Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st May, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, DAVID BLYTH ADAMSON, of 80 Hartington Road, Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
According to my present invention I construct type-writing machines as
follows:-
The impression or platen cylinder which has a surface of india rubber or other
suitable material and any usual and suitable means of holding and guiding the
paper, journalled at its ends and fitted with a ratchet wheel, pawl and milled
wheel or other suitable device, to effect the spacing between the lines.
The journals of the platen cylinder are mounted upon a carriage, which I will
term the paper carriage, adapted to slide parallel to the axis of the cylinder in
order to permit the spacing between successive letters and words to be effected :
the means for feeding the paper carriage will be hereinafter described. The paper
carriage slides upon a fixed horizontal framework of sufficient height to allow the
type frame, which will be hereinafter described, to be fitted vertically underneath-
and clear of the platen cylinder. This type frame consists preferably of two light
side frames rigidly connected a short distance apart and it is mounted at one end
on a pivot or stud so that it is capable of swinging through a small angle and also
of sliding axially along the stud for a short distance; the axis of the pivot or stud
is perpendicular to the plane of the type-frame, and the plane of the latter is
parallel to the axis of the platen cylinder. The type, of which there is one for
each character that it is desired to print, are arranged side by side in three
parallel lines upon a flexible strip of leather, tape or other suitable material; this
flexible strip, which may be termed the type strip, should be practically unstretchable
or as nearly so as possible. One of the three lines of type consists of lower-case
or small letters and some of the punctuation marks and signs which are most
frequently used in connection therewith; one of the remaining lines consists of the
corresponding upper-case or capital letters and some of the punctuation marks and
signs which are most frequently used in connection therewith, and the remaining,
preferably the central line, consists of the numerals and the remaining punctuation
marks and signs; but of course the arrangement of the type may be modified as
found desirable. The type are preferably equidistant in each line and in any case
each set of three type, belonging respectively to the three lines of type, are placed
exactly squarely opposite to each other.
The type may be formed of india rubber or other suitable material having the
necessary hardness and flexibility, all in one piece with the flexible strip, which in
this case should be backed with canvas, tape or the like to prevent stretching, but
I find it convenient to form the type of metal and integral with a light backing
plate which unites them all; this backing plate is theu cemented to the flexible
strip and the metal then cut through between the type so as to separate them and
restore the flexibility of the strip. In this way each type can be correctly located
on the type strip, a condition which, as will be subsequently seen, is essential for
the good performance of the machine.
The type strip, which extends at each end some distance beyond the type, is
hooked at one end to a light drum or lever, pivotted between the sides of the type
frame, it is then led between the sides of the type frame over a leading roller, which
will hereinafter be termed the impression roller, pivotted on the type frame near
the free end of the upper edge thereof, then over a second leading roller mounted
on a fixed pivot, and the other end of the strip is finally hooked to one end of a

page_text: segmental circular rim, centred by means of a radial arm, on a short rocking shaft
mounted in suitable fixed bearings.
The drum or lever to which the first end of the type strip is hooked, is actuated
by a spring so as to always keep the strip in tension, and it will be seen that if
the segmental circular rim be operated by partially rotating its shaft, it will draw
the type strip, and with it the three lines of type, over the impression roller,
bringing in succession each set of three to the top thereof, in which position they
stand slightly below the paper on the platen cylinder, when the type frame is in
its normal position; on the return of the segmental circular rim, the spring will
draw the type strip back into normal position.
The printing is effected by swinging the type frame upwards on its pivot through
a very small angle, by means to be hereinafter described, and an impression on the
paper is then obtained of that particular type which happens to be at the top of
the impression roller and vertically underneath the axis of the platen cylinder.
As hereinbefore stated, the type are arranged on the type strip in three parallel
lines, and in order that any one of the three lines may be brought into the proper
position for printing, that is to say, vertically under the axis of the platen cylinder,
the type frame is capable, as already stated, of an axial motion of proper amount
on its pivot. In order that the type strip may not be disarranged by this motion,
the segmental rim to which one end of it is attached is so feathered on its shaft and
engaged with the type frame by a grooved collar, that it also partakes of this axial
motion. The axial position of the type-frame is determined by a lever engaging
therewith and operated by a shaft and two opposite finger plates or levers, so that
when one finger plate is depressed the machine will print capitals, when the other
is depressed it will print small letters, and when neither is depressed it will print
numerals, punctuation marks and signs. These finger plates or levers are appro-
priately marked and a suitable spring pawl is fitted to hold the type frame in
any one of its three positions.
The type are inked by an inking roller carried on a swinging arm pivotted to
the type frame and resting lightly on the type, all of which will traverse under the
inking roller and thus be inked between each impression.
It will be seen that the key mechanism has to effect three movements in printing;
first, to draw the appropriate type to the top of the impression roller, second, to
cause the ascent of the impression roller to make the impression, and third, to feed
the paper carriage after each impression. I will now proceed to explain how these
movements are effected.
The key levers, of which there are as many as the greatest number of type in
any one of the three lines hereinbefore described, are pivotted at one end, guided
in suitable guides and pressed normally upward by springs, and their motion is
limited by stops. The key levers are parallel or approximately so, the keys
being arranged in parallel rows and the length of the key levers being arranged
to suit.
The movement for feeding the paper carriage between the impressions is obtained
by means of a feed lever-frame pivotted on a rocking shaft at the rear of the
machine. The free side of this lever-frame forms a horizontal rail extending
underneath all the key levers and depressed equally by each key lever when the
latter is fully depressed; the feed lever-frame is pressed upwards against a stop
by a spring and is secured to its shaft which thus rocks with each impression, for
a purpose to be afterwards explained. The motion of this lever-frame is conveyed
to a secondary lever-frame by a projecting arm or link and this secondary lever-
frame, by a link, operates the feed pawl which gears with the feed rack of the
paper carriage. The secondary feed lever-frame can be operated independently of
the main feed lever-frame by means of a finger plate or lever for the purpose of
spacing between words.
The paper carriage is made to hinge upwards to expose the printing to view and
when in this position, a projecting strip of metal, which may also serve as a paper
guide, attached to the carriage and extending along its whole length, disengages

page_text: the feed pawl from the feed rack and permits of the carriage being traversed at
pleasure in either direction.
The movement for drawing the appropriate type to the top of the impression
roller is obtained by a lever-frame very similar to the feed lever-frame and also
pivotted at the rear of the machine; it may conveniently be pivotted by loose
bushes on the rocking shaft of the feed lever-frame; as in the case of the feed
lever-frame, it is pressed upwards against a stop by a spring. At one end of the
free side of this lever-frame, a short segment of a spur wheel is fixed, concentric with
the pivot of the frame and gearing with a spur pinion secured to the shaft which
operates the segmental circular rim hereinbefore described, to which one end of
the flexible strip of type is attached. The free side of this lever-frame, as in the
case of the feed lever-frame, is a rail extending under all the keys and it is
depressed when any key is depressed. The amount of this depression is however
different for each key lever, and this is effected by giving the top of the rail under
the key levers, the appropriate contour, so that the clearance between the top of
the rail and the bottom of the key levers, when all are in their highest position is
different for each key lever; as all the key levers are equally depressed in printing,
it is evident that each will thus cause a different depression of the rail and cause a
different traverse of the type strip. Each key serves generally for three characters,
namely, a small letter, the corresponding capital letter, and a numeral, punctuation
mark or other sign, and the particular one of the three which will be printed on
the depression of the key, is determined by the axial position of the type frame on
its pivot, as determined by the finger plates hereinbefore described. The clearances
between the rail and the individual key levers are so adjusted that on the depression
of any one key to its full extent, the appropriate type is drawn into the exact
position for printing. On the ascent of the key the already-mentioned spring
brings the lever-frame up to its highest position and the type strip is drawn back
towards the spring drum or lever to which the first end of it is hooked.
The motion for giving the impression on the paper after the appropriate type
has been brought to the proper point for giving its impression is effected by the
depression of the keys as follows:-
Underneath the type frame and near its free end is placed a lever, which I term
the impression lever, pivotted to the frame work of the machine. One arm of this
lever carries a small pawl controlled by a spring and a stop and adapted to engage
with and swing the type frame upwards on its pivot through a small angle when
the lever is operated. This impression lever is under the control of two springs
urging it in opposite directions; the first of these, which I term the impression
spring, urges it forward and the second, which I term the return spring, urges it
backward and is sufficiently powerful to overcome the impression spring and so
hold the impression lever normally backward; the impression lever is further held
in this position by a holding pawl engaging with a detent on the impression
lever.
A pin or arm attached to the feed lever-frame is arranged to bear on the return
spring so that, when the feed lever-frame is depressed by depressing one of the
keys, the pressure of the return spring on the impression lever is relieved, leaving
the latter under the influence of the impression spring and held by the holding
pawl. On the further descent of the key, and just as it reaches its lowest position
and the appropriate type has been brought to the proper position for giving its
impression, a lever, fixed to the rocking shaft of the feed lever-frame, disengages
the holding pawl from the impression lever which then springs forward, its pawl
engages with the type frame, swings it up in passing, and so gives the impression.
As the forward stroke of the impression lever is ver
very
rapid, and as it passes
beyond and clear of the type frame at the end of its stroke, it will be seen that no
matter how slowly a key may be depressed, the type is only brought into
momentary contact with the paper. On the ascent of the key, the return spring,
being released by the feed lever-frame, once more overpowers the impression

page_text: spring, the impression lever therefore moves backward to its normal position and
engages again with the holding pawl ready for the next impression.
During the return stroke of the impression lever, the pawl on it which engages
with the type frame yields and passes the type frame without lifting it.
To reduce the force required to make the impression, a spring or balance weight
is fitted to bear up the weight of the type frame, keeping it high enough to just
leave the type clear of the paper.
Whilst I have described the type as being arranged on the type strip in three
lines it is obvious that they may be arranged in more or less than three lines
without departing from the principle of my invention, and they may be arranged
in these lines as may be found most convenient.
It is obvious that each key will serve for as many characters, and that the type
frame must be susceptible of axial adjustment into as many positions, as there are
lines of type.
Dated this 19th day of July 1890.
SLOAN & LLOYD BARNES,
Castle Chambers, 26, Castle Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, DAVID BLYTH ADAMSON, of 80 Hartington Road, Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
According to my present invention I construct type-writing machines as
follows;-
In the accompanying drawings which serve to illustrate my invention;—
Fig. I is a front elevation of the machine, Fig. II is a plan, Fig. III is a side
elevation, Fig. IV is a side elevation in section on the line A, A, of Fig. II,
Fig. V is a part plan, Fig. VI is a side elevation similar to Fig. IV but showing
one of the key levers depressed, and Figs. VII VIII and IX are detail views of
the type frame.
Throughout the drawings the same parts are indicated by the same reference
figures, and in the case of sections, the direction in which they are viewed is
indicated by the small arrows placed adjacent to the letters denoting the plane of
section.
The impression or platen cylinder 1, which has a surface of india rubber
or other suitable material, is journalled at its ends and is fitted with a ratchet
wheel 2, pawl 3, and milled wheel 4 to effect the spacing between the lines.
Suitable guides 5 and 37 are provided for holding and guiding the paper.
The journals of the platen cylinder are mounted upon a carriage 6, which I will
term the paper carriage, adapted to slide parallel to the axis of the cylinder
in order to permit the spacing between successive letters and words to be effected}
the means for feeding the paper carriage will be hereinafter described.
The paper carriage 6 slides on a fixed horizontal frame work 7 of sufficient
height to allow the type frame 8 (which will be hereinafter described) to be fitted
vertically underneath and clear of the platen cylinder. This type frame consists
preferably of two light side frames rigidly connected a short distance apart
and is mounted at one end on a pivot or stud 9 so that it is capable of swinging
through a small angle and also of sliding axially along the stud 9 for a short
distance.
The type, of which there is one for each character that it is desired to print,
are arranged side by side in three parallel lines on a flexible strip 10 of leather,

page_text: tape, canvas or other suitable material; this flexible strip, which will be termed
the type strip, should be practically unstretchable or as nearly so as possible.
One of the three lines of type consists of lower case or small letters and some of
the punctuation marks and signs which are most frequently used in connection
therewith; another of the lines consists of the corresponding capital letters and
some of the more important remaining punctuation marks and signs, and the
remaining line (preferably the centre line) consists of numerals, and the remaining
punctuation marks and signs. The arrangement may of course be modified as
found desirable. The type are preferably equidistant in each line and in any case
each set of three type belonging respectively to the three lines of type are placed
exactly squarely opposite to each other.
The type may be formed of india rubber or other suitable material having the
necessary hardness and flexibility, all in one piece with the flexible strip, which
in this case should be backed with canvas, tape or the like to prevent stretching.
I find it convenient to form the types of metal electrolytically deposited and
integral with a light backing plate which unites them all; this backing plate is then
cemented by glue or other suitable cement to the flexible strip and the metal
backing is then cut through between the several types so as to separate them and
restore the flexibility of the strip. In this way each type can be correctly located
on the type strip, a condition which, as will be subsequently seen, essential for the
good performance of the machine.
The type strip 10 which extends at each end some distance beyond the type, is
hooked at one end to a light drum 11 pivotted between the sides of the type frame 8,
it is then led between the sides of the type frame over a leading roller 12, which
will hereinafter be termed the impression roller, pivotted on the type frame near
the free end of the upper edge thereof, then over a second leading roller 13 mounted
on a fixed pivot, and the other end of the strip is finally hooked to one end of a
segmental circular rim 14, centred by means of a radial arm on a short rocking
shaft 15 mounted in suitable fixed bearings.
The drum 11 is actuated by an internal coiled spring (not shown in the drawings)
so as to always keep the strip in tension, and it will be seen that if the segmental
rim 14 be operated by partially rotating its shaft it will draw the type strip 10 and
with it the three lines of type over the impression roller 12, bringing in succession
each set of three to the top thereof, in which position they stand slightly below the
paper on the platen cylinder 1, when the type frame is in its normal position; on
the return of the segmental rim 14, the spring will draw the type strip back into
normal position.
The printing is effected by swinging the type frame 8 upwards on its pivot
through a very small angle, by means to be hereinafter described, and an impression
on the paper is then obtained of that particular type which happens to be at
the top of the impression roller, and vertically underneath the axis of the platen
cylinder.
As hereinbefore stated, the type are arranged on the type strip in three parallel
lines, and in order that any one of the three lines may be brought into proper
position for printing, that is to say vertically under the axis of the platen cylinder,
the type frame is capable, as already stated, of an axial motion of proper amount
on its pivot 9.
In order that the type strip may not be disarranged by this motion, the segmental
rim 14 and its shaft 15 engage with the type frame by a grooved collar 16, so that
they also partake of this axial motion. The axial position of the type frame is
determined by a lever 17 engaging therewith and operated by a shaft 18 and two
opposite finger plates or levers 19 and 191, so that when one finger plate is depressed
the machine will print capitals, when the other is depressed it will print small
letters, and when neither is depressed it will print numerals, punctuation marks
and signs. These finger plates are appropriately marked, and a suitable spring
pawl 20 is fitted to hold the type frame in the central position, and a lever 201
playing between set pins holds it in either of the two side positions.

page_text: The type are inked by an inking roller 21 carried on a swinging arm 22, pivotted
to the type frame and resting lightly on the type, all of which will traverse under
the inking roller and thus be inked between each impression.
It will be seen that the key mechanism has to effect three movements in printing;
first to draw the appropriate type to the top of the impression roller, second to
cause the ascent of the impression roller to make the impression, and third to feed
the paper carriage after each impression. I will now proceed to explain how these
movements are effected.
The key levers 23, of which there are as many as the greatest number of type
in any one of the three lines of type hereinbefore described, are pivoted on the
shaft 24, guided in the fixed comb-plates 25 and 25' and pressed normally upward
by the springs 26 and their motion is limited by the rail 27 and the comb-
plate 25
The movement for feeding the paper carriage between the impressions is
obtained by means of a feed lever-frame 28 pivoted on a rocking shaft 28¹ at the
rear of the machine. The free side of this lever-frame forms a horizontal rail 2811
extending underneath all the key levers and depressed equally by each key
lever when fully depressed; the feed lever-frame 28 is pressed upwards against a
stop by a spring (not shown in the drawings) and is secured to the shaft 28 which
thus rocks with each impression, for a purpose to be afterwards explained. The
motion of this lever-frame is conveyed to a secondary lever-frame 29 by a pin 30'
on a projecting arm 30, and the motion of the secondary lever-frame operates the
feed pawl 31 which gears with the feed rack 32 of the paper carriage, by means
of the lever 33, connecting rod 34, and the pawl lever 35. The secondary feed
lever-frame can be operated independently of the main feed lever-frame by means
of a finger plate or lever 36 for the purpose of spacing between words.
The paper carriage is made to hinge upwards to expose the printing to view and
when in this position, the paper guide 37 disengages the feed pawl 31 from the
feed rack 32 and permits of the carriage being traversed at pleasure in either
direction.
The movement for drawing the appropriate type to the top of the impression
roller is obtained by a lever frame 38 very similar to the feed lever-frame and also
pivoted at the rear of the machine loosely on the rocking shaft 28¹; as in the case
of the feed lever-frame it is pressed upwards against a stop by a spring. At one
end of the free side of the lever-frame 38, a short segment of a spur wheel 39 is
fixed concentric with the pivot of the frame, and gearing with a spur pinion 40
secured to the shaft 15 which works the segmental rim 14. The free side of the
lever frame 38 is a rail 38¹ extending under all the keys and it is depressed when
any key is depressed. The amount of this depression is different for each key
lever and this is effected by giving the top of the rail 381 under the key levers the
appropriate contour so that the clearance between the top of the rail and the
bottom of the key levers when all are in their highest position is different for each
key lever as all the key levers are equally depressed in printing it is evident that
each will thus cause a different depression of the rail and cause a different
traverse of the type strip. Each key serves generally for three characters, a
small letter, the corresponding capital letter and a numeral, punctuation mark or
sign, and the particular one that will be printed on the depression of the key is
determined by the axial position of the type frame 8 on its pivot 9 as determined
by the finger plates 19, 191. The clearances between the rail 38 and the
individual key levers are so adjusted that on the depression of any one key lever
to its full extent the appropriate type is drawn into exact position for printing.
On the ascent of the key, the beforementioned spring brings the lever frame 38
up to its highest position and the type strip is drawn back towards the drum 11 by
the internal spring.
The motion for giving the impression on the paper is effected by the depression
of the keys as follows:-
Underneath the type frame 8 is an impression lever 41 pivoted to the frame

page_text: work of the machine; one arm of this lever carries a pawl 42 controlled by a
spring and stop and adapted to engage with a pin 43 on the type frame and swing
the latter upwards on its pivot through a small angle, when the lever is operated.
This impression lever is under the control of two springs 44 and 45 urging it in
opposite directions; the first of these 44 which I term the impression spring urges
it forward and the second 45 which I term the return spring urges it backward and
is sufficiently powerful to overcome the impression spring and so hold the impression
lever 41 normally backward; the impression lever is further held in this position
by a holding pawl 46 engaging with a detent on the impression lever.
The projecting arm 30 attached to the feed lever-frame 28 is arranged to bear
on a lever 47 to which the lower end of the return spring 45 is attached so that
when the feed lever-frame is depressed by depressing one of the keys, the pressure
of the return spring 45 on the impression lever 41 is relieved, leaving the latter
under the influence of the impression spring 44 and held by the holding pawl 46.
On the further descent of the key, and just as it reaches its lowest position and
the appropriate type has been brought to the proper position for giving its impres-
sion, a lever 48 fixed to the rocking shaft 28 pressing against an adjustable
screw 49 disengages the holding pawl 46 from the impression lever which then
springs forward, its pawl 42 engages with the pin 43 on the type frame, swings it
up in passing and so gives the impression.
As the forward stroke of the impression lever is very rapid, and as it passes
beyond and clear of the type frame at the end of its stroke it will be seen that no
matter how slowly a key may be depressed the type is only brought into momentary
contact with the paper. On the ascent of the key, the return spring 45 being
released by the feed lever-frame, once more overpowers the impression spring 44,
the impression lever, therefore moves backward to its normal position and engages
again with the holding pawl 46 ready for the next impression.
During the return stroke of the impression lever the pawl 42 which engages
with the pin 43 on the type frame yields and passes the type frame without
lifting it.
To reduce the force required to make the impression a spring or balance weight
is fitted to bear up the weight of the type frame, keeping it high enough to just
leave the type clear of the paper; this is not shown in the drawings.
Whilst I have described the type as being arranged on the type strip in three
lines it is obvious that they may be arranged in more or less than three lines
without departing from the principle of my invention, and they may be arranged
in these lines as may be found most convenient.
It is obvious that each key will serve for as many characters, and that the type
frame must be susceptible of axial adjustment into as many positions as there are
lines of type.
The machine is fitted with a bell and adjustable tripper to ring it at any desired
portion of the travel, and also a pin 50 which by being placed in the appropriate
hole determines the commencement of the lines of printing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is
1. In a type-writing machine, a flexible strip on which the types are fixed, and
mechanism whereby it is moved by depression of any one of a number of keys so
as to bring the type appropriate to the key over an impression roller and whereby
this roller receives a printing motion substantially as described.
2. Forming the flexible type strip by securing metallic types made with backing
to a strip of flexible material and then cutting through the backing between the
types substantially as described.
3. In combination with the flexible type strip an impression roller round which
it passes a spring drum to which its one end is attached a segmental rim to which
its other end is attached, a pinion attached to the shaft of the rim and gearing

page_text: with a segment fixed to a lever frame of such contour that on the depression of
any particular key lever, the segmental rim is turned through the angle necessary
to bring the type corresponding to that key over the impression roller, substantially
as described and illustrated.
4. In a type-writing machine having types fixed on a flexible type strip making
that strip of sufficient width to accommodate three rows of types and carrying it
in a frame which can be moved laterally by hand so as to bring any one of the
rows into position for printing, substantially as described.
5. Mounting the impression roller and type strip in a pivotted frame operated
by an impression lever which is actuated after the appropriate type is brought over
the impression roller, substantially as described.
6. The device for giving the impression, consisting of an impression lever under
the control of an impression spring sufficiently powerful to overcome the said
impression spring and return the lever to normal position where it is held by a
spring pawl, means being provided so that on the descent of the feed lever-frame
which is depressed by each key lever the said return spring is rendered inoperative
and the spring pawl disengages thus permitting the impression spring to actuate
the impression lever, the pawl of which engages with and operates the type frame
and so makes the impression, substantially as described.
7. In a type-writing machine such as is herein described the device for freeing
the paper carriage, consisting of the paper guide 37 adapted to bear on a pin on
the feed pawl 31 and disengage the latter from the feed rack 32, substantially as
described and illustrated.
8. The combination and arrangement of parts forming a type-writing machine,
substantially as described and illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 20th day of May 1891.
SLOAN & LLOYD BARNES,
Pp. Abel and Imray,
Castle Chambers, 26, Castle Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.