Patent GB-189915487-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Type Alining and Leveling Methods and Devices for Typewriters.
Inventor: HULSE JAMES VOORHIS
Filed: 1899-07-28
Granted: 1899-11-18
Abstract: 15,487. Hulse, J. V. July 28. Type-writers.- Relates to means for facilitating the alignment and levelling of the types on the bars, type-wheels, &c. of type-writers, so as to ensure not only the correct alignment of the types, but also their exact coincidence with the face of the platen at the impression point. Fig. 1 shows a type-writer 1 mounted upon a traversing frame C adjustable in position by screws B', C' arranged at rightangles. One of the typebars 2 is first accurately adjusted by trial so that both of the types 6, 6<1> make a full, even, and properly-aligned impression on the platen when the key lever 4 is depressed. The dotted circles 5, 5<1> indicate the positions of the platen corresponding to the pair of types. A temporary support S is now adjusted so as to hold the type-bar against the platen, and the latter is removed, leaving the types in the exact position for making an impression. A transparent "gauge-plate" K is now brought into position above the types. It is supported by the standard E, head F, and holder J, and is vertically and rotatably adjustable by means of the nut G and worm i. The gauge is mounted in gimbal fashion, and a universal adjustment is provided by loosening the nut N<1> so as to release the ball m' and links M'. M. The gauge itself is of glass, doubly lens-shaped above and formed beneath with two cylindro-segmental portions k, k<1>, Fig. 5, the curvature of which is identical with that of the platen. Two transparent portions 8, Fig. 3, are left in the gauge plate to render the type visible, and are bounded by coloured or obscured parts 9. On the under side of the gauge plate is an obscuring-medium such as a translucent film or coating, but preferably consisting of a viscous paste o, Fig. 5, beneath which is a flexible film O of translucent rubber. The gauge plate is adjusted until the types press the lubber firmly at all points against the glass surface, squeezing away the paste and rendering the whole outline of the types visible, and the nut N<1> is then screwed down so as to clamp the gauge plate in that position. The support S is now removed, and the type-bar 2 released. The operator then proceads to adjust the other type-bars by bringing each in turn against the gauge, and bending the bars &c. in the usual manner until the types are fully visible and properly situated as seen in the transparent spaces mentioned above. An adjustable bracket carries a weighted rod which may be used to depress the keys in turn. The paste and rubber film may be replaced by white paint and black fabric, or by any other obscuring-medium, such as Iceland spar or tourmaline, or the lower surface of the gauge may simply be ground. When the types strike downward, a reflecting-prism is used for observing the gauge. In type-writers having a rubber type-wheel, the process is very similar to that described above, the body of the types being pricked by a hot pin in the usual manner to raise the depressed parts. The invention is also applicable for the dressing of the type-blocks in "centre-guide" machines, in which alignment is ensured by guides through which the type-block passes at the impression point. The type-block is held in a universally-adjustable clamping-frame which is adjusted beneath a fixed gauge of the character described, and while still clamped the faces of the block are trued up by milling-cutters so that each type is similarly situated with respect to the four sides of the type-block.