Improvements in and connected with Typewriters and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 18th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 18th May,
1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Typewriters and the like.
I, OLIVER KIRK, of 19, Carlton Road, Workington, in the County of
Cumberland, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention has reference to an improved typewriter or similar writing machine
whereby a much greater speed of writing is attained.
In all typewriting machines hitherto produced the writing has been done in
a straight line along the axis of the roller carrying the paper on which the
printing is done and it has been of course necessary to revolve the roller at the
end of each line to obtain the position or spacing for the next line and then shift
the carriage back to start the fresh line, which in rapid writing requires quite as
much time to effect as the actual writing of the line thus reducing the speed
which otherwise might be attained to about one-half, and for this reason writing
from dictation has not been, up to the present, very satisfactory.
With my invention I do away with the necessity of revolving the paper carry-
ing roller or cylinder and moving the carriage back by hand to start a fresh
line, the starting point and correct spacing or position of each line being
automatically obtained.
The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
Instead of placing the paper in the machine in the usual way, as in the ordinary
typewriters now generally in use, I wrap it either entirely or partially round the roller
in the direction in which the lines are to be written, and instead of moving the
roller horizontally to obtain the spacing for the letters and words I cause it to
revolve, the letters or types being so placed on the type bars that their vertical
axis is more or less in line with the axis of the roller, (instead of as heretofore
at right angles with the axis of the roller), the lines of type or letters being
printed round the roller instead of along its axis. It is obvious that with the
paper wrapped round the roller as described and the lines of type or printing being
in a vertical direction or around the roller instead of along its axis, the roller
would have to be moved horizontally along its axis, at the end of each revolu-
tion (line of type) to take up the correct position for starting the next line;
I effect this result by so placing the paper on the roller or cylinder as to make the
top and bottom edges of the paper form a spiral round the roller and arranging
that the carriage or roller moves in the direction of its axis (as hereinafter set
forth) the amount of this spiral or of one space between the lines for each revolu-
tion of said roller in such a way that the end of each line of printing terminates
on the same horizontal level, or approximately so, (when the paper is in position

page_text: on
an
the roller) as the beginning of the next, the type being arranged
on the type bars or their equivalent in such a position or at such
angle with reference to the above mentioned spiral wrapping of
the paper as to always strike in line with each other. With this spiral winding
or wrapping of the paper on the roller the lines of type or printing will be
round the roller in a diagonal or spiral direction.
The paper is held in position on the roller or cylinder by suitable clips which
grip the edges of the paper when it is wrapped round the roller, the clips being
placed on the roller in a diagonal or spiral direction in regard to the axis thereof,
indicating the line at which the paper should be placed, to produce a correct
amount of spiral and to bring them lines of printing parallel with the top and
bottom edges of same.
The roller or cylinder is allowed to revolve the requisite distance to get the
space for each letter or type, and between words, by means of a double pawl or
its equivalent being disengaged from a tooth of a ratchet wheel supported by
and revolving in a suitable bearing on the framework of the moving roller car-
riage, the roller or cylinder being geared with said ratchet wheel by means of
a toothed wheel or toothed wheels on said roller with which engage or gear other
toothed wheels on a shaft or rod mounted to rotate in the moving framework
of the roller carriage, the above mentioned pawl being operated to free one tooth
of the ratchet wheel and engage another tooth by the depression of each key, a
spacing bar or key (similar to that now in use on ordinary typewriters for obtain-
ing the spacing between words) being also provided to operate said pawl in
connection with the ratchet wheel.
The rotation or revolution of the paper carrying roller as above described is
effected by the horizontal movement of the roller carriage and roller (which
horizontal movement is from left to right of the machine instead of from right
to left as in the ordinary typewriters now in use, and is effected by means of any
convenient form of tension spring drum with a flexible connection to the roller
carriage) in the following manner: Attached to or forming part of the moving
roller carriage is a rack of suitable length the teeth of which engage a pinion
formed on or rigidly attached to the spindle or shaft of a bevel wheel, which latter
engages another bevel wheel mounted on a sleeve splined to another rod or shaft
mounted to rotate in the moving frame of the roller carriage, the action being that
as the roller carriage and rack move in the horizontal direction the pinion and
bevel wheels are revolved or rotated (the amount of revolution or rotation being
the space for each letter or type allowed by the depression of a key which, as
above described, allows the said ratchet wheel to move one tooth); the rod or shaft
to which the sleeve carrying the bevel wheel is splined being consequently
revolved, a toothed wheel on the end of this rod or shaft engages and revolves by
means of a pinion or gear wheel a drum or collar on the back rod of the roller
carriage, said drum engaging or gearing by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl,
with a toothed wheel on the back rod of the moving carriage which engages
another toothed wheel on the end of the above first mentioned rotating rod, the
other toothed wheels on said rotating rod or shaft engaging the wheels at the 4
ends of the roller as above described. For every one space of horizontal move-
ment of the roller carriage the roller itself carrying the paper is fevolved one space
or tooth.
A suitable handle is provided at one end of the moving carriage which
when slightly turned allows the carriage to be moved backwards or forwards by
hand for rotating the paper carrying roller, the shaft or rod to which said handle 5
is attached being reduced in diameter or thickness for about half its length so
that when slightly turned the pinion on the shaft of the bevel wheel operated
by the rack is lifted from the rack by means of a suitable spring or otherwise.
When the paper carrying roller and moving carriage are returned to the normal
position for starting a fresh page (say from right to left) the paper carrying 5

page_text: roller is not revolved or rotated; the before mentioned drum or collar and ratchet
wheel on the back rod of the carriage are rotated in a reverse direction so that
the teeth of said ratchet wheel in its backward revolution do not engage the
pawl by which said ratchet wheel and drum gear with the toothed wheel on said
back rod which toothed wheel consequently remains stationary.
I provide a circular index or graduated plate at one end of the paper carrying
roller or cylinder to indicate the position of any of the letters in a line of type,
said index or plate being preferably connected to or forming part of the toothed
wheel at that end of the roller. The pointer working on said index is preferably
connected to a strip or bar running across the roller, (said strip or bar being
attached to each end of the shaft on which the roller and its connected parts are
mounted) approximately opposite the before mentioned paper clips the other end
of said strip or bar, which strip or bar is arranged with reference to the surface of
the roller in an oppositely diagonal or spiral position to that of the before
mentioned paper clips, is connected to a knob or handle for turning the roller
backwards or forwards by hand. The inner face of the toothed wheel at this end
of the roller is provided with a circular rack, or widely pitched ratchet teeth,
with which a pin or projection at the end of the roller normally engages; when
the end of the line of type is reached the paper clips have to be jumped to com-
mence the next line and at this point the pin or pawl at the end of the roller is
disengaged from the ratchet teeth or circular rack, by means of a tripper or
projection on the shaft on which the paper carrying roller and its connected
parts are mounted, thereby allowing the roller to revolve the necessary distance
The above
to clear the paper clips for the commencement of the next line.
mentioned cross strip or bar works in a notch or guide arranged on the framework
of the machine so that as said strip or bar (which as above described is arranged
with reference to the surface of the roller in an oppositely diagonal or spiral
position to that of the paper clips) moves along with the moving roller carriage,
the shaft at each end of which it is attached and which carries the projection or
tripper for throwing the pawl or pin out of gear with the circular rack or ratchet
teeth at the end of the roller is moved or rotated, the object being that as the
paper carrying roller and carriage move along the jump or movement to clear the
paper clips will be made at the proper time.
Means are provided for raising the roller carriage if desired, the paper carrying
roller always of course returning to the correct position for writing and a guide in
the form of a slotted projection from the roller carriage always ensures that the
before mentioned strip or rod and the index pointer returns to their correct
position.
With my invention as above described it is possible to write an entire page
without stopping or performing any other operation then the striking of the keys,
and spacing bar.
Although I have above described certain mechanism for revolving the roller
or cylinder and moving it horizontally at the same time, yet it is obvious that I
may employ modifications of the mechanism described for this purpose and that
the movement of the carriage and rotation of the roller may be in an opposite
direction to that above described.
In lieu of the horizontal movement of the roller or carriage for the spacing of
the lines being a gradual one during the writing of each line, as above described,
it need not take place until the completion of each line of writing, in which case
the paper would not require to be placed spirally on the roller, a separate spacing
bar or its equivalent being provided to effect this horizontal movement by means
of the tension spring, rack and dogs similar to those now generally in use on
ordinary typewriters for the spacing of each letter and between words the only
difference being that a larger movement of the roller along its axis would take
5 place when said bar is depressed. In this arrangement the lines of printing would
be in a direct vertical line round the roller,

page_text: My invention as above described may be applied to various kinds of typewriters.
Dated this 18th day of May 1897.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
Agent for the said Applicant,
70 and 71, Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W.
Improvements in and connected with Typewriters and the like.
I, OLIVER KIRK, of 19, Carlton Road, Workington, in the County of
Cumberland, Engineer, 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:
1
My invention has reference to an improved typewriter or similar writing machine
whereby a much greater speed of writing is attained.
In all typewriting machines hitherto produced the writing has been done in
a straight line along the axis of the roller carrying the paper on which the
printing is done and it has been of course necessary to revolve the roller at the
end of each line to obtain the position or spacing for the next line and then shift
the carriage back to start the fresh line, which in rapid writing requires quite as
much time to effect as the actual writing of the line thus reducing the speed
which otherwise might be attained to about one half and for this reason writing
from dictation has not been up to the present, very satisfactory.
With my invention I do away with the necessity of revolving the paper carry-
ing roller or cylinder and moving the carriage back by hand to start a fresh
line, the starting point and correct spacing or position of each line being
automatically obtained.
The way in which I carry out my invention is as follows:-
Instead of placing the paper in the machine in the usual way, as in the ordinary
typewriters now generally in use, I wrap it either entirely or partially round the roller,
in the direction in which the lines are to be written and instead of moving the
roller horizontally to obtain the spacing for the letters and words I cause it to
revolve, the letters or types being so placed on the type bars that their vertical
axis is more or less in line with the axis of the roller, (instead of as heretofore
at right angles with the axis of the roller), the lines of type or letters being
printed round the roller instead of along its axis. It is obvious that with the
paper wrapped round the roller as described and the lines of type or printing being
in a vertical direction or around the roller instead of along its axis, the roller
would have to be moved horizontally along its axis, at the end of each revolu-
tion (line of type) to take up the correct position for starting the next line.
I effect this result by so placing the paper on the roller or cylinder as to make the
top and bottom edges of the paper form a spiral round the roller and arranging
that the carriage or roller moves in the direction of its axis (as hereinafter set
forth) the amount of this spiral or of one space between the lines for each revolu-
tion of said roller in such a way that the end of each line of printing terminates on
the same horizontal level, or approximately so, (when the paper is in position
on the roller), as the beginning of the next, the type being arranged
on the type bars or their equivalent in such a position or at such
an angle with reference to the above mentioned spiral wrapping of
the paper as to always strike in line with each other. With this spiral winding
or wrapping of the paper on the roller the lines of type or printing will be
round the roller in a diagonal or spiral direction.

page_text: The paper is held in position on the roller or cylinder by suitable clips which
grip the edges of the paper when it is wrapped round the roller, the clips being
placed on the roller in a diagonal or spiral direction in regard to the axis thereof,
indicating the line at which the paper should be placed, to produce a correct
amount of spiral and to bring the lines of printing parallel with the top and
bottom edges of same.
I provide a circular indicator or graduated plate at the end of the paper carry-
ing roller and a pointer to indicate the position of any of the letters in a line of
type, means being also provided for jambing the paper clips to get to the com-
mencement of the next line as hereinafter more fully described. A bell is pro-
vided as usual for giving warning when approaching the end of a page of writing.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the way in which I carry out my inven-
tion, Figure 1 being a plan of the left half of my improved typewriter, Figure 1*
a plan of the right half and Figure 2 an end view with part of the frame-work of
the machine cut away.
Figure 3 illustrates the form of framework and key-board
which I prefer to employ the paper carrying roller travelling away from the
operator, in the direction of the arrow.
The same numbers refer to the same parts in the different figures.
The paper carrying roller or cylinder 1 and its travelling carriage 2-are allowed
to move horizontally to obtain the spacing between the lines (the revolution of
said roller to give the spacing between words and letters, being effected by this
horizontal movement as hereinafter described), by means of a double pawl 3
(Fig. 2) or its equivalent being dis-engaged from the teeth of the ratchet wheel 4
splined on the back rod of the roller carriage, the roller or cylinder 1 being
geared with said ratchet wheel 4 by means of toothed wheels 6 6 mounted loosely
on spindle or shaft 7b on which said roller is mounted with which engage other
toothed wheels 7 7 and 8 8" on shafts or rods 9 mounted to rotate in that part of
the framework marked 10 of the roller carriage, the toothed wheel 8 on the end of
shaft 9 gearing with another toothed wheel 11 loosely mounted on back rod or
shaft 12 of the moving roller carriage (said wheel 11 being connected for
communicating motion to the paper carrying roller 1 through ratchet wheel 24 on
the inner end pinion 14 on the outer end of a sleeve or drum 15 loosely mounted on
shaft 12, pinion 14 gearing with toothed wheel 13 on shaft or rod 18 as hereinafter
described, pawl 25, Figure 2, pivoted on the side of toothed wheel 11 being the
means of connection between toothed wheel 11 and ratchet wheel 14.
wheel 16 keyed on the other end of shaft or back rod 12 gears with wheel 8".
A toothed
It will be understood that the rotation of the paper carrying roller 1 to obtain
the spacing for letters and between words and the horizontal movement of the
roller carriage to obtain spacing between lines are dependent upon each other, so
that if the rotation of roller 1 is prevented no horizontal movement of the roller
carriage takes place. In order to effect this result I provide a bevel pinion 17
splined or feathered on rod 18 forming part of the moving roller carriage said
pinion gearing with a bevel wheel 19 suitably supported on the pivoted frame 19ª
loosely mounted on shaft 18 or pivoted on the fixed bearing or support of rod 12
on the body of the machine, a pinion 20 on the spindle of the said bevel wheel 19
engaging the teeth of a rack 21 carried by the moving roller carriage; as toothed
wheel 4 with which the double pawl or its equivalent operated by the depression
of the keys, is splined on rod 12 and said rod 12 being connected with the
wheels 66 on the shaft or spindle of the paper carrying roller 1 as above
described gear wheel 6 being fixed on a sleeve fixed also to the end of roller 1,
(gear wheel 16 being rigidly keyed on said rod 12) unless the double pawl is
released from the ratchet wheel 4 by the depression of the keys no horizontal
movement of the roller carriage can take place and consequently no revolution of
the paper carrying roller 1.
The horizontal movement of the roller carriage is shown as from left to right
(although it is obvious that it may be arranged to move from right to left or

page_text: from front to back of the machine if desired) and is effected by any convenient
form of tension spring drum and flexible connection to the roller carriage, similar
to those on typewriters now generally in use. 22 (Figure 2) illustrates the spring
drum for effecting this horizontal movement.
It will be clear from the above description that if the double pawl 3 is released
by the depression of a key from the teeth of ratchet wheel 4 with which it is in
gear the spring drum 22 will draw the roller carriage forward one space (pawl 3
re-engaging with the next tooth in ratchet wheel 4) and as the carriage moves
forward the rack 21 moving therewith and engaging with pinion 20 on the spindle
of bevel wheel 19 will communicate motion through pinion 17 keyed on rod or
shaft 18 and the train of gearing above described to the paper carrying roller or
platen 1 revolving it one space forward for the next letter. It will thus be
seen that for every one space or degree of horizontal movement of the roller
carriage the roller itself is revolved one space or tooth.
The inner end of the revolving drum 15, on shaft 12, is formed as a ratchet
wheel, or has a ratchet wheel attached to it, with widely pitched teeth or pro-
jections 24 herein before referred to the pawl 25 on the side of toothed wheel 11
engaging said ratchet teeth 24, this arrangement being provided in order to
prevent the revolution of the paper carrying roller when the carriage is moved back
to the normal position for commencing a new page the drum 15 and its ratchet
wheel 24 being rotated in the reverse direction to that shown by the arrow so
that the teeth of the ratchet wheel 24 in its backward rotation do not engage the
pawl 25 by which said ratchet wheel and drum gear with the teeth of wheel 11
which consequently remains stationary.
The arrows indicate the direction of revolution of the various shafts and gear
wheels when the machine is in operation.
A suitable handle 23 is provided on the end of a shaft or rod 23ª, forming part
of the moving roller carriage which when slightly turned allows the carriage
to be moved backwards or forward by hand without rotating roller 1, rod 23"
which bears on pivoted frame 19ª being reduced in diameter or thickness for about
half its length so that when slightly turned the pivoted frame 19ª carrying the
bevel wheel 19 is moved upward by means of a spring or otherwise, the pinion 20
on shaft or spindle of wheel 19 being consequently lifted out of contact with
rack 21 so that no movement is communicated to the various gear wheels.
24ª (Figure 2) is the connecting rod operated by the depression of the keys to
dis-engage pawl 3 from the teeth of ratchet wheel 4, said pawl or double dog
being shown jointed or pivoted at 24b. 25 (see Figure 1) is the circular index
at the end of roller 1 for indicating the position of any letters in a line of type,
said index being preferably attached to or forming part of the toothed wheel 6
at that the of the roller. The pointer 26 is preferably connected to strip or
bar 27 running across the roller 1 (said strip or bar 27 being attached to each
end of the shaft on which the roller and its connected parts are loosely mounted)
approximately opposite the paper clips 28 28ª, said strip or bar being arranged
with reference to the surface of the roller 1 in an oppositely diagonal or spiral
position to that of clips 28 28. 29 is the circular rack (or widely pitched ratchet
teeth) on the inner face of toothed wheel 6 at the right hand end of the paper
roller 1 (see Figure 1) with which a sliding pawl or projection 30 on the end
of the roller normally engages; when the end of a line of type is reached the
paper clips 28 28 have to be jumped in order to get into position for commencing
the next line and at this point the pawl or projection 30 is disengaged from the
particular tooth with which it is in engagement by means of a tripper or cam 30°
on the shaft 7b on which the paper carrying roller and its connected parts are
mounted, thereby allowing the roller 1 to revolve the necessary distance to clear
the paper clips 28 28° for the commencement of the next line, the payl immediately
it has passed the tripper or projection 30" being moved outwards again or thrown
into position to engage the next tooth of 29, by means of a spring or otherwise,

page_text: The above mentioned cross strip or bar 27 works in a notch or guide 31 arranged on
the framework of the machine so that as said strip or bar (which as above described
is arranged with reference to the surface of the paper carrying roller in an
oppositely diagonal or spiral position to that of the paper clips) moves along with
the moving roller carriage, the roller shaft to each end of which it is attached
and which carries the cam or tripper for throwing the pawl or pin 30 out of gear
with circular rack 29 is moved or rotated, the object being that as the paper
carrying roller 1 and its carriage move along the jump or movement to clear the
paper clips 28 28" will always be made at the
time.
proper
Means are provided for raising the roller carriage if desired, the paper carry-
ing roller 1 of course always returning to the correct position for writing and a
guide in the form of a projection 32 (Figure 2) from the roller carriage the end
of which works in a slot 32 in the side of strip 27 always ensures that the strip
or rod 27 and the index or pointer return to their correct position.
With my invention as above described it is possible to write an entire page
without stopping or performing any other operation than the striking of the keys
and spacing bar.
Although I have above described certain mechanism for revolving the paper
carrying roller or cylinder and moving it horizontally at the same time, yet it is
obvious that I may employ modifications of the mechanism described for this
purpose and that the movement of the carriage and rotation of the roller may be
in an opposite direction to that above described, and although I have illustrated
my invention as applied to what is known as a "Yost" typewriter, yet it may be
applied to others.
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:-
1. A typewriter in which the lines of printing are around the paper carrying
roller in a spiral or sloping direction and whereby an entire page can be typed
during the movement of the travelling paper carriage from one end of its travel to
the other, substantially as herein set forth and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In typewriters, a travelling paper carriage comprising the combination of
roller or cylinder 1, and its connected parts, with gears 7 7 and 8 8 on shafts 9,
gear 13 on shaft 18, drum 15 and its connected parts (pinion 14 and ratchet
wheel 24) gearing with wheel 11 on shaft 12, gear 16 on the other end of said
shaft meshing with gear 8 on shaft 9 (Fig. 1) bevel pinion on shaft 18 gearing
with the bevel wheel 19 supported in pivoted frame 19", pinion 20 on spindle of
bevel wheel 19 gearing with rack 21 and means for throwing said pinion 20 out of
gear with the rack 21, ratchet wheel 4, and double pawls or dogs 3 engaging said
ratchet wheel and operated by the connection 24" from the key levers of the machine
all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 18th day of February 1898.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL, Fel, Chart. Inst. P.A.,
Agent for the said Applicant,
70 and 71, Palace Chambers, Westminster, S.W.