Improvements in or relating to Type Writing Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Aug,, 1889-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Type Writing Machines.
I, FREDERICK MYERS of 56, Huskisson Street, Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of type writing machine which
is set forth in my patent specification No. 1465188, and the objects of my present
improvements are broadly to render such machines more efficient and rapid in their
action, and less costly than heretofore.
In the above machines the type are arranged above the printing roller or platen
upon the peripheries of one or more vertical discs, the said disc or each disc (if there
be more than one) being rotated into a given position for each type thereon, the
relative amounts of such rotation depending upon the relative distances to which the
type key levers, or mechanism connected therewith, are or is depressed.
The construction of the above machines is briefly as follows:-
The type are arranged upon the type wheel in six parallel circular groups. The
type wheel is capable of being oscillated about and moved longitudinally upon its
axis, which is horizontal, and is placed transversely to the axis of the platen below it.
The platen is carried by a frame arranged to slide upon a bed which is hinged at its
front edge, so that it may be raised towards the platen during the act of printing. The
bed is also capable of being moved for a certain distance transversely to the axis of
the platen, so that the latter may be adjusted in one of three given positions, each
corresponding to one group in each contiguous pair of groups of type on the type
wheel. The remaining groups are brought into position by the longitudinal move-
ment of the type wheel upon its axis. This movement is effected on the depression
of any one of the type key levers, corresponding to a type in one of the said remaining
groups, through the medium of a hinged comb which is connected by spring returned
mechanism to the type wheel shaft, and has the tips of its teeth resting just below the
under surface of the said type key levers. The type wheel shaft is also connected
by suitable gearing with a spring raised comb frame, pivoted at its rear edge to the
main frame of the machine. The said comb frame carries at its front edge below the
type key levers a slotted plate or comb, the slots of which are extended to various
depths below the levers. Each of the said levers has a constant travel previous to
striking the main frame and each of them works within, and strikes the bottom of
one of the said slots, so that the comb frame, and consequently the type wheel, is
rotated into a different position for each type in a group, this position being of course
the position required to print with the type corresponding to the depressed key.
A spring raised spacing frame also pivoted at its rear edge to the main frame carries
at its front edge a spacing bar which rests against the lower sides of the key levers,
so that the frame is oscillated at each depression of a lever. The spacing frame is
connected by suitable mechanism with a spacing rack, lying parallel to the platen,
and capable of sliding for a certain distance upon the hinged bed aforesaid. The rack
when drawn along by the depression of the spacing frame, engages a pawl on the
sliding platen frame and draws it along for the distance necessary to space one letter
or word, the rack being returned into its normal position by a spring when the spacing
frame is released. The whole of the above mentioned parts is carried by the main
frame aforesaid, which is pivoted at or about its centre to a fixed machine bed, and
is held firmly locked thereto by a spring catch, until the type wheel and platen have
been adjusted to their proper position by the depression of a type key lever. As soon
as the type wheel and platen are adjusted, the spring catch is automatically released,
and the lever having come in contact with the front edge of the main frame, the

page_text: latter is depressed and actuates a lever on the machine bed. The said lever raises
the hinged platen frame hed and presses the platen against the type on the wheel.
The depression of the main frame also actuates mechanism which locks the type wheel
firmly in position just prior to printing.
Now I have found the above pivoted main frame to be more or less objectionable,
chiefly on account of the great amount of movement required in the type keys, and
on account of the additional power which has to be imparted to them in order to
overcome the pivot friction, and the inertia, of the main frame, when the latter is
depressed to print.
My present invention consists more particularly, 1st, in the suppression of the
pivoted main frame, and in the various modifications of the mechanism consequent
thereon; 2nd, in making the hinged bed stationary as far as regards its transversal
adjustment, and in modifications in the type wheel and type wheel adjusting mechanism
resulting therefrom, and 3rd, in various improvements in detail.
The invention may be carried into effect as follows:-
The pivoted main frame being suppressed the whole of the mechanism is mounted
apon the fixed machine bed aforesaid.
The hinged platen bed is mounted upon a fixed axis on the machine bed, and being
incapable of a transversal movement, the type on the type wheel are consequently
arranged preferably in three parallel groups or circles, which extend around or partly
around the periphery of the type wheel, a blank space or gap being preferably left
at one point in the circles of type or in the type wheel itself, so that the platen,
when raised in spacing a word, may not come in contact with the inked type.
Instead of arranging two or more groups of type upon one wheel, I may arrange
them on separate wheels of equal diameters mounted side by side upon the same
shaft. One group or circle of type contains the capitals, and the stops or signs most
frequently used therewith, a second group embraces the small letters with their
usual stops, etcetera, while the third group which is preferably the central one,
includes the numerals and those stops, signs, or characters, which are seldom used.
The manner in which I prefer to form the type wheels is as follows:-The type
are set up in their proper relative positions upon a plane surface. An electro-type
copy bearing the characters in relief is then obtained, and this is bent round a wheel
or core, preferably of wood and is suitably secured thereto. The core or wheel is then
fixed upon the shaft in any convenient manner, preferably in such a manner as to
be readily detached therefrom when desirable. This makes a very light, strong and
cheap type wheel.
The hinged bed is hinged upon a horizontal pivot at its left end, that is at the end
remote from the type wheel, the opposite end being preferably supported upon a
spring which takes the weight off the mechanism employed for raising the free end
of the bed when printing.
The hinged bed may be raised to print by the following mechanism, which is used
in conjunction with a modified form of spacing mechanism: The spacing rack is
fixed with its teeth downwards on the under side of the sliding platen frame.
A horizontal shaft lying below the platen frame, and at right angles to its axis,
carries an upwardly extending arm whose salient end is adapted to engage the teeth
in the said spacing rack. The horizontal shaft also carries a second arm, preferably
longer than the first, and lying approximately horizontally. The salient end of this
arm is engaged by a spring catch fixed upon or moving with the spacing frame
aforesaid. "Or a catch on the arm might engage the spacing frame. A spring or
its equivalent returns the shaft and arms to their normal position after each
operation, and buffers or stops may be provided to limit the movement of the shaft
in either direction.
The above mechanism works as follows: The spacing frame, on being depressed,
draws the spring catch downwards, and the latter, by its engagement with the hori-
zontal arm aforesaid, turns the horizontal shaft about its axis to such an extent that
the vertical arm thereon, by reason of the engagement of its upper end with the
perpendicular face of a tooth on the spacing rack, moves the latter, and consequently

page_text: the platen, the necessary distance for spacing a letter or word. As soon as the platen
is in position, the spring catch is disengaged from the horizontal arm by reason of the
contact between the said catch and a fixed abutment on the machine, or by other
suitable means.
The arms and shaft are now forcibly returned to their normal position
by the spring aforesaid, and the salient end of the vertical arm, in sliding over the
inclined back of the adjacent rack tooth, raises the platen, platen frame and hinged
bed to a distance sufficient to press the platen against the type. The bed drops into
its normal position as soon as the extremity of the vertical arm reaches the face of the
said rack tooth. Any tendency of the rack and platen to move backwards on the
return movement of the vertical arm may be prevented by a check pawl on the platen
frame which engages a fixed check rack on the hinged bed.
The type wheel may be moved longitudinally, by the following arrangement, into
any of three given positions so that each of the three groups of type thereon may, as
required, be brought directly over the platen. An oscillatory shaft, mounted upon
the machine bed, is connected by suitable mechanism with the type wheel shaft, in
such a manner that the type wheel is moved longitudinally when the said oscillatory
shaft is turned upon its axis. The latter shaft carries or is connected with an
operating key or lever, and a spring pin or catch is provided which locks the shaft or
the type wheel in any of its three positions. A slight pressure on the operating key
or lever is sufficient to overcome the pressure of the spring catch, when it is required
to adjust the type wheel to another position.
In order to prevent any rotary movement in the type wheel during the operation of
printing, a locking wheel is provided. This is fixed upon the type wheel shaft, and
bears on, or near its periphery, a series of notches or their equivalent, having the
same relative angular position as the type on the type wheel. A locking bar or pawl,
sliding in bearings on the fixed machine bed, and connected to the spacing frame by
a rocking lever or equivalent mechanism, is moved at each depression of the said frame,
in such a manner as to engage one of the said notches and hold the type wheel in
position while printing. The locking bar or pawl is withdrawn on the return of the
spacing frame.
The guide comb for the front end of the key levers may be fixed to the machine bed
instead of to the pivoted comb frame thereon, and the slots of various depths on the
said frame may be replaced by a series of steps of various heights, or by a series of
adjustable stops or screws carried by the front edge of the said frame.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Type Writing Machines.
I, FREDERICK MYERS of 56, Huskisson Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in wha.
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
--
This invention relates to improvements in that class of type writing machine which
is set forth in my patent specification No. 1465188, and the objects of my present
improvements are broadly to render such machines more efficient, more rapid and
regular in their action, and less costly than heretofore.
In the above machines, the type are arranged above the paper roller or platen upon
the peripheries of one or more vertical discs, the said disc (or each disc if there be
more than one) being rotated into a given position for each type thereon, the relative
amounts of such rotation depending upon the relative distances to which the type key
levers or mechanism connected therewith are or is depressed.
In the drawings:
-
Figure 1 is a plan of the machine, parts being shown broken away and other parts
removed

page_text: Figure 2 is a front elevation with parts in section and other parts removed.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation, similar to Figure 2, showing the mechanism for
operating the platen.
Figure 4 is a detached view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the right hand end of the machine.
Figure 5 is a section on line x x Figure 5.
Figure 6 is a transverse sectional elevation on line y y Figure 1.
Figure 7 is an elevation of the left hand end of the machine.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively front and side sectional elevations of an arrangement
of mechanism for locking the type wheel.
The construction of a machine such as set forth in the above cited specification, may
be briefly re-described as follows, reference being had also to the drawings which show
more particularly the improvements forming the present invention :-
The type are arranged in six parallel circular groups upon the periphery of a type
wheel similar to the type wheel H. The latter is capable of being oscillated about
and moved longitudinally upon its axis, which is horizontal, and is placed transversely
to the axis of the platen R below it. The platen is carried by a frame R¹ arranged
to slide upon a bed S, which is hinged at or near its front edge so that it may be
raised towards the type wheel during the act of printing. The bed S in the above
machine is also capable of being moved for a certain distance transversely to the axis
of the platen, so that the latter may be adjusted in one of three given positions,
corresponding to the three alternate groups of type on the type wheel. The remaining
groups of type are brought into position by the longitudinal movement of the type
wheel upon its axis. This latter movement is effected, on the depression of any one
of the type key levers (1 corresponding to a type in one of the said remaining groups,
through the medium of a hinged comb, which is connected by spring returned
mechanism to the type wheel shaft h, and has the tips of its teeth resting just below
the under surface of the said type key levers. The type wheel shaft is also connected
by suitable gearing such as K, F2, F¹, F³, with a hinged frame similar, to (%, which
is pivoted at its rear edge, as at as, to the main frame A of the machine, and is held
normally in its raised position by a spring e', Figures 1, 2 and 6. The said hinged
frame carries at its front edge, below the type key levers C¹, a slotted plate or
comb, the slots of which are extended to various depths below the levers. Each of
the said levers has a constant travel previous to striking the main frame, and each
of them works within, and strikes the bottom of one of the said slots prior to striking
the main frame at a³, so that the hinged frame C, and consequently, the type wheel H,
is rotated into a different position for each type in a group, this position being, of
course, the position required to print with the type corresponding to the depressed key
lever. A spacing frame P P¹ is also pivoted at its rear edge, as at aº, to the main
frame, and is held normally raised by a spring P4, Figure 7. This frame carries at
its front edge a spacing bar P, which rests against the lower sides of the key
levers CG so that the frame is oscillated at each depression of a lever. The spacing
frame is connected by suitable mechanism with a spacing rack similar to the rack T,
lying parallel to and by the side of the platen, and capable of sliding for a certain
distance upon the hinged bed S aforesaid. The rack, when drawn along by the
depression of the spacing frame, engages a pawl (similar to the pawl t², Figure 3)
on the sliding platen frame R', and draws the latter along for the distance necessary
to space one character or word, the rack being returned into its normal position by a
spring when the spacing frame is released. The whole of the above mentioned parts
is carried by the main frame A aforesaid, which (in the above machine) is pivoted at
or about its centre to a fixed machine bed, and is held firmly locked thereto by a
spring catch, until the type wheel and platen have been adjusted to their proper
position by the depression of a type key lever. As soon as the type wheel and platen
are adjusted, the spring catch is automatically released, and the lever C¹ having come
in contact with the front edge as of the main frame the latter is depressed and actuates
a lever on the machine bed or other stationary part. The latter lever raises the hinged
platen frame bed S, and presses the paper upon the platen against the type on the

page_text: wheel. The depression of the main frame also actuates mechanism which locks the
type wheel firmly in position just prior to printing.
Now I have found the pivoting of the main frame to be more or less objectionable,
chiefly on account of the great amount of movement required in the type keys, and
on account of the additional power which has to be imparted to them in order to over-
come the pivot friction and the inertia of the main frame, when the latter is depressed
to print. Also the moving of the type wheel longitudinally through the agency of the
type keys puts additional work on the latter.
My present invention consists more particularly :-
1st. In making the main frame A a fixture, and in the various modifications of the
mechanism consequent upon such an alteration.
2nd. In the suppression of the mechanism for moving the type wheel longitudinally
through the agency of the type key levers and in the providing of a simple arrange-
ment for accomplishing the same object.
3rd. In making the hinged bed stationary as regards its transversal adjustment,
and in modifications in the type wheel consequent upon the transversal fixing of the
bed; and,
4th. In various improvements in detail.
The invention may be carried into effect as follows:-The main frame being made
a fixture is mounted upon feet Aº or in other suitable manner, and the movement of
the frame being no longer available for performing the printing operation, the latter
is effected, in a manner hereinafter described, by mechanism which is automatically
actuated on the completion of a key lever's travel.
As the type wheel H is no longer moved longitudinally into some of its positions
by the agency of the type key levers, it may be moved by an operating key or lever W¹
in a manner hereinafter described.
As it would be inconvenient to adjust six groups of type by hand-three by the
lever W¹ and three by moving the platen transversely-it is preferable to use a type
wheel H, having only three groups, X Y Z, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, and to make
the hinged bed S carrying the platen, stationary as regards its transverse movement
below the type wheel. The latter wheel can then be moved into its three positions
directly by hand, or by the lover W' as hereinafter set forth. Instead of arranging
two or more groups of type upon one wheel, I may arrange them on separate wheels
of equal diameters mounted side by side upon the same shaft. One group or circle
of type, as for instance, X, contains the capitals, and the stops or signs most frequently
used therewith, a second group, as Z, embraces the small letters with their usual
stops, etcetera, while the third group, Y, which is preferably the central one, includes
the numerals and those stops, signs, or characters which are seldom used.
The transverse movement of the hinged bed S being no longer required, it is
mounted directly upon a horizontal axis (Figures 1, 3 and 7) on the fixed main
frame A. This axis is preferably placed at the left hand of the bed, that is, at the
end remote from the type wheel, the opposite end being preferably supported upon a
springs, which takes the weight off the mechanism employed for raising the free end
of the bed when printing. The movement of the bed may also be steadied by a pin s³,
Figures 3 and 5. By thus placing the pivot of the platen frame bed at a greater
distance from the type wheel, the printed characters are less liable to be smeared when
the paper on the platen is pressed against the type on the wheel.
The hinged bed may be raised to perform the printing operation by the following
mechanism, which is used in conjunction with a modified form of spacing
mechanism:
The spacing rack T¹ is fixed with its teeth downwards on the underside of the
sliding platen frame R¹. A horizontal shaft V, Figures 3 and 4, lying below the
platen frame, and at right angles to its axis, carries a more or less upright arm or
pawl V, whose salient end v is adapted to engage the teeth in the said spacing rack T.
The horizontal shaft V carries or is connected with a second arm V³, Figures 1, 3
and 5, preferably longer than the first, and lying approximately horizontally. The
arm Vis mounted upon a pivot v above the shaft, as in Figure 3, and is connected

page_text: to the shaft by a depending arm v², which forms an angle lever with the arm V2, and
is provided, at its lower end, with a slot adapted to engage a pin on a short
depending arm 4, carried by the said shaft V. Or the arm V2 might be cranked
downwardly and laterally, and attached directly to the shaft V. The former arrange-
ment is, however, preferable. The salient outer end of the horizontal arm V2 is
engaged by a spring catch V³, Figures 1, 3 and 6, which is mounted upon a pin V4
moving with the side P₁ of the spacing frame, the catch being preferably extended
upwards and provided with a slot V, through which a fixed guiding pin V projects.
Or a catch on the arm V2 might engage the side of the spacing frame. A spring V
or its equivalent returns the shaft V and arms V2, 3, 4 and V', to their normal
positions after each operation, and suitable buffers or stops (such as the upper and
lower ends of the slot 6, Figure 3, in the type wheel standard B¹) may be provided to
limit the movement of the shaft in either direction.
The above combined arrangement works as follows:-
―
The side P¹ of the spacing frame, on being depressed, draws the spring catch V³
downwards, and the latter, by its engagement with the horizontal arm V2, turns the
horizontal shaft V about its axis to such an extent that the upright arm V₁ thereon,
by reason of the engagement of its upper end v with the perpendicular face of a tooth
on the spacing rack T¹, moves the latter, and consequently the platen, the necessary
distance for spacing a character or word. As soon as the platen is in position, the
spring catch V³ is disengaged from the horizontal arm V2 by reason of the contact
between the inclined part V8 of the said catch and a stationary (and preferably
adjustable) abutment V on the machine, or by other suitable means. The arms V₁,
V2, 2, and the shaft V are now forcibly returned to their normal positions by
the spring V', and the salient end of the upright arm V' in sliding over the inclined
back Figure 4, of the adjacent rack tooth, raises the platen, platen frame, and
hinged bed to a distance sufficient to press the platen against the type. The bed and
platen drop into their normal positions as soon as the extremity of the upright arm
reaches the face t' of tho rack tooth.
Any tendency of the rack and platen to move backwards on the return movement
of the upright arm V₁ may be prevented by a check pawl t2, on the platen frame,
which engages a fixed check rack T on the hinged bed, having its teeth facing in the
reverse direction to the teeth on the spacing rack T. When it is required to withdraw
the platen frame, the pawl 2 is thrown back, and the upright arm V₁ moved
forwards, till it is clear of the rack teeth, by raising the handle attached to the
short arm v*.
When the printing is performed by means of the above combined arrangement, it
is preferable to leave a blank space or gap in the groups of type on the lower
side of the type wheel, in order that the platen, when raised in spacing a word,.
may not come in contact with the inked type. This raising of the platen is due to
the inclined back of a rack tooth sliding over the point of the upright arm V₁
as the platen frame is drawn along by the depression of the spring raised spacing
key G, which is carried by the levers G' mounted on the shaft D, and actuates the
rack T¹ and platen frame in the same manner as the type key levers C¹.
The type wheel may be moved longitudinally by the following arrangement, into
any of three given positions so that each of its three groups of type may, as required,
be brought directly over the platen. The operating lever W₁ aforesaid is carried by
one end of an oscillatory shaft W, Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, mounted upon the main
frame A. The other end of the shaft carries an upright arm W2, Figures 1, 2 and 5,
the upper forked end of which engages a groove f¹ on the boss of the counter-
balanced toothed quadrant F2 aforesaid. The latter is capable of sliding longitudinally
upon its shaft F, when operated by the lever W₁, and such longitudinal movement
is transmitted to the type wheel shaft by reason of the flanges of the pinion K
which gears with the quadrant. The operating lever may be provided with a spring
pin or catch, which enters one of a series of holes or indentations w¹, Figure 6, on
the main frame, and serves to lock the lever in any of its three positions, corresponding
to the three longitudinal positions of the type wheel. Or the lever W₁ itself may

page_text: form the spring catch by being made thin and flexible in a lateral direction (as
shown in Figure 2), and provided with a projecting pin w adapted to engage the
indentations w¹. When it is required to adjust the type wheel into another position,
a slight forward or backward pressure on the operating lever W¹ is sufficient to cause
the pin w to spring out of an indentation w¹. The ready adjustment of the type
wheel in its two extreme positions may be assisted by causing the collar f,
Figures 1 and 5, to bear against one end of the quadrant boss in one of these
positions, and the pinion F¹ to bear against the other end of the boss in the other
position.
Instead of causing the quadrant F and pinion F¹ to slide upon their shaft as one
piece as in the machine disclosed in my patent specification No. 14651 of 1888,
I prefer to make the pinion a fixture on the shaft, as, by that means, I obtain a
constant amount of rotation in the pinion (and therefore in the type wheel) for a given
amount of movement in the hinged frame C, which was not the case when the distance
of the pinion from the frame axle a varied with each longitudinal position of the
type wheel. The rotary movement of the pinion may be imparted to the quadrant by
the usual key or feather, or by a pin f³, Figures 5 and 5ª, which is attached to the
pinion and passes into a hole in the quadrant boss.
The type wheel may be locked during the operation of printing by the following
mechanism
A locking wheel H is fixed upon the type wheel shaft and bears, on or near
its periphery, a series of notches H³ or their equivalent, having the same relative
angular position as the type on the type wheel. A locking bar or pawl L', Figures 8
and 9, is connected to the spacing frame P P¹ in the following manner, and is
adapted, by the depression of such frame, to perform the locking operation in a
positive manner prior to the printing operation. The side P¹ of the spacing frame
is provided with a downward extension P*. This extension carries a pin 13, which
engages one end of a rocking lever L³, mounted upon a pivot A². The opposite
end of the lever engages a pin 4 carried by the vertical locking bar L, which is
mounted upon the main frame, and is capable of being reciprocated in a vertical
direction upon said frame. The upper salient end I of the bar Lo is placed directly
below the locking wheel H5. The end L is extended forward, as shown in Figure 9,
so that it may engage the locking wheel in any of its longitudinal positions. 1816 are
guides for the pin and bar L respectively. Each time the spacing frame is
depressed, the locking bar L is raised, and, as the movements of the spacing frame,
hinged frame C', type wheel, and locking bar, are all arrested at the same moment
by reason of the contact of the type key lever with the rib as, it follows that the
height of the upper end of the locking bar may be so adjusted that it will arrest
and lock the locking. wheel, as soon as the latter is brought into its proper position
which is at about the same moment as the spacing frame reaches its lowest position.
By this locking mechanism, there is no possibility of the type wheel being swung
beyond the proper point when the machine is being operated rapidly. The locking
bar L is withdrawn from engagement with the locking wheel on the return of the
spacing frame.
Instead of mounting the locking bar in a sliding manner upon the standard B¹, it
may be pivoted to it, as at 1, Figures 2 and 5, and its upper end provided with a
salient edge L, which is extended forward for the reason set forth above, and is adapted
to engage the side of the locking wheel. The lower end of the bar L is provided
with a short horizontal arm L', which carries a projecting pin L³. This pin is
engaged by the forked end of an arm P carried by the bar P of the spacing frame,
see Figures 2 and 6. The distance between the two branches of the forked end of
the arm is greater than the diameter of the pin L³, and the latter rests normally
against the edge of the lower branch, as shown in Figure 2, so that the locking bar
is not actuated until the spacing frame has been depressed for a certain distance. The
bar L is withdrawn from engagement with the locking wheel by a spring L°,
Figures 2 and 5, which bears against the tail L¹º on the bar, and holds the same
normally against the side of the standard B. The action of this modified locking

page_text: arrangement is precisely similar to that described with reference to Figures 8 and 9.
Either of the above locking arrangements may be used with a machine having a pivoted
main frame A, such as set forth in my former specification above cited.
Instead of providing the front part of the hinged frame C with a slotted comb, as
in my previous machine, I fix a suitable comb C upon the front of the main frame A.
This serves equally well to guide the levers (& G₁, and the weight of the comb is
taken off the hinged frame C. The levers may strike against the lower en is of the
slots c, which are all of the same depth, or against the rib as aforesaid. The striking
points for the type key levers (which were formed, in my previous machine, by the
bottoms of the comb slots of various depths on the hinged frame (*) may consist of a
simple rib having steps of various heights, or of a series of adjustable screws c³ of
different heights, as in Figures 1, 2 and 7.
The lever elevating spring c¹, instead of being mounted upon the shaft-like pivot
of the main frame A, as in my previous machine, are carried by a bridge piece c',
lying along the machine over the frames P P and C, as in Figures 1, 6 and 7. The
springs may be all stamped out of a single strip of sheet metal, which is secured to
the bridge piece c7 by screws c³, or otherwise.
The type are inked by means of an absorptive inking roller M, Figures 1, 2 and 5,
which bears against the type wheel and rolls over the face of the type, as the wheel
is oscillated. The roller is journalled upon two depending arms m, which are mounted
upon a shaft m¹. One or both of the arms m (or the shaft m¹ itself) is provided with
a lateral arm m², which is pressed upwards by a spring m³ resting preferably against
a pin m³ in the arm, thus causing the roller M to bear with a yielding pressure against
the type.
Although the present invention has been described with special reference to the
kind of type writing machine set forth in the above cited specification No. 14651
of 1888, yet it must be understood that some of the mechanisms described are also
applicable to other type writing machines. In describing the present invention, it
has been assumed that the matter was printed from left to right. The machine could,
however, be arranged to print from right to left.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to he performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The improvement in type writing machines of the kind set forth in my patent
specification No. 1465188, which consists in making the main frame, A, a fixture,
and in automatically performing the printing operation and locking the type wheel
at or about the moment of contact of a type key lever with the said main frame,
instead of after the moment of contact and during the depression of the main frame
as heretofore, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a type writing machine having a hinged platen carrying bed S located as
described with reference to a type wheel H, the hinging of the said bed upon an
axis lying approximately parallel to the type wheel axis and as far as practicable
from said axis, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a type writing machine having a sliding platen frame such as R¹ mounted
upon a hinged bed below a type wheel, a spacing rack connected in a rigid manner
with said frame and having series of inclined downwardly facing teeth such as t³ 14
in combination with a spacing arm or pawl such as V₁ connected with suitable spacing
mechanism and adapted at each operation of the same to engage the face t* of one
of said teeth with its salient end, and means for automatically disconnecting said
pawl and spacing mechanism on the completion of the spacing operation and for
quickly returning the salient end of the pawl over the inclined back t³ of the succeeding
tooth, substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. In a type writing machine, a sliding platen frame R¹ and a spacing rack T¹
carried thereby; in combination with a check rack T fixed upon the platen frame
bed and having its teeth of a corresponding pitch, but facing in an opposite direction
to those of the spacing rack; and a pawl t on said platen frame adapted to engage

page_text: the teeth of said check rack in one direction only, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5. In a type writing machine, a type wheel locking bar such as Le mounted in a
convenient manner upon the main frame or its equivalent, and having its salient
upper end L located normally in proximity to a notched locking wheel H³, arranged
as described upon the type wheel shaft, while its lower part is connected by suitable
mechanism with the depressible spacing frame P P₁, in such a manner that the
salient end L of the bar is moved into engagement with the proper tooth on the said
wheel H upon or during the completion of the downward stroke of said spacing
frame, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1889.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.