Patent GB-191201662-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Typewriting Machines Particularly Adapted for Typing Music.
Inventor: FERRETTO ANDREA
IPC: B41J3/34
Filed: 1912-01-20
Granted: 1913-01-20
Abstract: 1662. Ferretto, A. Jan. 21, 1911, [Convention date]. Machines for writing music.-A machine for writing ordinary characters and music comprises means for rotating the platen to position the notes with respect to the staves, means for varying the letter-spacing to correspond with the time-lengths of the notes, means for traversing and rotating the platen for the purpose of ruling diagonal and other lines, and means for printing notes by simultaneously operating a number of keys each arranged to print one of the component parts of the notes. Type-bar actions; types.-The sliding typebars 60, Fig. 13, are operated from keys 57 through linkage 56, 59, and an arrangement is provided whereby notes can be printed by simultaneously depressing one or two keys and a radius-arm 27, described below, the type-bar 60 printing the head and stem of the note, a second type-bar (not shown) printing if required the strokes on the stem, and a third type-bar 60", Fig. 15, controlled by the radius-arm, printing the ledger-lines if the note is outside the staff. The type-bars 60<11> are each coupled by linkage 59", 48, 47 to a latch 45 engaging a lever 42 secured to a slide 41 arranged under the radius-arm, the machine being provided with a set of parts 41, 42, 45, &c. for each note outside the staff, so that after the platen has been rotated by the radius-arm, the depression of the radius-arm causes the corresponding ledger-lines to be printed. The links 56 of the type-bars 60 are each provided with a loop 55 adapted to engage the cross-bar of a frame 54 connected by links 53 to a pivoted frame 38 adapted to be depressed by the depression of the radius-arm. The links 56 of the type-bars for printing the strokes on the stem are adapted to engage the cross-bar 37<a> of a pivoted frame 37 which is connected by a latch to the frame 38. When the radius-arm is in the upper position, the special type-bars are inoperatively connected to the keys 57, the loops 55 and the cross-bar 37<a> permitting the links 56 to swing idly. When, however, the key or keys and the radius-arm are depressed simultaneously, the loops and the cross-bar engage the links 56 and couple the key or keys to the type-bars. The parts are arranged so that the type-bar 60<11>, the second type-bar, and the type-bar 60 move to impression in the order stated, the latch connexions permitting the type-bars to return before the following one arrives at the printing- point. For ordinary writing with the special type-bars described above the radins-arm can be locked in the depressed position, thereby holding the cross-bar 37<a> and the loops 55 in engagement with the links 56. Platen rotation and platen scales for writing music. The platen 8, Fig. 5, is coupled by a catch to a. shaft 9 which can slide in the framework 5 and is connected through gearing 18, 19 to a shaft 21 having an arm 22, Fig. 7, engaging a rack 24. To the right of the printing- keyboard is arranged the radius-arm 27 carried by the shaft 25' of a sector 25 engaging the rack 24. The radius-arm can be swept to the right or the left and is set by an arcuate scale of notes arranged under the arm, an arcuate rack adapted to be engaged by a tooth 27<11> on the arm being provided to facilitate setting. The scale and the rack are secured to a pivoted 'striking-frame ' used for actuating the letterspacing mechanism. Platen-shift mechanism.-The platen is mounted to slide vertically for shift in the carriage 11, Fig. 5, the shift-keys being coupled to eccentrics arranged beneath a rod engaging the platen-frame. The gear 19 is secured to a square spindle 20 which can slide in the shaft 21. Letter-spacing mechanism.-The escapement for use in writing music comprises a rocker 123, Fig. 5, carrying a fast dog 128 and a sliding loose dog 101 adapted to engage the carriage-rack 125. The loose dog is controlled for variable spacing by a stop 122 which can be set by rotating a spindle 12 in the radiusarm 27. For this purpose the spindle is provided with a pinion 35 gearing with a rack 36 connected by a link 121 to the stop, the spindle being set by means of a knob 30, Fig. 7, having an index reading over a scale 29. The stop can be set to permit the carriage to move one, two, four, &c. spaces to print the hemi-demisemiquaver, demi-semiquaver, semiquaver, &c.. the letter-spacing movement being proportional to the time-length of the note. The stop can also be set by the knob so that no letter-spacing movement occurs, this adjustment being used in printing chords. The rocker is operated by a connexion from the striking-frame ' which consists of a U-shaped frame mounted on horizontal pivots and adapted to be depressed by depressing the radius-arm. To permit of horizontal and vertical movement of the radius-arm. the shaft 12<1>, Fig. 7, of the pinion 35 is formed with a forked end 34 engaging recesses in the ends 32 of the spindles 12 ; further, the radiusarm is formed with a forked end 27<1> pivoted on the forked end 26 of the shaft 25<1>. Carriage-releasing arrangments.-In writing ordinary characters, the dog 101, Fig. 5, of the special escapement is released from the carriagerack 125 and the usual letter-spacing mechanism is employed. The releasing-arrangement consists of a slide 117, Fig. 18, which is mounted in an arm 108, described below, and is adapted when pushed inwards to rock a lever 119 connected by a cord 131 to the loose dog. Ruling-devices.-(1) The machine is provided with a number of ordinary ruling-type, such as wheels, and the platen can be traversed or rotated for the purpose of drawing horizontal or diagonal lines by manipulating the arm 108, Fig. 18, which can be swept to the right or the left and rotated on its axis and controls devices of the following character. The carriage-rack 125, Fig. 5, gears with a pinion 102 on a spindle carrying a spool 103 connected by a tape 104 to the arm. After the dog 101 has been released by the spindle 117 described above, the carriage can be traversed to the right or the left for drawing horizontal lines by sweeping the arm to the right or the left. The arm is formed with an eccentric part 113 arranged under a frame 112 pivoted at 110 and provided with a finger 114 engaging a finger 115 on the shaft 21 of the platen-rotating device. By sweeping the radius-arm 27 to the extreme right the rack 24 is moved clear of the arm 22 and the platen can then be rotated by rotating the arm 108. By simultaneously rotating and sweeping the arm 108, diagonal lines such as are required for grouping notes and the diminuendo mark &c. can be ruled. (2) The staff is ruled during the return of the carriage, and the lines separating the bars are ruled during the rotation of the platen by the radius-arm 27.