Patent GB-190122571-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Typewriting Machines
Inventor: FELL JOHN CORRY
Filed: 1901-11-08
Granted: 1902-01-09
Abstract: 22,571. Fell, J. C., [Felbel, J.]. Nov. 8. Type-writers. - Relates more particularly to front-strike machines such as are described in Specifications No. 14,894, A.D. 1900, and No. 678, A.D. 1901. The type-bars 5 are pivoted on a curved wire 6 seated in a groove in the segment 8, which is slotted radially to receive the type - bar hubs. The forward endi of the type-bars rest on a pad 11 carried by arms 13 extending from the segment 8, and each type-har is provided with a returning-spring 14. The type-bars are connected by links 18 to sub-levers 19, which are pivoted at 20 to the key levers 21, and are slotted at 22 to engage a fixed transverse fulcrum bar 23. The rear ends of the key levers are formed with curved treads 27, which bear up against the under surface of a flat fulcrum plate 26. The key levers are held up by springs 43, Figs. 1 and 5, which are formed with hooks 47 to engage links 48 pivoted to the key levers The springs are hooked over teeth 46 on the bar 44, and are held in position by a flanged cover-plate 49. During the depression of a key lever the fulcrum point creeps rearwardly along the plate 26, and the leverage on the type-bar gradually diminishes. The fulcrum-plate is adjustable in position by means of a screw 38, so as to vary the initial leverage. The treads are notched to engage a transverse rod 28, and are guided in a comb 29. The front portions of the key levers are parallel to each other ; the levers converge rearwardly from a point just behind the guiding-comb 42 to the sub-lever pivots 20, and again converge at a smaller angle towards their fulcrum points. The effect of this is to bring the key 25, the toad point 20, and the tread 27 of each key lever approximately into one line, and thus prevent side or torsional strain on the levers, which would produce binding in the guiding-combs. The type-bar segment or frame 8 is provided with grooved vertical side edges which, together with similar grooves in vertical guide-posts 53, form races for antifriction balls. The segment is shifted vertically for writing upper-case characters by means of links 56, Figs. 1 and 7, connected to arms 57 on a rock shaft 58, which is tensioned by a coiled spring so as partially to counterbalance the weight of the segment and type-bars. Upon the rock-shaft 58 is fixed a forwardly-extending lever 60, provided with an adjustable eccentric stud 69. which enters a stot in a lever 61 loosely pivoted on the sh aft 58. This construction enables adjustment to be effected between the lever 61 and segment 8. The lever 61 is formed with a forwardly-projecting elongated curved tread 61<a>, upon which bears the bottom edge of a shift-key lever 63, the depression of which lifts the type-bar segment with a gradually-decreasing leverage. A fork 70 prevents the lever 63 from working off the tread 61<a>. A second shift-key lever 74, Fig. 7, bears upon an antifriction roller 75 mounted on the lever 61. When this key-lever is depressed, the gravity latch 78 is allowed to drop, and locks an arm 82 on the rock shaft 58, the type-segment being thus retained in the raised position. Depression of the lever 63 serves to release the lock. The universal spacing-bar 85 is carried by arms extending from a rock-shaft 88, which actuates the escapement-dog rocker 98 through the medium of a rocker arm 96 and link 97. The shaft 88 and fulcrum bar 23 are carried by brackets depending from a transverse frame bar 93, and the fulcrum bar is supported centrally as well as at its ends.