DISTRIBUTOR

Distributor Bar

The distributor bar is suspended between the distributor screws, and is fastened to the distributor beam by two machine screws, and held rigid by dowel pins.

There are seven combination rails along the bar. These combination rails are cut away in various places, and certain of the rails or combinations terminate directly above each channel in the magazine entrance. The V-shaped end of the matrices have combinations or distributing teeth which engage these rails. The bar is adjusted to proper height and position so that the matrices, leaving the top rails of the distributor box, do not bind on the aligning plate at the back of the bar above the rails. These adjusting screws are in the top of the distributor beam and rest on the yoke. On the later machines the side-wise adjustment is made by an adjusting screw fastened to the beam and banking against the right side of the yoke.

Each matrix has a combination corresponding to the combination cut on the bar. The matrix is conveyed along the bar by the distributor screws. As soon as the matrix reaches the end of the rail corresponding to the combination on the matrix, it drops into the channel, which guides it into the magazine.

Channel Entrance

The channel entrance is connected to the rear end of the magazine on the magazine frame by two hinge screws. The entrance is held in position by a spring at the right side and fastened to the magazine frame.

The channel entrance consists of a number of flexible partitions, which are assembled in the channel entrance partition plate, and act as a guide for the matrices as they fall from the distributor bar into the magazine.

Each partition rests against the side of a tooth in the automatic stopping bar. If matrices become clogged in the entrance guides, they pile up until they come in contact with the distributor screws. This forces the partitions against the teeth of the automatic stopping bar which causes the distributor driving mechanism to stop.

At the bottom of the channel entrance, on each side, and banking against the magazine frame, are two adjusting screws which are used to adjust the position of the channel entrance. The adjustment is made to give the matrix free movement in transferring from the channel entrance to the magazine under the channel entrance matrix guard.

The upper end of the partitions sometimes get bent to one side and thin matrices will fall into the wrong channel, causing the channel to clog. The lower end of the partitions should set so they will guide the matrices into the magazine. If they are sprung to either side they will hold the matrices and keep them from entering the magazine, causing the matrices to clog in the channel.

As the matrices are carried along the distributor bar by the screws, there should be ¹/₁₆ of an inch between the bottom of a matrix suspended on the distributor bar and the top of the channel entrance partitions. Adjust, on models 1, 2, and 3, by the two screws in the magazine frame which rest against the magazine supporting rods. Care must be used in turning these screws, as they move the magazine also.

On Model 5 or later machines, this adjustment is set at the factory, so it is rarely necessary to change it.

Distributor Screws

The conveyor screws are assembled on the distributor beam. Two of these screws are in front of the distributor bar and one in the back. As soon as the matrix leaves the distributor box it is conveyed along the bar.

On the right-hand end of the screws are the driving gears which are pinned to the screw shaft. These gears are properly timed at the factory so as to carry the matrix in a vertical position without bending.

There is a small pin projecting between two of the teeth of one gear which must mesh with a tooth of its companion gear which is partly cut away. This prevents the gears turning when they are improperly timed.

This timing is readily accomplished by forming a small triangle with the pins in the end of the gears and the openings in the gears, or by placing the points of the upper and lower screws on the right end in the same relative position before connecting the gears with the distributor clutch shaft and gear.

Do not raise the back distributor screw while there are matrices on the bar, as it is difficult to get their lugs in the right threads again.

In closing the back screw see that the pin in the gear matches with the short tooth in the front gear.

The old distributor screws were pitched four threads to the inch. The new distributor screws have a much wider pitch, two threads to the inch, consequently the matrices are moved along the bar twice as fast to their respective channels. They are called “two-pitch screws.”

The two-pitch screws keep the matrices widely separated on the bar, permitting a freer distribution of large matrices.

Distributor Screw Guard

The distributor screw guard is suspended between the front conveyor screws and fits over the lower screw. This guard is for the purpose of deflecting the matrix away from the lower screw as it drops from the combination bar.

On models 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 18, and 19, this guard is fastened by two nuts to the two machine screws projecting through the front side of the combination bar.

On models 8, 14, and 14-s-k this guard is loose, working on a fulcrum rod, and operated by the distributor screw guard lever and the right-hand locating bar. The lever is fastened to the right-hand magazine frame guide by a fulcrum screw. Whenever the locating levers are shifted for the purpose of raising or lowering the magazine frames, a screw on the right-hand locating lever moves against the guard lever and forces the guard upward. If there are any matrices on the combination bar when attempting to change the position of the magazines, this guard will strike them, and prevent the guard from making the full upward stroke. Retarding the bar prevents the locating levers and blocks from moving far enough to clear the bar stops, thus not permitting the magazine frame to be moved.

If the magazine frames were changed with matrices on the bar, these matrices would drop in the magazine that was in operating position, causing wrong fonts in the magazine.

Distributor Clutch

The distributor screws are driven by a friction plate, keyed to the distributor clutch shaft, and held against the face of the distributor driving pulley by a spring inside of the distributor clutch flange. This allows the clutch to slip when anything binds the distributor screws.

The clutch shaft, operated by the friction plate, drives the distributor screws by means of small gears which are timed so that the matrices will hang perpendicular from the distributor bar.

To remove the distributor clutch, loosen the small screw on the distributor clutch lever, and remove the clutch rod, spring, and lever. Remove the hexagon head machine screw that holds the clutch bracket to the distributor beam. Insert a screw driver between the bracket and the beam at the upper end and pry the bracket away from the beam. Lift the bracket off over the end of the shaft. Remove the screw in the washer on the end of the clutch shaft. Take out the spring which is behind the washer. The friction plate and pulley can then be removed over the end of the shaft.

The friction plate should be kept free from oil at all times. There is an oil hole in the flange of the pulley which should not be overlooked when oiling. This hole should be kept stopped with a counter sunk screw to prevent the oil working out on the drive belt.

Distributor Stopping Mechanism

The stopping bar is on the magazine channel entrance, and is operated by the partitions and a spring hooked on the stopping bar and the frame of the channel entrance.

The right side of the small teeth on the stopping bar should touch each partition (which is flexible). When a matrix fails to enter the magazine, the channel becomes clogged. This causes the matrices to bind on the distributor screws which moves the partition to the right, throwing the stopping bar from the clutch plate. This allows the clutch lever screw to catch the clutch flange collar, force the friction plate away from the driving pulley, and stop the distributor.

The clutch plate is held by two screws to the distributor clutch lever.

The stopping bar should rest ¹/₃₂ of an inch on the clutch plate. Adjust by loosening the screws which hold the plate. The holes in the plate are elongated, to permit the plate being moved sidewise.

When adjusting be sure that the partitions are straight and touching the teeth of the stopping bar on the right side. If not, when straightening, they would cause the stopping bar to rest on the clutch plate more than it should. This would prevent the clutch lever and screw going into action instantly, which would cause thin matrices to bend if caught.