Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1891-Accepted, 8th Aug., 1891
Improvements in Type-writers.
I, LUTHER ADELBERT BARBER, of Groton, in the County of Tomkins and State
of New York, 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 to improvements in type-writers and it consists in the
combination with the key levers, of auxiliary levers which are connected at one
end through suitable ligatures with the type bars, as will be more fully described
hereinafter.
The object of my invention is to give to the type bar an accelerated motion
whereby it is caused to move more rapidly at the end of its stroke, and is given
a correspondingly quick return, so as to enable the operator to write more
rapidly than can be done where the ordinary type bars alone are used; to
impart to the key levers an easier touch and a shorter stroke or depression than
has heretofore been used; to prevent the battering of the face of the type, and
the springing of the type bars; to use with two banks of key levers two rows
of type bars of different lengths which are hung in two circles in such a manner
as to strike a common printing point; to secure a more permanent and better
alignment than can be done with the key levers alone; and to enable better
manifolding to be done than is possible with machines where no accelerated
movement is used.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a type writer which embodies my invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are detail views of the same
Figs. 4 and 5 are modifications of the engaging surfaces of the key and auxiliary
levers.
A, represents the frame of a type writer of that class having a series of type
bars hanging vertically in a circle or circles on the pivotal points P, similar to
'the Remington " and "Caligraph" type of machines, so that when thrown to a
horizontal position the type will strike at a common printing point, the type bars
being connected at or near their outer ends to wires or ligatures running down
towards the base of the machine to a series of key levers. In this machine two
or more banks of key levers B are used and these levers B are fulcrummed at their
inner ends at C and are returned to position after having been moved by the
springs D which are placed upon the supporting bars E and which have their upper
ends bear against the lower edges of the key levers.
Pivoted upon the cross bars F which extend horizontally through the frame of
the type writer, are a series of auxiliary levers G which are connected at their
inner ends to suitable couplings H which are bifurcated so as to straddle over the
key levers B and which couplings have the wires I fastened to their upper ends.
The upper edge of the levers G of which there is one for each key lever B, has all
of that portion of its upper edge which comes in contact with the lower edge of the
key levers made rounding or cam-shaped so that the movement of the type bars J
will be slow at first but as the downward movement of the key lever continues,
the movement becomes accelerated towards and at the end of the stroke, and the
type bar is made to return more quickly to its normal position than it otherwise
would do.
This construction greatly promotes speed in operating the type writer and enables
such force and power to be given to the movement of each type bar that better
manifolding is secured than can be done when no auxiliary lever G is used.
This construction enables the key levers to be operated by a very slight touch ;

page_text: and the key levers having a very short movement the operator is enabled to write
not only much faster but with greater case. The addition of the levers G in
connection with the type bars cause less strain upon the type bars and type bar
hangers from sudden strokes and these parts are saved the shock from ordinary
direct action, when the key is struck by the operator, because a lighter touch is
sufficient; a better and more permanent alignment is maintained by preventing the
battering of the surface of the type and the springing of the type bars. The quick
return of the type bars from the printing point is so rapid that the type bars are
prevented from interfering with each other and a much greater speed is rendered
possible than in machines of the ordinary construction.
While it may be preferable in some cases to form the curve or cam upon the
the levers G, the curve or cam may be formed upon the lower edges of the key
levers B, while the levers G are provided with straight surfaces as shown in
Figure 4. It is immaterial where the cam is formed so long as the levers G are
used for the purpose of enabling a shorter stroke and an easier touch upon the
key levers and the type bars are given an accelerated motion.
Instead of only a single set of type bars which are arranged in a common
circle as has heretofore been the case I use two sets of type bars of unequal
length and which are arranged in two separate circles P, the shorter type bars
being placed in the upper and smaller circle so that all of the type will strike at
a common centre. The upper ends of the wires I are connected to the upper
outer ends of the type bars as shown and the depression of any one of the key
levers B causes a corresponding depression of its auxiliary lever G when the type
bar J rises so as to strike the paper in the usual manner. The first movement of
the type bar being comparatively slow but constantly gaining in speed to the end
of the stroke and the first part of the return of the type bar being comparatively
rapid so as to get out of the way of the other bars, allows a great deal more rapid
work to be done than is possible where the type bars return to position in the usual
manner. The use of long and short type bars enables the short type bars to be
used for lower case letters and hence better alignment, and the arrangement of the
key levers in two banks allows the connecting wires or ligatures to extend nearly
straight from the key levers to the type bars and thus avoid bending of connections
and consequent imperfect action which would be unavoidable if the key levers were
arranged in one bank as usual. This applies principally to writing machines where
a separate key is used for all or nearly all of the characters.
I do not limit the application alone of the auxiliary levers to the class of type
writers here shewn, but include all writing machines where the types are brought
to a common printing point by being actuated through the necessary connections
by keys and key levers. Neither do I limit the accelerated motion to the precise
construction here shewn for it can be applied in other ways and similar results
obtained.
The rods which operate the dogs for the spacer extend across under the auxiliary
levers and are operated thereby.
The auxiliary can be placed at the rear end of the main lever to operate in a
similar manner to the one here shewn the shape or surface of the auxiliary need
not necessarily be curved but can be straight where they rest together as shewn in.
Fig. 5. The depression of the key causing a change of fulcrum and consequently
an accelerated motion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what !
claim is -
1. In a type writer, the type bars, key levers, and connections between the type
bars and key levers having a changeable fulcrum, whereby an accelerated movement
of the type bar is accomplished, substantially as described.
2. In a type writer, the combination of two circles one arranged above the
other type bars pivoted thereon, two banks of key levers, one arranged above the

page_text: other, and connections between the key levers and the type bars, substantially as
specified.
3. In a type writer, the combination of an auxiliary lever pivoted at one end, a
type bar, a connection between the opposite end of the lever and the type bar,
and a key lever pivoted at one end and engaging the auxiliary lever between its
free and pivoted ends, the engaging surface of one of the levers being irregular for
the purpose of accelerating the movement of the type bar, substantially as shewn
and described.
4. In a type writer, the combination of two circles, one arranged above and
inside of the other type bars pivoted upon the circles, two banks of key levers one
above the other and connections between the key levers and the type bars, whereby
two separate and distinct sets of type bars and key levers are provided for the
purpose described.
5. In a type writer, the combination of the type bars, the key levers, auxiliary
levers below the key levers which are pivoted at one end, the adjacent edges of
the two levers engaging and the engaging edge of one of said levers being cut
away towards the pivotal point of the auxiliary lever for the purpose set forth,
and connections between the auxiliary levers and the type bars, substantially as
shewn.
6. In a type writer, the combination with a key lever, of an auxiliary lever
below and between the ends of the key levers, the two levers having their
adjacent edges engaging each other, the engaging edge of one of the levers being
irregular, for the purpose of accelerating the movement of the type bars, the type
bars and connections between the type bars and the auxiliary levers, substantially
as described.
7. In a type writer, the combination with the key lever of an auxiliary lever
below it, the type bars, a connection between one end of the auxiliary lever and
type bars, the auxiliary lever having its opposite end pivoted below and out of
engagement with the key lever and that end which is connected with the type
bars engaging with the key lever, whereby when the key lever is depressed the
engaging point of the key levers changes longitudinally and the type bar is given
an accelerated movement substantially as specified.
Doted t
1001
L. A. BARBER.
By L. W., per F. B.