US360357A - augustus low - Google Patents

Description

A. A. LOW.

TYPE CHANNEL.

(No Model.)

No. 360,357. Patented Mar. 29, 1887.

N. PETERS. Pholo-Lillwgrlpher. Washmgion, D. C.

UNITED STATES A. AUGUSTUS LOXV, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALDEN TYPE MACHINE COMPANY, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-CHANNEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,357 dated March 29, 1887.

Application filed May 11, 1886. Serial No. 201,881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, A. AUGUSTUS Low, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Supporting Devices for Use in Type-Containing Channels, of'which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

llIy invention relates to what has heretofore been designated as the type-precedcr or slug used in type-containing channels for the purpose of supporting and retaining the types therein. The class of type-cntaining channels referred to is thatinto which the types are distributed successively in pre scribed positions with relation to each other and to the channels, forming therein lines or columns of type resting with their broad sides against each other and with their faces all reading in the same direction. During the distribution of the types the channels occupy positions in the distributing apparatus in which they are temporarily arranged to coincide with and form continuations of perma nent type receiving and conducting passages, by which the types as distributed are depos ited in the receiving ends of the type-containing channels. In order to forward the types within their respective'channels and clear the way for succeeding types, a reciprocating pusher or other similar device is arranged to act intermittently against the ends of the type lines or columns. This type-forwarding device acts against the resistance afforded by the lines of type already distributed and of that of the type-preceders or slugs placed in the channels to support the forward ends of the said lines of type.

In order to properly sustain the types in each type-containing channel in a close conipact line, it is desirable that the type-pre ceder or slug shall exert a degree of resistance against movement longitudinally within the channel greater than that which would be afforded by a line of type equal to its length. In other words, the type-preceder or slug must not rest loosely within the channel,

but must exert a restraining influence upon the types during and after the impulse of the type-forwarding device sufficient to prevent all looseness or play between the types constituting the line, the types being held at the other or receiving end of the line during the retractilc movement of the pusher by any of the means heretofore set forth in my previous applications for patent (Nos. 192,493, 195,866, 201,104, and 201,105) for preventing back lash. After removal from the distributing apparatus another slug is usually inserted in the receiving end of the channel and pressed up against that end of the type-line, the latter thus being held and confined between two movable partitions, which should afford sufficient resistance to sustain the types tirmlyand compactly against accidental jar or disturb ance during the handling and transfer of the channels.

Vhen the types are required for the purpose of setting or composition, the containingchannels and their contents areinsertedin their appropriate recesses or compartments within the settercase, as shown and described in Patents Nos. 230,784, ,019, 271,711, 336,719, and 336,617, by reference to which itwill be seen that the said recesses formed in the body of the setter-case for the reception of the typecontaining channels are made as small and narrow as is practicable, so that any rigid protrusion beyond the walls of the type containing channels would be inadmissible. Thus it is essential that the type-preceders or slugs shall in no case exceed type-height or project beyond the open edges of the typechannels; but this rule, owing to the narrowness of the channels, renders it difficult to ex tract or handle the slugs, and tweezers or otherspecial implements have usually to be employed in handling or controlling them.

One of the objects of my present invention is to afford a ready and convenient means of moving the type-preceders or slugs within the channels or extracting them therefrom without interfering with the insertion of the channels into the setter-case. Any rigid handle or projection upon a type-preceder or slug would not only thus render the type-containing channel useless in connection with the typesetter, but would also endanger the contents of the channel during handling and transfer, since by its projection beyond the edges of the type-channel it would render the slug liable to contact with extraneous objects. Another objection to such rigid handle or projection would be that during the distribution of the earlier types into the channel while in position in the distributer it would be caught and slid back away from the,

forward end of theline of the type each time the receiver-plate carriage was pushed back or retracted from the vertical receiver-plate, (as will be understood by reference to applications Nos. 156,604, 171,366, and 191,824,) thereby upsetting the line.

In my recent applications, Nos. 195,866, 201,104, and 201,105, I described ty'pepreceders or slugs provided with a frictional surface consisting of acord or band of an elastic or semi-elastic frictional material, and I do not seek to cover herein, broadly, the combination of a cord with such device. In the constructions referred to, also, provision is made for isolating the knot or fastening where cord or string is employed, whereas in my present invention th'e main feature consists in utilizing protuberances or knots formed upon the cord to augment and perfect the close engagement between slug and channel, and also, by increasing or diminishing the number of knots, to regulate the degree of pressure exerted by the slug against the side walls of the channel in accordance with the special requirements of the particular type under treatment, it being a fact that differentfsizes and kinds of type require a greater or less degree of restraint, a line of the smaller sizes of type being inthe aggregate liable to present a proportionally greater degree of elasticity than a corresponding line of larger and'heavier types, for the reasons set forth in my applications Nos.'

201,104: and.20l,105. Theimportance of thus regulating the resistance afforded by the preceder or slug with relation to the condition of use is of practical importance, since insufficiency of resistance to the action of the pusher will allow the latter to pitch or throw both preceder and type forward, loosening the line or column, while an excess of resistance will interfere with the perfect working of the means for preventing backlash used at the other extremity of the channel and line.

By the use of a cord or string attached to the slug or preceder I am enabled to accomplish the desired adjustment by simple and inexpensive means, since by increasing or diminishing the number of knots or protuberances thereon I can correspondingly increase or diminish the tightness or lateral pressure exerted against the side walls of the channel. At the same time such use of the cord enables me to utilize the free ends of the cord as a means of extracting the slug or preceder or ofvarying its position within the type-contain ing channel, although it is obvious that I do not limit myself to such use of the free ends of the cord for this purpose, my invention in this connection consisting in providing the slug or preceder with a flexible handle or other flexible means for grasping it and regulating its position within the channel. The flexibility of the means employed for handling or moving the slug or preceder permits of the use of the containing-channel in both the setter-case and the distributing apparatus without obstruction or interference.

The type-containing channels, being usually formed from sheet metal stamped up into the desired shape, are apt to have their side walls slightly flared apart at their upper edges. The mode of manufacture, also, is sometimes the cause of a slight buckling or unevenness in portions of the side walls, so that thelatter are not always perfectly parallel. The side walls are also-liable to become slightly bent in use, andeven when such buckle, bend, or irregularity is almost imperceptible it still has a tendency to interfere with the perfect operafforded being in such case variable through out the type'passage. To overcome this difiiculty when present I use a slug or preceder proof the slug or follower for thepurpose of very ing the degree of penetration into the channel of the string or other elastic or semi-elastic cord or frictional material, thereby enabling me to compensate for any spreading or want of parallelism between the side walls, which are invariably narrowest and most perfect at or near the bottom or spine. i

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation. of a type-containing channel provided with my new form of slug with longi-.

tudinal cord, the central portion of the channel being broken away; Fig. 2, a transverse section of a type-containing channel, showing an end view of a slug or preceder and the bearing of a knot or protuberance against the side wall of the channel. 7 Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the slug or preceder on line 04 :10, Fig. 6. Fig. 4c is an end elevation of a slug or preceder in which the cord is double-knotted to increase the lateral pressure against the side wall of the channel; Figs. 5 and 6 are side elevations of opposite sides of the slug or preceder without the cord or tightener; Figs. 7 and 8, similar views with the cord applied; Fig. 9, a side elevation showing the application of a cord or tightener at each end of the slug or preceder; Fig. 10, a similar view showing the cords projecting down vertically to near the bottom of the slug or preceder; Fig. 11, atop View of the slug represented in Fig.

10; Figs. 12 and 13, side and top views of the slug or preceder without the cords, formed with vertical end grooves and series of vertical perforations coinciding therewith. Fig. 14 is a top view of a portion of a type-containing channel, in one side wall of which a lateral bend or imperfection exists, illustrating the utility of the separate end cords or protuberances.

The type-containing channels A are preferably formed from sheet metal, struck into shape in the usual way. They are usually formed with a high wall, a, and a low wall, a, for the reasons set forth in former patents.

\Vhen used in connection with a channel having such high and low walls, the cord 0 may be applied to the slug or preecder B horizontally, as shown in the first eight figures in the drawings. In such the groove 1) and the perforations b are formed in the slug or preceder at a point which will be above the top of the low side wall, a, when the slug or preceder is in position within the channel. The groove 1) is deep enough to receive and shield the cord from contact with the side walls of the channel upon that side. The'cord 0 projects beyond the body of the slug or preceder upon the other side, where it is secured by the formation of one or more knots, c, which create a thickness or protuberance at that point, constituting a semi-elastic cushion, which presses against the high side wall, a, of the type-channel when the slug or preceder is inserted in the position shown in Fig. 2 and upon the left-hand side of Fig. 1. Thus constructed and used in conjunction with the high and low walled channel A, the slug or preceder B may be used tion within the type-channel, as shown upon the right-hand side of Fig. 2, or as a friction slug or type-preceder, as before set forth. In other cases the frictional material or cord 0 may be arranged vertically or diagonally, or in any preferred way. One, two, or more of these cords C may be used upon the body of the slug or type-preceder. I prefer to arrange one at or near each extremity, as illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 14, for the purpose of affording more than one bearing against the side walls of the channel. By this means, should one of the cords chance to be opposite a buckle or depression in the opposed side wall, the slug or preceder would still be held snug and close between the side walls at its other extremity. \Vhen thus arranged at either end of the slug or preceder, the cord may be made to project upon both sides, if desirable; but I prefer to form the vertical grooves b, within which one side of the cord rests, and to arrange the said grooves 1) upon opposite sides of the body of the slug or preceder B, so that the bearings 0 will bear upon opposite side walls of the channel.

A series of perforations, I)", coincide with grooves 11 and permit of the application or adjustment of the cords G of different length, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. This is to adapt the slug or preceder more perfectly to the side walls of the channels, which are always true and of standard width near the bot tom or spine, but the upper side walls of which frequently diverge more or less. By using longer cords in the channels, the side walls of which diverge materially, the cords may be made to project downward sufficiently to insure a close fit between the parts. By arranging the knots or protuberances cin such case near the upper edge of the slug or preceder, this result is still further insured, as the knots 0r protuberances may be increased until the requisite degree of tightness is attained. The free ends 0 c of the cord, besides permitting of the formation of new knots for the purpose of increasing the pressure to be exerted against the side walls of the channels, may also be utilized as means for grasping and removing or changing the position of the slug or preceder.

Any other suitable form of flexible handle may be substituted for the ends of the string, if preferred, the essential feature of construe tion in this respect being an elastic means for handling the slug or preceder, which will yield and adapt itself to circumstances without interfering with or obstructing any of the legitimate uses of the channel.

In my application for patent, No. 201,101, filed May 4, 1886, I show a type-prcceder or slug formed with perforations for the reception of a frictional cord, and with recesses or depressions upon one side coinciding with the perforations and designed to receive and isolate the knots formed in the cord; but the object of such construction is to afford means either as a loose slug, by reversing it in posifor varying the resistance or frictional contact to be attained, and the slug is not designed to be reversible, as the present form of slug is; neither isit provided with a continuous groove and a loop or band of frictional cord.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.. In combination with a type-containing channel substantially such as designated, the reversible type-preceder or slug B, formed with the groove?) and perforations Z), andpro vided with the cord 0, arranged and operat ing substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

2. In combination with a type-containing channel substantially such as designated, a type-preceder or slug provided with a projeeting handle of flexible material, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. In combination with a type-containing channel substantially such as described, a type-preceder or slug provided withaknotted cord, the knots in which protrude upon one side of the slug, so as to bear against the side wall of the channel, the said cord being applied in such manner that the hearing or pressure exerted against the side walls of the channel may be increased by the formation of additional knots upon the said cord, substantially in the manner and for the purpose detype-preceder or slug formed with the vertical scribed. grooves b and series of coinciding perfora 4. In combination with a type-containing tions, and provided with the cords O, substanchannel substantially such as described, a tially in the manner and for the purpose de- 5 typ e-preceder or slug provided with two fricscribed.

tional cords, one at each extremity, for the vpurpose and substantially in the manner de scribed. Witnessr s: r

5. In combination with atype-eontaining GEO. W. MIATT, 10 channel substantially such as describedfa WM. GARDNER.

A. AUGUSTUS LOW.

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