Improvements in Devices for Aligning and Fixing the Type on Typewriting Instruments and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 9th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Aligning and Fixing the Type on
Typewriting Instruments and the like.
CHARLES LAWRENCE BAKER, Cadby Hall Works, West Kensington, London,
W. Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
These improvements consist in a new form of device for facilitating the affixing
to and adjustment of the position of the type on the type bars of typewriters more
especially adapted for use when the said type are held in position in the first
instance by means of soldering, and is constructed and operated as follows:-
A sliding frame, preferably of some non-magnetic metal is so arranged that
upon the movable slide, means are provided for affixing in the correct relative
positions, matrices or dies formed to fit the several type to be aligned.
These matrices are preferably to be formed by means of the master type or dies
used in the production of the matrices for making the type itself. A series of
holes in the slide are also so arranged at the correct distances and in relation to the
positions the slide is required to take up, so that a plug passing through and fitting
the said holes may enter into a hole in the fixed part of the frame and thus enable
the movable part of the slide to be secured in a series of definite positions corre-
sponding with the positions of the matrices or dies for receiving the type.
The base or stand for supporting the moving slide is so arranged that it is able to
support and hold in position the portion of the typewriter mechanism to which the
type bars or movements are affixed, and this is so arranged that when any of the
type bars or levers are thrown into the position assumed when operated for printing
that the end of the lever or arm to which the type is to be affixed is in its correct
position for connecting by soldering to a type previously laid in place on the
corresponding matrix.
The ends of the type bar and the back of the type having been previously
prepared or tinned a small blowpipe flame & solder if necessary, is applied and the
type is thus secured to the type arm, being fixed in exact position through fitting
into the recesses in the matrix.
When the solder has set, the type bar and type are removed, the slide is moved
to bring another matrix into position, and the operation repeated with another type;
and so on.
In order to facilitate the holding of the type into position in the matrix, spring
clips or other devices may be used, or if the type be of steel or iron, an electro-
magnet or a permanent magnet may be so arranged under the moving part of the
slide, as to attract the type and thus cause it to take its correct position on the
matrix. This may be the more readily done, if the matrix in this case be formed
of two pieces of iron or steel, separated by a non-maguetic substance such as brass
or gunmetal, these pieces may all be held together by brazing, soldering, or other
convenient means. They are then to be so arranged that the iron portions form a
prolongation or extension of the poles of the magnet, when in the position for
affixing the type, and that the iron or steel type completes the magnetic circuit by
laying on the two iron or steel portions of the matrix, and bridging over, the non-
magnetic separating portion. If the magnet be an electromagnet it may be excited

page_text: by either an alternating or direct current, the former by preference, as by
gradually diminishing the exciting current the residual magnetism left in the steel
type may be reduced to a negligible quantity.
In order to further secure the type, it may be so arranged as to have a rivet or
rivets passed through the type and type bar. and in order to facilitate rivetting an
also the subsequent removal of the type in case of damage, I propose to make
these rivets of very fine metal tube cut to the proper lengths, the rivet holes being
countersunk at each side, the tube is then inserted and the ends opened by a suitable
tool so as to fill the countersunk portions of the holes and thus firmly fix the rivet
in position. In order to withdraw the rivet, it is only then necessary to use a
countersink drill to remove the portion of the small tube at one side of the hole
thus leaving the rivet free to be pushed out of the hole.
Dated this 9th day of January 1896.
Improvements in Devices for Aligning and Fixing the Type on
Typewriting Instruments and the like.
CHARLES LAWRENCE BAKER Cadby Hall Works, West Kensington, London,
W. Director of Works, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
These improvements consist in a new form of device for facilitating the affixing
to and adjustment of the position of the type on the type bars of typewriters,
more especially adapted for use when the said type are held in position in the first
instance, if not finally, by means of soldering, and is constructed and operated as
follows:-
-A sliding frame of some non-magnetic material is so arranged that upon the
movable slide means are provided for affixing in the correct relative position
matrices or dies formed to fit the several type to be aligned. These matrices are
preferably to be formed by means of the master type or dies used in the production
of the matrices for making the type itself. A series of holes in the slide are also
so arranged at the correct distance and in relation to the positions the slide is
required to take up, so that a plug passing through and fitting the said hole, may
enter into and fit a hole in the fixed part of the frame, and thus enable the movable
slide to be secured in a series of definite positions corresponding with the positions
of the matrices or dies for receiving the type.
The base or stand supporting the moving slide is so arranged that it will support
and hold in position the portion of the type-writer mechanism to which the type-
bars or movements are affixed, in some machines called the quadrant, and this stand
is so arranged and adjusted that when any of the type-bars or levers are thrown
into the position assumed when printing, that the end of the lever or arm to which
the type is to be affixed, is in its correct position for connecting by soldering to a
type previously laid in place on its corresponding matrix on the movable slide.
The end of the type-bar and the back of the type having been previously prepared
or tinned, a small blow-pipe flame and solder (if necessary) is applied, and the type
is thus secured to the type arm, being held in exact position through fitting into
the recesses in the matrix. When the solder has set, the type-bar and type are
removed, the slide is moved to bring another matrix into position, and the operation
repeated with another type, and so on.

page_text: "In order to facilitate the holding of the type in position in the matrix, spring
clips er other devices may be used, or if the type be of steel or iron, an electri
magnet may be so arranged under the moving slide as to attract the type and thus-
cause it to take its correct position in the matrix. This may be the more readily
done if. the matrix in this case be formed of two pieces of iron or steel, separated
by a non-magnetic substance such as brass or gun metal. These pieces may all be-
held together by brazing, soldering, or other convenient means. They are then to-
be so arranged that the iron portions form a prolongation or extension of the poles
of the magnet when in the position for affixing the type, and that the iron or steel'
type completes the magnetic circuit by laying on the two iron or steel portions of
the matrix and bridging over the non-maguetic separating portion.
The magnet may be either a permanent or electro-magnet and if the latter is
preferably excited by an alternating current gradually diminishing in strength.
before finally removing the type in order to neutralize as much as possible any
tendency to leave residual magnetism in the type or type-bar. A direct current.
may, however, be used if desired.
In order to further secure the type, it may be an arranged as to have a rivet or
rivets passed through it and the type-bar, and in order to facilitat rivetting and
also subsequent removal for the purpose of putting on new type, I propose to make-
these rivets of very fine metal tube cut to the proper lengths; the rivet holes
being countersunk at each side; the tube is inserted and the ends opened out by
suitable means, so as to fill the countersunk portions of the hole, and thus firmly
fix the rivet in position.
With reference to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a side view, Fig. 2 a plan.
of a tool arranged in accordance with the previously des ribed invention.
In Fig. 1. upon a base B, preferably of iron or other metal, is fixed in any
convenient manner a fixed slide D having a recess in its upper surface fitting the
loose slide C which is free to slide without shake in the same. On the portion X a
series of holes are arranged, into which a plug F may be inserted, which plug
passes through into a hole drilled in D in such a manner as to firmly hold the
slide C in any one of a number of predetermined positions.
Upon the surface of C are fixed by screws and soldering, or any other secure
manner, a number of matrices M. M. M: each matrix exactly fitting and corre-
sponding with the corresponding type to be fixed on the type levers.
Underneath the fixed slide D is arranged a maguet 1. 1. the cores of which pass
through the base of D and are flush with the under surface of slide C. The-
screws holding down the matrices are of iron or steel and the distance between and
pusition of screws holding down each matrix is such, that when the slide is in the
correct position for affixing the type corresponding to such matrix, the ends of the
aforesaid screws (which pass through the iron portions of the matrix) are in contact
with and form together with the iron portions of matrix, prolongations of the poles
of the magnet.
S is a switch, for turning on or off the current from the source of electricity E
which may be a dynamo or batteries or any other convenient method of supply.
P. P. are pillars upon which the quadrant or frame Q holding the type levers is
supported and held in position by suitable pins or screws.
Fig. 2. is a plan showing position of matrices upon the slide C. also the
holes H H H in said slide.
With reference to securing the type by rivetting in addition to soldering, the
method is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in which T is the type soldered to the type
arm A. Holes are drilled through the type T and type lever A. through which
are passed the rivets R. R. made of very small metal tube, the ends of which are
swelled out into the countersunk holes by means of a suitable tool or punch; thus
more readily securing the type than would be the case with a solid rivet. The
tubular rivet can also be more readily removed than a solid rivet, as all that is.
necessary is to remove the countersunk portion on one or both sides by means of a
drill or countersink slightly larger than the end of the rivet.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a tool or apparatus for the purpose of fixing or assisting in fixing the type
its equivalent upon the type bars, levers, arms or the like of a type-writer, the
use of matrices formed in a manner and fixed or applied to a sliding device or its
equivalent as and for the purposes set forth, and substantially as illustrated and
described.
2. In a tool or apparatus used for the purpose of fixing or assisting in fixing the
type upon the type bars, levers, arms, or the like, of a type-writer, the use of a
magnet or magnetic device or system, to assist in retaining the type in position
whilst being fixed upon the said type bars, substantially as illustrated and
described.
3. In a tool or apparatus used for the purpose oxing or assisting in fixing the
type upon the type bars, levers, arms, or the like type-writer, the method of
using a diminishing alternating current as and for...e purpose set forth.
4. In fixing the type or their equivalent upon the type bars, arms, levers or the
like of a type-writer, the use of tubular rivets substantially as illustrated and
described and for the purposes set forth.
5. In an apparatus for fixing or assisting in fixing the type or their equivalent
upon the type bars, arms, levers, or the like, of a type-writer, the combination of a
matrix or series of matrices, together with a sliding device and a magnetic
arrangement for assisting in holding the said type whilst being fixed substantially
as illustrated and described, and for the purposes set forth.
London October 9th 1806