Patent GB-190009234-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Inventor: NEWTON PHILIP ARTHUR
Filed: 1900-05-18
Granted: 1900-10-20
Abstract: 9234. Newton, P. A., [Blickensderfer, G. C.]. May 18. Type-writers.-Relates chiefly to the operation of type-writers by power derived from an electromotor or other source, means being provided, however, to enable the machine to be operated by hand, if necessary. The invention is described as applied to the Blickensderfer type of machine, in which a type-wheel is employed, and also to a type-bar machine in which the type-bars strike upwardly. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the type-wheel machine, Fig. 4 a detail perspective view in which one key lever and " action" only is shown. and Fig. 15 a diagrammatic view of certain separated parts. At the rear of the machine is mounted a cylindrical casing 4, shown in end elevation in Fig. 7. Within the casing 4 is the electromotor which drives the constantly-rotating main power shaft 5, Fig. 15. To the shaft 5 is secured a ratchet-wheel 6, which rotates in close proximity to a clutch disc 8, Figs. 7 and 15. The disc 8 makes a single revolution for each character printed, and drives the type-writer mechanism by means of a connecting-rod 33. The single-revolution clutch constituted by the ratchet-wheel 6 and disc 8 is set in action by the forward movement of a slide-bar 22, which is actuated whenever a key is depressed. In the normal or rest position of the parts the pin 27, carried by the " controller " 15, is engaged by the recess 26. The forward movement of the bar 22 (away from the observer in Fig. 15) therefore draws the cam 17 from beneath the spring-controlled pawl 12, so that the pawl engages with the wheel 6 and the disc 8 is set in rotation. This rotation is rendered possible by the fact that the cam-surface 21 on the extension 18 of the controller 15 has come in contact with the pin 53 and moved the stop-arm 45 out of engagement with the notch 43. As soon as the disc 8 commences to move, the surface 41 comes in contact with the cam 42, moving the slide-bar 22 aside and releasing the pin 27, so that the controller 15 resumes its normal position. As the disc 8 completes its revolution, the pawl 12 rides upon the cam 17, and ceases to engage with the ratchet-wheel. The disc 8 is positively stopped by the arm 45, which is thrown back into the path of the notch 43 by the contact of the pin 49 with the curved arm 48. Backward movement of the disc 8 is prevented by the engagement of a second notch 44 with a spring-controlled stop-arm 47. The slide-bar 22 is pivoted at its forward end to a lever 23 loosely mounted on the shaft 35, Fig. 4, and the connecting-rod 33 is adjustably pivoted to an arm 34 loosely mounted on the same shaft. To prevent breakage in the event of locking or binding of the type-writer mechanism, the connecting-rod 33 is slotted at 38, so that a stout spring 40, which bears against the end of it, can yield before excessive pressure. The arm 34 is secured by a screw 57 to an arm 55 secured to the shaft 35. The arms 54, 55 are united by a bar 56, Figs. 2 and 4, which constitutes a universal driving-bar for the notched levers 59. The type-wheel 66 is mounted on a shaft 67 provided with a driving-pinion and a stopping-ratchet 68. The shaft 67 is supported by a rock-shaft 70 on which are loosely mounted a pair of sleeves 73, 74, which carry toothed sectors 75, 76 engaging with the driving-pinion of the shaft 67. The sleeves 73, 74 are normally locked against movement by fingers 92, 96, which are united by bars 97, 102 to collars 98, 103. Each combination of finger, bar, and collar is loosely mounted on the shaft 93, but the collars engage with pins 100 on a block 101 secured to the shaft, so that neither of the bars 97, 102 can move without turning the shaft 93 with it. With each key lever 108 is associated an actuating-lever 62, which terminates in a toothed segment 89 meshing with teeth on a " tumbler 77. The tumblers 77 are carried by the sleeves 73, 74, and each is provided with a shoulder 83, the height of which varies for the different characters. When a key lever 108 is depressed, the rear portion 108<a> is advanced so that the notch 115 engages with the bar 97 (or with the bar 102, if the key lever is in the right-hand half of the keyboard), and throws back the finger 92, thereby releasing the sleeve 73. The shaft 93 turns with the bar 97, and an arm 106 actuates the lever 23 so as to draw forward the bar 22 and set the clutch above described in operation. Simultaneously with these movements the lever 59 will have been rocked by the forward movement of the nose 113, so as to engage the notch 63 with the top of the bar 56. The bar 56 is thrust forward bv the power mechanism, and carries the lever 62 with it. The tumbler 77 slides on the sleeve 73 until the flange 78 enters the recess 81, when the tumbler and sleeve are rotated, and the sector 75 rolls the driving-pinion of the shaft 67 upon the other sector 76, which is still locked against movement. The tumblers are so shaped that the sleeve and flange turn freely in them all, with the exception of the one in use. The shoulder 83 ultimately lifts the bar 76', and throws a stop pawl 75<1> into engagement with the ratchet 68, so as to prevent further rotation of the type-wheel. The movement of the bell-crank lever 86, 87 has by this time proceeded far enough to draw the notched bar 120 into engagement with the bar 102, so as to throw back the locking-finger 96. The sleeve 74 is thus released, and the sector 76 swings rearwards with the shaft 67, until the impression point is reached. The carriage-feed escapement is operated through suitable levers from the rocking arm 54. A space-key is also provided which raises the heel 124 of the lever 23 so as to cause the bar 56 to be rocked without engaging with any of the notched levers 59. The electromotor may be utilized to return the carriage at the end of each line. A special key is provided which disengages the escapement pawls from the carriage-rack, and at the same time brings a power-driven bevelled friction-wheel into contact with a rail on the carriage so as to propel it. To operate the machine by hand if the power fails, the screw 57, Fig. 4, is removed so as to disconnect the power mechanism. The bar 145, Fig. 2, is turned down out of the paths of the key levers, and they are depressed with greater force and through a greater distance than is otherwise necessary. The bar 56 in this case makes idle movements except in so far as it operates the spacing-mechanism. The application of the invention to a type-bar machine is illustrated in Fig. 18. The power-driven rocking arm 163 drives the arms 54 and bar 56 through the medium of a stout spring 40. Levers 165 take the place of the actuating-bars 62 described above, and are linked directly to the type-bars 175. Notched levers 59 are actuated as before by the key levers 108. A universal bar 194 beneath the levers 165 actuates the spacing-mechanism, and the clutch is actuated through another universal bar 189 underlying the key levers. The clutch is of the pattern described above. The machine may be operated by hand if the stop-bar 203 is removed.