US481920A - fowler - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

' 14 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. c, FOWLER. I MACHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS.

No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

(No Model.) r 14 Sheets-Sheet 2,

l J. C. FOWLER.

MACHINE FOR PRODUGING TYPBBARS.

Patented Aug. 30,1892.

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(No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 3.

, J. GLFOWLBR. MACHINE FOR PRODUGING TYPE BARS. No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

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(No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30,1892.

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14 Sheets-Sheet 6. J. O. FOWLER. MACHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS.

In 8 d 0 I D N No. 481.920. Patented Aug 30, 1892.

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No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

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(N0 Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 8. J. G. FOWLER. MACHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS.

No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

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'J. 0. FOWLER.

MAGHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS.

Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

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J. C. FOWLER. MACHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS.

No. 481,920. Patented Aug 30, 1892 NVENTUH:

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- I 14 SheetsSheet 11. J. O. FOWLER.

MACHINE. FOR PRODUCING TYPB'BARSL No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30,1892.

(No Model.)

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MAGHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS. No. 481,920. i Patented Aug. 30,1892.

(No Model.) 14 SheetsSheet 13.

J. 0. FOWLER. MACHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE BARS.

Patented Aug. 30, 1892.

,W w m 14: Sheets-Sheet 14' (No Model.)

J. G. FOWLER. I MACHINE FOR PRODUGING TYPE BARS.

No. 481,920. Patented Aug. 30,1892.

If-firaufix #1 Jw az, azzwzer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH O. FOW'LER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO L. G. I-IINE, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR PRODUCING TYPE-BARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 481,920, dated August 30, 1892.

Application filed April 15, 1892. Serial No. 429,286. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may conoern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. FOWLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Producing Type-Bars, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of mechanism used for setting up a series of matrices in orderly arrangement and in such manner that they may form part of a mold in which a line or some part thereof may be cast in a single piece having an intelligible arrangement of type characters corresponding with those I 5 of the matrices, the line when removed from the mold being in condition to be set up with others and locked up in a proofgalley or other device, where one or more impressions may be made in any suitable form of press.

My invention relates more particularly to that class of this mechanism com monly known as the Mergenthaler linotypemachines. Broadly speaking, these machines are now substantially automatic, the matrix selection being effected by a keyboard, the matrices assemb1ed,their position rectified, the line or series expanded, the mold formed, the matrices locked up, the cast made, and the series of matrices being carried upward, delivered to a distributing-bar, and thence returned to theirproper cells in the magazine.

WVhile this machine has given excellent results, it has been regarded as desirable that the mechanism be simplified to such a degree as to render a higher speed attainable, both in assembling the matrices and in their distribution to the magazine.

It is my purpose to provide simple means 'whereby the operations of locking up and 40 clamping the line of matrices in the mold,

casting the line of type, and finally separating the mold and distributing the matrices may all proceed in their proper order or succession at the same time that the selection of matrices by the keyboard is carried on, together with their delivery to the assemblingspace, whereby at the completion of each line selection the matrices selected are arranged in an orderly manner in the assembly-spate so ready to be justified, clamped, and locked up in the mold the precedingline isjustitied and locked up, and a third line of matrices is advanced to the mold, locked up, the cast made, the mold opened, or the cast line of type ejected by suitable means, and the line thus formed delivered. This series of operations is practically synchronous, for although they do not take place at the same absolute instant they are completed in the same periodof time, said operation being divided into three separate series and each series being directed to three separate points upon the machine-table, the concurrence of the three separate series of mechanical operations into which the action of the mechanism is divided being the means whereby I am enabled to slow up the movement of the machine as a whole and to accomplish the final results sought with less Wear and tear and with a better average speed than has usually been practicable.

It is another purpose of my invention to provide means whereby the individual matrices are driven singly and in rapid succession from the assembling-space and taken to the distribution-bar by carriers having continuous movement-such, for example, as flexible belts or chains, between which the matrices are successively received as they are taken from the assembling-space. This part of my invention also comprises the combination, with the matrix-elevating apparatus referred to, of means whereby the flexible contin uously-traveling devices by which the matrices are taken to the distribution-bar shall follow a curved path or caused to follow such a path that the matrices contained in the as sembly-space shall turn upon their longitudinal centers in order to present their matrix edges in proper position for the next selection.

It is my further purpose to provide a mao chine of this character in which an element shall be a machine table or platform having intermittent rotation through an arc of ninety degrees, or about one-fourth part'of a complete revolution, the sides of said table or 5 platform being each provided with an assembling space or chamber, a pusher to advance the gathered matrices and to act as a clamp when the mold is locked up, a spring-pressed riser or head to support the gathered type against the action of the pusher, and a driver to carry the matrices out of the assembling space or chamber and carry each in its order and into the carriers, by which it is taken to the distribution-bar, and suitable means for giving an intermittent fractional revolution to the machine-table at suitable intervals, as determined by the operator.

It is my purpose, also, to provide and combine with the rotating machine table or platform, equipped substantially as described, means whereby its fractional revolution may be initiated by the operator and automatically arrested by the action of the mechanism and locked or held in position, subject, however, to such limited play as may be required for the justification of the table in order to make a close joint with the mold from end to end of the latter.

It is my further purpose to combine with a machine of the type specified a machine table or platform having a polygonal form, the straight edges thereof being of substantially equal length and each provided with duplicate means suitable for the assemblage, justification, and locking up of a line of matrices, and provided, also, with means for driving said matrices out of the assembling-space singly and successively to enable them to be carried to the distribution mechanism.

I purpose, also, to provide a machine of this kind with a machine-table provided along its margin with a series of duplicate spaces for assembling and holding the matrices, said table being mounted upon a central axis and receiving intermittent fractional rotation at the will of the operator to advance the series of duplicate spaces one step, bringing each in position to enable further operation to be performed thereon in the same or substantially the same time that preceding and succeeding steps are performed with relation to the remaining spaces of the series.

I also purpose providing machines of this character with a machine table or platform combined with means for giving intermittent fractional rotation thereto at the will of the operator, a bank of keys by which the magazine-cells are opened and a single matrix dropped by the operation of any one key, means for carrying the matrices to and assembling them in one of a series of marginal assembling-spaces on the machine table, means for locking up the matrices so assembled and casting a line of type therefrom when the assembling space or chamber has been advanced by a fractional rotary movement of the table, by which a second assembling-space is brought into position for re ceiving the selected matrices for a second line, and means for separating and distributing the matrices from which the cast is made when the table has been advanced by a second fractional movement on its axis, thereby also bringing the second line assembled into position for casting and advancing a third assembling-space to the point where it receives the assembling-matrices, thereby enabling the several operations of assembling,

scale, of the machine-table.

casting, and distributing to be carried on simultaneously, or practicallyoso, at a plurality of different points on the same table.

My invention comprises simple automatic means for engaging the separately-elevated matrices with the distribution-bar, for preventing the passage upon the-bar of one matrix until the preceding matrix has been carried forward thereon by the proper advancing device, and means whereby the assembled line is justiiiedat one point in the intermittent movement of the machine-table and locked up under the proper line compression at a succeeding point in the movement of the table where the casting is accomplished, and finally the distribution of the matrices at a third point in the rotary intermittent movement, the mechanical action at each of the three points being carried on simultaneously.

My invention also contemplates the material simplification of the structure and organization of these machines, a material improvement in their-operation by reason of increased expedition, diminished wear and tear of the parts, an avoidance of the necessity for extreme micrometric accuracy in the contactingsurfaces, which is always one result of a complicated organization of a large number of mechanical elements, and a material improvement in the economies of time, speed, and power, whereby I am able to attain the final results sought in the same period of time now required by other systems, but at a less speed of the mechanism, or at an equal speed, but in a less period of time.

My invention consists, to the several purposes specified, in the novel features of construction and new combinations of parts hereinafter fully explained, and then particularly pointed out and defined in the claims, with which this specification concludes.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my said invention appertainsto understand and to make, construct, and use the same, I will proceed to describe in detaila machine in which my invention is embodied, reference being had for such purposes to the drawings accompanying this specification, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a part of a machine embodying my invention, showing the magazine, the distributing mechanism, and keyboard, with the assembling devices. Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view showing the leaf-spring at the lower end of the magazine. from the left-hand end of the machine, the table and its actuating devices being in dotted lines. Fig. 8 is a plan view, on an enlarged Fig. 3 is a view of one of the matrices used in'said machine. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the plate, having beveled side arms,between which the matrix entrance and exit openings are located. Fig. 4 is a side or edge elevation of the machine-table as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section in the line of one of the assembling-spaces on the table,

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation taken' ITO the cams on the shaft of the table.

showing the matrix assembling and setting mechanism at work. .Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the line of matrices set up in an assembling-space and locked up in position for casting. Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the machine, taken through'the center of thema- Fig. 10 is'a section of the same upon the line 10 10, Fig. 9, showing a portion of the rotary table anda matrix in position therein for casting. of the upper jaw of the mold. Fig. 12 isa detail perspective of the lowerjaw of the same. Fig. 13 is a face elevation of one of the supporting-brackets between which the mold lies. Fig. 14 is a perspective of saline 'of type cast in said mold. Fig. 15. is a rear elevation of the crucible and its supports. Fig. 16 is a vertical section showing the matrix-ejecting mechanism and illustrating a modified form of the means for withdrawing the matrices which have been partly ejected from the assembling-space or which are of less than usual length. Fig. 17 is a detail front elevation of the devices by which the matrices are placed upon the distribution-bar. Fig. 18 is an end elevation of the devices whereby the crowding of the matrices on the distribution-bar is prevented. Fig.'19 is a plan view of part of the devices shown. in Fig. 17. Fig. 20 is a detail view of part; of

the apparatus shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 21 is a detail perspective of the guard shown in Fig. 18. ble carriers for the distribution mechanism, showing the means for twisting the same. Figs. 22, 22 and 22 are views showing the construction of parts of the flexible carriers,

Fig. 23 is an end elevation of the lower part of the machine, showing the starting mechanism and the cams by which the automatic action is governed. 2a is a horizontal section of Fig. 23, taken just below Fig. 25 is a front elevation of part of the devices shownin Fig. 24. Fig. 26 is a vertical section of the ejecting mechanism. Fig. 27 is a bottom plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 26. Fig. 28 is a plan view of the index disk or cam. Fig. 29 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the latch. Fig. 31 is a plan view of the latchcam. Fig. 32 is a central vertical section of the same. Fig.33 is a plan view of the stop cam. Fig. 34 is a vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 33. Fig. 35 is a plan view of the lock-up cam. Fig. 36 is a central section of the cam shown in Fig. 35. Fig.3? is adiagrammatical plan view, partly in section, for

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view.

. section of the diagonals of the square. Fig. 22 is a detail view of one of the flexithe purpose of indicating the relative posi: tion ofthe keyboard, rotary table, and crucilole. Fig. 38 is a detail sectional elevation to more clearly show the mechanism for intermittently rotating the table, Fig. 39 is a detail perspective view to more clearly show the devices for preventing crowding-of the matrices on the distribution-b'ar, and Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the lining-head and its supports. Fig. 41 is a diagram to illustrate the relations of the follow-block to the driving-arm and to indicate the manner in which thedepending end of said-follow-blocl: is caused to engage the driving-arm as the matrices are brought into position for distribution.

I shall have occasion to direct attention hereinafter to those features which mark the difference between myinvention and the priorart; but I may state at the outset that there are several matters of paramount importance and value which I will particularize at this point merely by reason of their prominence in novelty and value and their relative importance in function.

One of the features referred to comprises the machine table or platform mounted upon a central axis and'combined with suitable means whereby it may have intermittent fractional rotation on its axis at the will of the operator. This table may be polygonal in form,-and there is-no imperative limitation as to the number of sides,as I may construct it'in theform of a triangle, a quadrilateraha pentagon, a hexagon, or any other regular polygon. For reasons which will appear in the course of this description I prefer that said table be square, or practically so, and mounted on a shaft the axis of which is substantially coincident withthe I point of inter- Upon each of its four sides the table is provided with suitable assemblingspaces forreceiving and retaining the selected matrices, the as sembling-spaces upon anyone of the four sides being substantial duplicates of the other three. In its first position the assembling-space on one of the sides receives the selected matrices taken from the magazine by the operation of the keys. The completed line is justified and the matrices are locked up in the mold, the casting is accomplished, and the matrices are then removed from the assembling-space in which they were first received and taken direct to the distributionbar to be returned to the magazine. These several successive steps and the minor operations attending them are all performed with.- out removing the matrices from the assembling-space where they were first placed and without removing the same from the table of which it forms a permanent portion. The only change in this respect is the change of location produced by the intermittent fractional revolution of the machine-table, by which the assembling-space in which a line of matrices has been placed is advanced by ICO a rotary movement of the machine-table of such extent asto bring the next succeeding assembling-space into the place just vacated by the one in which the matrices have assembled. The latter is brought into position to be locked up and form part of the moldin which the type-line is cast while the second assembling-space is receiving a second line of matrices. A further movement of the table carries the assembling-space and the matrices from which the cast has just been made to a third point, bringing a third assemblingspace into the place vacated by the second, where it receives athird line of matrices during the period of time in which the second assemblingspace is used in the mold. During this same period the matrices in the first assembling-space from which a type-line has been cast are in process of distribution. It will be seen that the three different steps are not only carried forward simultaneously at the three different points of .arrest in the fractional revolution of the table, but that the three successive steps of assembling, casting, and distributing are executed in connection with one and the same assembling-space in its three successive positions, the matrices suffering no removal therefrom untilthey are taken to the distribution-bar. 'As the steps referred to are three in number, the fourth sideof the square table, although provided with an assembling-space like the others, may be regarded, nevertheless, as an idler. The reasons for preferring the form of table shown will be fully explained hereinafter. It will be seen that the three distinct operations of assembling, casting, and distributing with the minor operations attending each step, are practically synchronous, and the periods of time between which the machine-table is advanced are measured by the time required by the operator in selecting and assembling the matrices in the assembling-space which lies in position to receive them. Mechanical operations are, as a rule, performed automatically in less time than the same work can be performed manually, and this is practically the case in the present instance. It follows, therefore, that the mechanism can be operated as rapidly as the keys can strike to open the cells of the magazine and release the matrices, the speed, therefore, being limited by the rapidity, skill, and accuracy of the operator.

Another salient feature of my invention comprises the method of distribution of the matrices, which consists in taking them by means of continuously-moving flexible carriersas they are ejected from the assembling space or chamber direct to the distributionbar, whence they are delivered to the proper cells of the magazine. This portion of my invention also comprises, in addition to the foregoing, the provision of means of extremely simple character whereby the matrices are automatically placed in their proper order upon the distribution-bar and whereby a proper interval is preserved between them to enable the'matrix-carriers to engage the matrices separately and maintain asuitable space between them. This portion of my invention also includes, but as a separate feature, means whereby the matrices may be taken from the means whereby longitudinal ribs shall be formed upon the flat vertical face of the body portionof the type-line, said ribs having substantial parallelism with the top and bottom of said body portion and being preferably removed by a narrow space from the upper and lower edges. The outer faces of these ribs, which are in low relief, are formed in the mold with such accuracy that they contact with the rear face of the type-line in front and not only render the two lines accurately parallel, but afford support and contact throughout the entire series of type-lines, holding each in its place and preventing displacement or dropping out of the type should the form or galley chance to be inverted.

In describing the operative parts of the machine I will follow as closely as may be the order in which the several parts act, this being the natural order.

Referring to the drawings, the referencenumeral 1, Fig. 8, indicates the ordinary and well-known form of matrix used in machines of this character, its parts and the manner of using the same being so well known to those skilled in the art as to require no specific description. These matrices are stored in the cells 2, Fig. 1, of a magazine, which will be of a known construction or of any other preferred form. The magazine is supported upon the upper extension 3 of the machineframe 4, Fig. 2, where it is preferably inclosed between two parallel walls 5, a transparent pane 6 affording a complete View of the same. The individual cells 7 of the magazine I arrange in such manner that they converge from their upper to their lower extremities at a small angle, thereby bringing the discharge-openings closely adjacent to each other, while the receiving-openings above are separated from each other by short but regular intervals to facilitate the distribution of the matrices. The magazine-cell of greatest length and containing the greatest number of matrices is the vertical cell 7, dividing the magazine centrally into two substantially similar parts. I The lower or discharge ends of the cells in each half are out upon a line inclining laterally and upward, thereby causing the lower end of the magazine to approximate a V shape. The matrices lie in these cells end to end, as usual, their edges being presented to the front of the machine, those edges having characters formed therein or thereon being all turned the same way.

Directly beneath and parallel with the V- shaped lower end of the magazine, separated from the discharge ends of the cells, are two independent flat belts 8 and 9, carriedin unison by pulleys at the sides of the magazine and meeting below and a little to one side .of the discharge end of the central cell 7. At this point both belts come upon apulley 12, the belt?) overlying and running upon and in unison with the belt 8, In the same relative position both belts pass to a pulley 13,and passing over the same they run downward to guide-rolls 14:,having their axes in substantially the same horizontal plane, and so located as to bring their surfaces near the face of the machine-table, Figs. 1 and 2. The axes of all the pulleys mentioned are parallel with a horizontalline drawn from front to rear of the machine, and the arrangement is such that the two belts 8 and 9 as they pass from the pulleys 10 to the pulley 12 travel directly be-v neath the exit ends or discharge ends of the cells of the magazine at such distance therefrom and at such speed that the matrices YB. leased and allowed to drop from the cells by gravity will easily be taken and carried onward in their proper relative position. To prevent the remote chance of any one of said matrices becoming so far displaced that one end is thrownupward on the belt 8 as it passes over the face of the pulley 12, whereby said matrix may be caused to assume a position transverse to the belts 8 and 9, I mount upon the apex or lowest point of the mag-a zine-cells a delicate leaf-spring 10, Figs. 1 and 1, which hangs downward, so that its point is but little above the surface of the,

belt 9, where it will touch theupper surfaces of the matrices passing upon the beltor bein very close proximity to them. Being of extremely delicate tension and highly elastic it offers no obstacle to their passage and can cause no displacement, but on the contrary prevents the displacement referred to above. Upon reaching the pulley 12 they pass, still retaining the same relative position, into the grasp of the two belts 8 and 9 and remain therein until they have emerged below the guiderrolls 14. It will readily be understood fro'mthe figures referred to that the matrices drop upon the belts 8 and 9 lengthwise and retain this position while in engagement with said belts, their matrix edges or those having characters formed therein or thereon being turned toward the front of the machine.

The machine table or platform 15, Fig. 2, to which reference has already been made, is preferably square, Fig. 3, its sides being of a length somewhat greater than the maximum length of a type-line. It is mounted upon a vertical shaft 16, Fig. 6, having its axis coincident with the point of intersection of the diagonals of the square, or substantially so. The method of imparting movement to this shaft will be explained hereinafter, my present purpose being simply to point out the constructivefeatures and the relative location or the mechanical. parts. The shaft- 16 is stepped in a bearing upon the base-p1ate of the machine, or it may be supported many other manner familiar to machinists.

' Upon each of its four sides the table is provided with an assei'nblingspace 17, Figs. 3 and t, into which the selected matrices released from the magazine-cells pass as theyv emerge from the grasp of the belts 8 and 9 below the guide-rolls 14. The table being quadrilateral and the four assembling-spaces being in all material respects duplicates one of another, a description of one will be sufficient for all. Each assembling-space 17 is lo cated quite near the edge of the table and parallel therewith, as seen most clearl yin Fig. 3. It consists of a chamber, space, or r cess, (denoted by said reference-numeral 17,)"said chamber lying below the upper surface of. the table, Figs. 4: and 5, which is removed to leave nearly the whole length of said chamber open at the top. The width of this opening isabo ut equal to the width of the matricesv 1 (see Fig. 3".) at their middle portions, or between the projecting lips 19 at one end and the sim lar lips 20 at the other end. These lips PIO,]G( 3U over. the sides of the chamber 17 and their adjacent shoulders rest upon the surface. of thetable and beneath longitudinal shoulders 21, Figs. 10 and 26, a little above the bottom of the chamber 17. In the assembling-space the matrices stand erect, with their width transverse to the longitudinal line of the chamber 17, and to enable them to enter said chamber in this position an entrance s provided by widening the opening at or near one end of said chamber to form an entranceopening 22, Fig. 3, of a trifle more than the actual width required.

Upon the table, at the rear end of theassembling-chamber, is mounted a plate 23, Figs. 3, 3 4:, and 5, which extends across the opening in the table and is provided with side 1 trance-opening is greater than that absolutely required by the thickness of the matrixentering, as a special accuracy in this respect is unnecessary. As the matrix emerges from between the belts Sand '9 and passes below the guide-rolls let its lower end passes into the entrance-opening 22, Fig. 4, and enters the assembling space or chamber 17. Within the rearward end of the latter, beneath the plate 23, is a pusher and line-jnstilier 2 8, which extends beneath the transverse strip 29 of the table, under the plate 23. Upon its end isformed or mounted a stop'lug 30, which lies in an open space 31 between the rear edge of theplate 23 and a thimble 32. The pusher and justifier is connected to an actuating-bar 33, which is in line with the pusher, its end passing beneath the thimbles 32 and projecting beyond the adjacent edge of the table. Its end is provided with a pin or lug 34, against which the free end of aleafspring 35, Fig. 3, bears, its other end being attachedto the table, whereby the pusher is normally drawn back to remove its forward end from the chamber 17 or so nearly so as to permit the matrix to pass down under the impulse of the belts 8 and 9. The pusher is reciprocated rapidly,being' moved in one direction by the spring 35 and in the other by a reciprocator-bar 36, Fig. 6,supported in a sleeve bearing 37 and having a cross-head 38, within which is a race (shown in dottedlinesin Figs.4 and 6) to receiveawrist orcrank pin 39, carried by a rapidly-rotating disk 40, journaled upon any suitable support and driven by a belt from a gang-pulley 41, carried by a shaft 42, which is the power-shaft of the entire mechanism. The reciprocator-bar 36, Fig. 4, is provided with a head 43, which moves constantly in a line coincident, or substantially so, with the axial line of the pusher and justifier 28 when the table is at rest.

In order to bring one of the four pushers 28 in position to be operated by the reciprocatorbar 36 and at the same time bring the assembling-chamber in which said pusher operates into such position that it will receive the matrices in its entrance-opening 22, the shaft 16, carrying the table, is arranged to the left hand of the center of the machine, Fig. 1, and behind the magazine, Fig. 2, so that at each quarter-turn of the shaft 16 one of the assembling-chambers 17 shall he brought into substantial coincidence with the vertical plane in which the belts 8 and 9 travel, with the entrance-opening 22 beneath and in the same vertical plane with thetangentline of the two guide-rolls 14. The moment the quarter-revolution is accomplished and the parts referred to are brought into the positions described the shaft 16 is arrested and locked by automatic means, fully set forth hereinafter. It maintains this position until its movement is again initiated by the act of the operator by the means presently to be explained.

The matrices are, as already stated, released from the cells of the magazine by any known or preferred mechanism, a suitable escapement being provided to prevent the release of more than one matrix at the same moment. These devices do not necessarily form part of my present invention, and as they are well known to those skilled inthe art, I have omitted them from the drawings and will give no further description of them.

With the matrices shown in Fig. 3 I use the compressible elastic spaces shown, described, and claimed in the United States Letters Patent granted to me and to Lemon G. Hine, as assignee of an undivided half part of the right, title, and interest in said Letters Patent, the same being dated the 8th are stored in one ofthe cellsof the maga-.

zinc, or, if preferred, they may be placed in a separate but substantially sim lar cell should any large number be required. In Figs. 4, 5, and 7 I have shown these spaces, which are indicated by thenumeral 44. They form no part of my present invention, save as they enter as elements in certain combitions of the mechanism by which they are handled. The spaces enter the assemblingchamber and leave it for distribution by the same entrance-openings 22, already described, and they are driven out through the same exits 22, provided for the matrices, which will be fully'explained in their proper order, together with the devices co-operating with the distribution apparatus. I will only remark at this point that the matrices and spaces enter and leave the assembling-chamber at the same end thereof, the exit 22 being adjacent to the entrance-opening 22 and separated therefrom by the two opposite lugs 27, Fig. 3.

Lying across the open top of theassembling-chamber is a cross-head 45, its ends resting and moving on the table. Attached to and dropping from this head to a point below the bottom of the assembling-chamber is a vertical follow-block 46, Fig. 4, having its flat face lying across the chamber 17. Connected to this follow-block and to the crosshead 45 is the extension-plate, forming part of a pusher-47, which lies in substantially the same plane as the bottom of the assembling-chamber 17 and between the lower face of the table and a keeper 48. The Width of this pusher is such that it may move freely in the open bottom of the assembling-chamber, and its length is sufficient to enable the follow-block to slide from end to end of the chamber 17 without disengaging the plate 47 from the keeper 48. hen the line of matrices is distributed, means are provided, as will be fully explained in proper order, whereby a force is applied to the followblock,whereby the rank of matrices is moved step by step as the individual matrices are driven out through the exit-opening 22 to the rear of the assembling-chamber to-bring the matrices to a point where the ejecting de vices may engage them in succession. hen the entire line is removed, the vertical followblock 46 is allowed to remain at the point reached by its last rearward movement, by which the last matrix in theline was brought in reach of the ejector, until the same assembling-chamber again comes into co-operative position with the matrix-assembling devices. The moment this position is reached the reciprocator-bar 36 engages the end of the pusher and line-justifier 28 and drives the followblock 46 forward until it stands at substantially the point occupied by the matrix last inserted in the rank of matrices.

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