Patent GB-189713128-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Inventor: BURG HUBERT
Filed: 1897-05-27
Granted: 1897-07-10
Abstract: 13,128. Burg, H. May 27. Type-writers. - Relates to machines in which a small number of keys are used to operate a large number o f characters. Such machines are adapted for the use of the blind. The Figure shows a sectional elevation of a machine in which the shaft 19 of the type cylinder- or cylinders is journalled in a swinging frame 20, pivoted at 25. There are two sets of four keys, the set 4, 5, 6, 7 being arranged to operate the shaft 19 longitudinally to b r i n g the different circumferential rows of types into printing position, and the set 8, 9, 10, 11 to rotate the shaft 19. There are several sets or segments of characters (three in the machine described) on the cylinders, having five longitudinal rows in each set, and the shaft of the cylinder is turned to bring the first row of any set into operation by a lever on a shaft 39 within reach of the thumb of the operator's right hand. The keys 8 to 11 are used to bring any of the other four rows of each set into position. Pivoted at 25 is an arm 27, having a toothed segment 26 engaging a pinion 49 on the type-wheel shaft 19. Also pivoted at 25 is a lever frame 23, having pins 53 engaged by the lower ends of the key stems 8, 9, &c. The arm 27 is first turned, when necessary, by means of a lever 35, 36, connected by a rod 37 to an arm of the shaft 39. The frame 23 carries a pawl 31 which engages one of the steps 42, 43 on the arm 27 when it is thus shifted, and to lock the two together in either position, so that they will move together when a key 8, 9, &c. is operated, a hook-shaped pawl 32 on the frame 23 engages a pin on the arm 27. The pawl 31 is disengaged by operating a lever within reach of the left-hand thumb of the operator, and the pawl 32 is disengaged by a pin 34 on the framing when the frame 23 rises. The key stems may be temporarily locked to the frame 23 when they are operated by hook pawls 11<1> similar to the pawl 32. When the rotary movement of the type-cylinder shaft is complete, further depression of the keys presses down the frames 20, 23 and lever 27 together until the types strike the platens 16. To effect this a lever 61 is provided which is and depressed by the shoulders 52 on the key stems. The end 63 of the lever 61 disconnects a catch 55, releasing the type-wheel frame, and then engages and depresses it. The shaft 19 is moved longitudinally by an arm on a shaft 70, which is provided with arms operated by the stems of the keys 4 to 7. The positioning of the type-cylinder is accurately effected at the time of the impression by means of a star-wheel 19* on the shaft 19 and a notched bar 20* on the frame. In the machine shown, there are two type-cylinders, one at each end of the shaft 19, and one of them is preferably for printing raised &c. characters for the blind. There are two paper carriages 14 and platens 16 and the carriages are fed by means of racks 87 engaging pinions on a shaft 80. This shaft is rotated by a spring drum and its movement is controlled by an esctpe-wheel 81 and dog 92, 93, operate by the arm 91 and frame 20. An inking-arrangement for one of the cylinders is provided, consisting of a ribbon wound on spoola which are driven by pawls, carried by a rocking arm. Either pawl may be engaged and the other lifted by cams or eccentrics engaging the pawls. In a modification, the type-wheel shaft 19 is mounted in a frame pivoted at the side of the machine on a pivot at right-angles to the shaft 19, the levers 23, 27, &c. being arranged in the pivoted frame.