Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 12th Nov., 1898
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
A communication by CENTURY MACHINE COMPANY, of 576, West Broadway, New
York, in the County and State of New York, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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:-
This invention pertains to type-writing machines, and is in part an improve-
ment upon or further development of the construction set forth and claimed in
Letters Patent No. 16,081, bearing date the 6th day of July, A.D. 1897.
A primary object of the present invention is to render each finger key wholly
independent of all others in the keyboard, and incidentally to give to each finger
key a like movement and leverage, so that there shall be no appreciable difference
in the stroke required to operate the machine, either as to the force required, or
the range of movement given.
Various other features, details, and combinations are involved in the construc-
tion here shown and described, and these will be pointed out in the description
and claims.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention, and in them:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a type-writing machine, partially in section,
and showing only three finger keys for printing, and the two "shift" keys by
which the type sleeves are rotated upon the ends of the type bars.
Figure 2, a perspective view of a type-bar and its supporting and actuating
devices.
Figure 3, a vertical section through the machine from front to rear.
Figure 4, a horizontal section of one side of the machine taken about midway
between the bed and top plate thereof.
Figure 5, a perspective view of the toggle by which the locking bar is moved.
Figures 6 and 7, views illustrating the action of the curved rack and the type-
bearing sleeves.
Figure 8, a perspective view of the end of a type-bar, its type sleeve and attend-
ant parts, separated one from another.
Figure 9, a cross section of the type sleeve taken near one end.
Figure 10, a perspective view of the letter-space mechanism.
The details of the machine may vary considerably, particularly as to the manner
of building up the main frame, the carriage and carriage slide, and the spacing
mechanism, and as to these my correspondents propose to adopt any common and
well known construction that may be found suitable.
In the drawings, the main frame is represented as consisting essentially of a

page_text: horizontal bed plate, 1, with a depending skirt or flange upon which it rests,
or which may be cut away as in Fig. 1 to form supporting feet; a vertical wall
or shield, 2, at the front; and a horizontal top plate, 3, one edge of which is
let into a groove in the inner side of the wall or shield, 2, while the rear side is
supported by posts or standards, 4.
Beneath the bed plate, 1, is a series of vertical plates, 5, which may be screwed
or bolted in place, or formed integral with the bed plate, as found expedient.
These plates serve as supports for standards, 6, and for shifter-plates, 7, by which
latter the type-bars are moved longitudinally or held against such movement,
according to the location of the finger key caused to act upon said plate, there
being one standard and one shifter-plate for each bar. The standards, 6, and
shifter-plates, 7, are pivotally attached to the plates, 5, by rivets or screws, as
seen in Figs. 2 and 3, and pass upward through slots or elongated openings in
the bed plate, 1, seen in Fig. 4.
Pivotally connected with the upper end of the standard, 6, and with the shifter-
plate, 7, is a bar, 8, which, by reason of this double support at equal distances
above the pivots of said parts, maintains its horizontal or substantially horizontal
position, notwithstanding the forward and backward swinging movement imparted
to the plate and standard.
To the inner end of the bar, 8, which is bent to stand radial to the printing
point on the platen, or practically so, there is pivotally attached an elbow lever, 9,
constituting the rear end of a type-bar, 10. Of course, the bending of the end
of the bar is required only for those bars which are at one or the other side of the
central plane of the machine passing through the printing point.
By the side of each standard, 6, there is located a stationary post, 11, to which
is made fast a two-armed spring, 12, the ends of which tend to approach each
other, but are separated, and limited in their inward movement by a stud, 13,
projecting from the face of the post, 11, as seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.
The joint pin or pivot, 14, by which the bar is connected with standard, 6,
also extends between the two arms of the spring, 12, which spring thus serves
to hold the standard, 6, and the shifter-plate, 7, both in vertical position, as
indicated by full lines in Fig. 3. If, however, force be applied to move the shifter-
plate and standard forward or backward, one or the other branch of the spring
yields to permit such movement, while the other branch rests against the stud, 13,
and remains inactive.
Each standard, 6, is further connected with its companion shifter-plate, 7, by
a bar or lever, 15, one end of which is pivotally connected with the standard,
while a pin or stud, 16, projecting from its side, about its midlength, passes
through a slot, 17, formed in the shifter-plate, 7. This slot is curved and suitably
widened at its upper and lower ends, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so that said lever
may fall and rise without pressing the shifter-plate either forward or backward,
and without causing the pin or stud, 16, to bind in the slot, 17.
Each lever, 15, connects with the elbow lever, 9, of one or another type-bar, 10,
and, when depressed, causes such type-bar to descend by a swinging motion about
the pivot of said elbow lever, connection between the two being effected by a link
or connecting rod, 18, through ball and socket joints, as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,
or other joint permitting universal movement.
If the lever, 15, be simply depressed and the standard, 6, and shifter-plate, 7,
be held at rest, there will be only a swinging motion of the type-bar, 10; but if,
in addition to the depression of the lever, the shifter-plate be swung forward or
backward, the type-bar will be moved longitudinally, and one or another of three
type or printing characters arranged at different points in its length will thus
be caused to print.
With the shifter-plate, 7, in its normal vertical position the type at the mid-
length of the type-carrying head or sleeve will be caused to print, the others being
brought to printing position by a forward or a backward movement of the type-bar
due to a like movement of the shifter-plate. In this way three characters may

page_text: be printed from a single face of the type-carrying head or sleeve, without moving
the platen toward or from the keyboard, the operation being analogous to that
of the machine set forth in the patent above noted.
For the purpose of moving the shifter-plate forward or backward, and locking
it in its given position, and at the same time causing a depression of lever, 15,
and consequent descent of the type-bar, the shifter-plate, 7, is made wide at its
upper end, or is extended in a direction from front to rear of the machine, and
it is provided with three slots, 19, 20 and 21, to receive studs or pins, 22, projecting
from vertically movable slides or stems, 23. The slot, 19, is a vertical slot, while
slots, 20 and 21, are inclined in opposite directions to a point near their lower
ends, where they, too, take a radial direction, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, with
reference to the pivot of the shifter-plate.
Each slide or stem, 23, passes through a hole or opening in the top plate, 3,
and is formed with a laterally projecting foot, 24, which is provided with a hole
to receive a vertical guiding stem, 25, rising from the bed plate, 1. Each stem, 25,
is encircled by a spiral spring, 26, which, bearing beneath the foot, 24, tends
to elevate the slide or stem, 23, and to maintain it in its elevated position, the rise
of the slides being limited by the studs, 22, which bear against the lower face
of top plate, 3, when the slides or stems are at their greatest elevation.
Each slide or stem, 23, is furnished at its upper end with a finger button bearing
appropriate characters to indicate what letters or signs may be printed through
its depression, and each is formed or furnished with a toe, 27, to act upon and
depress the lever, 15.
It is desirable that the several toes which act upon any given lever, 15, do so
at a like distance from the fulcrum or pivot point, in order that each may have the
same leverage and the same resistance, and that all may descend the same distance
in actuating the lever, 15, and its associated type-bar. This is conveniently
attained by providing the lever, 15, with a lateral stud, 28, upon which the toes, 27,
of the inner and middle stems, 23 bear, one lapping past the other as in Figs. 1
and 4; the forward stem, 23, having its toe, 27, carried back to a point in line
with the axis of stud, 28, and being arranged to bear upon the upper edge of
lever, 15, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or on the stud, 28.
It will be observed, upon referring to Fig. 3, that the studs, 22, stand somewhat
above the upper end of the shifter-plate, 7, when the stems are not depressed,
and that a limited travel takes place before the studs enter the slots, 19, 20 and 21.
This arrangement is made for the purpose of giving to the type-bars a downward
movement sufficient to withdraw their type-bearing ends from a notched guide
plate or comb, 29, which rises in the form of a bowed or laterally curved arch,
at the inner side of top plate, 3, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
The guide plate or comb, 29, serves to limit the rise of the type-bars and to guide
them to their proper positions of rest, a spiral spring, 30, extending from the
bar, 8, to the lever, 15, and serving to elevate said lever and the type-bar, 10,
connected therewith, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.
If desired, each type-bar may carry but three type or printing characters, in
which case there will be as many type-bars as the number of printing characters
divided by three, but, to simplify the construction of the machine and render
the same compact, it is preferred to provide each type-bar with a type-bearing
sleeve having a plurality of faces, each face provided with a plurality of type.
In the drawings the sleeve is represented as having three type-bearing faces,
each face bearing three type, so that each type-bar is adapted to print nine
different characters. As the longitudinal movements of the type-bars are effected
by the mere manipulation of the type keys, without the use of a shift key, it is
desirable to place characters of the same order on any given face of the sleeve,
that is to say, one face should contain capitals, another small letters, and a
third face, figures or punctuation marks, so that without manipulating any shift
key the small letters shall be printed in response to their finger keys, while
capitals will be brought into play after actuating an appropriate shift key, and

page_text: figures and punctuation marks will be brought into printing position upon the
actuation of another shift key.
The construction of the type-bars and their sleeves is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2,
3, 6, 7, 8 and 9, being best shown in Fig. 8. Referring to the latter figure, it
will be seen that the outer end of the type-bar is of cylindrical form, and that a
collar or abutment, 31, is formed at some distance from the outer extremity of
the cylindrical portion, which extremity is screw-threaded. The type-bearing
sleeve, 32, which may be a complete tube, or, as is preferred, may be cut away
between its tubular end portions as in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, has three flat faces,
each of which is provided with raised type or printing characters, as shown in
Figs. 8 and 9. The inner end of the sleeve or collar has a shouldered neck, 32ª,
to fit the spaces or notches of the comb or guide plate, 29, the shouldered end of
said neck serving also as a bearing surface for a spring, 33, which encircles the
cylindrical end of the type-bar and bears at one end against the collar, 31, thereof.
The inner end of the type-sleeve or that portion adjoining the neck, 32, is notched
or toothed, as indicated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, to constitute a pinion or toothed sector
for engagement by the teeth, 34, of a rack-bar, 35, curved to conform to and lie
upon the face of the guide plate or comb, 29, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7.
The rack-bar, 35, is slotted, the slots being curved concentrically with said rack-
bar, 35, and with the guide plate, 29, upon which it rests, and it is held to said
guide plate by screws, 36, or equivalent fastenings. The outer end of each type-
sleeve, 32, is provided with three V-shaped notches, 37, to receive a V-shaped
stud or projection, 38, formed on a washer or collar, 39, which is slipped upon the
outer end of the type-bar and pressed against a shoulder thereon, where it is
clamped at any desired angular adjustment about the axis of the bar by a
binding nut, 40. The washer, 39, is so adjusted that, when the type-sleeve, 32,
has its middle face in proper position to cause the printing of the type thereon,
the middle notch, 37, and the projection, 38, shall exactly register, and, by reason
of their interlocking, hold the sleeve in such position, the spring, 33, serving to
press the sleeve outward and to maintain the engagement of said parts. The bevel
or inclination of the walls, of the notches, 37, and of the projection, 38, is such
that, by applying slight pressure to the sleeve in a direction to cause its rotation
about its axis, the sleeve may be caused to force back the spring and to dis-
engage itself from the projection, 38. This rotation is effected by a longitudinal
movement of the rack-bar, 35, in the curved path prescribed by the slots formed
in it, and the guide screws, 36.
As above indicated, the sleeves stand normally with their middle faces down-
ward; hence a slight movement of the rack-bar, 35, in one direction will bring
one of the side faces to the printing position, and a corresponding movement in
the reverse direction will bring the other face to the printing position, while the
engagement of the type-sleeve and the collar, 39, will cause the sleeve to maintain
the position given it by the movement of the rack-bar. To maintain the rack-
bar in its medial position, there is provided a spring, 41, having two stems or
branches separated by a stud, 42, projecting from guide plate, 29, the arms of the
spring reaching past said stud and extending to opposite sides of a like stud, 43, 4
projecting from the face of the rack-bar. With the parts constructed and arranged
as thus described, it will be seen that, upon depressing any given letter key in
the keyboard, the appropriate type-bar will be caused to move downward. It may
also be caused to move forward or rearward, according as one or another of its
controlling or actuating finger keys is depressed, but the printing will be from 5
the middle face of the type-sleeve, because the rack-bar will, so far as anything
yet described is concerned, stand always in its middle position and the type-
sleeves will not be turned. For the purpose of rotating the type-sleeves and causing
the simultaneous rotation of the entire series, the rack-bar, 35, is provided, and
is connected through suitable lever mechanism with two shift key stems or slides, 5
the finger buttons of which, 44 and 45, are advisably arranged at one side of the

page_text: keyboard, as seen in Fig. 1. The stems, 44 and 45, are represented as flat metal
bars passing through slits or openings in the top plate and the bed plate of the
machine, and normally held at a predetermined elevation or level by spiral springs, 46
and 47, their rise being limited by a stop of any suitable character, engaging
the under side of the top plate or bed plate, as found convenient. The slide or
stem, 44, is provided with an inclined arm, 48, and the slide, 45, is provided with
a similar inclined arm, 49, which arms project from one side toward the other
and overlap each other, as shown in Fig. 1. Directly beneath the V or angle
formed by the overlapping of the arms is arranged a horizontal stud or pin, 50,
which projects from the side of a horizontal bar or rod, 51, one end of which is
pin-jointed to a pendulous link, 52, the upper end of which is similarly jointed
or pivoted to the top plate of the machine. The other or inner end of the bar, 51,
is jointed or pivotally connected to the depending arm of an elbow lever, 53,
fulcrumed on a standard or post, 54, rising from the bed plate of the machine.
From the second arm of the lever, 53, a link or connecting rod, 55, extends to one
end of the rack-bar, 35, the ends of the link being connected with the elbow lever
and with the rack-bar by ball and socket joints or by similar connections per-
mitting of universal motion. Under this construction and arrangement of parts,
a depression of stem, 44, will cause the inclined under face or edge of its arm, 48,
to ride against the stud, 50, and to move the same toward the front of the machine,
thereby moving bar, 51, longitudinally, swinging the elbow lever, 53, about its
pivot or fulcrum and drawing down the rack-bar, 35, through the medium of
the connecting link, 55. This will cause the longitudinal movement of the rack-
bar and the consequent partial rotation of the type-sleeves, 32, thus bringing to
printing position the capital letters carried by the face thus turned down. The
instant the stem, 44, is released, however, the lower arm of the spring, 41, carries
back the rack-bar, 35, to its normal position, thereby restoring the type-sleeves
to their normal adjustment. If, now, the other side face of the type-sleeves be
required, the stem, 45, is depressed, whereupon the beveled under face or edge of
its arm, 49, acting upon the other side of stud, 50, causes a longitudinal movement
of bar, 51, inward or toward the platen of the machine, thereby throwing upward
the shorter arm of elbow lever, 53, and moving the rack-bar, 35, longitudinally
in a direction the reverse of that given it by the depression of stem, 44. Upon
the release of said stem, 45, however, the second arm of spring, 41, restores the
rack-bar and consequently the type levers to their first or normal position, the
stems, 44 and 45, being in each case elevated by their springs, 46 and 47.
It will thus be seen that provision is made for causing the descent of each type-
bar in response to an appropriate finger key, and that the actuation of certain of
said finger keys will cause not only the descent, but the longitudinal movement of
the type-bar forward or backward, while by first depressing a shift key the type-
sleeves may be turned to bring one or another face into action, and then by depress-
ing the appropriate finger keys the type-bars may still be thrown downward either
with or without longitudinal movement. By this simple mechanism it is rendered.
possible to print with each type-bar nine distinct characters, which number may
be increased, if desired, by providing additional shift keys to vary the extent
of rotation, and correspondingly increasing the number of type-bearing faces
on the sleeves.
It is deemed desirable to prevent the possible depression of any type-bar when
the type-sleeves are not completely turned to one or another of their several
printing positions, and to this end there is provided a longitudinally movable
bar or plate, 56, having a series of slots or notches formed in its upper edge and
extending downward toward the lower edge a suitable distance. This bar is
guided between suitable posts or supports, 58, and is actuated by a toggle, 59,
shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. The pin or stem, 60, which connects the two links or
levers of the toggle extends downward into a slot or elongated opening, 61, formed
in a lug, 62, projecting from the side of bar, 51, so that, as said bar is moved

page_text: "
longitudinally either forward or backward, it shall act upon the pin and "break
or shorten the toggle, thereby causing a longitudinal movement of the plate or
bar, 56, with which one link of the toggle is connected, the other link being con-
nected to a post, 63, rising from the bed plate of the machine. The slots, 57, are
so spaced or located in bar, 56, that, when the two links of the
toggle are in alinement and the plate or bar, 56, is thrown to its
extreme limit of movement in one direction, one set of the slots
shall lie directly below the projecting inner ends of the levers, 15, as
indicated in Figs. 1 and 4. When, however, either stem, 44 or 45, is depressed
and the bar, 51, is thereby caused to move longitudinally the bowing or buckling
of the toggle and the consequent longitudinal movement of the bar or plate, 56,
will move the slots, 57, which normally stand below the levers, 15, out of alinement
with said levers. If this movement be insufficient to bring the second series of
notches or slots beneath the levers, 15, they cannot descend and consequently the
type-bars cannot be thrown down to the platen. It is, therefore, manifest that
before the type-bars can descend the bar, 56, must be moved the distance necessary
to bring said second series of notches beneath the type-bars, and this movement
can only be effected when the stem, 44, or the stem, 45, is depressed a distance
sufficient to move the rack-bar, 35, the distance required to completely turn
the type-sleeve, 32, from one position to another. Various other ways will readily
suggest themselves in which to effect the longitudinal movement of said bar,
but that represented is preferred.
A paper carriage and platen of any suitable construction may be used in con-
nection with the mechanism above described, and the letter and line spacing
mechanism may vary considerably. In the drawings we have represented a
platen, 64, as mounted in the standards or uprights of a carriage, 65, which is
represented as having guiding pins or lugs, 66, extending into the grooved edges
of a bed or support, 67, shown in Fig. 3. As indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 10, the
carriage, 65, is provided with a horizontal rack-bar, 68, on its inner side, the
teeth of which have one wall perpendicular to the axis of the carriage and platen
and the other face inclined, as shown in Fig. 10. Beneath the bed plate is a
rectangular frame, 69, shown in Figs. 3 and 10, which is slotted in the direction
of its length and is supported in a horizontal position by screws or tap bolts, 70,
passing through the slots and entering the under face of the bed plate.
The front cross-bar of the frame, 69, rises above the bed plate and extends
across the upper face thereof, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, suitable openings being
made in the frame for the upwardly turned arms which support said cross-bar.
Beneath each lever, 15, is arranged one arm of an elbow lever, 72, the other arm
of which bears against the rear cross-bar of the frame, 69, as shown in Figs. 3
and 4. When, therefore, any lever, 15, is depressed, it causes the upper arm of
its elbow lever, 72, to be thrown down and the lower arm to be swung forward,
thereby acting upon the forward cross-bar of frame, 69, and moving said frame
toward the front of the machine against the stress or pull of spring, 71. At the
rear end of the frame, 69, and at or about the midlength of its rear cross-bar,
there is a post, 74, upon which are pivotally supported two dogs or pawls, 75
and 76, both of which are acted upon by a spring, 77, tending to throw the free
ends of said dogs into engagement with the toothed rack-bar, 68, of the carriage.
Whenever the frame, 69, is moved forward through the action of the levers, 15,
and elbow levers, 72, the dog, 75, rides backward over the tooth with which it
is at the moment in engagement and engages the succeeding tooth of the rack-bar, 5
while the dog, 76, merely plays back and forth over the point of the tooth with
which it is in engagement, without being carried far enough to clear said tooth
and engage the next. When the finger key is next released, the spring, 71,
draws frame, 69, rearwardly and causes the dog, 75, to straighten out or swing
in the direction in which the carriage is required to travel, thereby advancing the 5
carriage the necessary distance for letter spacing. The dog, 76, merely serves

page_text: to prevent the carriage from being moved backward by the dog, 75, as the latter
rides backward 'over the teeth of the rack.
Any suitable means may be provided for applying ink to the type; or interposing
between the type and the paper a body capable of giving off the necessary ink
for printing. In. the drawings there is represented a standard, 78, from which
is hung an angular frame or yoke, 79, carrying at its free end an ink-charged
roller, 80, of felt or other absorbent material. This roller is located in the path
of the descending type-bars, but the point of suspension of frame, 79, and the
sliape of said frame or yoke are such that the roller will be readily thrown back-
ward by the impact of the descending type, and thus made to clear the type,.
but will be prevented from returning to its first position by reason of the end of
the type-bar lying in the path of such return. As soon, however, as the type-bar
rises, the frame, 79, with its roller, 80, will be drawn back to its first position by
a light spring, 81, which normally holds the frame against a stop arm, 82, as
shown in Fig. 3. This ink device is at once simple and effective.
A space key bar, 83, is aranged at the front side of the machine, and may
A convenient
connect with the frame, 69, in any usual or convenient manner.
arrangement will be to locate the ends of its vertical supporting stems over two
of the elbow levers, 72, so that, upon depressing the space bar, said lever shall
be actuated and caused to move the frame, 69, longitudinally.
It is to be noted that in the present construction the finger keys and their
stems, 23, are wholly independent of and distinct from one another, so that any
key may be depressed without carrying with it or imparting motion to any other
finger key of the keyboard.
My correspondents have above described the construction and operation of the
reciprocating comb or notched bar, 56, and stated one of its functions, which
is to prevent the actuation of any finger key and type-bar when the rack-bar, 35,
is partially moved from one to another of the positions required to bring a type
face of the sleeve, 32, to printing position. This bar, however, has several useful
functions in addition to that noted; thus, it serves to guide and steady the lever, 15,
in its downward movement, and to prevent vibration or lateral play, due to the
diagonal strain of the link, 18, connecting the lever, 15, and the type-bar. Again,
when the comb or notched bar, 56, is in its normal position, it acts as a lock
against the shift keys. It prevents the operation of them, or either of them,
while any type-bar is partially or wholly down. It further serves, when moved
from its normal position by either shift key, to prevent any return movement of
the rack-bar, 35, while a type-bar is down, and until said type-bar is returned to
its position in the comb or guide plate, 29, and entered again into mesh with the
teeth, 34, of the rack-bar, 35. This provision is necessary to prevent the chifting
or partial rotation of the type-sleeves not depressed, while a given type-bar is
passing to and returning from the printing point. Such shifting would mani-
festly cause the returning type-sleeve to go into mesh with the rack-bar in a
different relation thereto from that held by the other sleeves, and would result
in a disarrangement of the various type-sleeves of the series. Lastly, the notched
bar or reciprocating comb, 56, serves to prevent the depression of any of the
operating keys while either of the shift keys is partially, but not wholly, depressed.
It is to be observed that in this machine a series of type-bars is employed each
carrying a multifaced type-sleeve, each face bearing a plurality of printing types
or characters, and the several sleeves jointly containing the letters of the alphabet,
with appropriate punctuation marks, figures, and commercial signs. It thus
differs on the one hand from those machines in which each type-bar carries a
plurality of printing signs or characters on a single face, which characters are
brought into action by a movement of the platen or a longitudinal movement of
the type-bars, and on the other hand from those machines in which a single sleeve
or wheel is carried by a swinging lever and contains an entire alphabet with
punctuation marks, figures, and such other signs as are usually provided.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar provided with
a plurality of type or printing characters; a movable support to which said type-
bar is pivoted; and a plurality of finger keys or buttons, each adapted to act upon
said type-bar and support and to make its own full movement independently of
all other finger keys of the key board, to swing the said type-bar about its pivot,
and also to move it longitudinally; whereby the type-bar is caused to print
different characters through actuation of the different finger keys or buttons,
without moving more than one key or button at a time.
2. The combination, in a type-writing machine, of a platen or paper support;
a series of type-bars, each provided with a plurality of printing characters; a
series of independently movable supports, to each of which is pivoted one of the
type-bars; and a series of independent finger keys arranged in groups of two
or more, those of each group being adapted and arranged to act upon one and the
same type-bar, to move the same longitudinally varying distances and to swing
the same about its pivotal support; whereby each printing character of every
type-bar is carried to and caused to make an impression at a common printing
point.
3. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of type-bars, a series
of type-bearing sleeves, each carried by one of said bars and having a plurality
of type-bearing faces, each face bearing a plurality of type or printing characters;
a series of movable supports, to each of which is pivoted one type-bar of the series;
a plurality of finger keys or buttons, each adapted to act upon one or another type-
bar of the series and to swing the same about its pivot or to swing said bar and
move the same longitudinally; and means for turning or partially rotating the
several type-bearing sleeves simultaneously.
4. In combination with a longitudinally movable type-bar having a plurality
of printing characters and pivotally supported at or near one end; a plurality of
independent and disconnected finger keys, one adapted simply to swing the type-
bar about its pivot without effecting longitudinal movement thereof, and the other
or others adapted both to swing the type-bar about its pivot and to move the same
longitudinally.
5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of type-bars, each
provided with a rotatable type-bearing sleeve having a plurality of type-bearing
faces and a plurality of type on each face; means for swinging the type-bars about
their pivots; means for moving the type-bars longitudinally; and means for
rotating the several type-bearing sleeves to bring corresponding faces thereof to
printing position.
6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar; a rotatable type-
bearing sleeve mounted thereon; a spring bearing against said sleeve and tending
to move the same longitudinally; a fixed washer or abutment toward which the
sleeve is pressed by said spring, the sleeve and the abutment being adapted to
interlock, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In combination with type-bar, 10, having collar or shoulder, 31; type-
bearing sleeve, 32, swiveled upon said type-bar; spring, 33, bearing against said
sleeve and tending to move the same longitudinally away from the collar, 31;
and fixed washer or abutment, 39, provided with tooth or projection, 38, to enter
one or another of a series of notches, 37, formed in the sleeve, 32.
8. In a type-writing machine, the combination of an oscillating plate, 7,
provided with a series of notches, 19, 20 and 21; an oscillating standard, 6; a
bar, 8, connecting the plate and standard; a type-bar pivotally attached to the
bar, 8; a lever, 15, connected with the type-bar; and a series of finger key
stems, 23, each provided with a stud or projection, 22, adapted to enter one or 5
another of the slots in the oscillating plate, 7, and each provided with a toe or
projection to engage with and move the lever, 15.

page_text: 9. In combination with oscillating standard, 6, and oscillating plate, 7, the
latter provided with slots, 19, 20 and 21; connecting bar, 8; a type-bar pivotally
connected to said bar, 8; spring arms serving to hold the bar, 8, and its con-
nected parts normally in a medial position; and a series of independent finger key
stems or slides, each provided with a projection to enter one of the slots of the
plate, 7, and adapted also to effect a depression or swinging of the type-bar.
10. In combination with standard, 6, slotted plate, 7, connecting bar, 8, and
type-bar, 10, carried by the bar, 8; double spring, 12, having its branches
arranged to bear on opposite sides of a stud or projection, 14; and a fixed stop, 13,
serving to limit the movement of the arms of the spring, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
11. In combination with oscillating standard, 6, and slotted plate, 7; connecting
bar, 8; type-bar, 10, carried by said connecting bar; lever, 15, pivotally connected
to standard, 6; link, 18, connecting the lever, 15, and the type-bar; spring, 30,
serving to elevate the lever, 15, and the type-bar; and a series of finger key
stems, 23, each provided with a stud or projection to enter a slot of the oscillating
plate, 7, and with a toe or projection to act upon and depress the lever, 15.
12. In combination with the series of type-bars, each provided with a rotatable
type-bearing sleeve; a rack-bar meshing with the several sleeves and serving to
impart rotary motion thereto; a reciprocating bar connected with and serving to
move the rack-bar; a stud projecting from the reciprocating bar; a spring acting
upon the rack-bar and serving to move the same in one direction; and a finger
key stem or slide having an inclined arm arranged to bear upon the stud of the
reciprocating bar and to impart longitudinal motion thereto and to the connected
rack-bar in opposition to the spring, substantially as set forth.
13. In combination with a series of type-bars, each having a rotatable type-
bearing sleeve; a rack-bar meshing with and serving to rotate said sleeve; a
reciprocating bar provided with a stud or projection; two finger key stems or
slides, each provided with an inclined arm to act upon the stud or projection
and to move the same in one or the other direction; and intermediate connections
between the rack-bar and the reciprocating bar substantially such as shown and
described, whereby the movements imparted by the finger key stems to the recipro-
cating bar are transmitted to the rack-bar.
14. In combination with guide bar or comb, 29, and type-bars, 10, arranged
to enter the notches of said comb and provided with rotatable type-bearing
sleeves, 32; rack-bar, 35, having teeth to engage with and rotate the type-bearing
sleeves; spring arms arranged to resist longitudinal movement of the rack-bar in
either direction; reciprocating bar, 51; intermediate connecting devices between
the reciprocating bar and the rack-bar, 55; and finger key stems, 44 and 45,
provided, respectively, with inclined arms, 48 and 49, arranged to bear on opposite
sides of a stud or projection, 50, of the bar, 51.
15. In combination with a series of type-bars, each provided with a rotatable
type-bearing sleeve; means for rotating said sleeves; actuating levers connected
with and serving to swing the type-bars about their pivots; a notched bar located
in the path of the actuating levers and provided with a plurality of series of
notches, one series arranged to come into alinement with the actuating levers
when the type-sleeves are at their normal or medial adjustment, and another
series arranged to come into alinement with said actuating levers when the type-
sleeves are turned their full distance in either direction from the normal position;
a bar connected with and serving to rotate the type-sleeves; finger key stems
for moving said bar in one and the other direction; and connections between
said finger key stems and the notched bar, whereby said bar is moved longitudinally
when said finger key stems are actuated.
16. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of type-bars, 10,
each provided with a rotatable type-bearing sleeve; a series of actuating levers, 15,
connected with said type-bars; a rack-bar, 35, adapted to engage with and turn
said type-sleeves; a reciprocating bar, 51, connected with and serving to impart

page_text: longitudinal motion to the rack-bar; finger key stems, 44 and 45, provided with
inclined or oblique arms, 48 and 49, for imparting longitudinal motion to bar, 51;
a bar, 56, extending beneath the free ends of levers, 15, and provided with two
series of notches, 57; and a connection between the reciprocating bar, 51, and
the notched bar, 56, substantially as shown, whereby the bar, 56, is caused to move
longitudinally whenever either stem, 44 or 45, is depressed and to carry one series
of notches out of alinement with the levers, 15, and to carry the second series of
notches into alinement therewith, all substantially as set forth.
17. In combination with the actuating levers, 15, and notched bar, 56; recipro-
cating bar, 51; actuating key stems, 44 and 45, for effecting a reciprocation of
said bar; and a toggle, 59, having one end connected with the bar, 56, its other
end connected with a fixed support, and its intermediate joint pin connected with
the reciprocating bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
18. In combination with a series of type-bars, each provided with a rotatable
type-sleeve; a rack-bar adapted to engage with and to rotate said sleeve; a two-
armed spring, 41, having its brauches arranged to bear on opposite sides of a stud;
and means for moving said rack-bar longitudinally.
19. In combination with a type-bar and its support arranged to move in the
direction of the length of the type-bar; a shifter-plate connected with the type-
bar support and having a series of slots formed therein at different angles; and
a series of independent and disconnected finger key stems, each provided with a
stud to enter a different notch of the shifter-plate.
20. In combination with the type-bars of a type-writing machine and with their
actuating levers, 15; a carriage, 65, provided with a rack-bar, 68; a reciprocating
frame, 69, provided with dogs or pawls, 75 and 76; elbow levers, 72, interposed
between the actuating levers, 15, and a cross-bar of the frame, 69; and a spring, 71,
serving to move the frame, 69, toward the rack-bar.
21. In a type-writing machine, a series of type-bars, each provided with a
multifaced type-bearing sleeve adapted to be rotated in action, each face contain-
ing a plurality of printing characters, and the several sleeves containing jointly,
but not severally, all the characters represented in the keyboard.
22. In combination with a series of type-bars, each provided with a multifaced
type-bearing sleeve, 37, each face containing a plurality of printing characters;
pinions or toothed members carried by the several sleeves; and a rack-bar, 35,
having teeth adapted to mesh with the pinions or toothed members and to turn
the type-sleeves.
23. In combination with a series of swinging and longitudinally movable type-
bars, 10, each provided with a rotatable type-bearing sleeve having a plurality of
faces and a plurality of printing characters on each face; a notched plate or
comb, 29, serving to retain the type-bars in fixed position and relation; and a
movable rack-bar, 35, having teeth to mesh with teeth of the type-sleeves, whereby
one or another type-bearing face of the sleeves may be brought to printing position
preparatory to the swinging or swinging and longitudinal movement.
24. In a type-writing machine, a series of type-bars arranged to swing to a
common printing position, each bar capable of longitudinal movement, and each
sleeve capable of being turned to bring one or another printing face toward the
surface to be printed.
25. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of type-bars, each
provided with a rotatable type-bearing sleeve; a means for rotating said sleeve;
and a lock or stop bar substantially such as described and shown for preventing
the movement of any type-bar to printing position while any type-sleeve is but
partially turned from one printing adjustment. to another.
26. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of type-bars, each
provided with a rotatable type-bearing sleeve; a series of levers; each connected
with and serving to actuate a bar of said series; a bar adapted to engage with and
to simultaneously rotate the several type-bearing sleeves; a shift key serving to
move said bar to effect rotation of the sleeves; and a comb plate located in the

page_text: path of the actuating levers of the type-bars and connected with the bar by which
the sleeves are rotated; said comb plate serving through engagement of the
actuating levers therewith to prevent movement of the sleeve-rotating bar while
any type-bar is at or on its way to or from the printing point.
Dated this 5th day of September 1898.