Patent GB-190810099-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Writing Machines for the Blind.
Inventor: CONSTANCON MAURICE
Filed: 1908-05-09
Granted: 1909-02-11
Abstract: 10,099. Constancon, M., and Aubert, J. J. A. May 9. Typewriters.-Relates to a writing-machine for the blind which allows the Braille alphabet to be written in relief upon both sides of a single or double sheet, and in which the written matter may be read immediately without displacing the sheet, and mistakes may be corrected. Upon a base-plate a is secured a matrix b consisting of projecting parts c, each provided with groups of six points in relief, and depressions e corresponding to the spaces between the lines and equal in width to the parts c. Pins f are provided over which the sheet is placed, those on one side of the matrix being displaced half a line-space with respect to those on the other side, so that when the sheet is reversed, the characters already printed lie in the depressions e. The matrix may consist of steel, type metal, celluloid, &c. Pivoted to the base a is a paperholder having holes corresponding with the pins f, and handles o. One or both sides k of the holder carry in relief in Braille or other signs a numbering corresponding to the lines of the matrix, and a role l, which is guided upon a rod m and may be retained by a spring clip n, is similarly numbered to correspond with the groups of six points upon the parts c. By this means any character on the sheet may be located. Upon the base a is also pivoted a frame p upon which travels a carriage q, this carriage being laterally movable upon two rods 15,16, which are connected at their ends by members 17, 20 so as to form a frame 14 slidable upon two rods r of the frame p. The carriage and frame 14 slide upon ball bearings. The parallelism of the rods r is adjustable by means of a connecting-rod w having terminal screw-threads, and that of the rods 15, 16 by means of two screws in the member 20 acting, in two directions at right-angles to one another, upon the ends of the rods. A stud y on the frame p enters a hole in the base a, and the frame is held down in its lowered position by spring bolts which snap into notches in projections 1, 2 on the frame. The bolts are released at will by means of finger-pieces 12, 13. Mounted upon the member 17 is a spring 29, provided with forks supporting a roller, or with a projection which may engage the trapezoidal teeth of a rack 27 secured to the frame p. The teeth of the rack correspond with the linespaces of the matrix b ; the rack is adjustable endways. An eccentric, operated by a handle 33, holds the roller against disengagement from the rack, when desired. The rack, as shown in Fig. 3, carries a relief numbering in Braille &c. characters. The impression mechanism comprises a group of six punches 37, hollowed as shown at 38, Fig. 6, and depressible by levers 51, which are actuated by the eccentric portions 50 of radially-disposed pivoted key-levers 46. Separate carriers 49, or a single carrier common to all, support the key-levers &c. The lateral character-spacing movements of the carriage q are accomplished by a metal tape 55 wound on a spring barrel 25 under.the control of an escapement. Depression of the space or character keys operates a U-shaped member 58, which has a series of regulating-screws 59 and is pivoted at 61 so that its adjustable extension 64 may act upon the arm 68 of a pivoted member 72, carrying a set of fixed teeth 73, preferably three in number, and a set of laterally movable teeth 74, preferably two in number. The teeth are movable under control of a spring 79 into and out of engagement with a rack 78 on the frame 14, so as to allow the carriage to move forward a tooth at a time. The teeth 74 have a limited movement, and are spring-pressed in the direction of movement of the carriage. A bell 80 announces the arrival of the carriage at the end of a line. A pointer on the carriage, which may be in one with a handle, travels over the numbers in relief upon a bar 81 on the frame 14. The provision of the various scales enables a character to be located for purposes of correction. Fig. 17 shows a modified means for advancing the carriage, in which a spring barrel 25<a> on the carriage replaces the tape 55, and the escapement consists of two ratchet-wheels 89, 90 which co.operate with the end of a key-operated member 58<a>.