Patent GB-189925627-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Inventor: CLARK WILLIAM
Filed: 1899-12-28
Granted: 1900-03-03
Abstract: 25,627. Clark, W., [Wagner Type Writer Co.]. Dec. 28. Type-writers.-The improvements are described as applied to a "front-strike" type-writer having some of the characteristics of the "Underwood" machine. The platen. 1 is supported by a carriage which moves on tracks 6, 8. A spring drum feeds the carriage towards the left under control of the escapement 11, which consists of yielding and fixed dogs which engage with the teeth of a rack 10 depending from the carriage. By means of a lever 111 this rack can be raised to free the carriage from the escapement dogs. The dogs are carried by a plate 13 pivoted at 14 and slotted for the reception of a link 16, which can be engaged with the plate 13 either above or below its pivots, so that the feed of the carriage can be effected either during the approach of a type to the impressionpoint or during its return, according as a speed-feed or an ordinary feed is required. The type-bar carriers 45, Figs. 8, 13, and 14, are provided with hubs 44 having studs 113 which enter recesses 113<a> in the segmental frame or support 114, which is also slotted radially to receive the hubs and to guide the carriers 45 as the type-blocks 47 approach the impression-point. The studs 113 are retained in the recesses 113<a> by means of a curved bar 115, Fig. 8, which can be moved rearwardly to release the type-carriers when it is necessary to remove one. Each hub 44 bears a stud 43 which engages with a fork 42 on the slide 30. The slides 30 are actuated by the vertical arms 26 of the key-levers 25, and are provided with hooks 31 which engage a segmental universal bar 32 pivoted to arms 33. The depression of any one of the key-levers thus causes the depression of the arm 21, Fig. 13, of the cruciform lever 18<x>, and operates the carriage-feed escapement through the medium of the link 16. The depression of the spacing-key or bar 36 effects the same result. The type-blocks 47 are mounted on pivoted or swivelled type-bars 46 supported by the type-bar carriers 45. In the machine described, each type-block bears two types, for printing upper or lower case characters. When it is desired to print an upper-case character, a pin 50, Figs. 13 and 14, is caused to advance into the path of the fork 51 on the bar 46, so as to turn the type-bar and block and present the upper-case type to the platen. A locking-block 48, Fig. 8, against which presses a spring 49, ensures the accurate positioning of the type-block, which is restored to its normal position (with the lower-case type uppermost) during its return from the impression-point. The pins 50 are mounted upon a segmental carrier 52, Fig. 13, carried by rods 53, which are drawn forward against the control of the spring 55 when the rock-shaft 57 is turned by the depression of the shift-key. To lock the pins 50 in the forward position until the type-bars have returned from the impression-point, a locking-bar 68 is connected with the universal bar 32 and is provided with a slot or catch 69 which engages with a stud 67 on the lever 66 so as lock the rock-shaft 57 against movement. The ink-ribbon 70, Fig. 13, normally presents an edge to the platen, so that the writing may be visible, but it is turned into the vertical plane at the required moment by the advance of a finger 74 which engages with an arm 73 on the pivoted ribbon-guide 71. The finger 74 is secured to a slide 75 actuated by the universal bar. The ribbon-spools, arranged one on each side of the machine, are driven by discs 79, Fig. 11, braked by springs 126, either disc being adapted to run freely while the other is in connection with the universal bar through the medium of an arm 82. This arm is connected to a part 84, the rim portion 85 of which carries a clutchroller 86 which gives the disc 79 a step-by-step rotation in one direction only. The clutch-roller is put out of action by turning a shaft 95 bearing a lug 96 which engages with the hook 87. A locking- lever 91 retains the hook 87 in either of its two positions.