Improvements in Typewriting-machine-keyboards, for Practising Purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 11th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriting-machine-keyboards, for Practising
Purposes.
I, MILTON BARTHOLOMEW, of 50 Holborn Viaduct, London E.C. Managing
Director of the "Yost Typewriter Coy. Ld." do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The invention consists in forming in cardboard or metal, a combination of a
number of keys similar in shape and occupying the relative positions as regards,
height, space between keys and action of the keys of a typewriting machine which
requires pressure on the keys to cause it to print.
The object being to make a cheap dummy key-board which while not doing any
printing yet enables the learner to learn the situation of the keys and to practise
the different combinations of letters in words, as in doing actual typewriting.
The manner in which this is done is as follows:-
A cardboard, wood or tin box is made about the size of the keyboard of the
typewriting machine but with a desk shaped, that is a sloping lid. Upon this lid
is embossed or printed a representation of the keyboard it is intended to imitate,
and to make the keys which are required to be level on the top instead of sloping
as the lid does, the front part of the key may be raised and the back part lowered
below the level of the cardboard top, by embossing or other suitable means. The
same thing can be achieved however by having a thin cardboard top bent into step
shape so that each row of keys lies below the level of the row behind. Thus
obviating the rasing of front of key only.
To obtain the action of the keys when pushed down and released, it will be
necessary to provide the lid of the box, that is the keyboard, with hinges and a
spring arrangement fitted thereto, to raise the lid after being shut. To prevent
the lid opening more than an inch or so, any simple arrangement will suffice, such
as a piece of cord attached to both box and lid and allowing the requisite amount
of play.
In striking one of the keys of the keyboard above described, all the keys move
up and down with it, consequently, a regularity in touch of each row of keys is
obtained. The force necessary to depress the keys and the dip of the keys are
regulated respectively by the spring acting on the lid and by the contrivance for
preventing the lid opening too far when set for practising purposes. The inside
of the box may of course serve as a receptacle for papers and odds ends.
Dated this the Tenth day of February 1896.
MILTON BARTHOLOMEW.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriting-machine-keyboards, for Practising
Purposes.
I, MILTON BARTHOLOMEW of 50 Holborn Viaduct, London E.C. Managing
Director of the Yost Typewriter Company, Limited, 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:-
The invention consists in forming in cardboard or metal a combination of a

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number of keys, similar in shape and occupying the relative positions as regards,
height space between keys and action of the keys of a typewriting machine which
requires pressure on the keys to cause it to print.
The object being to make a cheap dummy-key-board which while not doing any
printing vet enables the learner to obtain a knowledge of the situation of the
various keys and to practise the different combinations of letters in words as in
doing actual typewriting.
The manner in which this is done is as follows:-
A cardboard, wood or tin box is made about the size of the keyboard of a
typewriting machine, but with a sloping lid similar to a desk top. Upon this lid
is embossed or printed a representation of the keyboard it is intended to imitate.
The tops of the keys require to be on a level with those in the same row and
to do this and prevent them sloping as the lid does, a series of steps corresponding
in number to the number of rows of keys in the keyboard and in length to the
length of the rows of keys.
In the drawing eight rows of keys are represented rising one above another
and this may be done by building up the parts required to be thickened, with
cardboard or such like material, or by having the steps formed in wood either in
separate strips and fastened to the desk shaped top or in one piece of wood to
form the top with the steps cut thereon.
The lid is hinged on to the desk shaped box at the top end in such a manner
that it moves up and down freely and a spring arrangement is made in connection
with the box and lid whereby the lid is raised from the box on all sides but the
hinged one. The object of this is to give to the keys a certain amount of play,
so that when the lid is open about an inch, and to prevent it opening wider than
this a simple arrangement will suffice such as a piece of cord attached to both
box and lid and allowing the requisite amount of play; it will be found that
upon touching or depressing one of the keys the whole of the lid and consequently
the whole of the keys are depressed or give way until the lid touches the box
when this has been done the pressure is released and the spring causes the lid to
open as far as the cord will allow.
As all the keys move up and down together a regularity in the touch of each
row of keys is obtained and the force necessary to depress the keys may be
regulated by the strength of the spring used to keep the lid open and the dip of
the keys can be regulated by the arrangement for preventing the lid opening
too far.
To give the representations of the keys, the feel of actual keys, circular hole
may be cut in cardboard in positions corresponding to the keys and the cardboard
being put over the rows of keys, the circular holes leave the parts where the key
are, exposed and consequently form a kind of rim to the keys.
The inside of the box may serve as a receptacle for odds and ends.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inver
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
claim is :-
The desk shaped keyboard in conjunction with a spring arrangement for openin
lid and a device for regulating the amount of play, substantially as herein set fort
and as per drawing herewith.
Dated this 11th day of November 1806
MILTON BARTHOLOMEW.