Patent GB-190509069-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in Type-writers concerning the Adaptation of Several Kinds of Writing in a Single Machine.
Inventor: BESANCON LOUIS
Filed: 1905-04-29
Granted: 1906-04-26
Abstract: 9069. Besanþon, L. April 29. Typewriters.-A typewriter is adapted for several kinds of writing by the provision of (1) a series of type prisms connectible with one type selecting and impression mechanism, (2) a changeable keyboard comprising keys fitted with rotating index prisms corresponding to the type prisms ; and (3) means for varying the spacing in correspondence with the type prisms. Cylindrical or spherical type surfaces may be used. The shafts of the type and index prisms are provided with. a Cardan joint, to allow for the rotation and swing. In some cases, the type-prism shaft is provided with two Cardan joints, or the joint is omitted, when the shaft does not swing. The Cardan joint may be replaced by a spiral spring, or may be dispensed with by the use of a flexible shaft, or by using gearing remaining in mesh during the swing. The variable spacing- mechanism comprises a series of stepped stops 32, Fig. 13, co-operative with a part 28 connected with pawl arms 14. 25 of the escapement wheel 10, the movement being in two stages determined (1) by the arm 25 and stop 32 and (2) by the arm 14 and a fixed abutment 15. In a simpler form of escapement, only one pawl arm is used, the other pawl being on the fixed abutment, and the movement of the pawl arm being determined by a movable abutment arm.. Figs. 17, 18, 19, 20, and 22 represent a machine embodying fifteen type prisms in five groups of three, each prism having twelve faces and three characters on each face. The type prisms are carried by a plate 34 on a shaft 35, and the shafts 2 are retained by a plate 44. The type prisms are connectible with a swinging carrier 36 by means of tenons sliding in a fixed crown 45, and the Cardan-jointed shafts 2 are connectible with the rotating means 33 by means of tenons, the plate 34 being rotated for change of prism. The keyboard comprises thirty-six keys 23 in twelve groups of three, corresponding to the type-prism faces. Each key actuates an oscillating piece 56, which engages a corresponding cam 67, 68, 69 on shafts 64, 65, 66 controlling, through connexions 75, 76, 77 and cams 78, 79, 80, three fulcrum shafts 41, 42, 43 for the carrier 36 for selecting the three characters on the prism faces. Each group of three pieces 56 actuates an oscillating piece 58 provided with an eccentric 59, which cooperates with a cam 61 ; the cams 61 are in two groups, on shafts 62, 63, which, through connexions 70, 71, 72, 73, actuate a sector 74 driving the part 33. The pieces 58 rest on an oscillating cross bar 60, which effects oscillation of the carrier 36, through connexions 84,85. A lever 54, having five positions corresponding to the five groups of type prisms, carries a toothed sector 53 engaging with a toothed wheel 49, which is loose on the shaft 35 and carries a lever 51 and a spring 50 embracing a pin 52 on a five-toothed wheel 46 fast on the shaft 35. Two shift keys determine the selection of two prisms in each group of three, and actuate the wheel 46, against the action of the spring 50, through a lever 48 and pawl 47. Change of the index prisms 6 of the keys is effected from the lever 54, through a shaft 97, arm 98, racks 95, and pinions 96. The spacing is controlled from one of the levers 85, through a connexion 87. Two six-stepped stops 32 are provided for each type prism, so that each prism face has a corresponding step. The stops are disposed on a shaft 88, and are-actuated from the levers 72, 73 through connexions 89, 90, 91, 92, so that the spacing varies for each of the twelve .groups of keys. The corresponding pair of stops is brought into operative position by displacement of the shaft 88 through a connexion 93 with a toothed wheel 94 on the shaft 35. Fig. 26 represents an arrangement of double-jointed prism shafts 2 and swingimg carriers 20, in two groups of three. Each prism has six faces, and each face corresponds to a key and bears three characters, selected by platen shift. Rotation of the prisms is effected from their corresponding six key-levers 24 by means of abutments 106, piece 104, and connexion 103, 74 with the rotating means 33. Swinging of the carriers 20 is ejected from their key-levers through hooks 105, lever 102, and connexion 101. Several prism sets may be carried by the movable support 99, for co-operation with the one set of hooks 105 and rotating means 33. In another arrangement, the faces of the prisms, instead of the prisms themselves, carry the different kinds of characters, and all are rotated simultaneously by means of a hand-rack. Fig. 34 shows an application of two Cardan joints 3, 22 to a spherical type surface 110 printing on a flat surface. The joint 22 is at the centre of the surface 110, which is swung about the joint for selection of the three rows of characters. Fig. 42 shows another arrangement of spherical type surface 110 and two Cardan joints. The surface 110 is mounted in a support 117 pivoted at 118 on the swinging carrier 20, and the pivot 118, instead of the joint 22, Fig. 34, is the centre of the surface 110. Swinging of the surface 110 for row selection is. obtained by longitudinal displacement of the shaft 5. Figs. 33 and 39 show arrangements in which the Cardan joint is omitted, and the type surfaces are cylindrical and do not swing, an impression hammer 111 being used. The support 34, Fig. 38, is cylindrical. The support 34, Fig. 39, is a bar pivoted to allow of removal of the type cylinders for inspection of the writing. The type cylinders connect with a fork 37, Fig. 38, for longitudinal shift.