Patent GB-190307105-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Typewriting Machines.
Inventor: WHITE JAMES DUNDAS
Filed: 1903-03-27
Granted: 1904-01-14
Abstract: 7105. White, J. D. March 27. Type -writers. -Relates to machines having rotary type-wheels or cylinders, and consists of means whereby a small number of keys is used to position a large number of characters, and of electrical means, connected with such keys, for operating the impression and spacing mechanisms. The type cylinder 16 is on a shaft 15 connected by a universal joint 14 to a shaft 13 journalled in cross-bars of a frame 7, sliding vertically on the sides 1, 6 of a fixed bent rod or frame. The frame 7 is connected by a line or chain 12, passing over pulleys 5, 3, to a pulley 25, round which is passed a line 26, the ends of which are connected to two shift keys 27, 28 pivoted on a rod 29 and guided by a frame 30. The cylinder 16 has three rows of characters 22, 23, 24, and the extent of the movements of the keys 27, 28 is such that their separate depression causes the respective rows 23, 24 to be raised to the printing level. Rotating with, but movable longitudinally of, the shaft 13 is a double - grooved pulley 31 kept always at the same level by crossbars 32, 33 fixed on the frame 1, 6. In one groove is fixed a line 36, connected to a spring 38 for returning.the type-wheel to normal position after each rotary movement. The wheel is rotated to position the types, by a line 40 fixed in the other groove of the pulley 31. This line passes round a fixed pulley 41 to a pulley 43, which is suspended on its end. A line 44 is passed over the pulley 43, having one end attached to the pivoted key lever 45, and the other end to a suspended pulley 46. In like manner, a line 47 passes from the key lever 48 round the pulley 46 to a pulley 49. A line 50 passes from the key lever 51 round the pulley 49 to a pulley 52, and a line 53 passes round the pulley 52 and has its ends attached to the key levers 54,55. The cylinder 16 is formed with about thirty-two vertical faces or rows of characters, and the movement of the key levers 55, 54, 51, 48, 45 is such that, when depressed separately, they rotate the cylinder through a distance of one, two, four, eight, and sixteen rows, respectively. The intermediate and further rows are positioned by the simultaneous depression of two or more keys. The keys may be coloured and a correspondingly coloured index provided to indicate the characters positioned by the various combinations of keys. The two first vertical rows, the one in normal position opposite the printing point, and the next one positioned by the key 55, have no characters so that the key 55 operates the spacing-mechanism only. The keys 45, 48, 51, 54 are normally raised by lines 99, 100, &c. connected to a spring 98 connected to a contact arm 85 pivoted at 87 and normally raised by a spring 97. The pulleys 43, 46, &c., are raised by springs 60-63 connected to them by lines 56, 57, &c. and adjusted by screws 64, 65, &c. The keys are insulated and, when raised, make contact with the respective insulated contacts 73, 75, 77, 79, and 81. When depressed, they make contact with contacts 82 &c. The two contacts 73 &c. of the first key 45 are electrically connected to the key 48, and the contacts 75 &c. of this key to the next and so on, so that when the keys are all raised, or when any or all of them are completely depressed, a complete circuit exists from the wire 93 connected to the first key 45, to the wire 93<1> connected to the last pair of contacts 81, 82, and to the generator 83. The wire or circuit 93 extends through the electromagnet 21 to the contact 90. A spacing-circuit, which is normally closed, extends from the generator 83 by wire 92, arm 85, wires 94, contact arm 84 pivoted at 86, and magnet 91. The arm 84 is raised by a spring 95 and is connected by a line 96 with the spacing-key 55, so that when the key 55 is depressed the spacing-circuit is broken at 88 and spacing only is effected. When any other key is depressed, the arm 85 is drawn down from the contact 89 to the contact 90, thus breaking the spacing-circuit and closing the impression circuit 93, 93', &c. through the magnet 21. Spacing is thereby effected, and an impression is also made by the magnet 21 attracting the armature 20 and swinging the cylinder 16 to the platen. The cylinder is caused to swing in one plane by a rod 17 thereon moving in a fixed slotted guide 19. The lines 12, 36, 40, 44, 47, &c. used in the machine are preferably formed of watchmakers' chain.