Year: 1889

page_text: I, PHINEHAS PEARSON CRAVEN of Park Street West Brunswick near Melbourne
in the Colony of Victoria, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention consists of an improved type-setting machine which when provided
with columns of type of the description and character required will, by actuating the
keys of a finger-board, simultaneously compose the type and set them in lines
within a column case in proper order for their being justified prior to their use in
the printing machine. This is accomplished by the operator in the first place pressing
down the proper keys of a finger-board to force out into a longitudinal race the
type letters which are to compose the words. Then on driving the machine by
suitable power, say by actuating a pedal or pedals, the type are pushed together in
the said longitudinal race and are placed and packed at the end of the machine
against a certain trigger or releasing arrangement, hereinafter described, until
sufficient type have thus been packed to form a row, when this trigger arrangement
will be forced back far enough to release a slide which pushes the composed line of
type into horizontal spaces or divisions in a suitable column case which is released
by a certain movement hereinafter described and is raised intermittingly to be in
readiness to receive the next line of composed type. These motions are carried on
simultaneously, so that as one set of words is being composed, the previously composed
row is being slid along and arranged within the column-case and the device which so
places the type then works back to be in readiness to similarly treat the next set of
type. In some cases the type placed in the column case will require to be justified so
as to regularly space the words within it.
In my machine, the terraced key-board is supported at the top of a suitable frame,
and at its rear, resting upon a horizontal plate or shelf, is arranged a type-case or
cabinet having a number of vertical grooves. This type case or cabinet inclines
slightly towards the finger-board, and in its grooves or channels are distributed the
columns of type to be used so that by pressing down one of the keys, the lowest type
of the column corresponding with such key is forced out by a pusher-bar connected

page_text: to said key. The said bar is returned to its normal position by the aid of a spring.
The horizontal plate or shelf upon which the type-case or cabinet rests is in the same
plane with the bottom of the lowest type, that is, the said lowest type of each column
rests upon it, and along this horizontal race-plate works a carrier having a sliding
finger-bar which carries the ejected type along said horizontal race-plate. Above this
plate or shelf is arranged a bar having wires strained over the under surface thereof
and preferably having a backing of india rubber or other similar material, the said bar
being arranged at a convenient distance above said horizontal plate so as to allow the
ejected type to be pushed along what is hereinafter referred to as the "race." I
prefer to use a backing of india-rubber to the wires constituting the top of this
horizontal race, because without such backing I can only set up two type at a time,
but with it I can set up more than two. It is therefore to be understood that if I
choose I may use the wires alone although I prefer to use them with an india-rubber
backing as already stated. The sliding finger-bar above mentioned is so arranged as
that it automatically fixes itself at the beginning of its stroke in position to engage
with and slide the type along, and having done this, a catch thereon is released and
the said sliding bar is drawn out by a spring, so that it is clear of the type on its
return stroke. A sliding arrangement is located at the end of the horizontal plate or
race to force the line of type on to the shelves of the column case, and this sliding
arrangement is provided with a device which allows said column case to move upward
intermittingly with each complete stroke of said sliding arrangement. I am enabled
by my invention to set up several letters, say for instance, a whole word at once by
providing several sets of the more frequently recurring letters, and by arranging the
keys of my machine so that a choice of letters is afforded whereby they may he pushed
into the race in the order in which they are required to be set up. The motions of
the various moving parts of the machine are preferably obtained from a pedal or pedals
through the medium of suitable mechanism.
Having now generally described and ascertained the nature of my invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed I will proceed to describe the same more
particularly with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which,―
Figure 1 is a rear elevation, and,—
Figure 2 a plan of a type-setting machine constructed according to my invention.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section on line a a, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan, and,―
Figure 5 a side elevation of the type carrier for conveying the type along the race
to its position opposite the column-case.
Figure 6 is a plan of the device that pushes the line of composed type onto one of
the shelves of the column-case and which also allows said case to rise intermittingly
into position to receive the next line.
Figure 7 is a plan of the mechanism situated at the end of the back frame for
releasing the catch of the finger of the carrier, for ringing an alarm bell, for pushing
the composed line of type into the column case, and for allowing said case to travel
up intermittingly into position to receive the next line of type.
Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating the construction and arrangement of the keys,
pusher-bars and race.
Figures 9 and 10 are a plan of the underside, and a side elevation, respectively, of
the pressure plate which I provide over the hereinbefore mentioned horizontal race.
Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the
device for allowing the column-case to travel up intermittingly into position to
receive a fresh line of composed type.
In these figures, A A represent the keys which are formed with an eye or bearing
at their ends to support them on rods a secured in the top swinging frame B of the
machine. Each key has an arm a¹ secured to it which at its lower end passes into an
eye c in one of the horizontal type pusher bars (, whose rear ends rest on a supporting
bar c¹. These pusher-bars and keys are returned to their normal positions by spiral
springs a² each connected at one end to one of said pusher-bars and at the other to a
convenient part of the top frame B of the machine. C* represents the type cabinet

page_text: or case having a series of separate channels in which are distributed the requisite
quantity of type to be set up, one at least, and in the case of the more frequently
recurring letters or characters several different channels or columns, are filled in
order that the particular one may be used which will bring its letter or character in
the correct order in the word being set up. This cabinet is inclined towards the
finger-board to prevent the type falling out, and the bottom ends of the channels are
open at the rear to allow the pusher-bars C, when actuated by their keys, to enter
and force the lowest type out into the race D, the bottom of which is a solid part of
the back frame plate E, while its top is formed of a number of wires d² secured at
which
their ends to tension screws d³ (vide Figures 9 and 10) screwed into the bar d¹,
is secured to the frame-plate E by bolts e e. The purpose of these wires is to form a
pliable top for the race so that it may at any point along its length always press
slightly on the edge of the type and so prevent them canting onto their flat sides.
I sometimes provide a backing of rubber or other suitable material d behind these wires, as
I have found in practice when employing the wires by themselves that I was only able
to set up two type at once, whereas by employing this backing I am enabled to set
up more than two. The type-carrier F having the sliding finger-bar f is supported
by, and travels to and fro along, a dove-tail groove f2 formed in the upper surface of
the horizontal race-plate E, and the said type-carrier has an outwardly-projecting
portion, to which is secured one end of a coiled spring f, whose other end is
secured to the rear end of the sliding finger-bar f, upon whose under-side is arranged
a small antifriction roller f for the purpose hereinafter described. The outer end of
this sliding finger-bar f is arrested in its backward motion by stop-pins fixed in the
projecting portion f³, which determine its distance of travel, and at its inner end it is
furnished with a finger point f. f7 represents a spring-catch which is secured at one
end to the carrier F, and has affixed to it a pin f8 which passes through a hole in
said carrier and into a hole provided for it in the sliding finger-bar f, whereby said
bar will be held out against the coiled spring f7 so as to engage with and convey the
type that have been ejected by the pusher-bars C along the race.
At the end of the
frame-plate E is arranged a pivoted spring-trip G, whose end g is held in its normal
position, as shewn in Figure 1, by a small spring g'. The said end g of this trip is
so constructed and arranged that the end of the spring-catch passes under it in its
forward movement but in its return movement it travels over it and so withdraws its
pin f out of engagement with its hole in the sliding finger-bar f, when the coiled
spring will at once withdraw said finger-bar, so that it will on its return movement
clear any type that may have been pushed into the race D. To the edge of the
frame-plate E, at its other or starting end, is secured an inclined bar H, with which
the antifriction roller is brought into contact so as to force the sliding finger-bar f
in sufficiently far, for the pin f8 on the spring-catch f' to enter its hole in said
sliding finger-bar to retain it in its extended position so that it will convey all the
type in the race D to the other end in its forward stroke. A bent arm I is pivoted
at i to a lug connected with the frame-plate E, and motion is imparted to this bent
arm, as will be afterwards described, so that in certain positions it comes in contact
with an antifriction roller j upon a sliding plate J, Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7. This
sliding plate regulates the upward travel of the column-case K, Figures 1, 2, 11, 12,
13 and 14, as will be hereinafter described; and it has a pusher-plate L secured on
its upper surface, as shewn in Figures 6 and 7. The sliding plate J works in an
undercut groove j¹ in the frame-plate E, and its rear end is secured to a coiled
spring, whose other end is secured to the front frame of the machine. The sliding
plate J is furnished with two flat tongues, one level with its upper, the other level
with its lower face; and the purpose this plate serves is to allow the column-case K to
rise a line-space higher after each composed line of type has been pushed into said
case by a complete stroke of the pushing-in device. The said column-case consists of
a metal box of a width corresponding to the column of print. It is formed with a
series of partitions & therein, each partition being adapted to support a line of type as
set and composed. This case K is suspended by a cord or chain k¹ which passes over
a small roller and has attached to its other end a balance weight k³. A sliding

page_text: trigger-bar M which is held in its normal position by a spiral spring m provents the
forward movement of the column-case releasing plate J and pusher-plate L until such
time as sufficient type has been packed against the end m¹ of said trigger-bar M, when
it will be pushed back by the action of the type-carrier F until it releases the sliding
.and pusher plates J and L.
A catch n on the upper face of the trigger-bar M sounds
a suitable gong N by engaging with a projection on its spring-hammer n¹ when
sufficient or nearly sufficient type has been composed to fill a line in the column-case.
The type cabinet or case C* together with the keys A, pusher-bars C, and certain
few other instrumentalities, are carried upon an upper frame B which is centred or
pivoted to the main frame O of the machine at b and is provided with a quadrant b¹
through which passes a set screw 62 which is screwed into the main frame O and serves
to secure the frame B at any desired inclination relatively therewith. The object of
thus pivoting the upper frame B is to allow it to be swung into a horizontal or nearly
horizontal position in order to facilitate the removal of an empty type case or cabinet.
and the substitution of a full one therefor. A further object being to enable the inclina-
tion of the said type-case to be adjusted to bring it into the position that has been
found in practice to prevent the type from falling forward out of the case whilst it
allows them to travel smoothly and regularly down the channels as required.
The machine may be arranged to be driven by a pair of pedals P
whose other end is provided with a crank arm p', from which a rotary motion will
upon a shaft
be transmitted to the fly-wheel p² by a connecting rod p³ through a crank p* on the
spindle of said fly-wheel. From this crank an oscillating movement is imparted to
the curved bar I through the rod 2, and the carrier F is caused to travel to and fro
along the race D by being connected through rod f' with an arm f10 secured to said
crank p, as clearly shown in Figure 1.
The operation of my improved type-setting machine is as follows:-
P,
The various descriptions and characters of type are first distributed in their respective
channels or columns in the type-cabinet, either by hand or by means of a distributing
machine such as the one which forms the subject-matter of an application for Letters
Patent contemporaneous with this present application. This type-cabinet being
arranged in position at the back of the key-board the keys of which are lettored to
correspond with the type in the channels or columns with which they are connected,
it follows that, if the operator or compositor presses down those keys which will deliver
to the race the necessary type to form the words, spaces etc. required, they will be
packed in their proper order against the end of the trigger-bar M and will eventually
be pushed into the column-case in lines of a certain prearranged length, the reason
being that if one of the keys A be depressed its arm a¹ will carry the pusher-bar C
forward, so that it will push the lowermost type in the column with which it is
connected into the race D which is level with the bottom of the cabinet and is prac-
tically arranged at right angles to it. When the keys are released, the springs a²
return them and their pusher-bars to their normal position, that is, with the pusher-bar
back clear of the type in the cabinet so as to allow the column of type to fall or
gravitate to the bottom ready for its lowermost one to be again forced out by the
pusher-bar. The operator, simultaneously with pressing the keys, works the pedal and
so imparts motion through the mechanism herein before described to the type-carrier F,
which starts its forward stroke with its antifriction roller fs at the top end of the inclined
bar H, consequently the sliding-finger bar fis locked out, to a position just sufficient
to clear the front of the type-cabinet, by the pin f8 of the spring-catch", so that
when the carrier travels, the forward edge of its finger-bar will come into contact with
such of the type as have been ejected. The finger point fº of the sliding finger-bar
passes to the back and lower end of the type to prevent them from rubbing against
the face of the type-cabinet while they are being conveyed to the other end of the
As the carrier approaches the end of its stroke, the end of the spring-catch f
passes under the side tail g of the spring-trip G but on its return movement the
end of the spring-catch f" will travel over the top of the side-tail g of the trip G
and so the pin ƒ will be withdrawn from the sliding finger-bar. and the coiled
spring f* will immediately draw the said sliding finger-bar fout far enough for it
race.

page_text: to clear on its return stroke the type which in the meantime perhaps has been
ejected from the channels or columns of the type cabinet. The antifriction roller fo
then again enters the incline bar H, whereby the sliding finger-bar f will be pushed
out ready for a fresh operation and it will be held in its out position by the pin f8, as
before. The type are packed by the carrier F against the end m¹ of the trigger-bar M
and gradually force it out against the pressure of the spiral spring m until there
remains a space about equivalent to 6 n's when the projecting hammer n¹ will engage
with the catch n on the trigger-bar M and will sound the gong N. The object of the
bell-signal being to enable the operator to adjust the composition of the words before
the line is completed, which will be when sufficient type are delivered to enable the
carrier (through the medium of the type) to push the end of the trigger-bar M beyond
the type pushing-in bar L, so as to allow said bar L to be immediately pulled forward
together with the column-case releasing plate J, by the coiled spring j³, so as to place
the type in the line spaces of the column case K. The return motion is imparted to
the pushing-in bar L by the bent arm I drawing the sliding plates J and L out far
enough for the bar L to again abut against the edge of the trigger-bar M. This reci-
procating motion of the type pushing-in bar L and the sliding plate J also regulates
the ascent of the column-case K so as to bring the next line-space into position ready to
receive the next line of composed type: thus, as shewn in Figure 11, the sliding
plate J with the tongues j and 3 on it is represented in its normal position, that is
at the commencement of its stroke. In Figure 12, the plate J is shewn at about
the centre of its onward stroke, the column-case having been thereby allowed to
rise to the extent of half a space, and being in position ready to receive the line
of composed type which is pushed in by the onward movement of the pushing-in
bar L. In Figure 13, the plate J is shewn as having completed its forward stroke,
and in Figure 14 it is shown as having again returned to its normal position.
The operation of this column-case releasing plate J is as follows, that is to say:-
Assuming it to be in its normal position, as illustrated in Figure 11, then as it is moved
forward by the action of the spring ³, on the trigger-bar M being withdrawn, its.
tongue will be moved out of the column-case K so that said case will be free to rise
until stopped by the other tongue j which meantime has entered the space below the one
just vacated by . The plate J on continuing its movement now commences to push the
composed line of type into the space k*, that is, into the one just vacated by the tongue 1³.
On the return movement of the plate J, its tongue j* will be withdrawn from the
space k k**, that is from the space below the one into which the composed line of type
has just been pushed, and it will thereby allow the column case to rise into position
for a fresh line of composed type to be pushed into the space k k**, as illustrated in
Figure 14.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention.
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as my
improvements in type-setting machines is:
First. The means whereby I am enabled to eject the lowermost type from the type
case or cabinet into a race or slot-shelf, the said means comprising the keys A having
downwardly extending arms a¹ and the pusher-bars C having springs a² for returning
them to. their normal positions, all constructed, combined and operating substantially
as and for the purpose specified and as illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 8 of the
accompanying drawings.
Second. The employment of wires such as d² (preferably but not necessarily having
a backing of india-rubber) for the purpose of providing a pliable and elastic top to a
race along which type are to be conveyed, whereby an elastic pressure will be main
tained upon the edge of the said type in order to prevent them canting on to their
flat side, substantially as specified and as illustrated in Figures 1, 3, 9 and 10 of the
accompanying drawings.
Third. The combination of the various parts constituting the carrier F, comprising
the sliding finger-barf having a finger-point f at its front end and a spring f* and
antifriction roller f' together with the spring-catch f' having a projection ƒ³ adapted

page_text: to engage with the sliding finger-bar f, the whole arranged and operating and adapted
to slide to and fro in a dovetail groove formed in the front of the slot-shelf or
race D: substantially as specified and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the
accompanying drawings.
no
Fourth. The combination of a carrier such as F with an incline bar such as H
whereby a certain part of said carrier, to wit, the sliding finger-bar fis extended to
carry the type in the race along to the end thereof: substantially as specified and as
illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
".
Fifth. The combination with a carrier such as F having a spring-catch such as f*,
of a spring-trip such as G whereby said catch is raised at the commencement of the
return movement of the said carrier to allow a certain part of said carrier, to wit, the
sliding finger-bar f, to be withdrawn so that it will clear the type in the race on its
said return movement: substantially as specified and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2
and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Sixth. The means whereby I am enabled to push the composed lines of type into
the column-case and allow the said case to be raised intermittingly so as to bring a
fresh line-space into position to receive a fresh line of composed type; the said means
comprising the sliding plate J having tongues ; and ³, pusher-plate L and spring ja
together with the sliding trigger-bar M having a spring m for returning it to its
normal position, and a continuously oscillating pivoted curved bar such as 1, for
returning said means to their normal positions, all constructed combined and operating
substantially as specified and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7 of the accompanying
drawings.
Seventh. The combination of a trigger-bar such as M with an alarm-gong such
as N substantially as and for the purpose specified reference being had to Figures 1, 2
and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Eighth. The means whereby I impart motion to the carrier F and pivoted curved
bar I, the said means comprising the treadles P, arm p², connecting-rod p³, crank p³,
connecting-rod, crank-arm f10 and connecting-rods, all constructed arranged and
operating substantially as specified and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
Ninth. The combination with the main frame of a type-setting. machine, of an
upper frame such as B pivoted to the said main frame and having a quadrant such
as 1 through which passes a set screw or bolt whereby said upper frame may be held
in any desired position in order to adjust the inclination of the type case or cabinet or
to facilitate the removal of an empty case and the substitution of another one there-
for substantially as specified and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
Tenth. The combination of the various parts constituting my improved type-setting
machine, all constructed arranged and operating substantially as specified and as
illustrated in the several figures of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-first day of March One thousand eight hundred and eighty-
nina
PHINEHAS PEARSON CRAVEN,
115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.