Patent GB-190425432-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Typewriting and other Key-actuated Machines.
Inventor: SCHAAFF JOHN THOMAS
Filed: 1904-11-22
Granted: 1905-09-21
Abstract: 25,432. Schaaff, J. T. Nov. 22. Type-writers and like machines ; linotype machines; stereotype-matrix machines.-Relates to machines with types on sliding bars which are actuated by keys either directly through mechanical connections or by means of electromagnets. Each key is carried by a lever 13 pivoted on a rod 14, on which is also pivoted an auxiliary lever 15 having a pin-and-slot connection with a lever 6 which actuates the type-bar 5. The levers 13, 15 pass through slots in a plate 18 to prevent lateral movement, and are provided with restoring-springs 21, 25 fixed to a bar 22 and acting on projections on the levers. The lever 13 has at the top a notch 23 which is engaged by the plate 18 so as to limit the motion of the lever. The levers 13, 15 are connected by a bar 26, one end of which is pivoted to a link 27 pivoted to the lever 15. The forward end of the bar 26 passes through a guide 28 on the lever 13 and is provided with two shoulders 30, 31, one or other of which rests on a pin 32 forming the lower end of the guide 28. A spring 29 connects the bar 26 with a lug on the lever 15, and the motion of the bar is limited by the pivot of the link 27 bearing against the lever 15. When the upper shoulder 30 of the bar 26 engages the pin 32, the levers 13, 15 are rigidly connected and the machine can be manually operated. The machine can be operated electrically through the links 27, which can be engaged by a bar 36 carried by arms 37 and connected with the armature of an eiectromagnet 38. For this purpose, the lower shoulder 31 is brought into engagement with the pin 32 so that, when a key is depressed, the end of the link 27 is moved over the bar 36. The circuit of the magnet is closed by means of a bar 39 carried by arms 40 pivoted to plates 51 fixed to a shaft 50. The bar 39 is moved rearwards by a lug 35 on the bar 26, whereupon a link 42 connected to one of the arms 40 forces a movable contact-piece 43 against a fixed contact 46. When the circuit is made, the bar 36 lifts the link 27 and actuates the type-bar, at the same time freeing the Jug 35 from the bar 39 so that the circuit is broken by a spring 45 attached to the movable contact 43. The machine is changed from a manually-operated to an electrically-operated machine or vice versÔ by means of a single lever 49 on the shaft 50. By this means, the bar 39 is moved into or out of the path of the lug 35 on the bar 26. The bar 26 is moved rearwards, to cause its upper lug 30 to engage the pin 32, by means of a bar 60 which engages the links 27. The bar 60 is carried by arms on a frame 58 which is connected by slotted links and pins to the plates 51. When the machine is operated electrically, the motion of the keylevers is diminished by means of a bar 48 which is caused to enter the notches 23 in the key-levers by links 53 attached to the plates 51. To enable the type-bars to return to initial position independently of the key-levers, there is provided a spring-pressed bar 67 which lifts the bar 26 when the key-lever has reached the limit of its downward motion. The carriage feed-rack is engaged by pawls 71, 72 mounted in a pivoted frame 73 having a curved rod 75 adapted to be engaged by the type-bar levers 6. The frame 73 can be rocked by a bar 83 connected with a space-key. By means of a rod 92 connected to a second spacekey, the frame 73 is rocked and a stop is moved out of the path of the movable pawl 72 so that the carriage advances two spaces. The ribbonholder 8 is rocked by means of an arm 94 on the frame 73. There is provided a line-locking mechanism, consisting of a bar 97 which can be moved beneath a lug 33 on each of the bars 26 and which is normally held out of operative position by a spring. The bar is connected by a link 99; Fig. 5, with an arm 100 on a vertical rockshaft 101. Pivoted to the shaft 101 is an L-shaped arm 102, the horizontal member of which lies in the path of an adjustable stop 103 on the carriage. By means of a push-rod 110, the arm 102 can be raised clear of the stop 103. The writing can then be continued until the key-levers are again locked by a shoulder 107 on the stop 103 meeting the arm 102 and actuating the bar 97. To enable the force of the blow given to the links 27 by the bar 36 to be regulated, a rheostat is placed in the circuit of the electromagnet.