Patent GB-189804977-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Type-writing Machines, Linotype Machines, and the like.
Inventor: SLOAN ROBERT ALEXANDER
Filed: 1898-03-01
Granted: 1898-06-04
Abstract: 4977. Sloan, R. A., [Cahill, T.]. March 1. Type-writers and like machines.-Relates more particularly to machines for printing two letters or characters simultaneously or in rapid succession, and having a small number of keys operating a large number of characters. Fig. 1 is a diagramatic plan view showing the electrical connections and the keyboard, and Fig. 3 shows a sectional elevation of the machine. The Figures represent a preferred arrangement as applied to a type-writing machine, but numerous modifications are indicated and discussed in the Specification ; applications of the invention to linotype machines are also described. In Fig. 1, two sets of keys are shown, one set for each hand, and each set consists of three keys B', B', B<3> for operation by the thumb, keys C', C', C<3>, C<4>, C<5>, C<6>, C<7> for the fingers, and a space key G. Whenever a key B' &c. is depressed, it also depresses a lever frame B, and the keys C' &c. similarly all depress a frame C. The keys B<1> &c., C' &c. are preferably arranged similarly to pianoforte keys, being pivoted on a bar 11 by pins 10. Their rear ends carry contact-pins which, when the front ends are depressed, are raised into contact with contact-springs b<1>, b<2>, &c., c', c<2>, &c., thereby closing circuits containing electromagnets D<1>, D<2>, D<3>, E', E', E<3>, E<4>, E<5>, E<6>, E', and a battery B<10>. A connection is made from the battery through a contact-lever B<13> and wire B<16> to the keys C' &c. and frame C, and the circuit is completed through one of the magnets E, E<1>, &c. and one of the magnets D, D', &c. through the keys B' &c. or frame B, wire B<23>, contact-spring B<22>, frame 15, and wire B<11> connected to the other pole of the battery B<10>. The frame 15 is raised by each key operated into contact with the spring B<22>, thereby closing the circuit. Any key of a set may be operated singly, or a thumb key B' &c. and a finger key C<1> &c. may be operated simultaneously. When a B' key is operated alone, the frame breaks contact at b, thereby opening the circuit through the magnet D, the current then passing through one of the magnets D<1>, D<2>, or D<3>, the magnet E, and frame C. When a key C' &c. is operated alone, the contact is broken at c by the frame C, opening the circuit of the magnet E, and the current passes through one of the magnets C<1> ... C<7> and the magnet D. When two keys are operated simultaneously, the current passes through a magnet D', D<2>, or D<3>, and a magnet C', C<2>, or C<3>, &c. One magnet of the D, D', &c. set and one of the C, C', &c. set are thus always energized simultaneously. The magnet B<24> is in a parallel circuit of high resistance, and attracts the contact-lever B<13>, thereby breaking the circuit and releasing the operated type-bar &c., after printing, in case the keys are held down longer than is necessary. The magnets E, E', &c. each operate a lever frame e<4>, Fig. 3. To each lever e<4> four rods f are pivoted, the opposite ends of these rods being connected by wires h to the type-bars a or a'. The magnets D, D', &c. operate four frames d, d<1>, d<2>, d<3>, each of which is placed over one of the projections f<1> of one of the set of four leversf pivoted in each lever frame e<4>. The frames d, d<1>, &c. are so arranged that they are held in normal position by the operation of their magnets D, D<1>, &c. and form fixed fulcrums on which the projections f<1> and levers f rock. The frames d, d', &c., not held by their magnets D, D', &c., are lifted by the levers f and the corresponding type-bars are not operated. The type-bars are arranged in two sets a and a', striking preferably at the points A, A', so that one from each may strike at or about the same instant. In order that the a type-bar may strike a little before the other a', a self-induction arrangement 25, Fig. 1, may be put in the circuits of the right-hand set, to make them slow-acting. There are preferably two types on each type-bar, and the platen m is movable by a usual shift-mechanism. The carriage m<1> is provided with a rack engaged by a pair of escapement dogs normally operated by the space magnet H<51>, Fig. 1. The normal space is a twoletter space, so that two letters should be printed at each operation, and when a word contains an odd number of letters the last letter is printed singly and the succeeding space made by the same operation. When a word contains an even number of letters, a space key G should be operated simultaneously with the keys which are operated to print the two last letters. The space key makes connection with a contact-piece g which is connected through an auxiliary space magnet 51 and a spaceenlarging magnet H<61> with the spring B<22>, and thence through the frame 15 with the battery. The action of the magnet 51 is the same as that of the magnet H<51>, and the magnet H<61> operates to remove a dog stop and permit of a greater extent of movement of the movable space dog. In the application of the invention to linotype machines, the levers f may be connected to the key levers or to the escapement mechanism. Motive power other than electromagnets may be used ; or the motive power may be dispensed with, as by connecting the keys directly with the frames d, d', &c., e<4>. Specifications No. 14,582, A.D. 1890, and No. 18,748, A.D. 1896, are referred to.