said platform, formed with a latch for engagement with the reciprocating bar, and
a controlling lever formed with a weighted bearing at its forward end for the
purpose of steadying and holding down the types when in position upon the front of
the type platform, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. In type setting apparatus the combination of one or more type containing..
channels, a type platform, a type forwarding plate resting upon said platform and
formed with a latch, a reciprocating pusher bar, means for reciprocating said pusher
bar and a controlling lever for simultaneously releasing the reciprocating mechanism.
and throwing the latch of the type forwarding plate into engagement with the
reciprocating bar substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Fifth. In type setting apparatus the combination of one or more type containing
channels, a type platform, a type forwarding plate resting upon said platform and
formed with a latch, a reciprocating pusher bar, means for reciprocating said pusher
bar, a controlling lever for simultaneously releasing the reciprocating mechanism
and throwing the latch of the type forwarding plate into engagement with the
reciprocating bar and a sliding weight resting against the forward end of the
said controlling lever, for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.
Sixth. In type setting apparatus the combination of one or more type containing
channels, a type platform, a type forwarding plate resting upon said platform and
formed with a latch, a reciprocating pusher bar, means for reciprocating said pusher
bar, a controlling lever for simultaneously releasing the reciprocating mechanism and
throwing the latch of the type forwarding plate into engagement with the recipro-
cating bar, and a sliding weight resting against the forward end of the said
controlling lever the said weight being formed with a type bearing arm, substantially
in the manner and for the purpose described.
Seventh. In type setting apparatus substantially such as described, the combination
of the type platform formed with converging side walls for centralizing the types
as forwarded by the pusher, and a type holder bearing against the types beyond
the said converging side walls, substantially in the manner and for the purpose.
described.
j
Eighth. In type setting apparatus, the combination of a series of type platforms
and holders each provided with a type forwarding plate and controlling lever, a
reciprocating bar common to all, means for reciprocating said type bar, a rock
shaft common to all formed with a lever for locking and unlocking the reciprocating
mechanism and with arms which are in contact with the several controlling levers,.
for the purpose and substantially in the manner described.
Ninth. In type setting apparatus such as described the combination with the
reciprocating forwarding bar, and with the controlling lever of a vertically adjust-
able lifter upon the reciprocating bar, arranged and operating substantially in the
manner and for the purpose described.
Tenth. In type setting apparatus such as described, the combination with the
type platform, and with the channel holder, of a face plate formed with a shoulder

page_text: at its lower edge, and of a sliding type holder, arranged and operating substantially
in the manner and for the purpose described.
Eleventh. In type setting apparatus such as described, the combination of a type
platform, the channel holder formed with vertical grooves, the face plate, the
vertically sliding type holder, and a device for holding the said type holder and
face plate in a raised position, for the purpose and substantially in the manner
described.
Twelfth. In type setting apparatus such as described, the combination of a type
platform, the channel, holder, a type forwarding plate, and converging side walls
raised above the type platform to allow the forward end of the type forwarding
plate to pass under them, substantially in the manner and for the purpose
described.
Thirteenth. In type setting apparatus the combination of an independently
supported type containing channel, a type platform, a type forwarder resting upon
said platform means for reciprocating said type forwarder, a type holder and
suspended counterweight, and a controlling lever operated by said type holder and
counterweight to release the reciprocating mechanism, substantially in the manner
and for the purpose described.
Fourteenth. In type setting apparatus, the combination of an independently
supported type containing channel, a type platform, a type forwarder resting upon
said platform, means for reciprocating said type forwarder, a type holder and
suspended counterweight, a controlling lever operated by said type holder and
counterweight, and an intermediate lever for engaging and disengaging the recipro-
cating mechanism, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Fifteenth. In type setting apparatus, the combination of an independently
supported type containing channel, a type platform, a type forwarder resting on
said platform, means for reciprocating said type forwarder, a type holder, and
suspended counterweight, a controlling lever operated by said type holder and
counterweight to release the reciprocating mechanism, and a cam rotating with said
reciprocating mechanism which acts upon the controlling lever to raise the counter-
weight and holder to allow the types to pass under the latter, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose described.
Sixteenth. In type setting apparatus, the combination of an independently
supported type containing channel, a type supporting platform, a type forwarder
resting upon said platform, means for reciprocating said type forwarder, a type
holder and a counterweight united by swinging arms, the counterweight being
detachably secured to the controlling lever so that the counterweight may be swung
out beyond the end of the type platform, and said controlling lever operated by
said type holder and counterweight to release the reciprocating mechanism,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.
Seventeenth. In type setting apparatus such as described a type holder and
counterweight united by swinging arms which allow the counterweight to be
swung forward beyond the type platform for the purpose and substantially in
the manner described.
Dated this 20th day of November 1894.
W. H. BECK,
115, Cannon Street, London, Applicant.