A Sham Keyboard for Typewriters for Practising Purposes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1896-Accepted, 28th Mar.,
1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Sham Keyboard for Typewriters for Practising Purposes.
I, JOHN STEVENTON RHODES of 51 Durham Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham
Warwickshire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The sham keyboard consists of a series of strips of cardboard, wood, metal or
such like materials, made the length of the rows of keys of a regular keyboard and
containing upon them representations of the different keys of the actual keyboard
for which it is desired to use a sham keyboard for practising purposes. The keys
portrayed upon these strips may have a ring embossed round them to make them
more nearly resemble an actual keyboard of a type writer.
These strips are then connected to a frame work of metal, wood or cardboard of
the size of the keyboard required. If these strips are fastened to the frame at the
ends only, there will be sufficient play in the cardboard to allow of the_strips
returning to their right position upon the keys being depressed and released, pro-
viding a stop be placed underneath the keys to prevent them being pushed too deep
down. This stop will also emit a slight sound when the cardboard strip touches it
and thus bears some resemblance to the clicking of a real typewriter.
The series of strips are placed in the framework with the front one lowest and
gradually rising each row step by step until the back row is reached which is
highest of all as in the actual typewriter.
The object of this keyboard is to enable the learner to become familiar with the
position of the letters on the different typewriters and therefore if thought desirable
to make a stronger article the strips of card may be fastened on to the framework
in a firmer manner by having the strips supported by sides and ends but in this
case the sham keyboard would be rigid and not give to the touch as in actual
typewriters.
The sham keyboard is preferably made of cardboard for the sake of cheapness.
1. 1905
A Sham Keyboard for Typewriters for Facts
I, JOHN STEVENTON RHODES, of 51 Durham Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham
Manufacturer, 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 :-
The sham keyboard consists of a series of strips of cardboard, wood, metal or
Buch like materials, made the length of the rows of keys of a typewriting machine
keyboard.
Each strip has upon it a representation of the keys of one of the rows of keys of
the actual typewriter it is intended to represent, and the whole series of strips
would therefore represent the whole of the characters in an actual typewriting

page_text: machine. The keys of the sham keyboard being made as nearly like the real
key-board as cost will allow.
This may be attained by having the keys brought up in relief by embossing or
other suitable means.
These strips are then connected to a framework or foundation of metal, wood or
cardboard, of the size of the keyboard required. As the rows of keys are all in one
piece, all the keys from one end of the strip to the other must consequently
move up and down in a greater or lesser degree when one of the keys of a row is
depressed.
If these strips are fastened to a cardboard frame at the ends only, there will be
sufficient play in the centre of the cardboard strips to allow of the strips returning
to their right position upon the keys being depressed and released, providing a stop
be placed underneath the strips to prevent their being pushed too far down and
thus straining the cardboard strips.
This stop can be made to emit a slight noise when the cardboard strip touches it
and thus bears some resemblance to the clicking of a real typewriter.
The series of strips are placed in the framework with the front one lowest and
gradually rising step by step until the back row is reached which is highest of all,
as in an actual typewriter.
As the play in the cardboard strips would be greatest in the centre, the strips
may be suspended by elastic in their proper position, or a small spring placed under
each end to make the touch more regular. In the latter case a coil spring placed
under each end of the strip and secured in position by a pin passing through the
cardboard strip and coil spring and driven perpendicularly into the bottom of the
framework is used. The action of the spring being to press the strip against
the head of the pin and thus make the strips return to their original position if
depressed and released, even on the keys at the ends of the cardboard strips.
The object of this keyboard is to enable the learner to become familiar with the
positions of the letters of typewriting machines.
If thought desirable a make a stronger article, the strips of cardboard may be
fastened to the framework in a firmer manner by having the strips supported by
sides and ends so that they would give but very little when practiced upon.
The sham keyboard is preferably made of cardboard for the sake of cheapuess.
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 in:
1. A sham keyboard for typewriters having a series of rows of keys spended
from each end
lyri
Dated this the 1st day of February 1896.