IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE WRITING MACHINES
Year: 1886

page_text: I, EUGENE FITCH, Inventor, of Des Moines, County of Polk, State of Iowa,
United States of America, do bereby declare the nature of my invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE WRITING MACHINES" and in what manner the same is
to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following description :-
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This invention relates to type writing machines; and consists of a series of type
carrying arms arranged in one plane, fitted and held on a common axis of rotation,
and provided with hinge joints between their axis and their ends, the successive
arms, from the center to the end arms, having increasing lateral bends; a platen
or paper feeding roller located in front of the type arms, and a series of key bars
supported on a shaft below the platen or paper feeding roller, connected at their
rear ends to the lower hinge part of the type arms, and provided at their front
ends with finger pieces located in front of the paper feeding roller.
The type secured to the free ends of the type arms are caused to strike face down
on the paper held on or controlled by the feed roller, so that each letter or
character, as printed, is clearly in view, as in ordinary manual writing. And the
type arms, as they descend, are, by means of stationary side guides, directed
towards the center of the machine, and the type on their ends caused to strike at
one point or position of impression.
Each type arm is provided with two or more letter or character type, arranged
longitudinally thereon; and to cause them all to strike in one place, the shaft or
common axis on which the type arms rock, is carried by a pivoted frame, provided
with a finger piece at the side of the machine, by the manipulation of which, said
shaft or common axis is moved towards or from the point of impression.
The faces of the type are supplied with ink from an ink roller held in a pivoted
frame and normally located in the path of the type as they descend. Each type,
after receiving ink from the roller, pushes it sidewise just before the impression is
made, and the type arm, as it ascends, brings the ink roller into normal position by
striking a rod projecting from the pivoted frame in which the ink roller is held.
The paper controlling roller is held in a carriage fitted to slide laterally on the
main frame of the machine, and actuated by means of a feed mechanism embracing
a ratchet wheel operated by a pawl pivoted to a spring acting lever, which lever is

page_text: raised by the type keys, and also by an independent spacing key. The pawl is
moved clear of the ratchet wheel when the space key is depressed to its limit, and
the carriage is then released and freely movable in either direction.
My said invention will be fully understood by reference had to the accompanying
drawings, in which :-
Fig. 2, 18 a front elevation;
Fig. 3, is a vertical central section;
Fig. 4, is a detached front elevation of the guides, type arm and inking device.
Fig. 5, is a part vertical section on the line x, x, fig. 3, looking towards the front
of the machine; and,
Fig. 6, is a part horizontal section taken on the line y, y, fig. 3.
The keys a, a, are arranged in two curvilinear rows, the inner row being in a
higher plane than the outer row. The key bars a¹, a¹, forming a part of the keys
or to which the keys are attached, are all supported and rock upon the shaft b,
extending laterally through the main frame c; and their rear ends a², a², are in
one plane. In front of the frame c, a series of slots are formed in which the front
ends of the key bars a¹, a¹, are held free to move vertically.
The type are carried at the ends of arms which are fitted to rock on the shaft d,
but without end play, and each arm is composed of two pieces e and e¹, connected
together by a hinge joint, so that the parts e, to which the type are attached, are
free to move laterally relatively to the parts e¹, e', through which the shaft, d,
passes, thus allowing the type, when the arms are depressed, to strike at one
position of impression, the arms, having varying bends sidewise to cause the type
to occupy a central position when pressed down on the paper. The arms are in
one plane, when in normal positions, as shown at fig. 3, resting against the stop
bar f, which is provided with guide pins f¹, and supported by the standards c¹, c².
The lower parts of the arms e, where they are hinged to the parts e¹, are made to
fit close together when in normal position, each one acting as a guide to those
adjoining to direct them into their proper places, between two of the guide pins f',
of the stop bar f, when they are raised after having been depressed.
The
Links g, g, connect the inner ends a², of the key bars a¹, to the parts e¹, e¹, of
the type arms, thereby causing the arm to be moved down, when the keys a, are
depressed; the reverse action being imparted to the arms or keys by the
springs g¹, g¹, connected to the parts e¹, e¹, and a suitable part of the frame.
links g, g, are permanently pivoted to the parts e', of the type arms, but the key
bars at a, have a hooked connection to their lower ends, so that the key bars may
be easily put in place by hooking them over the ends of the links, placing their
front ends in the slots in the front of the frame, and then passing the shaft b,
through all of them. The links g, g, are guided, and the rear ends of the key bars
held in place, by the pins 92, 9', figs. 3 and 6.
As a means for guiding the type on the ends of the laterally hinged arms e, e, to
a common point or position of impression, two directing bars h, h, are arranged in
front of the type arms by being fastened to the standards c¹, c¹, projecting upwardly
from the main frame. These directing bars h, h, incline towards the center of
the machine and downwardly, their front ends h¹, h¹, being bent vertically parallel ;
and between them the type arms slide and are guided laterally until they reach the
vertical parts h¹, h', and are then guided vertically down towards the paper before
the type make impressions; the extreme lower ends of the parts h', h¹, join the
.bracing frame h³, also connected to the standards c¹, c¹. To lessen the noise due to
the type arms striking the directing bars h, h, said bars are faced with strips of
non-resonant material, as, for instance, vulcanite, as shown at h³, h³; and to further
provide for this, I propose to place elastic or pliable washers between the junctures
of the directing bars h, h, and bracing frame h2, with the standards c¹, c¹. The stop
bar f, may also be covered with a non-resonant material.
+.
One of the principal features of my invention is the method by which two
or more sets of letters or characters are printed by means of one set of keys and

page_text: connected set of pivoted type arms; this is carried out by placing on the end of
each of the type arms e, e, one type of each of the sets of letters or characters it is
desired to employ.
Three of such sets are shown in the drawings, the central type i, printing the
small letters, the outer type ¹, the capitals, and the inner type 2, the numerals,
punctuation marks, and other characters. These type, as before mentioned, strike
face down on the upper surface of the paper, which is carried and controlled by
mechanism hereafter described, so that each letter printed in full view of the
operator. To cause all the sets of characters to print on one line, the shaft d,
which carries the type arms e, e¹, is so controlled and held as to occupy as many.
fixed positions in relation to the line of printing as there are sets of type to print
from, in this case three. To accomplish this the shaft d, is held in the upper ends
of the arms j, of the frame j¹, pivoted at j³, to the main frame c. The center of
oscillation of the pivots, is located as nearly as possible in line with the ends a²,
of the key bars, to which the type operating links g, g, are attached, so that a
minimum amount of motion is imparted to the type arms e, e¹, when the shaft d,
is moved from one position to another. Said shaft, with the frame ¹, is held in
any of the three positions by means of the spring, catch k, secured to one of the
standards c', falling into one of the notches k¹, formed in the upper surface of one
of the arms j. This spring catch k, is adjustable on the standard c¹, to provide
means for correctly setting the type to strike at the right position on the platen.
To operate this frame j, a lever l, is pivoted on a projection at the front of the
main frame c, and has a pin 7, which fits into a slot formed in the end of the
arm ja, connected to or forming a part of the oscillating frame 1; and this lever l,
is provided with keys 1, 12, arranged respectively in line with the outer and inner
rows of type keys a, when the shaft d, is in its middle position, and the central
small letter type i, are being printed from. By pressing on the key 12, the capital
letters, and by pressing on the key 1³, the numeral and character type are brought
into position to be printed from.
As an improvement in the method of inking this class of type writing machines,
the ink is applied to the face of the type and from thence transferred to the paper
as in ordinary letter press printing, instead of the type striking the impression
through an ink ribbon. A small ink roller m, held in the pivoted frame m¹, is
located directly in the path of the descending type when its type arm e, is passing
down between the vertical parts h¹, h¹, of the type directing guides h, h, so that
the type strikes fairly on the top of the ink roller m, as shown at figs. 1, 2 and 3,
is thereby inked, and then pushes the roller out of its path, by causing its holding
frame m¹, to rock on its pivoted connection in its supporting frame n, which is
attached to the front of the guides h¹. The ink roller m, remains out of the path
of the type, in the position shown at fig. 4, during the impression, but, as the type
arm moves up, is again brought into active position by the type arm e, striking
the rod m², projecting from the frame m¹. The frame m¹, in the upward position
of the roller, is stopped by coming in contact with a part of the supporting frame n,
and at such point of contact is placed a non-resonant plug or washer to deaden the
noise due to the working of this part of the machine. The ink roller holding
frame m, is held in its supporting frame n, by means of a spring bearing n², thus
admitting of the ready removal of the roller to be freshly supplied with ink, or the
substitution of another roller supplied with a different colored ink. The ink roller
occupies a definite position over the point of impression, and is of such a length as
to ink only one of the three type of each arm, according to the position occupied
by the shaft d.
The mechanism for holding and controlling the paper, z, consists of the cylindrical
platen or roller o, having bearings in the frame p, which is provided with guide
pieces p¹, p¹, fitted to slide in the transverse guides p², p³, attached to the main
frame c.
The cylindrical platen or roller o, acts as a feed for the paper for line
spacing, the paper being gripped between it and the small rollers o¹, o¹, which
are carried by the elastic supports q, q, forming a part of the cylindrical paper

page_text: receiver q¹, attached to the laterally sliding frame p, just behind the roller o. As
the paper z, passes from the rollers o, o¹, it slides freely and is rolled up in the
receiver q'; and to insure this rolling up of the paper without its offering resistance,
I propose, when thought necessary, to apply a roller q, to the interior of the
receiver, and small rollers 93, 93, having bearings on and projecting through the top
of the receiver, which is sufficiently elastic to cause said small rollers q³, q³, to bear
with a yielding pressure on the roller q2; and the paper 2, as it passes from the
cylindrical platen or roller, o, and rollers o¹, is gripped by the rollers 92, 93, which
are caused to rotate uniformly by the small belts qt, connecting the rollers o
and q².
To rotate these rollers in starting the paper or for line spacing, the ends of the
shaft of the roller o, are provided with milled heads o³, o*; and for accurate
spacing, small spring acting levers 03, 0³, pivoted to the frame p, and provided
with pawls which catch into the teeth of the ratchet wheels o, o, secured to the
ends of the roller o, when the levers o³, are depressed, may be used.
To provide means for properly presenting the paper to the roller o, and holding
it clear of the keys a, a, a split cylindrical paper holder r, is attached to the frame p,
in front of the roller o, by being pivoted thereto at its under side. Its free end r¹,
is held against or in close proximity to the roller o, to guide the paper smoothly
thereto, by means of the spring 72, which catches into a notch in the sector r³,
secured to the shaft of the holder; and another notch is formed in this sector into
which the spring catches to hold the holder away from the roller in the position
shown by the dotted lines, fig. 3, to admit of the paper z being readily placed in
the machine, which is done by allowing the edge of the paper to project a sufficient
distance beyond or outside the free edge 1, of the holder r, so that said edge of the
paper will be gripped by the rollers o, o¹, when the holder r, is moved into position
towards the roller o. The cylindrical holder r, is cut away at the ends, to permit
of the lateral adjustment of the paper therein, and a scale, shown in fig. 1, may be
marked on its free edge r¹, to assist in setting the paper, and also, to act as a guide
for the lateral adjustment of the paper controlling device in relation to the guides h¹,
down which the type descend.
The spacing of the letters in the line of printing is performed through the
medium of the frame s, fitted to work on the shaft b, outside the key bars a¹, a¹,
and extending by the part s¹, over the top of the rear ends of the bars a¹, a¹, and
by the part 82, under the bars a¹, a¹, in front of the shaft b, each bar a¹, as it is
depressed by its key a, actuating said frames, by carrying the part &* down with
it. Located over the part s¹, of the frames, is the lever t, pivoted at one end to a
projection from one of the standards c¹, and having an adjustable contact screw t³,
against the bottom end of which the part s¹, of the frame 8, bears. This lever t,
carries a pawl t2, arranged to catch into one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel u,
and partly rotate the wheel when the lever t, is pressed down by the spring t³,
bearing on its upper surface, after the lever has been raised up by the frame 8.
Motion is imparted to the paper carrying frame p, through the medium of the
rack v, attached to it, and the pinion v', secured to the shaft u', to which shaft the
ratchet wheel u is secured, said shaft having bearings in the frame c. To prevent
the frame P, from moving beyond the desired distance for the proper spacing of the
letters, which is determined by the number of teeth in the ratchet wheel u and the
pinion v, the stop t, attached to or forming part of the lever t, is so arranged that
when the lever t, is depressed, it falls in front of one of the teeth of the stop ratchet
wheel u³, secured to the saft u¹, whose teeth are placed reversely to those of the feed
ratchet u. This same feeding or spacing mechanism is utilized to move the paper
laterally for word spacing, by the bar w', fitted on the central part of the shaft b,
coming in contact with the bar s³, of the frames, when it is depressed, which is done
by the key w, on its outer end, conveniently placed in the center of the inner row
of keys a. The spring w, holds this bar and key up when the spacing mechanism
is actuated by any of the keys a, a. Upon pressing down the key w, to its full
extent, the pawl 2 and stop tare moyed up clear of their respective ratchet

page_text: wheels, leaving the paper carrying frame p, free to be moved in either direction;
laterally.
The lateral movement of the frame p, is limited by the stop block ca, projecting
from or attached to the main frame c, against which the ends of the frame p
strike.
The bell h*, attached to the bracing frame h2, is rung by the stud h³, adjustably
clamped on the wire or rod he, secured to the top of the paper receiver q.
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 combination, a series of type-carrying arms arranged in one plane,
having a common axis of rotation, and provided with hinged joints between their
axis and their ends, the successive arms from the center to the end arms, having
an increasing lateral bend, substantially as set forth.
Second. A series of type arms composed of two pieces laterally hinged together,
the parts so hinged being placed and held in juxtaposition on a shaft passing
through one of the sets of pieces, the sides of the laterally moving arms or parts to
which the type are attached acting as guides to cause an operated arm to resume
its normal position in the common plane, substantially as set forth.
Third. In combination, a series of laterally hinged type arms arranged in an
upwardly inclined plane and pivoted in juxtaposition on a common shaft, and type
secured to their free ends, an impression platen or roller located in front of the
type arms, directing guides located in front of the type arms to cause the type to
strike in one position of impression, and a stop bar provided with guide pins
between which the type arms are held in one plane, and from which the type arms
are entirely clear before they come in contact with the directing guides, substan-
tially as set forth.
Fourth. In combination, a series of arms carrying type at their ends, having a
common axis of rotation, and provided with hinge joints between their axis and
their ends, a series of bars provided with keys or finger pieces and held on one
shaft, and links connecting the rear ends of the key bars to the pivoted parts of the
type arms, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In combination, a series of arms carrying type at their ends, having a
common axis of rotation, and provided with hinge joints between their axis and
their ends, a series of bars provided with keys or finger pieces and held on one
shaft, links connecting the rear ends of the key bars to the pivoted parts of the
type arms, and a series of connecting springs for raising and bolding the type in
normal position, substantially as set forth.
:
Sixth. In combination with a series of type arms pivoted on a common shaft,
a number of type secured to their free ends and an impression platen or roller, of
movable bearings constructed and operated to move the common shaft on which
the type arms are pivoted, so as to cause all the type to strike on one line,
substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In a type-writing machine, in combination, a series of arms pivoted on
a common horizontal shaft, and provided with type on their free ends, arranged and
operated to cause the type to strike face down on the upper exposed surface of the
paper, directing guides, located in front of the arms, inclined downwardly towards
the center, with their ends arranged vertically parallel, between which the type
arms pass, and an ink roller held in a pivoted frame and located in front of the
vertical parallel ends of the directing guides, so as to be struck by a descending
type, and be moved out of the path of the same, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. In a type writing machine, in combination, a series of arms pivoted on
a common horizontal shaft and provided with type on their free ends, arranged
and operated to cause the type to strike face down on the upper exposed surface
of the paper, directing guides located in front of the arms, inclined downwardly
towards the center, with their ends arranged vertically parallel, between which the

page_text: type arms pass, an ink roller held in a pivoted frame and located in front of the
vertical parallel ends of the directing guides, so as to be struck by a descending
type, and be moved out of the path of the same, and an arm or rod projecting
from the pivoted ink roller frame, and extending over the type arm in its path
when the ink roller has been moved out of the path of the type, substantially as
set forth.
Ninth. In combination, a series of laterally hinged type arms pivoted on a
common shaft and a number of type secured to their free ends, an impression
platen or roller, movable bearings constructed and operated to move the common.
shaft on which the type arms are pivoted so as to cause all the type to strike on
one line, and an ink roller held in a pivoted frame in the path of the type, said
roller being of such a length as to be struck by one type only, substantially as
set forth.
Tenth. In a type writing machine, the combination with a platen or paper.
holding and feeding roller, of a cylindrical paper holder located in front of the
platen or roller, pivoted to the roller frame and held in either of two positions by
means of a spring catch, in one position with its free edge in juxtaposition to the
roller, to guide the paper thereto, and in the other position with its free edge away
from the roller, substantially as set forth.
Eleventh. In a type writing machine, the combination with a platen or paper
holding and feeding roller, of a cylindrical paper receiver located behind the roller,
and a set of small rollers having spring bearings on or attached to the free edge of
the paper receiver, and resting on the holding and feeding roller with a yielding
pressure, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. In a type writing machine, the combination with a platen or paper
holding and feeding roller, of a cylindrical paper receiver located behind the roller,
and a set of small rollers having spring bearings on or attached to the free edge of
the paper receiver, and resting on the holding and feeding roller with a yielding
pressure, a roller located in the cylindrical paper receiver, connected to and
receiving motion from the holding and feeding roller, and rollers having bearings
in the upper part of the cylindrical paper receiver, in contact with the interior
roller, substantially as set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination with the space key, of the ratchet wheel of the
carriage feed mechanism, the lever carrying an actuating and a detent pawl, and
the frame for lifting said lever, the whole constructed and arranged substantially
as described, so that when the space key is depressed to its limit, the carriage will
be released and freely movable in either direction.
Fourteenth. In combination, a laterally moving paper holding and controlling
frame, a shaft at right angles thereto, a pinion on the shaft working in a rack on
the laterally moving frame, a ratchet wheel on the shaft, a pawl pivoted on a lever
and actuating the ratchet wheel to cause the frame to feed forward, a ratchet
wheel with its teeth reversed, and a projection on the lever catching therein, to
limit the movement of the frame, and means for imparting an up and down
movement to the lever, substantially as set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.