Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, BURNHAM Coos STICKNEY, of No. 1153 East Jersey Street, in the City of
Elizabeth, County of Union and State of New Jersey, in the United States of
America, Inventor, 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:-
My invention relates more particularly to that class of type-writing machines, in
which there is employed in connection with the type mechanism, the paper-carriage
and its escapement or feed mechanism, a tripping means or detaching device
arranged at some point between the finger-piece or key and the type, by which
both the type and feed-mechanisms are released after the initial depression of the
finger-piece or key, so that both may return to their normal positions independently
and in advance of the finger-piece or key, or while the finger-piece or key is
depressed or held down, whereby another finger-piece or key may be actuated
without waiting for the removal of the finger first employed and the return of the
previously depressed finger-piece or key.
My invention has for its main objects to improve the carriage and type actions,
and provide a machine of better touch and greater speed, capable also of accurate
letter-spacing and the performa: ce of speedier work, and to these main ends my
invention consists in certain combinations of devices and features of construction
and arrangement, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly
pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my improvements.
Figure 2 is a central vertical section thereof.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken at the line X X of Figure 2, omitting
springs 41.
Figure 4 is a sectional or diagrammatic view showing in full and dotted lines,
the construction, arrangement and the operation of the various parts comprising
the type-movement and carriage escapement.
Figure 5 is a sectional or diagrammatic view showing the type-bar trip as
having been effected and the type as on its way to the platen.
Figure 6 is a similar view showing the trip as having been made and the type as
having printed and returned to its normal position. This view also shows the
universal-bar as having returned to its normal position while the key-lever is held
depressed.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a key-lever detached, constructed like that shown
at Figure 1.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively side and edge views of the connecting-rod shown
at Figure 1.
In the various views the same part will be found designated by the same numeral
of reference.
1 designates the frame-work of the machine, 2 the top-plate or type-ring, and
3 the paper-carriage. Around the top-plate or type-ring are arranged, in sub-
stantially the usual manner, the type-bars 4, which are or may be mounted in
hangers 5, secured adjustably upon the top-plate or type-ring by set-screws 6.
The paper-carriage is composed preferably of a front bar 7, a rear bar 8, and
side bars 9 and 10. The front bar is preferably provided with a grooved anti-
friction roll 11, which rides upon a supporting track or rail 12 mounted upon posts

page_text: at the front portion of the top-plate. The rear bar of the carriage-frame is
preferably provided with two grooved wheels or rollers 13, which ride upon a
hinge-and-guide-rail 14, mounted in end standards or brackets 15 at the rear side
of the top-plate. Journalled in the side bars of the carriage-frame is a platen 16,
and a pressure or feed-roller 17, in conjunction with which may be used the
ordinary paper-table 18.
Connected to the paper-carriage and pivoted or hinged to the hinge-and-guide-
rail 14 is a rack-bar-frame 19, provided with a vertically arranged toothed
feed-rack 20, with which co-operate two feed-dogs 21 and 22 mounted upon a
trunnion or rocker 23, which is suitably supported in the frame-work. The dog 21
stands in engagement with the rack in the normal condition of the machine. The
dog 22 is a loose, pivoted or flexible dog and is adapted to be vibrated or moved
over into engagement with the feed-rack to permit the letter-spacing of the
carriage. The dog 21 is thus the detaining dog and the dog 22 the feeding dog of
the paper-carriage.
To an arm 24 projecting forwardly from the trunnion or rocker, is pivotally-
connected the upper end of a rod or link 25, which at its lower end is pivotally-
connected to an arm 26 secured to the axis or pivot rod 27 of the universal-bar 28,
which is connected at its ends to said axis or pivot-rod by side bars 29.
Beneath the arm 26 is arranged a spring 30, which is provided to return the
universal-bar and its connections to their normal positions after actuation. This
spring may, however, be arranged at some other locality.
The universal-bar extends transversely across the machine and is preferably
provided with a flange 31.
To the shorter arm of each type-bar is pivotally-attached the upper end of
a connecting-rod 32, the lower end of which rests above the horizontal portion
of the universal-bar. The lower end of each connecting-rod is bifurcated and
provided with a cross-pin or ledge 33, which is engaged by a projection 34
depending from a lever 35, which preferably rests between the forks at the lower
end of the connecting-rod and is pivoted at 36 to the frame-work. At the forward
end of each key-lever is preferably provided a stem or finger-piece 37, and beneath
each key-lever is preferably arranged a returning-spring 38. Formed integral
with the projection 34 is a lug 39.
It will be observed that the lower ends of all of the connecting-rods are circular
in shape or disc-like, and that they are all concentrated or arranged to lie in line
transversely and rest above the universal-bar.
Transversely of the machine and above the key-levers is arranged a cross-rod 40,
to which are connected the rear ends of a series of springs 41, the front ends of
which are attached each to one of the connecting-rods of the type-bars, the
arrangement being such that all of the springs operate to pull all of the lower ends
of the connecting-rods rearwardly and against the lugs 39 on the key-levers. Thus
by means of the springs and the lugs the connecting-rods are all maintained in
proper working relation to the universal-bar. As will be seen, the springs 41 are
of different lengths, according to the rods to which they are connected, and said
springs have only sufficient tension to hold the lower ends of the rods in proper
working position.
To the paper-carriage is connected one end of a cord, or chain, or belt 42, the
other end of which is connected to a spring driving-drum 43.
At Figure 2 the parts are shown in their normal positions, and they are also
shown in their normal positions in full lines at Figure 4. In the last mentioned
figure, when the key-lever is depressed to the dotted line position shown, the
connecting-rod of the type-bar is carried down by reason of the engagement of the
projection 34 with the cross-pin or piece 33, to the dotted line position shown at
said figure. During the descent of said connecting-rod the type-bar is gradually
elevated and the universal-bar gradually depressed until they arrive at the dotted
line position shown at said figure, when the type-bar, connecting-rod, and universal-
bar are released from the control of the key-lever.

page_text: During the descent of the universal-bar, the link carried thereby operates to
oscillate the trunnion or spacing rocker and move the detaining dog forward from
engagement with the rack, and the spacing dog forward into engagement with the
rack. At this time the type has not quite reached the platen or the paper thereon,
but strikes the same immediately thereafter, and consequently immediately after
the release or trip of the key-lever and the carriage-escapement. Thus the
printing is effected while the spacing-dog is in engagement with the rack and after
the carriage has been released to feed a new letter-space. In other words, the
construction and arrangement of the carriage-escapement devices are such as to
produce what is known as the "reverse feed." This kind of feed is extremely
useful in connection with a system or series of keys arranged to actuate and release
a system or series of type-bars or levers without removing the pressure from the
keys. By the combination of the reverse-'eed carriage escapement and the type-
bar trip, the machine is capable of much easier and more rapid manipulation and
will do much more perfect work than one having merely a reverse feed carriage
escapement or one having merely a key-trip.
In using the old or "natural feed," a strong feed-retracting spring 30 for the
dog-holder would be necessary, in order to have the carriage start soon enough to
complete a letter-space distance before the next type strikes the paper, and such a
strong spring 30 would much impair the value of the type-bar trip, because the
type-bar when released would be so retracted by the back pressure exerted by this
strong feed-spring that it would print very faintly, or perhaps not reach the platen
at all, which would thus oblige the operator to use a heavier touch on the keys,
thus greatly impairing the benefits of the trip. But in using the reverse feed the
carriage is released just before the type strikes the platen, which gives it plenty of
time to complete its letter-space distance. Thus a light carriage-spring can be
used, and the time such light spring occupies in overcoming the inertia of the
carriage is sufficient for the type to complete its movement to the platen before
the carriage starts. Thus a quick return of the feed-dogs is not necessary to the
prompt feeding of the carriage, and moreover the decreased strength of carriage
spring reduces the strength required of the feed-dog's retracting spring, which
will therefore exert no perceptible retarding influence on the tripped type-bar in
its motion towards the platen. At the same time, by combining the reversed
feed with the trip, none of the known disadvantages of the reverse feed, such as
blurring of the printing, irregular letter-spacing and the necessity of the operator
acquiring a smart up-stroke of the finger, are experienced.
At Figure 5, the parts are shown in full lines in the positions in which they are
shown in dotted lines at Figure 4, and from this view it will be clearly seen that
the key-lever, has just released the connecting-rod, and that the type-bar is
approaching the platen. At the moment the release is effected, the type-bar, as
has been said, has not completed its stroke, but does so by inertia immediately
after releasement, and just before the inertia of the carriage is overcome and it
starts to travel a letter-space distance.
The trip or release, it will be observed, is effected during the downward
movement of the key-lever, and inay be timed or arranged to occur at any desired
position of the downward stroke of said key-lever. When the key-lever is
depressed, it swings or vibrates about its pivot 36 and the projection 34 is carried
rearwardly in an arc of a circle. At the same time the universal-bar is swung
downwardly and rearwardly in the arc of a circle, about the pivot rod 27 as a
center of motion, by reason of the pressure thereupon of the lower end of the
connecting-rod which is being forced down by the key-lever. As the key-lever
and the universal-bar move in diverging paths, and as the lower end of the
connecting-rod is confined between the key-lever and the universal-bar, it is forced
to follow the path of travel or the arc of vibration of the universal-bar, which, as
will be observed at Figure 4, is nearly in a straight vertical line. While the
lower end of the connecting-rod is moving in this direction, the projection 34 is
travelling downwardly and rearwardly, and leaves or slips off of the cross-pin or

page_text: ledge on the connecting-rod, as shown at Figures 4 and 5. When this occurs, and
while the finger is yet upon the key-lever holding it down, the type prints by
inertia, and at once returns to its normal position by the gravity of the type-bar,
assisted by the spring 30. During the descent of the type-bar the connecting-rod
is lifted, and the universal-bar and the feed-dogs are returned to their normal
positions under the influence of the spring 30. The cross-pin or ledge 33 in
ascending passes up into the notch 44 in front of the projection 34. When the
key-lever is released it is returned to its normal position by its spring 38, and the
underside of the projection 34 is carried up into a position above and immediately
over the cross-pin again. The projection 34, when ascending, forces the connecting-
rod 32 slightly forward, expanding the spring 41, and when the key-lever reaches
its highest position, the spring 41 draws the connecting-rod rearwardly again to its
normal position with the cross-pin or ledge beneath the projection 34.
It will be seen of course that after the depression of any key-lever and the
printing of its corresponding type, any other key-lever may be depressed and its
corresponding type caused to print while the first actuated key-lever is still
held down.
In the various views there is a soft pad or cushion 45 to receive the key-lever
at the end of its downward stroke.
So far as the broader features of my invention are concerned, I do not wish to
be limited to any particular construction or arrangement of trip. Nor do I wish
to be limited to any particular construction or arrangement of the carriage-feeding
mechanism, although I have shown herein only one form; the carriage-feeding
mechanism being very old and of great variety, I have not thought it necessary to
show more than one form.
It will be further understood that numerous other changes in detail construction
and arrangement may be made without departing from the gist of my several
improvements.
I do not claim herein per se, either the trip broadly or the reverse feed broadly,
but I do seek to cover broadly the combination of a trip, whereby a type-bar is
released before printing and before removing the pressure of the finger from its
actuating key, and a feed-mechanism for the paper-carriage constructed and
arranged to release the paper-carriage before the type strikes the paper. I also
seek to cover the same combination in connection with means for releasing the
feed-mechanism from the finger-key simultaneously with the releasement of the
type-bar or in other words, before the type-bar completes its printing movement,
so that the said mechanism may first travel with the type-bar until the printing
occurs independently of the actuating key and then return to normal position in
advance of and independently of the actuating-key. I also seek to cover the
feature of detachably connecting the type-bar connecting-rod to the key-lever in a
manner such that they may become automatically separated upon the depression of
the key-lever. I also seek to cover the feature of having the connecting-rods
operate directly the universal-bar of the carriage-feed mechanism; and I also seek
to cover various other features of construction and arrangements of parts, as
herein before shown and described, and now to be more particularly set forth in the
claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a reverse-feed mechanism therefor, a type-bar mechanism, and a
trip, the whole being constructed and arranged so that the carriage is released for
letter-spacing previous to the impact of the type, and so that the type-bar is
tripped when near the end of the printing stroke and just before the type touches
the paper.
2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage

page_text: having a platen, a reverse-feed mechanism therefor, a type-bar mechanism, and a :
trip, the whole being constructed and arranged so that the carriage is released for.
letter-spacing previous to the impact of the type, and the feed mechanism and
type-bar mechanism are disconnected from the actuating finger-key during the
downward movement of the latter and just before the type strikes the paper on the
platen, whereby the type-bar may continue to print by inertia and after leaving its
impression return with the feed-mechanism to normal position in advance of the
actuating finger-key.
3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a power-driven paper- :
carriage having a platen, of a type-bar mechanism, a trip which releases the
type-bar when the latter is near the end of its printing stroke and just before the
type touches the paper, and a carriage-feed mechanism connected thereto and
constructed and arranged to release the carriage for letter-spacing at the initial
movement of said carriage-feed mechanism.
4. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar, a connecting-rod,
and a key-lever having a separable connection with said rod and arranged to
automatically release the same and its connected type-bar during the downward
stroke of the key-lever and to automatically engage the same on its upward stroke
after the type-bar has returned to its normal position.
:
5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod, and a key-lever,
the said key-lever and connecting-rod having a separable engagement, and the said.
connecting-rod being arranged and connected to actuate the feed-mechanism, and
the said feed-mechanism being arranged and connected to be tripped or released
with the type-bar, so that the feed-mechanism and the type-bar may both return:
to their normal positions independently and in advance of the said key-lever.
6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod, and a key-lever,
the said key-lever and connecting-rod having a separable engagement, and the
said connecting-rod being arranged and connected to actuate the feed-mechanism
so that the latter and the type-bar may return together independently and in
advance of the key-lever.
7. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod connected at one:
end to the type-bar to actuate it, and also connected to the feed mechanism to:
actuate it, and a key-lever detachably connected to said connecting-rod and
operating during the downward movement thereof to part company with said rod.
8. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage:
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod connected to said:
type-bar to actuate it and contacting at its lower end with the universal-bar of the:
feed-mechanism, and a key-lever detachably connected to said connecting-rod.
9. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage.
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod connected to said
type-bar to actuate it and adapted to actuate said feed-mechanism and having a:
cross-pin or ledge, and a key-lever having a projection adapted to engage said
cross-pin or ledge, and adapted to be removed therefrom upon the depression of
said key-lever.
10. In a type-writing machine, the combination with power-driven paper--
carriage having a platen, of a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod adapted
to actuate said feed-mechanism and having a cross-pin or ledge, a key-lever having.
a projection adapted to engage said cross-pin or ledge, a lug adjacent to said.
projection, and a spring for holding the connecting-rod normally against said lug.
11. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage.
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a type-bar, a connecting-rod, the lower end of:
which contacts with the universal-bar of the feed-mechanism, a cross-pin or ledge
on said connecting-rod, a. key-lever passing through a slot or fork in said
connecting-rod and having a projection to co-act with said cross-pin or ledge and:

page_text: also a lug, and a spring for maintaining the said connecting-rod in operative
relation to the universal-bar and the key-lever.
12. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a universal-bar, a type-bar, a connecting-rod,
and a key-lever detachably connected to said connecting-rod and pivoted eccen-
trically of the universal-bar, whereby when the key-lever is depressed the lower
end of the connecting-rod is caused to follow the path of the universal-bar, in
order-that-the-eccentrically-pivoted key-lever may part company with the said
connecting-rod.
13. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-mechanism, a pivoted, flanged universal-bar, a type-bar, a
connecting-rod, and a key-lever detachably connected to said connecting-rod and
pivoted eccentrically of the universal-bar, whereby when the key-lever is depressed
the lower end of the connecting-rod is caused to follow the arc of vibration of the
universal-bar, in order that the eccentrically-pivoted key-lever may part company
with the said connecting-rod.
14. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-mechanism including a pivoted, flanged universal-bar, a
connecting-rod having a cross-pin or ledge and a spring, and a key-lever having a
projection, a lug, and a notch or cut-away.
15. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen, a type-bar, a con-
necting-rod connected at one end to the type-bar and having at its lower end a
cross-pin or ledge, a spring, and a key-lever having a projection and a lug.
16. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen, a type-bar, a con-
necting-rod connected at one end to the type-bar and having at its lower end a
cross-pin or ledge, a spring, and a key-lever having a projection, a lug, and a notch
or cut-away.
17. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
baving a platen and a feed-rack, a detaining-dog and a feeding-dog, the former
being normally in engagement with the rack, a rocker or trunnion, a link, a pivoted
spring-actuated universal-bar, a type-bar, a connecting-rod connected at its upper
end to the type-bar to actuate it and contacting at its lower end with said universal-
bar, a key-lever, and a trip for releasing the type-bar and the carriage and permitting
the return of the type-bar and universal-bar and their connections independently
and in advance of the finger-key.
18. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a power-driven paper-carriage
having a platen, a feed-rack, a detaining-dog and a spacing-dog, the former being
in normal engagement with the said rack, a trunnion or rocker, a link, a pivoted
spring-actuated flanged universal-bar, a type-bar, a connecting-rod adapted to
actuate said universal-bar and having a cross-pin or ledge, a key-lever having a
projection, a lug, and a notch or cut-away, and a spring for holding said cross-pin
or ledge normally in contact with said lug.
19. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage having a platen,
a feed-mechanism therefor, including a transversely arranged universal-bar, a series
of type-bars adapted to strike at a common center, and a series of connecting-rods
connected at their upper ends to said type-bars to actuate the same and inclined
inwardly so that their lower ends terminate in line transversely and coincident
with the said universal-bar so as to actuate the same.
20. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a feed-
mechanism therefor, a transversely arranged universal-bar, a series of type-bars
adapted to strike at a common center, a series of connecting-rods connected at
their upper ends to said type-bars to actuate the same, and inclined inwardly so
that their lower ends terminate in line transversely and coincident with said
universal-bar so as to actuate the same, and a series of key-levers connected to said
connecting-rods.
21. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a feed-
mechanism therefor, a transversely arranged universal-bar, a series of type-bars

page_text: adapted to strike at a common center, a series of connecting-rods connected at their
upper ends to said type-bars to actuate the same, and inclined inwardly so that
their lower ends terminate in line transversely and coincident with said universal-.
bar so as to actuate the same, a series of key-levers, and a series of trips located
between the finger-keys and the type-bars.
22. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a feed-
mechanism including a transverse universal-bar, a series of type-bars, a series of
inclined connecting-rods connected at their upper ends to said type-bars to actuate
the same and arranged in line at their lower ends to contact with said universal-
bar, and a series of key-levers detachably connected to said connecting-rods at their
lower ends.
23. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a feed-.
mechanism including a transverse universal-bar, a series of type-bars, a series of
inclined connecting-rods arranged in line at their lower ends to contact with said
universal-bar, a series of key-levers detachably connected to said connecting-rods,.
and a series of springs for maintaining the lower ends of said connecting-rods in
operative relation to the key-levers and the universal-bar.
24. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a feed-
mechanism including a transverse universal-bar, a series of type-bars, a series of
inclined connecting-rods terminating in line at their lower ends and provided each.
with a cro-s-pin or ledge, a series of key-levers provided each with a projection, a
lug and a notch or cut-away, and a series of springs for pulling the lower en is of
Eaid connecting-rods against the said lugs on the key-levers.
25. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a type-bar,.
a connecting-rod, and a key-lever detachably connected to said connecting-rod at a
point between its pivot and finger-key and in a manner such that when the key-.
lever is depressed the type-bar and the connecting-rod are released from the key-lever
before the type strikes, whereby the type may continue to the paper by inertia,
and after printing return with its connecting-rod to normal position before the-
releasement of the downward pressure upon the key-lever.
26. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a paper-carriage and its
feeding mechanism and the type-bar of means for moving the latter toward the
platen and for actuating the feeding mechanism and releasing the type-bar and the
feeding-mechanism from the finger-key before releasing the key, said releasing.
means consisting essentially of a driving member and a driven member, one-
connected to the type-bar and to the feeding-mechanism, and the other connected
to the finger-key, the driving and driven members moving together on the down-
stroke of the key, and the driving member forcing the driven member out of its.
way, until by continued movement or pressure of the driving member they finally-
part company.
27. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar, a lever, a pivotally
mounted trip extending from one to the other, and a spring attached at one end to
the connecting-rod and at its other end to a fixed portion of the machine, for
forcing the trip to re-connect the lever with the type-bar after the tripping action
and after the finger-key has been relieved from pressure.
28. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-bar, a key-lever, and
a tripping connecting-rod extending from one to the other, and a universal-bar
contacting with said tripping connecting-rod and adapted to be actuated thereby and.
released therewith.
29. In a type-writing machine, a power-driven paper-carriage having a platen, a
spacing-mechanism comprising a rack and a dog and normally holding said carriage-
against advance movement, and a finger-key connected to said spacing-mechanism
and during its printing stroke actuating said spacing-mechanism to release the
carriage for its letter-spacing movement, said finger-key being also arranged to
impel a type-bar and cause it to impress a type upon the paper or platen after said
releasement of the carriage; in combination with a stop for said key and a trip
arranged between said key and said type-bar in such a mauner that the type-bar is.

page_text: positively driven by the key until the type has almost reached the platen, whereupon
the said trip operates to disconnect the key and the type-bar, so that the type-bar
completes its stroke by inertia and strikes the paper after said disconnection, and
so that by reason of said disconnecting action of the trip the involuntary pressure
exerted by the operator at the end of the finger-stroke is shifted away from the
type-bar and onto the stop and rendered ineffectual to maintain the type in contact
with the moving platen.
Dated thin 7th drear