Year: 1886

page_text: I FRANCIS FORLONG of No. 2 Warwick Villas Bath in the County of Somerset
do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been communicated to
me from abroad and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to that class of type writing or printing machines in which
each type or printing character is carried by a separate type bar and controlled by
a separate key lever all the type or characters being arranged to strike at a common
point.
The improvements consist in a variety of features and details hereinafter fully
pointed out prominent among which are the manner of hanging or mounting type
bars to economize space and simplify the construction of the machine the spacing
mechanism the ribbon feed: the construction and mode of applying the finger
button or keys &c.
The annexed drawings illustrate the various improvements.
Figures 1 and 1 are perspective views of the complete machine.
Figure 2 a top plan view of the same.
Figure 3 a front elevation partly in section.
Fig. 4 a side or end elevation partly broken away.
Fig. 5 a vertical section from front to rear.
Fig. 6 6 and 6b a detailed view of the spacing mechanism.
Figs. 7 and 8 views illustrating slightly different ways of hanging the type bars.
Fig. 9 a view illustrating the construction of the key bars or levers.
As hitherto commonly constructed, type writing machines of this class have
unavoidably been quite large and cumbersome as well as costly in construction.
This invention is designed to overcome these objections as far as practicable and
at the same time to simplify the construction.
With these objects in view the type bars are all hinged or pivoted at or near the
rear side of the machine and swing forward and inward to make the required
stroke or impression; the key bars or levers being connected at their rear ends to
the type bars by means of links in the rear of the pivots of said key bars.
This plan requires but little height for the machine: permits a practically
uniform leverage to be given to all the type bars and causes said bars to move
with a quick sharp stroke which is important in this class of machine.
By a novel arrangement of the pivots of the type bars said bars are enabled to
stand side by side in a horizontal plane when down in their usual positions.

page_text: These and other features will be better understood upon referring to the
drawings in which A indicates a metal frame at the back of which are two
uprights or standards B B supporting the ends of two parallel rods C. C. on which
the paper carriage D moves from side to side of the frame.
Below the lower rod O is a bar E extending from one standard B to the other
and upon which are formed or secured ears a shewn in figures 1. 3. 4. 5 and 6.
These ears may be formed separately and applied to the bar E or they may be
cast thereon or slits or openings may be cut through a raised rib on the bar thus
forming the separate ears.
For cheapness and convenience of construction it is preferred to cut the ears
from sheet steel or other metal by means of a drop press and to secure them to
the bar E in any convenient manner being thin and delicate the sheet metal admits
of being bent slightly to vary the inclination of the ears an operation that is
important in first assembling and adjusting the parts of the machine but is not to
be performed thereafter. The steel is of course sufficiently heavy and stiff to
prevent accidental bending.
To each of the ears a there is pivoted one end of a type bar F the opposite end
of which carries a type or printing character b.
It is of course necessary that-all the type shall strike at one common point and
that point is of course midway between the two sides of frame A. as in other
machines of this class and as the type bars are arranged to swing upward in
printing the printing point is of course above said bars and at a height corre-
sponding with that of the axis of the roll G of the paper carriage D.
The ears a being arranged side by side along the bar E are at different. distances
from the printing point and hence the type bars are of different lengths and stand
at different inclinations as do also the ears a.
This may be best understood by referring to fig. 3 in which the inclination of
the key bars and of the ears is clearly illustrated where it will be seen each is
inclined on a line radial to the common printing point.
•
By this arrangement each type bar is caused to fall clear of all the other and all
are caused to drop to a horizontal position in line with the. type bars or levers H
by which they are thrown up.
While the above described arrangement of type bars is deemed best and simplest
practically the same result, may be obtained by the plan illustrated in figure 7 in
which the pivot ears a are arranged in an arc of a circle at the rear of frame A
instead of in a straight line or by the arrangement illustrated in figure 8 in which
the pivots are each side of the middle line which line runs obliquely to the side of
frame A.
Under the first and last arrangements those type bars which are furthest from
the middle line of the frame A' must of course be longer than the intermediate bar
in order that each shall reach precisely the same point but under the second plan
all may be of the same length.
The key bars or lever H are preferably made of sheet metal and of the form and
construction illustrated in figure 9. These bars consist each of a strip of sheet
metal preferably steel either flat or fluted to give greater stiffness and each is 4
provided with a hanger or stirrup C also of sheet metal, bent into U form and
slipped upon from the lower side pressed firmly against the lower edge of the bar
and secured to the same by a rivet d as shown in figure 9.
The upper end of the hanger or stirrup is perforated to fit upon the pivot rod or
bar which passes from side to side of frame A. and is supported in and strained 5
between two lugs e formed thereon said rod like the rods C. C. being threaded at
one end and headed at the other so that they may be screwed firmly to place and
put under tension sufficient to prevent sagging or bending.
The rear end of each key bar H is connected by a link ƒ to its type bar F at
a point near the pivot of the latter the link being stiff enough to transmit the 5
movement of the key bar or lever to the type bar without springing.

page_text: In view of the fact that the key bars or levers all have a vertical movement
while the type bars have an oblique motion the links must be attached in such
manner as will permit them to adapt themselves to the movements of both the key
levers and type bars this is conveniently done by perforating the levers and bars
forming the links of wire and bending their ends into the forms of circular loops
which passes through the perforation of the levers and bars as shewn in figures 1.
5 and 9.
This construction causes the parts to work freely and easily and is cheap and
simple and owing to the fact that the type bars F are broad and flat at their rear
ends and lie flatly against the ears a to which they are attached by pivot screws g
and to the further fact that the link connects then close to their pivot the bars
are caused to move in lines radial to the printing point without tendency to
wobble or spring.
This is a feature of the utmost importance because the slighest lateral motion
near the pivot is greatly multiplied at the free end of the type bar and destroys
the alignment of the characters in the printed work.
Washers collars or pins may be employed to separate and space the key levers
or bara H on the rod.
The front end of each key bar is provided with a finger button J which may be
of wood metal or other suitable material and which is made as shewn in figs. 1
and 3. Each button or stem consists of a single piece enlarged at the upper end
to form a proper head for striking with the fingers and to bear the character
corresponding with the type bar which it controls and slit at its lower end to
straddle the key bar or lever as best shown at the right hand side of Fig. 3.
The slit is made narrow so that some slight force is required to place the stem
upon the bar and press it down to its seat thereon hence no pivots or fastenings
are needed to secure the stems or buttons in place though of course such rivets
may be used or cement may be employed for the purpose.
The characters may be engraved burnt into painted or otherwise produced upon
the buttons J and when thus formed are not liable to shift or move out of proper
position. The construction is also cheaper and more durable than the metal
buttons with glass plates over printed letters.
Referring now to figures 1 and 6 the construction and operation of the paper
carriage and spacing mechanism will be explained.
The carriage D consists of merely a horizontal bar i having two upwardly
extending posts or standards ; one at each end two shorter standards or lugs k also
projecting over the bar and two downwardly extending arms which are bored
and grooved to fit accurately upon the rods C C as shewn in figure 1. The
rods CO serve to support and guide the carriage in its movements and a very
accurate guide can thus be formed at small expense.
L indicates the paper or impression roll which carries the paper on which the
printing is done and forms a cushion therefor to receive the blow of the type.
This roll is supported upon suitable journals or pivots in the standards jj and is
furnished with a ratchet wheel M as usual which engages a pawl m carried by a
lever arm N pivoted to one of the standards j as in Figure 1.
The lever N is provided with a moveable stop or turn button n by which its
upward movement may be limited so that the roll shall be advanced only one
tooth for each movement of the lever instead of two as happens when the stop is
turned back,
This however forms the basis of a claim in another application and is not
claimed here.
O indicates a small roller the journals of which are seated in grooves or bearings
in the lugs K of the carriage D and the surface of which is in contact with that of
roll L the latter roll being advisedly covered with rubber as in other machines of
this class.
The smaller roll O causes the paper to be fed against the roll L with sufficient
pressure to insure its movement with and by the latter.

page_text: To properly direct the paper as it is printed and fed forward a sheet meta
guide or shield P curves down behind the roll L close to roll O a pair of light
spring arms Q attached to the bar i and extend upward against the face of the
roll M or against the paper thereon and a wire guard R extends across the front
face of the roll from end to end rising sufficiently high to turn the sheet back over
the top of said roll.
It is not essential but advisable that all these devices be used, as the paper is
more perfectly directed and guided when all are used.
Secured to the rear side of the carriage D is a bars provided with a series of
uniformly-spaced pins h which project horizontally from the rear face of the bar as
shown in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6.
h
T indicates a rod pivotted at one end of the rear of frame A preferably at the
left hand side of said frame as the machine stands before the operator, and to the
free end of said rod T is pivotted a pawl or dog U which is arranged to engage
with the pins & successively. The rod T is also furnished with a fingor o which as
the rod falls enters between two of the pins and holds the bars and consequently
the carriage D against movement. The rod T and the pawl or dog U are drawn
down toward the pins h by a spring V the lower end of which is attached to
frame A and the upper end of which is attached to the pawl of dog U as shown in
Figure 6. The rod T is arranged to raise a distance sufficient to permit the point
or nose of U to ride back over one pin at a time and to drop behind it, and in thus
dropping back the pawl assume an inclined position more nearly approaching the
vertical than prior to such rise.
When the lifting force ceases the spring V assisted by gravity draws down the
rod T and pawl U the nose of which latter is prevented by the pin from falling
lower, and causes the pawl to assume a more nearly horizontal position. In doing
this the nose of the pawl is caused to move horizontally, and, pressing against the
pin, forces the carriage D forward before it, this action continuing till the finger o
enters between the pins and stops the movement.
Thus it will be seen that each time the pawl rises it engages a fresh pin, and
each time it descends it forces the carriage forward the distance from the centre of
one pin to that of the next, the finger o being of course set to stop. the movement
at that particular stage.
The rod T and pawl U must of course be raised at each depression of a key
lever, and whenever additional spacing is required, the return movement occurring
as the key lever rises. To effect this action a cross-bar W is hung from the pivot
rod i and carried beneath the entire series of key levers, in front of said rod, so
that every time that a key lever is depressed it shall bear upon and depress the
cross bar.
Passing loosely through a lug or stud 2 on the cross-bar W is a spacing key-
bar q which is hung upon the pivot rod i and has its rear end connected by a
pitman X with the rod T so that whenever the front end of cross-bar W is
depressed either by the key levers or by pressure upon the spacing key y the rear
end of bar Q is caused to rise and lift the rod T and pawl U and when the pressure
upon the cross-bar W causes the rod and pawl to descend and the advance of the
carriage occurs as above explained. The cross-bar W is normally held up against
the under side of the key levers, by means of a spring Z one end of which is
attached to frame A and the other end of which is connected with an upwardly
projecting arm of the cross bar W. To perinit the leverage of the arm to be
varied and the effective force of the spring to be increased or diminished the
arm r is provided with an adjustable member or slide which is slotted to permit
movement to or from the pivot & and is held at any desired adjustment by
a set screw 8.
The ink ribbon feed is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 and is also well shown in
Figures 24 and 5.
Referring to Figure 1 A¹ and B¹ indicate two parallel rods or shafts extending
across the frame A and journalied in suitable sunports at annosite sides the

page_text: Shaft A¹ carries a spool or drum C¹ and shaft B¹ carries a smaller spool or
drum D¹ the ribbon E¹ passing from one end to the other as usual. To properly
present the ribbon between the type and the paper a guide F1 is provided,
consisting of a bart having eyes or loops u at its ends through which the ribbon
passes. This guide is hung from or supported from an arched cross-bar or
support by a screw H¹ passing through a slot or elongated opening 6 in said
support, by which arrangement lateral adjustment of the ribbon is provided for,
This is desirable in order to bring a fresh portion of the ribbon in line with the
printing point when the ribbon becomes worn along the line previously used.
Another guide loop or eye W is formed upon an upright guard X which rises
from frame A and extends upward behind the ribbon to a point just below that at
which the type strike. The ribbon is thus caused to pass from drum C¹ to and
through the loops u down in front of and close to the paper roll L to and through
loop W and finally to drum or spool D¹.
The shaft A¹ carries a wheel I and shaft B' carries a similar ratchet wheel ;' the
two arranged directly in line with each other.
As shown in Figure 1 the upright arm of the cross-bar W upon which the key
levers bear to operate the spacing mechanism, stands midway between shafts A¹ B₁
and their ratchet wheels I J as shown in the same Figure and in Figures 2 and 4
said arm is provided with a pawl K¹ and a locking dog L' the former serving to
turn one of the ratchet wheels, and the other to prevent backward rotation thereof.
Both the pawl and the locking dog may be thrown over their pivots and caused
to engage with either ratchet wheel at will and thus either drum may be rotated
and caused to wind the ribbon from the other.
It will be seen that the separation of the type levers in falling is due to the fact
that the pivot of each bas its axis perpendicular to a line radial to the printing
point, a feature of construction which I desire to claim broadly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
First: In a type writing or printing machine the combination of a paper roll
or support and a series of type bars arranged in a substantially horizontal plane
below said support and adapted to swing upward to strike upon the paper.
Second-In combination with a paper roll or support a series of parallel type
bars each block having one face radial to the printing point or substantially so;
whereby the bars are caused to swing up to a point common to all.
Third-In combination with a paper roll or support, a series of type bars, and
a series of pivots for said bars, the exis of each of said pivots being perpendicular
to a line radial to the printing point whereby the type bars are caused to stand
parallel in a horizontal plane when out of action and to strike at one common
point when thrown toward the paper roll or support.
Fourth-In combination with a paper roll or support a series of type bars of
different lengths, and a series of pivots for said bars arranged side by side in a
substantially straight line, each pivot having its access perpendicular to a line
radiating from the printing point, and each key being of a length to reach from its
pivot to said printing point.
Fifth The combination of a frame A provided with guides or ways C C and
with cross bar E having inclined ears a a paper carriage D inovable on said guides,
a series of type levers F pivotted to the ears a and a series of key bars H
connected with and adapted to elevate the type bars.
Sixth-In combination with frame A having ears a paper carriage D type
bars F to the ears a key levers H and links f connecting the key levers and the
type bars at a point in rear of the pivots of the key levers.
•
Seventh-In a type writer the combination of a frame A uprights BB and
rods CC connecting the uprights, and paper carriage D having arms I I fitted to
slide upon the rods as shown and described.

page_text: Eighth-In a type writer the combination of frame A uprights BB rods C C
connecting the uprights, and paper carriage D having arms II fitted to slide upon
-the rods as shown and described.
Ninth In a type writing or printing machine the combination of a frame, a
paper carriage movable relatively to said frame and provided with a bar having
projecting pins, a series of type bars arranged to strike at a common point on said
carriage a series of key levers connected with and adapted to actuate the type
bars, a cross-bar extending beneath all the key levers, and a spacing mechanism
consisting of a rod or bar pivotted to the frame of the machine and provided with
a finger, a pawl U pivotedly attached to said rod bar, a spring connected with and
serving to draw down the pawl, and a pitman connecting the pivotted rod or bar
and the cross bar which passes beneath the keys whereby the depression of a
key is caused to release the carriage and carry the pawl over one pin, and the
spring is caused to draw the pawl down toward a horizontal plane and move the
carriage.
Tenth In a type writing machine, a spacing mechanism consisting of a bar a
secured to the paper carriage and pivotted with equidistant pins h rod T pivotted to
the frame and provided with finger o pawl U pivotted to rod T and arranged to
engage with the pins one by one spring V serving to draw down the pawl and
pitman X connecting the rod T with a cross bar passing beneath and adapted to
be depressed by the key levers.
Eleventh-The combination with a series of key bars H of a cross bar W
passing beneath said levers and provided with an arm r and a spring connected
with said arm and with the frame of the machine and serving to lift the bar and
the key levers which rest upon it.
.
Twelfth In combination with key levers H and cross bar W. having arm r
adjustable slide r¹ attached to said arm, and spring Z attached at one end to the
slide and at the other end to the frame of the machine.
Thirteenth-In combination with a paper carriage and spacing mechanism
substantially such as described, a series of type bars and a series of key levers, a
cross bar, passing beneath all of the key levers and a spacing key bar, sliding
through a stud upon and adapted to depress the cross-bar, and said key serving to
actuate the spacing mechanism, directly; and also as a connection between the
bar W and the spacing devices.
Fourteenth-In combination with key bar, a key button or stem having its
shank or stem slit and adapted to fit tightly upon the key bar.
Fifteenth-The ink-ribbon-feed herein described, consisting of shafts A¹ B₁
provided with spools CD¹ cross bar W provided with arm r reversible pawl Ki
and reversible dog L¹ carried by said arm, and springs Z attached to said arm and
to the frame.
Sixteenth-The ribbon guide and support consisting of arched bar G¹ having
alot V-bar F having arms t and loops and set screw H¹ all constructed and
arranged substantially as described and shewn,
Seventeenth-In combination with spools C¹ D¹ and with bar F¹ having loops u
upright guide X provided with loop W.
;
Eighteenth-In combination with a paper roll, a wire guard R adapted to hold
the paper to the roll without materially hiding the printing thereon.
Dated this 18th day of Nawamhan 1088