Patent GB-154323-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in collapsible typewriting machines
IPC: B41J3/37
Filed: 1919-08-25
Abstract: 154,323. James, R. W., (Remington Typewriter Co.). Aug. 25, 1919. Foldin,g type-lever machines.-The formation or disposition of the type-levers can be altered to render the machine more compact, by moving the type-levers about their pivots; to permit further reduction of the dimensions of the machine, the action may be supported by a collapsible frame which preferably supports the paper-carriage and moves forwards and downwards in collapsing; the collapsible frame may be arranged, in collapsing, to draw the space-bar inwards relatively to the keyboard. In the machine shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 7, overstrike type-levers 36, normally supported, in the upstanding position shown by a rest 48, can, upon depressing the rest, drop into the horizontal position. The action is preferably supported by a collapsible frame 1 connected at each side to the base 57 by links 52, 53 having arms 70 connected to a support 72 for the rest, the linkage causing the support and the rest to move through a greater distance than the frame 1 when the machine is collapsed or expanded. In collapsing the machine, the rest 48 permits the type-levers to drop to the horizontal position, and in expanding the machine, the rest raises the type-levers to the upstanding position. The support 72 consists of side plates, and a top plate 73 formed with an arcuate groove for securing the rest, and also formed with a pan or depression 75 in which the type-levers lie when they are in the horizontal position. The machine can be expanded or collapsed by applying the hands to the projecting edges of the plate 73. The frame 1 and support 72 are secured in the expanded position by spring blades 63 having bends 65 for engaging pins 66 on the links 52. The links 52 are formed with stop-lugs 67, Fig. 1, for engaging lugs 68 on a cross plate 2 of the frame 1. The entire action is mounted on the frame 1 and comprises key-levers 20 connected by links 23 to radial sub-levers 24 which are connected by links 28 to sub-levers 30 formed with teeth 34 adapted, when the type-levers are in the operative position, to gear with teeth 35 on the heels of the type-levers. The sub-levers 30 are of uniform length and are arranged radially, and the sublevers 24 are parallel and increase in the length from the middle of the system outwards, the links 23 being so disposed that the sub-levers 30 have uniform depression. The frame 1 consists of side plates connected at the front by a comb plate 2, and at the rear by a casting 6 formed with lugs 10 and two slotted segments 8, 7 for receiving the sub-levers 30 and the type-levers respectively. The lugs 10 are attached to brackets 11, Fig. 7, on the frame. The key-levers 20 are guided at the front by the teeth of the comb 2 and are pivoted at the rear on a wire 18 mounted in a comb 14 secured to the frame casting 6, the teeth 16 of the comb being bent alternately to the front and rear to receive the wire. The sub-levers 24 are fulcrummed between the teeth 25 of the comb 2 and are retained by a detachable keeper-bar 26. The pivot-wire 31 for the sub-levers 30 is received by recesses in the segment 8 and is secured by terminal nuts. The pivot-wire 38 for the typelevers is received by recesses in the segment 7 and is secured by screws 41. Fig. 7, which abut on the ends of the wire. Returning-springs 42 are attached to the sub-levers 30 and to fingers 43 on a plate 44 secured to the segment 8. The paper-carriage 87 is mounted on a shift-frame 95, described below, which is mounted on the collapsible frame 1. The paper-carriage normally projects behind the base 57, but when the machine is collapsed, the paper-carriage is carried forwards and downwards by the frame 1 and then rests within the base. The base mav consist of a flanged rectangular frame provided with side plates 62 and feet 58. The space-bar 77 is secured to a yoke 80 having arms 81 pivoted to the links 53, the pivots 82 being arranged approximately mid-way between the pivots 54. 56 of the links. When the machine is collapsed, the pivots 82 do not move as far forwards as the pivots 54, and the space-bar is drawn inwards relatively to the keyboard. The arms 81 are formed with bends 83 passing under the shift-key levers 106. Alining for impression.-A bracket 155 on the segment 7 is formed with alining-jaws 157 for the type-levers. Locking-devices.-When the machine is collapsed, the keyboard is locked by the engagement of concave surfaces 51, Fig. 2, on the sub-levers 30 with convex surfaces 50 on the heels of the type-levers 36. Carriage-shift mechanism; shift-key actions.- The rails 86 supporting the carriage 87 are secured to brackets 93 formed on a shift frame consisting of plates 95 suspended from the collapsible frame 1 by means of links 97, 103, the links 97 being secured to a rock-shaft 98. The plates 95 are guided by means of gaps arranged between the side plates of the collapsible frame and the ends of the attaching-lugs 10 of the segment 6. The shift-key levers 106, Fig. 7, are pivoted on the wire 18 and are connected by links 107 to bell-cranks 110 having pin-and-slot connexion 114 with the plates 95. The bell-crank is formed with a U-bend engaging a pivot 111 on the frame 1. The movements of the shiftframe are limited by the engagement of a lug 120 thereon with stops 116 on the collapsible frame. The stops consist of eccentric projections on screws 117 which are secured in the adjusted position by nuts 118. The shift-frame is connected to a returning-spring 115, Fig. 7. Letter-spacing mechanism; space-key actions. -A universal bar or rod 140 is secured to arms 138, Fig. 2, pivoted at 137 to the shift-frame 95 and having extensions 136 which have pin-andfork connexion 135 with arms 134 secured to a rock-shaft 126 on the shift-frame. The universal bar engages long lugs 141 on the key-levers, the lugs remaining in engagement in both shift positions. The space-bar arms 81, pivoted as described above to the links 53, engage lugs 139 on the arms 138. Blade springs 142 for returning the universal bar are secured to the brackets 93 and engage the arms 138. A feed-rack 124 on the paper-carriage co-operates with dogs on an arm 125 which is loose on the rock-shaft 126 and is formed with an extension 130 having a pin 131 entering an enlarged aperture 132 in an arm 133 secured to the rock-shaft. A spring drum 90 mounted on the paper-carriage is connected by a band 91 to an arm 92 on one of the brackets 93. Ink-ribbon mechanism.-The ribbon spools 146 are mounted on brackets 143, Fig. 7, on the shiftframe 95 and are driven by a shaft 150 which bears in lugs 147 on the brackets. The shaft is provided with bevel pinions 151 gearing with bevel or crown gears on the spools, and is provided also with a ratchet-wheel 153 driven from the shaft 126. The ribbon passes through a vibrator 161 which is mounted on the underside of the bracket 155 and is formed with ears 158 embracing the edges of the bracket and with ears 160 engaging the arm 133. The vibrator slides on the bar when the carriage is shifted.