IM- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMPOSING TYPE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marks Leopold Müller, of Harrington Street, Hampstead
Road, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanician, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMPOSING TYPE."
Sealed the 21st October 1876, and dated the 21st April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marks Leopold Müller at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April 1876.
MARKS LEOPOLD MÜLLER, of Harrington Street, Hampstead Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanician. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMPOSING TYPE."
The object of this Invention is to construct apparatus in such manner as to
facilitate and accelerate the operation of composing type for printing, and to obviate
the difficulties attendant on apparatus heretofore employed.
For this purpose I mount on a support, table or framework, bearings carrying two
longitudinal plates, to which are secured receptacles for holding types, and between
these two plates I place a central or inner plate or bed. At both ends of this plate
is a pulley roller or drum revolving on an axis mounted in bearings, and over these
pulleys I pass an endless band of india-rubber in such manner that the inner plate
or bed lies between the band. This central or inner plate or bed receives the types
as they are discharged from the receptacles. Rotary motion is communicated to
one of these pulleys by any suitable means, as, for instance, by a treadle arrange-
ment worked by ordinary connections or gearing; or steam power may be employed.
As the types are discharged from the receptacles they pass between the inner or
central plate and the endless band, where they are kept perfectly secure from any
irregularity throughout their passage or travel, they being conducted, conveyed, or
carried along by the motion of the endless band against them. The central or
inner plate forms near one end a grooved portion or guide way with an aperture
to direct or lead the types into a shoot or receiver, and they are pushed therein
by a depressor or other like contrivance. Should by chance two or more of the
types come together at the same time and clog the guide way, spring pieces working
through the inner or central plate lift them, and they then fall into a second aperture
at the furthermost end of the inner or central plate from whence they are conducted
away.
F
The type receptacles are provided with pushers worked by levers or connections
terminating in keys or finger pieces. To prevent stoppage in case a larger type

page_text: should by mistake be in any of the receptacles, or should the types stick together
therein, I provide these receptacles at the outlet ends with a piece of metal which
rises to allow passage for the type, and it is restored to position by a spring.
Under the keys on the framework or table is a longitudinal bar which is acted upon
by depressing any of the keys, thus causing the corresponding lever of such key to i
engage therewith.
This bar is connected by levers and rods or arms to a grooved
friction wheel, which receives rotary motion by means of a cord brought from one
of the pulleys carrying the endless band. On the axis of this grooved friction
wheel is mounted another friction wheel, which makes only one revolution cach
time they are brought together, such bringing together being effected by the
depression of any of the keys or finger pieces. This second friction wheel has a
pin keyed excentrically on it, and connected by a jointed rod to a lever attached to
the longitudinal bar. When this friction wheel "makes its revolution, its jointed
arm and lever depress the bar further, and at the same time the type pushers being
acted upon enter deeper into the type receptacles and drive the types forward
completely, when they are then carried between the endless band and inner or
central plate towards the guide way therein. The longitudinal bar is restored to
position by the last half revolution of the friction wheel which has the pin keyed
on it. To bring it completely to its normal position a spring placed under it assists
in restoring it, and the key which had been acted upon then becomes quite disengaged.
The second or last-named friction wheel has a notch on its periphery or edge to
receive a tooth or projection on a moveable piece centered at one end in the bearing
and connected at its other end to a rod and lever, which are also acted upon by
the depression of any of the keys and longitudinal bar, and the tooth falling into
the notch prevents it making more than the one revolution. On the outer face
of this wheel is a cam against which is pressed a spring acting as a break to assist
in stopping it at each revolution. The cam may be notched and the spring have
a tooth or projection on it.
In order that the types shall be properly conducted or conveyed to the receiver
or shoot, a bar supported on bridge pieces, so as not to interfere with the passage
or revolution of the endless band, is placed above it, and it has arms or pressers
which may be kept in position by springs. These arms or pressers keep the band
pressed slightly against the bed plate, so that in case a type lags or remains behind
they assist in bringing them forward in the proper direction and position to the
grooved passage or guide way.
Removeable upright type holders, wells, or cases are fitted over the first-named
type receptacles. In each of these holders there may be a travelling contrivance
for signalling the moment the last type has quitted its holder. This contrivance
consists of a block or plate which is placed in the holders and follows the types as
they descend, has a forked bar or piece which engages in a stud on a spring on
the block or plate, and which on arriving at the end of its travel comes in contact
with the upper part of a plate at the bottom of the holders. This depresses the
spring and permits the forked bar to fall, and to strike against a sounding rod or
other phonetic appliance. At the bottom of these holders or wells is also a con-
trivance for preventing the types falling out when they are filled and have to be
brought to the apparatus. This is a hinged plate secured to the holder and bent
inwardly at bottom; the upper end of this hinged plate is the part that depresses
the spring on the travelling contrivance as soon as it reaches the end of its
travel.
In apparatus for composing type where a (revolving or stationary) disc or circular
plate or bed or ring is used for conducting the types to the receiver or shoot, 1
place a disc sheet or layer of india-rubber of configuration corresponding with such
disc or circular plate or bed, and between this layer or sheet of india-rubber and
the disc or plate the types are conducted. This also prevents them from any
irregularity.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Marks Leopold Müller in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
October 1876.
"
MARKS LEOPOLD MÜLLER, of Harrington Street, Hampstead Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Mechanician. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR COMPOSING TYPE."
The object of this Invention is to construct apparatus in such manner as to
facilitate and accelerate the operation of composing type for printing, and to obviate
the difficulties attendant on apparatus heretofore employed.
For this purpose I mount on a support, table, or framework, bearings carrying
two longitudinal plates, to which are secured receptacles for holding types, and
between these two plates I place a central or inner plate or bed. At both ends of
this plate is a pulley roller or drum revolving on an axis mounted in bearings, and
over these pulleys I pass an endless band of india-rubber in such manner that the
inner plate or bed lies between the band. This central or inner plate or bed
receives the types as they are discharged from the receptacles. Rotary motion is
communicated to one of these pulleys by any suitable means, as, for instance, by
a treadle arrangement worked by ordinary connections or gearing, or steam power
may be employed.
As the types are discharged from the receptacles they pass between the inner
or central plate and the endless band, where they are kept perfectly secure from
any irregularity throughout their passage or travel, they being conducted, conveyed,
or carried along by the motion of the endless band against them. The central or
inner plate forms near one end a grooved portion or guide way, with an aperture
to direct or lead the types into a shoot or receiver, and they are pushed therein by
a depressor or other like contrivance. Should by chance two or more of the types
come together at the same time and clog the guide way, spring pieces working
through the inner or central plate lift them, and they then fall through a second
aperture at the furthermost end of the inner, central, or bed plate, from whence
they are conducted away.
The type receptacles are provided with pushers worked by levers or connections
terminating in keys or finger pieces. To prevent stoppage in case a larger type
should by mistake be in any of the receptacles, or should the type stick together
therein, I provide these receptacles at the outlet ends with a piece of metal, which
rises to allow passage for the type, and it is restored to position by a spring.
Under the keys on the framework or table is a longitudinal bar, which is acted
upon by depressing any of the keys, and thus causing the corresponding lever of
such key to engage therewith. This bar is connected by levers and rods or arms
to a grooved friction wheel, which receives rotary motion by means of a cord
brought from one of the pulleys carrying the endless band.. On the axis of this
grooved friction wheel is mounted another wheel, which makes only one revolu-
tion each time they are brought together, such bringing together being effected by
the depression of any of the keys or finger pieces. This second wheel has a pin
keyed excentrically on it and connected by a jointed rod to a lever attached to
the longitudinal bar. When this wheel makes its revolution its jointed arm and
lever depress the bar further, and at the same time the type pushers being acted
upon enter into the type receptacles and drive the types forward, when they are
then carried between the endless band and inner or central plate towards the guide
way therein. The longitudinal bar is restored to position at the last half revolu-
tion of the wheel which has the pin keyed on it. To bring the bar completely to
its normal position a spring placed under it assists in restoring it, and the key
which had been acted upon then becomes quite disengaged. The second or last-
named wheel has a notch on its periphery or edge to receive a tooth or projection
on a moveable piece centered at one end in a bearing and connected at its other
end to a rod and lever, which are also acted upon by the depression of any of the
Keys and longitudinal bar, and the tooth falling into the notch prevents it making

page_text: more than the one revolution. On the outer face of this wheel is a cam against which
is passed a spring acting as a break to assist in stopping it at each revolution.
The cam may be notched, and the spring have a tooth or projection on it.
In order that the types shall be properly conducted or conveyed to the receiver
or shoot, a bar supported on bridge pieces, so as not to interfere with the passage
or revolution of the endless band, is placed above it. It has arms or pressers which
may be kept in position by springs. These arms or pressers keep the band pressed
slightly against the bed plate, so that in case a type lags or remains behind they
assist in bringing them forward in the proper direction and position to the grooved
passage or guide way.
Removeable upright type holders, wells, or cases are fitted over the first-
named type receptacles. In each of these holders there may be a travelling
contrivance for signalling the moment the last type has quitted its holder. This
contrivance consists of a block or plate which is placed in the holders and follows
the types as they descend; it has a forked bar or piece, which engages in a
stud on a spring on the block or plate, and which on arriving at the end of
its travel comes in contact with the upper part of a plate at the bottom of the
holders. This depresses the spring and permits the forked bar to fall and to strike
against a sounding rod or other phonetic appliance. At the bottom of these holders
or wells is also a contrivance for preventing the types falling out when they are
filled and have to be brought to the apparatus. This is a hinged plate secured to
the holder and bent inwardly at bottom; the upper end of this hinged plate is
the part that depresses the spring on the travelling contrivance as soon as it reaches
the end of its travel.
In apparatus for composing type where a revolving or stationary disc or circular
plate or bed or ring is used for conducting the types to the receiver or shoot I place
a disc, sheet, or layer of india-rubber of configuration corresponding with sucli disc
or circular plate or bed, and between this layer or sheet of india-rubber and the
disc or plate the types are conducted. This disc, layer, or sheet prevents them from
any irregularity.
I now proceed with reference to the accompanying Drawings to describe more
particularly the mode of carrying my Invention into practical effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus constructed according to my In-
vention; Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line a ß of Figure 1, and Figure 3
is a plan, Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, are details.
A is a table, support, or platform on which are mounted bearings B, supporting
uprights or frames B*.. These bearings B carry two longitudinal plates C, C*, on
which rest receptacles or cases D for holding types, and which are kept constantly
filled with type. They are closed by doors or sliding plates d. Between the two
longitudinal plates C, C*, I insert a third or central plate or bed C2, and at each end
of this plate or bed a pulley, drum, or roller E and Ex, revolving on an axis sup-
ported in bearings E2 and E, which are secured to the platform or table A. To the
end of the plate or bed C2, nearest the pulley E*, are two plates c¹, c², fitted thereto
and superimposed so as to form a grooved portion to direct the type to the shoot F.
G is an endless band or strap of india-rubber which passes over the pulleys E, E*,
and it passes around the inner or central plate or bed C2 and lies on its upper
surface. It is set in motion by a grooved wheel X in communication with the
treadle Z, supported in the table or frame A and connected by a rod with a stud
or button Y on the wheel X, around which is passed an endless cord or band x,
and drives the pulley Ex by means of another pulley ', which communicates motion
to the other pulley E through the endless india-rubber band G. But of course
other ordinary ineans of, or mechanical arrangements for; communicating motion to the
pulleys E, Ex, may be employed advantageously. Steain power may also be employed.

page_text: The types are discharged from their receptacles by the compositor depressing any
of the keys H, a few only of which are shown, though of course there are
numerous such keys corresponding with the number of type holders. These keys
are marked or labelled with an indication of its special type column. The keys
are preferably mounted in, tiers on a key board H*, and as they are depressed or
operated on they depress the longitudinal bar K, and the levers I, I*, which are
centered at i, and acting upon knee levers J, Jx, drive forward the type pushers j in
the direction of the arrows z, z¹, and push the types out from their receptacles.
The levers I are balanced by coiled springs 2, one end of which is hooked to the
lever and the other end to a tie bar i³. When the levers I, I*, are brought into
action by the keys H. being depressed," they depress a longitudinal bar K mounted
in supports, and cause it to work three levers L, M, N, the first lever L lifts a
rod, which raises an arc shaped piece acting as a pawl, the tooth of which
falls into a notch in the wheel O and stops it after each revolution. One end
of this are shaped piece is hinged to the bearing O³, the second lever M works a
fork m which brings the friction wheel Ox against the wheel O carrying a cam O²,
and the third lever N works a depressor n för depressing the types into the slot
or aperture p, from whence they pass down into the shoot F, and at the same
time this lever N works a bar n¹, which works a contrivance for raising the types
in case two or more of them should come together in the grooved way in the
inner plate C2 and block the passage. The longitudinal bar K works the fork m
by means of the lever M, and causes the grooved friction wheel O× revolving on
an axis o, held in a bracket or support 03 fixed on the framework A, to press
against the wheel O. This wheel Ox receives its motion from the pulley ¹ by
incans of an endless cord or band x. On its axis o* I mount another wheel Ŏ,
on which is a cam or excentric 0%. This cam is notched at r to receive a tooth
or projection on a spring attached to the bearing E3, or the spring may be
notched and the wheel have a projection. On the friction wheel O is a disc of
india-rubber q, so that when the wheels O and Ox are brought together by the
fork m being pushed inwardly by the lever M they turn together, and as the
wheel Ox performs its revolution, the connecting rod Q attached thereto and to
the lever Q depress the longitudinal bar K still further, and thus cause the
pushers to enter into the type receptacles D and to push the types completely
forward, when they are then carried along the bed C by the motion or revolution of
the band G to the shoot F. The longitudinal bar K is restored to position at the
last half revolution of the wheel O, and a spring R under it restores it completely
to its normal position, and then the keys which had been depressed become quite
disengaged and return to their normal position. h, h, are spring blades or fingers
on the shoot to hold the types in proper position as they pass therein. To prevent
stoppage in case a larger type should by mistake be in any of the receptacles D),
or should the types stick together therein, I provide the receptacles at their outlet
ends with a hinged longitudinal flap or door d*, which rises to allow the sticking
types to pass through, and as they leave the receptacles the flap or door is imme-
diately closed by a spring &, which is fastened to a plate secured to the upright
frames B*. And in order that the types as they leave the receptacles shall be
properly conducted or conveyed to the receiver or shoot F, I place a bridge
piece P above the endless band, but in such manner as not to interfere with its
passage or revolution. It is furnished with arms or pressers P¹, kept in position by
springs 2 This bridge piece P is seen in detail in Figures 4, 5, and 6, Figure 4
being a side view, Figure 5 a plan, and Figure 6 an end view. The end near the shoot
is inoveable, as shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and it is capable of being raised
in order to adjust or regulate any irregularity under the band. The arms or
pressers P¹ rest on the band and keep it slightly pressed against the plate C², so that
in case a type should lag or 'remain behind they assist in bringing them forward
in the proper direction and position to the grooved portion or guide] way C².
Should by chance two or more of the types come together at the same time and

page_text: obstruct or clog the guide way in the bed plate C², a spring piece, plate, or block S,
furnished with pins sl, s, seen in Figures 1 and 2, and also in enlarged views, in
detail, in Figures 7 and 8, lift them and they are then carried along by the band G,
and they then fall through the opening T at the furthermost end of the central
plate on to the table. These pins s', 82, work through orifices in the central or bed
plate C², and are brought into action at each depression of the keys H by the
lever N working a bent bar n¹. In order that the pins s¹, s, should not obstruct
the guide way they must perform their function instantaneously, and for this pur-
pose the bent bar n¹ which lifts the block carrying the pins is secured to a slotted
lever bar or plate n² on which is an elbow piece n³ at bottom. As the lever N
is moved by the longitudinal bar K it raises the slotted lever n with the bent
bar n, which pushes against the block carrying the pins, and they then pass
upwards through the orifices in the plate C, and the slotted lever now falls to its
former position, and as the lever N returns to its normal position it forces back the
elbow piece n³ and sets it ready for the next similar operation; n is a spring which
presses against the elbow piece n³. The plate or block carrying the pins is held
by a spring blade s against another spring blade Sx, which is secured to a block **
attached to the under surface of the bed plate C. D', D¹, are detachable upright
type holders, tubes, wells, or cases which are fitted over the first-named type
receptacles D. There are of course a great number of these holders, but only a
few are shown in the Drawings. Figure 10 is a front view, and Figure 11 is a
side view of one of these holders shewn fitted into the receptacle D, and Figure 12
is a plan of two of the receptacles showing one type in its position of repose and
the other type in its pushed position. These holders are placed in front and back
of the tie bar B3, on which they are hung by hooks, but other contrivances
may be used for attaching or securing them to the tie bar. y is a moveable piece
of metal, which is riveted on and embraces the type holder at its lower part, it is
inwardly bent at bottom so as to prevent the types from falling out. A finger y',
formed in the saine piece with y, is pivoted to the side of the type holder, and
it abuts against a pin y* on the upper part of the type receptacle D, so that as the
type holders D₁ is placed over the receptacle D, the finger y coming in contact
with the pin y* causes the piece y to open and permits the type to leave its holder
and to enter its corresponding receptacle; y is a spring for restoring or closing the
piece y as soon as the holders are removed from the receptacles for refilling or
otherwise. A travelling piece y³ is placed in the holder and follows the column of
type as it descends, and as it arrives at the end of its travel it indicates that the
last type has quitted its holder or tube.
In another modification or arrangement, seen in Figures 13 and 14, the type
holder is fitted or furnished with a block or piece W, which rests on the types and
follows them as they descend. It acts as a signalling contrivance for informing the
compositor the moment the last type has quitted its holder. W is a forked bar or
piece which is pivoted on the block W, and it engages in a stud w on a spring w
secured to the block W. As soon as it arrives at the end of its travel it comes
in contact with the upper part of a plate W3 at the bottom of the holders, and as
this plate depresses the spring wit releases the forked bar W, which falls and
strikes against a sounding rod or other phonetic appliance. The bottom of the
plate W is bent inwardly, so as to prevent the types from falling out when they
are filled and have to be brought to the apparatus. As the types pass down the
shoot they pass on to an apparatus which forms them into lines, and as soon as each
line of a column is formed a hammer strikes a bell and the compositor by moving a
handle raises cams which raise a plate against which the types rest, and the line of
types is then pushed into the galley by a bar or pusher actuated by other cams, and
from whence they are removed for justifying. This apparatus is seen in Figures 1, 2,
and 3. U is the framework in which is mounted an axis u carrying cams, two of
which u, u, lift the plate u* against which the types repose, and the other two u, u²,
operate the pusher u³ as soon as the plate is raised; u is a hammer, which is held

page_text: by a spring us, to which is attached a rod against which the line of types abuts
as it is formed, and thus actuating the spring releases the haminer u³ which falls on
a bell 7 and gives the compositor warning that a line of types is ready for the
galley, and as he now moves the handle U¹ the plate u* is raised, and the pusher u¹
comes to push the types into the galley. The movement given to the handle U₁
resets the hammer 5 by causing the arc shaped piece 8 attached to the handle
to raise the hammer and cause the spring u to enter into a notch thereon and to
remain locked therein until released by the next line of types. As soon as the
types have been pushed into the galley the pusher u is restored to position by
springs u
Figures 15 and 16 show an arrangement for regulating the length of line of types
to pass into the galley.
Figure 15 is a front elevation and Figure 16 is a plan. It is secured or fitted on.
to the apparatus which forms the types into lines. b is a rod or spindle passing
through a guide b* and fixed to the frame U. One end of this rod or spindle is so
shaped on one side as to enter between and separate the types at the required
length of line; b is a cam mounted on the axis and brought into operation at
the movement of the handle U, it pushes a sliding block or piece b3 on which a
plate bis attached, and through which the rod or spindle 6x passes. Over the
piece is another plate, which has a slot b³ cut in it to direct the spindle to travel
diagonally, such movement causing the spindle to enter between the types and to
push them so as to separate the line. A spiral spring be restores the spindle b to
position after it has performed its function.
Figure 17 shows a contrivance which is placed on the pusher and keeps the
types from falling out of position as they arrive to be conducted into the galley, c is
a slotted plate secured by screws to the pusher us, it is capable of a to and fro
movement. As the types leave the shoot and enter the line forming apparatus they
push against the plate c' and force it back, and the spring pressing on the plate c
the types are kept from falling over. Although I have described a plate for keeping
the types from falling over, the pusher may be so contrived as to perform this
office.
In apparatus for composing type where a revolving or stationary disc, platform,
or circular plate or bed is used for conducting the types to a receiver or shoot, I
place a disc, sheet, layer, or ring of india-rubber, or other like material of configura-
tion corresponding with such disc, platform, or circular plate or bed, and between
such sheet or layer and the disc, platform, or plate, the types are conducted to the
shoot or other receptacle, whereby they are prevented from any irregularity in their
course or travel.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, 1 declare that I claim―
First. Conveying or conducting types from type holders, so as to pass between a
bed plate and revolving endless band to a shoot or other receptacle, for purposes of
collating as described.
Second. The combination of parts constituting the mechanism for preventing
obstruction in the guide way or grooved passage, in case two or more types should
come together at the same time, as described and as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9,
of the annexed Drawings.
Third. Fitting type holders used in type composing apparatus or machines, with
contrivances for retaining the types in place after they (the holders) have been
filled and have to be brought to the apparatus,, as described and as shewn in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 13, 14, of the Drawings.
Fourth. Fitting type holders used in type-composing apparatus or machines with
travelling contrivances for signalling to the operator the moment the last type has
quitted its holder, as described and shewn in Figures 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, and 14, of the
annexed Drawings.

page_text: Fifth. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting my
Invention of improvements in apparatus for composing type as described and as
shewn in the Drawings.
Sixth. The employment or application of a revolving sheet, layer, or disc of india-
rubber or other like material for conducting or conveying types from holders or
receptacles to a shoot or other contrivance or receptacle for composing or collating
type in apparatus where a stationary or revolving platform, plate, disc, or table is
used.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marks Leopold Müller, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of October, in the year One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
ERNEST DE PASS,
Patent Office,
68, Fleet Street,
London.
M. L. MULLER.
(L.S.)