Improvements in Typewriters.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Typewriters.
I, PERCY BERESFORD WRIGHT KERSHAW, of 9, Oxford Terrace, Hyde Park,
London, W., Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to typewriters and consists of the following modifications
from known mechanisms:-1 set up a complete line of any desired words, visible
to the operator, and with opportunity for correction before impression, thus
reducing the number of printing impressions and inkings; further I effect the
detachment of the finger keys from the direct operation upon the type, each letter
being automatically set up and adjusted when released by the action of a finger
key, thus obviating the necessity for great accuracy in the manufacture and
fitting of the finger keys and their connections as is necessary in machines as at
present constructed; and as a further consequence I obtain the noiseless action
of the keys which may come home if desired on elastic or other pads. Further
there is no spacing of the paper, except from line to line or from paragraph to
paragraph, each required letter or space in any line being provided from a com-
plete alphabet and sign bar already in accurate longitudinal spacing for printing.
To carry my invention into effect I provide with any convenient key-board
a series of complete alphabets on sign bars or sign discs arranged side by side
in accurate spacing for printing adjacent to the key-board, the said bars being
each capable of a longitudinal sliding movement or the said discs of a rotary
movement under the action of a controlling device. In the case of the sign bars
this controlling device may consist of a slotted plate and connecting stud. The
said slotted plate is always normally spring pressed or weighted, tending to at once
operate one alphabet bar to set a required letter to the printing line when per-
mitted so to do by a control counter balanced operating bar under the finger
keys.
Any finger key when depressed will move the said operating bar, destroying
the balance, and permitting the slotted plate to move and at the same time the
finger-key by a pin under the key limits the movement of said slotted plate by
reason of the length of the particular slot into which the key-pin enters.
Thus the movement of the finger key is independent of any exact spacing or
printing movement and no accuracy of travel or fitting is thus required. Upon
the recoil of the finger key the counter balanced operating bar returns the slotted
plate into original normal position. When the first letter has been set in the
proper line for printing a side movement of the slotted plate permitted by a side
recess in each of the slots permits the stud connection between the plate and
alphabet-bar to be shifted automatically to the second bar on on the line for the
next letter and so on, thus avoiding any spacing movement of the paper. This
shift of contact between operating and alphabet bars is effected by a spring
pressed bar, carrying connection successively through the whole range of alphabet
bars as each has been used. Alternatively in the case of sign discs I substitute.

page_text: for the slotted plate and connecting stud forming the control device, an oscillating
quadrant carrying studs or projections arranged upon a line helical to the axis
of movement of the quadrant and a counter balanced controlling lever which is
adapted to normally lock the quadrant until any given key is depressed. The
angular movement of the quadrant is controlled by the contact of a pin on each
key as it is operated, which said pin engages with the particular stud on the
quadrant which is in line with the said pin. The quadrant is spring pressed
weighted or otherwise controlled so as to tend to move toward the said key pins
when the counterbalanced controlling lever is withdrawn by the depression of any
given key.
In substitution of the side movements of the slotted plate I employ a worm
and contact piece adapted to be operated by each key as it is depressed so as to
feed the contact piece from disc to disc. Thus a complete line of successive words
or signs may be set up in a true line for printing, such letters or words being
visible to the operator through a slot before impression. Any errors
can be
corrected by a hand movement of the alphabet bars or sign discs if necessary.
It is obvious that as there is no direct printing impression resulting from
the movement of the finger-keys their action may be rendered quite noiseless
and without shock, the action of writing being effected by a simple pressure as in
playing the keys of the organ without lifting the hands if the respective keys
are within reach of the fingers.
I adapt a spring pressed locking bar at the side of the alphabet bars or discs
which engages in grooves provided at each letter on each of the bars or discs
and all alphabet bars or discs are locked except the one which is the next in order
to be moved. Or I may adopt pawls to lock each bar or disc in place of the
locking bar.
When the line is completely set up the said line of type is inked and brought
up to the paper either on a flat platen or on a cylinder, by the action of a special
printing key or wrist rest. The recoil or lift of said key or rest effects the
travel of the paper for the next line or paragraph.
I prefer to feed the paper automatically to the type writer by carrying tapes
from an external supply roller to the printing roller with a tension roller on.
the latter.
..
1, PERCY BERESFORD WRIGHT KERSHAW, of 9, Oxford Terrace, Hyde Park,
W., 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:-
My invention relates to machines for composing or setting up type or signs
of any kind by finger keys, known as type writers, where impressions on paper
are taken from such type after being set and consists of the following modifica-
tions from known mechanisms;-I provide a magazine of bars, discs, or surfaces,
carrying letters, signs, or numerals, in relief or intaglio,, of which there is a com-
plete series of alphabets, numerals and signs upon a distinct surface, bar, or disc,
for each letter space in a line of any desired words; the said signs &c. being
visible to the operator, and with opportunity for correction before impression or

page_text: use; thus reducing the number of printing impressions and inkings; further
I effect the detachment of the finger keys from direct operation upon the type
carrying surfaces, discs, or bars, each letter being set up and adjusted in a
given line by the self-actuated rectilinear, or angular movement of the said
surfaces, when released by the action of a finger key, the same key movement
effecting a distinctive limitation to the angular or rectilinear movement of the
type surfaces, thus obviating the necessity for great accuracy in the manufacture
and fitting of the finger keys and their connections, as is necessary in machines
as at present constructed, in which the direct blow of the finger key produces
the printing impression; and as a further consequence I obtain the noiseless
action of the keys, which may come home, if desired, on elastic or other pads.
Further there is no spacing of the paper, except from line to line, or from
paragraph to paragraph, each required letter or space in any line, in relief or
intaglio, being provided from a complete alphabet and sign-bar surface or magazine
already in accurate longitudinal spacing for printing or for the use of the intaglio
matrices.
The printing or the use of the set-up signs or characters instead of being
effected by constant taps from each finger key, is effected only for each line in
succession by a steady pressure or other means rather than a blow.
It is obvious that my magazine of surfaces may carry matrices or intaglios
of type or signs, equivalently to type or signs in relief, for selection in the way
described, as in a type-writer, to form any desired complete line of typed words
in intaglio, to form a basis from which the relief type can be produced in any
desired manner.
It is further obvious that these essential operations of the magazines of alphabets
or signs, in relief type or intaglio, for the selection of any required digits, to be
arrested or placed in a predetermined printing line, so that a required line of
type in relief or intaglio may be set up or produced in the apparatus before use
or printing and that this selection shall be effected by the mere consecutive
release by finger keys of the self-actuated type or matrix surfaces, and by their
subsequent arrest at a required distance of linear or angular motion in their
self-actuated travel, by a stop or stops actuated by the depression of a finger-
key, may be carried out by very diverse combinations of mechanism, fulfilling
the above defined functions; and I wish it to be understood that my invention
includes any form of mechanism that will practically effect the essential functions
above defined, and that I describe as one example of how my invention may be
carried into effect, only one form of mechanism, viz-that in which the complete
series of alphabets, signs or matrices are carried on the surfaces of discs, reference
being had to the drawings hereto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon.
Fig. 1 is a plan of a machine according to my invention with the upper casing
removed and certain parts in broken section for clearness.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with side casing removed by section.
Fig. 3 is a back end elevation of the same with the back casing removed
Fig. 4 is an external side elevation of the same showing printing levers and
links.
Fig. 5 is a detail view showing side and end elevation of the mechanism for
operating the disc setter spindle.
Fig. 6 is a detail view of the disc setter return gear.
A is a general casting mounted on a bed board a, and supporting in bearings
the type disc spindle G and the composing sector spindle C. To the bed board a
is also fixed an external casing a¹ enclosing the general mechanism and supporting
the key-board casting b².
B is the keyboard consisting of 27 keys of which 14 on the lower tier are
white and 13 on the upper tier are black, similar to pianoforte keys. The key
board is also provided with a pawl key" on the extreme left, and with two
other keys on the extreme right one above the other termed shift keys ¹ all
66

page_text: conveniently coloured red for distinction, the upper shift bringing capital letters
into operation and the lower shift key numerals and punctuations which will
be hereinafter more fully described. Each of the finger keys has a steel ribb
pivotting on the hollow spindle 6' with washers 67 between and provided with a
nose or feather, engaging in a key-way 3 of the spindle b' of considerably greater
width than that of the said feather the key way 63 is slotted throughout the length
of the spindle 6 thus permitting the spindle b to be turned by the impression
of any one key without the said movement depressing the other keys.
The keys are held up in normal horizontal position by springs 65 the key plates
butting at their pivot end upon the under casting 62 and to prevent noise or
jar upon the depression of the key the finger end comes upon a buffer 66 of list
or similar sound deadening material.
Each internal steel plate 6 of each finger key is provided on its under edge with
a projection 6 which operates as a control stop, to arrest the movement of the
composing sector C actuated by a spring c³, when one of the teeth c2 upon the
spiral periphery of the sector C opposite to the particular key depressed comes
in contact with the said stop 64 on the said key.
=
The composing sector C is a spiral skeleton frame keyed to a spindle c, and
is strained by the string against a control bar d². The said control bar d²
is operated by the bell crank arm D keyed to the finger key spindle 61 and by
the links and rocking lever d, upon the depression of any finger key, the
sector C following the control bar until it is arrested by one of its teeth c
coming against the stop 64 of the particular finger key depressed. It is obvious
that the travel of the sector C so obtained will vary according to which finger key
is depressed and such travel is spring operated against dead stops quite independent
of the actual amount of movement of the finger keys and unaffected by inaccuracies
of the control levers and links actually operated directly by the finger keys,
whose movement is always in excess of that of the composing sector C.
Upon the spindle c of the composing sector is fixed also a cogged sector E
which engages with a rack bar K, and is guided in its sliding travel by a fixed
spindle k, and an under flanged roller k¹. The cogged sector E transmits the
movement of the composing sector C, by this rack bar K to the cog wheel e
upon the type disc shaft G. The lower part of this rack-bar K is telescoped and,
as shown, is out at its extreme length for setting up the small type. When
capitals are required the upper shift key is depressed, thrusting down one of
the rods and by means of the bell crank pulling the shift rod 5 which is
hooked over a noh 6 on the lower telescoped part of the rack. The rack is
held extended as shown, by a cord and spring drum 10. The depression of this
first shift key a¹ shortens the rack-bar K to the extent of an alphabet, bringing
into operation on the type discs, the next alphabet of capitals for composing.
The said bar is held in the said first required shortened position, by the hook 18
engaging against the catch after the hook 28 has been drawn over it and the
catch has sprung up on leaving the overhead fixed stop 11. On release of the
shift key the shift rod falls back to normal length and the catch is pressed
down on the return of the bar K, by passing under the stop and the lower
telescope section of K is released and extended again by the spring ko.
When it is required to set up numerals or punctuations the lower shift key a²
is depressed repeating the operation above described, with the difference that the
telescoped rack bar K is pulled back twice the distance as for capitals bringing
the third series of signs upon the type discs into operation and the hook 18 engages
the further catch.
Each of the type discs F is mounted so as to revolve freely on the spindle G
with brass washers between the hubs of each disc and each disc is weighted by
an arm and eccentrically placed balance weight F2 so that each type disc presses
normally with the projection f¹ upon a fixed stop bar f2 so that a blank space
is then opposite to the printing line. The periphery of each disc F is provided
with a series of three alphabets or signs;-first small letters; second, capitals;

page_text: and third, numerals and punctuations, extending over nearly half its periphery F¹.
The other half is occupied by setting teeth f accurately cut and each tooth corre-
sponding to one letter or sign upon the opposite part of the periphery, so that
when one of the pawls f³ mounted on the bar J with pressing weight j engages
into any one of the said setting teeth f of any disc F, a corresponding and desired
letter or sign on the said disc is locked on the printing line.
The type setter is the nose 2 embracing and travelling upon a bar g² carried by
the arms g keyed to the spindle G and operated by the wheel e through the rack
bar K and cog sector E as hereinabove described.
The said arms gl also carry a rack bar ³ engaging with a worm h', which
engages also with the back of the setter nose h² and slides laterally upon a square
rodh also carried so as to revolve in the arms g¹.
Attached to the setter nose 2 is a cord h passing over a pulley 8 at the left
hand side of the supporting bars and under the influence of a spring tension,
so that when the setter nose ha and the worm are freed by the disengagement
of the rack h³, they return under the same spring pull immediately to the left
hand side of the instrument.
The feed of the setter nose h² from the left to right of the instrument to each
type disc in succession as each type key is depressed is effected by a complete
turn of the worm h¹ effected on the idle or return travel of the setting mechanism
by means of a ratchet will h6 on the end of the square revolving bar h engaging
as the setting mechanism rises with a pawl h pivotted on the casing a¹, adapted
to give a complete turn to the bar h and thus to the worm h¹ such turn being
checked and rendered accurate by the pressure of a spring h³ upon a flat surface
of the revolving bar h.
When the setter nose 2 and the worm h¹ have reached the extreme travel to
the right hand of the instrument the engaging rack har 3 is thrown out of the
engagement with the worm h¹ and the latter with its setting nose 2 being released
is pulled by the tension on the cord h' to normal position at the extreme left or
the same effect can be produced at any time by the correcting bar h³ being pulled
out by its knob.
means
When a composed line has been printed as hereinafter described and done with
or should the setting up be incorrect, the composed line may be removed
and the type discs returned to their normal position of blank by
of the pawl release bar 1:1 which extends completely across
the instrument and permits the tails of the pawls f3 to move in a trans-
verse slot therein when in normal locking action. This pawl release bar j¹ may
be lifted by a rod and pawl key at the extreme left of key board (Figs. 2 & 4)
so as to lift the tails of all the pawls and release all of them, the type discs by
their balance weights returning to normal position of blank.
The printing mechanism is carried on two side bars L pivotted upon the general
frame on distance pièces passing through the casing thus enabling the printing
mechanisni to be lifted up over the top of the casing and exposing the composed
line of type at any time for inspection, and the said side bars L carry both the
paper roller R the pressure cam M the platen or printing bar m³ and the paper
feed roller r³.
The printing when a line is composed and set up is effected by the pressure of
the operator by the wrist or hand upon the printing key or bar P in front of
the machine.
This operating through a rocking lever pivotted at p, and a thrust rod p21
in a fixed guide presses up the lever m fixed to the axis of the pressure cam M
and at the same time the tail m¹ of the said lever m presses a gripper bar m²
provided with a bed-bar, and supported on swinging links from the general casting
so as to press and to grip the under side of the type dises under the composed
line of type in reaction to the face pressure of the platen bar m³ which is backed
by india-rubber or other elastic packing in the sliding block operated by the
pressure cam M.

page_text: The paper is wound round the drum R, the first sheet being clipped by a long
flat steel spring r fastened to the spindle. The spindle is covered by a length
of india-rubber tubing to give a grip to the paper. The spindle if fitted with
two side discs and is provided with a milled head for revolution by hand.
The paper passes from the spindle R under the shield 2 (Fig. 3) and under the
platen by m³ to the india-rubber feed roller ³ which grips the paper between
itself and the feed slide /.
The feed of the paper is effected by the revolution of the feed roller ³ operated
by a friction feed pawl hanging from an arm pivotted on the feed roller
spindle and rocked by the link from the slotted rocking bar 8 pivotted on L
and worked by a wedge headed push rod 22 in a fixed guide 2 from the printing
bar P. The pawl slides on the feeding roller during the travel of printing
pressure and feeds the roller and paper on the return travel after printing. The
stroke of the link is adjustable by a screw and milled head in the
lever for any desired spacing between the printed lines.
The ink for impression is provided by a dry printing ribbon the full width of
the paper or machine; it is wound round the rollers N and n and is passed over
the shield 2 and under the platen bar m³ so as to come between the same and
the surface of the paper. The roller N is connected by the ink ribbon so as to
revolve with a ratchet wheel n² intermittently rotated by a pawl n³ operated by
a link n' from the rocking lever 18, so that the printing ribbon presents con
tinually fresh surfaces for impression.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim
is:-
1st. In combination, adjacent and movable surfaces, each carrying, in series,
complete alphabets of small and large type, numerals, and the usual punctuation
signs, in relief or intaglio, the said surfaces being equal in number to the maxi-
mum number of letter spaces in a defined line of printed matter; and a key
board having finger keys, adapted to release and set or lock the said type surfaces
successively. each in a distinctive linear or angular position, according to the
respective finger key depressed, to set any required letter or signs upon each of
said type surfaces in succession in alignment one with another upon a predeter-
mined line.
2nd. In combination, adjacent and movable surfaces, each carrying in series
complete alphabets of small and large type, numerals, and the usual punctation
signs, in relief or intaglio, the said surfaces being equal in number to the maximum
number of letter spaces in a defined line of printed matter; a key-board having
finger keys adapted to release and check a self-actuated composing device, adapted
to move through a distinctive distance or angular movement upon the depression
of each individual finger key and means for transmitting said distinctive motions
of the composing device to any one of said type surfaces in succession, to set
any letter or sign upon each of said type surfaces to a definite line.
3rd. In combination adjacent, and movable surfaces each adapted to impress
upon paper and carrying in series, a complete alphabet of small type and capitals
and the usual numerals and punctation marks or signs, the said surfaces being
equal in number to the maximum number of letters, signs, or spaces comprising
a complete of printed matter of any definite length; a key board adapted to release
and check a spring moved composing device adapted to give a distinctive motion
for the depression of each individual finger key: means for transmitting said
distinctive motions to any one of said type surfaces in succession to set any
letter or sign upon each of said type surfaces to a definite printing line: and a
manually pressed printing and paper feeding device; adapted to impress a com-
plete composed line of type upon a paper web or sheet, and to feed the said paper
web and an ink ribbon intermittently forward at each recoil after printing.
4th. In combination, a type disc spindle, type discs, freely revolving and

page_text: eccentrically weighted thereon, provided as to their half periphery with complete
small and capital type alphabets, numerals, and punctuation signs in relief or
intaglio, and as to their other half periphery and setting cogs one to each of said
letters or signs; a fixed stop bar re-acting by a peripheral step against eccentrically
placed weight of discs; a setting bar supported by arms keyed to said type disc
spindle; a traversing nose on said composing bar; means for traversing said
nose after each successive movement of the finger keys, from type disc to type
disc successively; and means for actuating said setting bar through a distinctive
arc, according to the particular finger key that may have been depressed.
5th. The combination with adjustable type surfaces having successive series
of alphabets, numerals and signs thereon and means for imparting setting motion
thereto of an extendable and collapsible transmitter of said motion to said type
surfaces, and means for collapsing and extending said transmitter in various
degrees by shift keys.
6th. In combination finger keys having feathers in boss a spindle passing
through said bosses, having a longitudinal slot wider than said feathers which
enter therein; means attached to said spindle adapted to release a revolving
spring-actuated composing spiral sector and to return the same to normal position
upon the rise of any key after depression; and stop projections under said keys
determining a distinctive rotation of said composing sector for each finger key
operated.
7th. The combination with a thin type surface having alphabets or signs
thereon, of a platen bar upon the type. side, an eccentric cam producing pressure
thereon by actuating mechanism from a manual printing bar or key; an under
gripping and supporting surface, coincident with the said platon bar, and means
for simultaneously pressing the gripper bar to meet the platen pressure by
the same operating cam of said platen bar.
8th. In a typewriter the combination with type discs having complete alphabets
numerals and signs arranged upon their periphery of mechanism adapted to feed
intermittently a paper web and an ink ribbon by the return operation of an
independent printing key or bar.
.
9th. In combination a series of adjacent type discs F weighted eccentrically
and freely revolving so as to come when disengaged to a normal position pro-
vided as to half their periphery with a complete series of alphabets and signs
and as to their other half with setting teeth for each letter or sign; a key board B
a release device d² connected by levers and links to a common spindle 61 operated
by any of the keys B; a spiral toothed composing sector C automatically spring
pressed so as to come home when released with a distinctive movement upon a pro-
jection of any depressed key; a cogged sector E transmitting the distinctive
movement of the composing sector C a collapsible rack K transmitting move-
ment of sector E to cog wheel e on type disc spindle, a revolving setting bar g³
an automatically traversed setting nose h² thereon a manually and independently
pressed platen type bar m²; an under gripping bed bar m² operated by the said
movement as the platen type-bar; and a paper and ink ribbon feeds 2 and n
with rocking feed pawls operated by manual printing bar P substantially as
described.
10th. In combination, a series of adjacent type discs F an eccentric weighted
arm on each disc a spindle G supporting said disc with free revolving pre-
jections on each disc and a fixed stop bar fa setting bar grevolving by
arms g on disc spindle with a traversing setting nose h2 thereon; a
worm h engaging with rack h³, a pinion h6 and fixed pawl rack
h revolving h³ after each downward stroke of the setting bar and means
for actuating said bar through a distinctive arc according to such finger key
as may have been depressed substantially as described.
11th. The combination with type discs F, and means for imparting rotary
setting motion thereto, of an extendable and collapsible transmitter bar K between
operative composing sector C and setting bar g², a tension spring 10; a collapsing

page_text: rod engaging lower telescopic part of said transmitter bar K, a detaining
hooks and spring catches, and 9, to retain shortened bar K in desired length,
fixed release stops to disengage catches and and a rocking lever k³
and push attachments thereto from shift keys a 1, substantially as described.
12th. In combination finger keys B a feather 63 in the boss of each of said
keys, a spindle & supporting bosses of said keys a longitudinal slot therein wider
than said feathers 63 but in which the feathers engage on one side permitting
travel of spindle with one depressed key without entraining another the lever arm 1)
keyed to spindle b¹ a rocking shaft d and connecting links d, a release bar d
and guide, with reacting spring thereabout to return control bar and composing
sector to normal on rise of key after depression substantially as described.
13th. The combination with type discs F, having peripheral type alphabets
and signs thereon, of an external platen bar m³ elastically packed in sliding bar,
a cam M; a cam gab lever m m³, a connecting push rod 21 in guide connected to
a printing manual lever P, and an internal gripping and supporting bar m²
supported on swinging links from frame operated by gab lever m¹ substantially
as described.
14th. The combination with type discs F, of a paper roll B in pivotable frame L
a directing shield 72 a feed roller 3 a silent gripping pawl on lever ³ a con-
necting link and a rocking bar with adjustable screw & milled head,
therein, a duplicate connecting link n' to ratchet feed ink ribbon rolls n and N,
and a wedge headed push bar p in guide pivotted to printing manual bar P
to effect simultaneous feed of paper and ink ribbon on return of bar P after
printing, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of June 1898
FELL & JAMES,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.

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