Improvements in Typewriting Machines and their Accessories.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 9th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriting Machines and their Accessories.
I JOHN LEA of No. 30 Bold Street in the City of Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster, of no occupation do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
--
"
For the purpose of securing a more symmetrical arrangement of letters in type-
written words than that of allotting to each letter a mathematically equal area of
space, substitute for the conventional "pawl" or dog "which produces the
monotonous spaces (as exemplified in the "Remington" type-writer) a pawl with
one rigid and three spring blades to cooperate with a ratchet rack affixed to the
frame of the travelling printing platen or bed and I provide that the actuating key
levers shall severally descend in action to such an extent as may produce the pro-
portion of the space specially required for each letter by bringing into play one two
or three of the spring blades so as to collect one two or three of the teeth of the
ratchet rack and advance the printing platen or bed proportionately; say-by the
actuation of only one "spring blade for the small type-letters "i or "1," two
for the majority of letters of the alphabet, and three "spring
blades for the small type letters " In and " W "and for the Capital letters
generally.
"spring blades
"
23
A second method which I provide for more symmetrical arrangement of letters
in words in typewriting consists of a wood roller of arbitrary diameter, (say two
inches or thereabouts,) with a metal axis and of sufficient length to cover the range
of printing. To the depth of about half an inch from the surface is carved a spiral
groove, about half an inch wide, with its sides lineally radial to the axis of the
roller. Between its extremities, this groove may comprise, precisely, one, two or
more circumferences of the roller. To utilize it, it is attached to the front or back
of the typewriting machine with its inner side as nearly level with the upper
surface of the frame as may be consistent with its revolution. To actuate it, a
"ratchet wheel" is fixed on a shaft which is placed across the machine parallel to
the grooved roller. To actuate the "ratchet wheel," the group of key levers are
embraced by a frame which is suspended from its vertical sides on spiral springs
and on the inner edge of the lower horizontal side of which all the key levers rest,
in contact with the frame, so that when any individual lever is actuated the entire
frame responds. To communicate this movement to the " grooved roller," the
frame is suspended parallel to the shaft of the "ratchet wheel," and near to the line
of it; and from side to side of the frame.
"
At a point corresponding to about the lower edge of the "ratchet wheel," a bar
is fixed to carry a spring pawl for the purpose of actuating the "ratchet wheel" by
its vertical oscillations, created by the vertical movements of the frame with which
it is combined and with whose varying range of motion it coincides. To convey the
revolutions of the "ratchet wheel" to the "grooved roller," near to each end of
the "ratchet wheel" shaft there is fixed a pully of such diameter as may be
required to produce the rate of revolution prescribed for the "grooved roller
which regulates the progression of the printing "platen or bed." At each end of
the "grooved roller," outside the limits of the groove, the roller is circumferentially
grooved, sufficiently to guide small tape or other driving bands connecting it with
the pulleys attached to the shaft of the "ratchet wheel." To impart the motions
of the "grooved roller" to the frame which carries the travelling printing platen
or bed," there is attached to the centre of the back or front of the said frame,
according to the position of the "grooved roller," a projecting metal finger which
descends, vertically, into the groove and presses firmly on the side of the groove
"

page_text: nearest to the machine, so that when the "ratchet wheel" is actuated to revolve
and proportionally revolve the "grooved roller," the "finger" may yield to the
traction agency of the machine and following the restraining curve of the groove
permit of the prescribed progress of the printing "platen or bed," the varying
intervals of which "progress" depend on the number of teeth of the "ratchet
wheel" collected by the associated pawl at each movement of the lever frame, the
varying intervals of whose descent are regulated by the descent of the key levers
which is governed by two metal bars lodged across the group of levers underneath
and near to their actuating extremities, having the upper edges uniformly level
excepting the points opposite to the "
"
m lever and the "w "lever where they are
notched to allow of these respective levers descending half as far again as the
descent for the majority of the letters and thus depressing the "ratchet wheel"
pawl sufficiently further to collect an additional portion of the teeth of the "ratchet
wheel" and correspondingly extend the space on the printing "platen or bed;"
whilst, to provide for the smaller space required for the small type letters "i
and "1," the points of the pawl-bearing frame opposite to these two letters are
severally notched to allow of the levers descending one half of the ordinary distance
without actuating the "ratchet wheel" pawl and, thus, diminishing the collection
of teeth of the "ratchet wheel" and, proportionately, the space alloted to these
slim letters.
"
"
With these illustrations it is hardly necessary to point out that typewriting
machines which produce Capital letters by shifting the printing "platen or bed
(as the "Remington" typewriter) uniform exceptional space for the Capitals
may be provided by notching the boundary bar opposite to the shift lever, as pre-
scribed for the small type letters "m
and " W, or by "notching" the "shift
lever" itself, opposite the bar, to a similar extent; and it may be here impressively
noted that the alternative of "notching" the bars or the levers is applicable in all
cases where the provision is necessary. A third method which I have devised for
symmetrically arranging letters in words in typewriting consists in substituting
toothed wheels and associated toothed racks or bars for the "grooved roller" and
guiding "finger" described above and by fixing the shaft of the "ratchet wheel"
parallel to the sides of the machine, at a right angle to the spring frame, through
which it passes, with the "ratchet wheel" in the same plane as the frame and the
pawl-carrying bar passing underneath the "ratchet wheel and actuating as
described above whilst the pinion wheel on the remote end of the "ratchet wheel'
shaft cooperates with an upper pinion wheel which is geared into a toothed "rack
or bar" attached to the rear of the frame of the travelling printing "platen or
bed" the progression of which and, consequently, the space produced for each letter
depends on the ratio of the diameters of the "ratchet wheel " and "pinion'
revolving on the same axis. The action of the upper "pinion" wheel on the toothed
"rack or bar" may be produced by substituting for the lower, associated "pinion
wheel a wood or metal pully to project a little beyond the vertical plane of the
upper "pinion" wheel and cooperate by driving bands, with a similar " 'pully"
geared on the axis of the upper "pinion "wheel and, by this method, varying
intervals of space may readily be obtained by a change of the "pully" geared on
the axis of the "ratchet wheel" and a change of the "driving hands.' In order
to secure uniform descent of the entire frame which embraces the "key levers" and
is suspended on spiral springs attached to its two sides, I fix across the frame,
underneath the pawl-bearing plate and in the same plane, a metal plate, about half
an inch wide which firmly attach to the frame of the machine. This plate is
perforated to allow the upright sides of the "lever frame' to oscillate, freely,
through it and to the under side of the said "plate" I attach two small metal
beams, of exactly equal length, each pivoted at its centre and comprising in their
aggregate length the interval between the two upright sides of the "lever frame."
] connect their proximate ends by a common pivot and connect their outer ends,
respectively, with the upright sides of the "lever frame" by pivoted methods
which allow of the free oscillation of the "lever frame and, at the same time,
"

page_text: "
actuate the "beams so as to secure perfectly equal descent of the entire "lever
frame" by whatever lever of the group it may be moved.
In connection with my devices for more symmetrical spacing of letters in words
in typewriting machines, I mention here that, in order to provide for the excep-
tionally greater range of descent of the levers required to produce a maximum
interval of space-so that the wires which connect such levers with the type-bearing
levers shall not necessarily vary in length and consequently, have capricious
tension.
I increase the microscopic length of the short arm of the type lever by one half
or, as an alternative, conveniently applicable in the modification of existing
machines, I divide the wire of conventional length and enclose the cut ends (each
sufficiently riveted) in a tiny tube, perforated at each end to allow the wire to pass
through, and on the riveted end of either portion of the divided wire I place a tiny
spiral spring to preserve the proximate ends of the wire in normal contact but to
yield to the actuation of the spiral "key lever" when its descent ranges beyond the
point required to produce an impression of the particular type on the paper.
"
"
"
In order to produce a cleaner and more even impression of each type than that
which results from the unequal pressure of the type on the paper I transfer the
direct connection of the "key lever with the "type-bearing lever to the outer
arm of a short grooved lever which I pivot on the axis of the "type-bearing lever"
whose actuating short arm is thus superseded but its pivoted position retained and
in order to actuate it the groove of the short lever is passed, to the extent of about
half an inch or more underneath the type-bearing arm of the "type-bearing lever,"
so that when the short "grooved lever" is actuated it will correspondingly raise
the "type-bearing arm to any prescribed elevation, which I limit by simple stops
to an approximation of the type to the printing "platen or bed" not nearer than
about a quarter of an inch, through which trifling interval of space ordinary
actuation of the "key levers" will impel the type to make even and neat im-
pressions, by percussion, on the paper. Exceptions to this method of detaching the
shorter arm of the "type-bearing lever" from the "type-bearing arm" applies to
the lever which carries the characters employed to produce emphasing underlining
of portions of the writing or guiding signs through intervals in lines connecting
initial with terminal matter of the line, as in invoices &c., where denominated
articles are referred to a detached column of figures.
For the rapid execution of both of these frequently occurring requirements, I
substitute a tiny wheel for the fixed hyphen or dot and by the pressure of the
wheel on the paper whilst the travelling frame is drawn, by the other hand,
through the necessary interval, the underline or guiding sequence of dots or short
hyphens is effected in a fraction of the time required for detailed impressions.
In machines with double type-bearing arms, the two wheels, for hyphens and
dots, are pivoted on the same arm. It may be well to note that the process of
symmetrically spacing letters in words in typewriting machines by an actuating
"ratchet wheel" in connection with "pinion" wheels dispenses with separate
traction agency, but it may be retained as an auxiliary, if preferred. Beyond the
above detailed technical improvements in "lever-actuated typewriting machines,"
I have devised improvements in their accessories for paper guiding and inking.
These modifications apply, prominently, to machines of the "Remington" type
but are, more or less, applicable to typewriting machines of other construction.
To illustrate by the "Remington "I abolish its characteristic, projecting ribbon
spools, with all their complicated and derangible system of automatic bevel wheels,
and substitute neat ribbon boxes, each enclosing a "spool" or "bobbin," pivoted
on a tiny shaft which projects through one end of the box to a level of the front of
the travelling frame, where the box is attached to the side of the "travelling
frame at a point opposite to the roller which constitutes the printing bed. The
printing ribbon is collected on each enclosed " spool or "bobbin "through an
aperture or slit in the side of the box and through which it
for use.
passes
These
boxes are associated in pairs and are attached to the side of the "travelling frame"
"
"

page_text: "
"
"
at opposite ends of the "printing roller," on metal bars which slide through a range
sufficient to present the entire surface of the "printing ribbon to the action of the
type. The printing ribbon" is attached to both of the enclosed "spools, or
"bobbins" and when the boxes are attached to the opposite sides of the "travelling
frame," the ribbon stretches across the frame, from box to box, beneath the
printing roller" and on the line of printing. To vary the portions acted upon
lineally by the type, the shaft of the box towards which it is drawn is turned to the
required extent at the end of its projection, which is armed with a disc or other
lever contrivance.
To vary the across portions of the "printing ribbon
presentation to the action of the type, the boxes are moved on their slide bars in
the required direction; and for precise guidance in regulating their respective and
mutual positions, the sliding bars to which they are attached have corresponding
scales engraved on their visible ends, applicable to adjusted points which
they pass.
"
for
"
""
In connection with these "printing ribbons" I have devised a method of
"illuminating" the recorded matter, in a variety of colors, without materially
retarding the process of writing; and in the case of machines such as the "Remington,'
without the very least retardation of the operation, all the Capital and other
characters of the machines may be produced in any different color to the body of
the matter. This embellishment I provide for by parti-colored "printing ribbons'
or by colored narrow ribbons running side by side, in juxta-position. Either
arrangement provides that the matter which is being printed may be produced in
either of the colors, exclusively. For machines of the "Remington" construction
in which, for the examination of the matter under hand, the inking ribbon has to be
sleightly removed from the face of the platen, I provide for the purpose a square
metal bar which extends across the inside of the back of the travelling frame and
on each end of such bar I fix a flat metal arm which extends almost to the line of
the platen and there terminates in a square fold with about half an inch side to
provide bearings for two metal rods to project across the platen and support the
tiny rollers which guide the printing ribbon in close proximity to the platen. On
about the centre of the square bar I fix an upright lever arm about half an inch
long and attach to its upper end a slender spring which passes through a slot in the
back rim of the frame and curves towards the surface of the top plate of the
machine outside the frame to any arbitrary proximity that may be found sufficient
to actuate the lever on the bar so as to reveal the line which is being printed; then
on lowering the platen frame the ribbon returns, automatically to its essential
position for work. For the readier and more reliable placing and guidance of the
sheets of paper, envelopes or other material to be written upon I provide a thin
wood, mill-board or papier maché tablet, about 12 to 14 inches high and about
9 inches wide, the sides of which I border with a thin metal rim rising about a
quarter of an inch above the front surface of the tablet, so as to rigidly guide sheets
of paper of full width into and through the machine and for the equally effective
control of materials of less width, each tablet is furnished with a narrow metal bar
of the length of the tablet and fixable at any line of width by a simple spring so as
to establish a track for guidance of any width less than that of the entire tablet,
even down to that necessary for the guidance of a visiting card. Each tablet has
annexed, on yielding spring bearings to its lower end, a small roller, as a feeder and
companion to the larger roller, nearer the frame on the line of which the printing is
affected.
The tablet is attached to the back of the principal roller frame by studs which
rest in sockets in the frame and support the tablet at an angle of about 45 degrees.
Across and sleightly above the upper edge of each tablet is stretched a small shaft
of metal, bone or other substance, which is supported on curved spring bearings
and on the shaft are lodged two small pulleys which are movable into and fixable
in any required relations to each other over the length of the shaft. These pulleys
are connected by suitable driving bands with the chief roller within the frame
whose revolution actuates the driving bands on which the paper &c. lies in progress

page_text: to the printing point and the tension of the bands in conjunction with the chief
roller sustains the paper & c. in firm smoothness to receive the impression of
the type.
To secure uniform resistance to the actuation of the key levers I attach to the
key point of each lever a socket of thin metal as a receptacle for the stud of the
key and with a recess beneath sufficient to receive, as ballast, as much small shot
as will reliably establish any exact uniformity of resistance which may be deemed
expedient.
A further improvement which I have devised for machines constructed with shift
keys, similar to the modern " Remington" type-writer, is to substitute for the
conical spring which recoils the oscillating carriage a metal or wood bar to extend
across and underneath the group of key levers, at a point corresponding with the
projections of the lever which actuates the oscillating roller to the alternative line
of printing and I suspend the said bar at each end on rods and spiral springs similar
to those employed to support the frame which carries the actuating pawl of the
ratchet wheel. These rods are annexed to the lever arms which move the framed
roller backwards, to the rear line of type, and the spiral springs restore it to its
normal position when the actuating lever is released. By this modification two
key levers are set free to increase the printing scope of the machine, for a single
and short extraneous lever suffices to actuate the oscillating horizontal rod which
regulates the radial movements of the roller.
$
A further improvement which I have devised in typewriting machines of the
Remington" construction dispenses with the employment of the two of the group
of key levers now used to produce the spaces between the words in writing. For
these two levers I substitute two metal rods which extend from the space bar line
in the front of the machine to the wooden cross-bar in the rear of the machine
which coerces the pivot springs of the key levers. Near to their mutual extremities,
separated by an interval of about three inches, I unite these rods, in parallel, by
cross rods or bars, and I hinge one pair of ends to the wood cross-bar referred to
above and pass the joined rods underneath the pawl-bearing frame of the machine
to the line of the space bar at the front of the machine where their ends are turned
up to form keys for actuating and the short vertical stems are supported on
appropriately-arranged spiral springs to provide for the necessary recoil when
actuated by the wooden bar attached to their key points and which is identical with
that now used. To utilize this contrivance on the lever bar of the pawl-bearing
frame at the points opposite to which the united rods cross it, I braze or solder two
staples to embrace the two rods, so that their looped ends shall just touch the rods
when the key levers are in repose and permit of all the recording levers operating
freely & effectively but shall produce blank spaces only when the pawl-bearing bar
is actuated by the looped rods.
To utilize the four key levers whose present uses are superseded, as above
described, I provide four additional recording arms of necessary length which I
pivot on the lower rim of the "type basket," so as not to interfere in the least with
the ordinary type levers, and, I, thus in machines with shifting printing platens,
gain eight additional characters.
As a further improvement in type-writing machines, I have devised small rollers
on the periphery of each of which is a repeating pattern, in relief, of some orna-
mental border applicable in printing, and these rollers are utilized by sustained
pressure on the platen whilst the travelling frame is drawn by one hand over the
space intended to be embellished.
I also adapt revolving type bearers either square or polygonal to furnish various
classes of type without detaching any of the parts.
On each straight side of the geometrical small revolver I fix solitary or twin
types of identical "formes" and provide that each revolver may be firmly pinned
to produce harmonizing sets.
I supersede the traversing roller as a platen or printing bed by substituting a
narrow strip of metal, wood or other suitable material which I attach to the sides

page_text: of the travelling frame and extend across the lower line of the roller, to receive
the impress of the type on the paper which passes over the flat platen, but I retain
the roller as an essential agent for traversing the paper and producing the interlined
spaces.
To ensure more perfect accuracy in the alignment of the type and greater
durability of position, provide jewelled bearings for the pivots of all the
type arms.
My improvements applicable to type-writing machines which are actuated by
levers further comprise a rest affixable to the machine in front of the actuating
keys, to support the hand whilst the keys are being manipulated by one hand
instead of two, with far less physical fatigue and quite equal speed. The simple
instrument consists of a curved strip of thin metal about half an inch wide, pierced
with small holes, to secure a miniature cushion within the curve, as a soft bed for
the wrist to rest upon, and this cushioned curve is supported, at its convex centre,
by a short length of brass tube, about half an inch in diameter which connects it
with the projecting arm of the apparatus that is attached to the front of the
machine.
At the extreme point of this projecting arm, on which the vertical tube is lodged,
it is expanded to allow of an orifice somewhat less than the diameter of the tube,
so that a strong india rubber ring may be pinned at its under surface and then be
stretched to pass through the tube of an orifice in the centre of the curved rest
within which it is again pinned, at full tension, under an incision in the cushion, to
form an universal joint, so that the operating hand can move most freely over the
entire system of keys
My improvements in type-writing machines comprise modifications especially
applicable to machines which print in letters arranged on the peripheries of wheels
and for such of these instruments as record their matter by radial depression of the
wheel and provide for their progression by ratchet wheels, acted upon by pawls, to
produce a lineal interval by each impression equal to the space required for a single
letter, I provide ratchet wheels which represent the minimum space required for the
small-type letters "i" and "1" and I adjust the minimum radial range of the wheel
to represent that minimum of progression by projecting the small-type letters "i"
and "1" sufficiently far beyond the peripheral surface of the printing wheel to
prevent the actuation of more than one tooth of the ratchet wheel. Then for the
thick small-type letters "m and "w" I regulate the radial range so that three of
the teeth of the ratchet wheel will be collected by the printing of either of these
letters and, thus, symmetrical spacing of the letters in the words is obtained.
"
For the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet I adopt a uniform pro-
jection which, uniformly, collects two teeth of the ratchet wheel by the record of
any one of such majority of letters.
My improvements of type-writing machines of the class last referred to comprise
an additional wheel in close conjunction with the foundation wheel but not,
necessarily, of the same diameter, because if it be deemed desirable to produce
Capitals or other portions of matter of larger than ordinary dimensions that may
easily be done by having the wheel for such exceptional matter of sleightly less
diameter than that which prints the small-type letters and this latitude of range
may be extended so as to provide for the most florid script typography. Then
also the duplication of the wheels provides for two distinct classes of type on the
same machine, because each semi-circle furnishes both Capitals and small letters,
and italics may be associated with Roman characters on the same machine and be
concurrently employed to produce very effective results, whilst the diminished
revolutions of the wheel naturally expedite the process of writing. To operate
with this modified machine, I provide in the substantial bearing on which the
double wheel is fixed, an active spring which is fixed in a groove or slot in the
bearing and is angulated at a precise point to lodge in one or other of two several
grooves in the centre of the axial bearing of each half of the double wheel, so as to
guide that portion in its revolutions as steadily as if it were rigidly fixed, and the

page_text: As
exertion required to move the double wheel backwards and forwards is easy.
the front section of the double wheel (being of sleightly larger diameter than the
rear section) will descend below the printing plane of the rear section when it is
operating, I raise the printing bed sleightly above the surface of the platform of the
machine and make it only just sufficiently wide to accommodate the largest letters
ever employed on the machine; and to avert possible smearing of the imprinted
paper whilst passing the unemployed front section of the double wheel, I slope the
front portion of the machine platform up to the near edge of the printing bed and,
as this angulation precludes the use of a rigidly straight paper guide, I form that
accessory of two strips of moderately thick vulcanized india-rubber, firmly united
down one side, so as to form an elastic clasp within which I place the left edge of
the sheet of paper and then lay the elastic clasp in a groove by which it is
accurately guided and the alignment of the printed matter is faultless.
To serve as printing ink, I employ saturated narrow ribbon which I loosely tack
on to two very slender india-rubber rings so as to secure the ribbon, of whatever
colour, around the periphery of each section of the double wheel and cover all the
letters on its periphery by which means very even typographical impressions will
be secured; and to regulate the even wear of the printing ribbon, it can be
constantly moved round the wheel and thus exposed to the varying use of all the
letters. By this arrangement, also, the Capitals may be printed in one color and
the small-type letters in another or, by an easy adjustment, the Capitals may be
printed in divers colors in the same operation or occasional gold letters may easily
be introduced and the effect be very artistically varied. Beyond this scope of
application. I provide for exchangeable double wheels with not only varying type
but for various languages, so that each machine thus equipped may be a veritable
polyglot, producing in all its variety of literature the most technical typographical
accuracy of type, accents and ornaments. It may as well be also noted that special
wheels for the most copious exposition of scientific subjects and symbols may be
easily provided and, in a word, it may be said that such a comprehending machine
would embrace all cognate work up to the Chinese language. Finally, my
promiscuous improvements in type-writing machines comprise for wheel machines
of the class last specified, a new method of preparing the necessary type for appli-
cation to the periphery of each wheel, in a manner following, viz. :-I arrange the
letters and characters for the periphery of each wheel, in convenient sequence,
equi-distantly in a frame of a length exactly equal to the circumference of the
wheel to which they are to be applied and then stereotype the line, without stems,
but with a film of stereotype metal at the back of the line of letters sufficient to
connect them securely and yet be flexible enough to wrap round the periphery of
the wheel, on a thin bed of india-rubber. To secure the type firmly on the wheel,
I provide strips of thin tenacious metal which I perforate at exact intervals, to
allow the type to pass through it and I pin it tightly through its meeting ends and
at other points of the circumference, if necessary, and instead of a multiplicity of
wheels, it may be found more conveniently practicable to interchange strips of
type, which may be easily attached to and removed from the rim of the wheel.
Dated this 9th day of March 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriting Machines and their Accessories.
I JOHN LEA of No. 30* Bold Street in the City of Liverpool in the County of
0 Lancaster, of no occupation, 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:—
For the purpose of securing a more symmetrical arrangement of letters in type-
written words than that of allotting to each letter a mathematically equal area of

page_text: $
Брасе,
"
I substitute for the conventional pawl or "dog" which provides the
monotonous spaces (as exemplified in the "Remington" typewriters and which has
one rigid and one spring blade) a similar pawl or "dog" with one rigid (9, Fig. 10)
and three spring blades (10, 10, 10, Figs. 10 & 11) to co-operate with a suitably
toothed ratchet rack or bar (11, Fig. 11) affixed to the frame of the travelling
printing roller or bed and I provide that the actuating key levers connected with
the type-bearing arms shall severally descend in action to such an extent as may
produce the proportion of space required for the symmetrical accommodation of
each letter, by bringing into play one, two or the entire three of the spring blades
of the pawl or "dog" and thus collect and advance one, two or three of the teeth
of the ratchet "rack or bar" and, proportionately, advance the printing roller or
hed; say by the actuation of only one spring blade' for the small type
letters "i" or "1"; two 'spring blades' for the majority of other letters of the
alphabet, and three spring blades' for the small type letters " m and " W
(12, Fig. 12) and for capital letters generally. A second method which I provide
for more symmetrical arrangement of letters in words in type-writing consists of a
wood roller (a, Fig. 1) of arbitrary diameter, say two inches or thereabouts, and of
sufficient length to cover the range of printing.
"
To the depth of about half an inch from the surface is carved a spiral groove
(a, Fig. 1) about half an inch wide with its sides lineally radial to the axis of the
roller. Between its extremities, this groove may comprise, precisely, one, two or
more circumferences of the roller. To utilize it, it is affixed to the front or back of
the type-writing machine parallel to the line of movement of the travelling printing
'roller or bed' and, to actuate it, a ratchet wheel (b, Fig. 2) is fixed on a shaft
which is placed across the machine, at any convenient point, and supported at its
pivoted ends by the sides of the machine. To actuate the ratchet wheel' the
group of key levers are embraced by a frame (c, Figs. 2 & 7) which is suspended
from its vertical sides on spiral or other springs and on the lower horizontal border
of which frame all the key levers rest, in contact with it, so that when any
individual lever is actuated the entire frame responds. To communicate this
movement to the grooved roller' the frame is suspended near to the line of the
'ratchet wheel' shaft and parallel to it (c, Fig. 2).
6
6
6
At a point on the upper horizontal bar of the frame, corresponding to about a
lateral radius of the ratchet wheel,' a vertical spring pawl (d, Fig. 2) is fixed for
the purpose of actuating the ratchet wheel by its vertical oscillations, created
by the vertical movements of the frame with which it is combined and with
whose varying range of motion it coincides. To convey the revolutions of the
'ratchet wheel' to the grooved roller,' near to each end of the ratchet wheel
shaft there is fixed a pulley (c', Fig. 2) of such diameter as may be required
to produce the rate of revolution prescribed for the 'grooved roller' which
regulates the progression of the printing platen or bed. At each end of the
grooved roller,' outside the limits of the groove, the roller is circumferentially
grooved (c², Fig. 1) sufficiently to guide small tape or other driving bands
(e, Fig. 2) connecting it with the pulleys attached to the shaft of the ratchet
wheel. To impart the motions of the grooved roller' to the frame which
carries the travelling printing platen or bed' there is attached to the centre of the
back or front of the said frame, according to the position of the grooved roller' a
projecting metal finger (g, Figs. 1-2) which descends, vertically, into the groove
and presses firmly on the side of the groove nearest to the machine, so that when
the ratchet wheel' is actuated to revolve, and proportionally revolve the grooved
roller,' the 'finger' may yield to the traction agency of the machine and following
the restraining curve of the groove permit of the prescribed progress of the printing
'platen or bed,' the varying intervals of which progress' depend on the number of
teeth of the ratchet wheel' collected by the associated pawl, at each movement of
the lever frame, whose varying intervals of descent are regulated by the descent
of the key levers, which is governed by two metal bars passing underneath across
the group of levers and near to their actuating extremities, each bar having its

page_text: "
upper edges uniformly level excepting the points opposite to the "m" lever and the
w" lever, where they are notched to allow of these respective levers descending
half as far again as the descent for the majority of the letters and thus depressing
the ratchet wheel' pawl sufficiently further to collect an additional portion of the
teeth of the 'ratchet wheel' and correspondingly extend the space on the printing
'platen or bed,' whilst, to provide for the smaller space required for the small type
letters "i" and "1" the points of the pawl-bearing frame opposite to these two
letters are severally notched to allow of the levers descending one half of the
ordinary distance without actuating the ratchet wheel' pawl and, thus, diminishing
the collection of teeth of the ratchet wheel' and, proportionately, the space
allotted to these slim letters. With these illustrations it is hardly necessary to
point out that type-writing machines which have separate levers for capital letters
may be fitted to allot any exceptional proportion of space for them, but it may be
appropriately intimated that in type-writing machines which produce capital letters
by shifting the printing platen or bed (as in the " Remington" typewriter)
uniform exceptional space for the capitals may be provided by notching the
boundary bar opposite to the shift lever, as prescribed for the small type letters
"m" and "w," or by notching' the shift lever itself, opposite the bar, to a similar
extent and it may be here impressively noted that the alternative of 'notching'
the bars or levers is applicable in all cases where the provision is necessary.
6
'
A third method which I have devised for symmetrically arranging letters in
words in type-writing consists in substituting toothed wheels and associated toothed
racks or bars for the grooved roller' and guiding 'finger' described above and by
fixing the shaft of the 'ratchet wheel' (h, Fig. 4) parallel to the sides of the
machine, at a right angle to the spring frame, through which it passes, with the
ratchet wheel in the same plane as the frame (c, Fig. 7) and the pawl-carrying
bar passing underneath the ratchet wheel' and actuating as described above,
whilst the pinion wheel on the remote end of the 'ratchet wheel' shaft (j, Fig. 4)
cooperates with an upper pinion wheel (k, Fig. 4) which is geared into a toothed
rack or bar (1, Fig. 4) attached to the rear of the frame (m, Fig. 4) of the
travelling printing platen or bed,' the progression of which and, consequently, the
space produced for each letter, depends on the ratio of the diameter of the ratchet
wheel' and 'pinion' revolving on the same axis. The action of the upper 'pinion
wheel on the toothed 'rack or bar' may be produced by substituting for the lower,
associated 'pinion' wheel a wood or metal pulley (n, Fig. 4) to project a little
beyond the vertical plane of the upper pinion wheel and, cooperate, by driving
bands, with a similar pulley' (o, Fig. 4) reared on the axis of the upper pinion
wheel and, by this method, varying intervals of space may readily be obtained by a
change of the pulley geared on the axis of the ratchet wheel' and a change of
the 'driving bands.' In order to secure uniform descent of the entire frame which
embraces the key levers' and is suspended on spiral or other springs attached to
its two sides, I fix across the machine, underneath the pawl-bearing plate and in the
same plane, a metal plate, (p, Fig. 7) about half an inch wide, which I firmly
attach to the frame of the machine. This plate is perforated at each end to allow the
upright sides of the 'lever frame' to oscillate, freely, through it and to the under side
of the said 'plate' I attach two small metal beams, (4, 7, Fig. 7) of exactly equal
length, each pivoted at its centre and comprising in their aggregate length the
interval between the two upright sides of the "lever frame." I connect their
proximate ends by a common pivot and connect their outer ends, respectively, with
the upright sides of the 'lever frame' by pivoted methods which allow of the free
oscillation of the lever frame' and, at the same time, actuate the 'beams' so as to
secure perfectly equal descent of the entire lever frame' by whatever lever of the
group it may be moved. In connection with my devices for more symmetrical
spacing of letters in words in type-writing machines, I mention here that, in order
to provide for the exceptionally greater range of descent of the levers required to
produce a maximum interval of space so that the wires which connect such levers
with the type-bearing levers shall not necessarily vary in length and, consequently.
33

page_text: have capricious tension-I increase the microscopic length of the short arm of the
type lever by one half (, Fig. 5) or, as an alternative, conveniently applicable.in
the modification of existing machines, I divide the wire of conventional length and
enclose the cut ends (each sufficiently riveted) in a tiny tube, perforated at each
end to allow the wire to pass through and on the riveted end of one portion of the
divided wire I place a tiny spiral spring to preserve the proximate ends of the wire
in normal contact (8, 8, Figs. 5 & 9) but to yield to the actuation of the special
'key lever when its descent ranges beyond the point required to produce an
impression of a small type letter on the paper.
6
In order to produce a cleaner and more even impression of each type than that
which results from the unequal pressure of the type on the paper, I transfer the
direct connection of the key lever' with the 'type-bearing lever' to the outer arm
of a short grooved lever (t, Fig. 5) which I pivot on the axis of the 'type-bearing
lever' whose actuating short arm is thus superseded but its pivoted position retained
and, in order to actuate it, the groove of the short lever is passed, to the extent of
about half an inch or more, underneath the type-bearing arm of the 'type-bearing
lever, so that when the short grooved lever is actuated it will correspondingly
raise the 'type-bearing arm' to any prescribed elevation, which I limit, by simple
stops, to an approximation of the type to the printing 'platen or bed,' not nearer
than about a quarter of an inch, through which trifling interval of space ordinary
actuation of the key levers' will impel the type to make neat and even impressions,
by percussion, instead of by pressure, on the paper. Exception to this method of
detaching the shorter arm of the 'type-bearing lever' from the 'type-bearing arm'
applies to the lever which carries the characters (v, Fig. 9) employed to produce
emphasing underlining of portions of the writing or guiding signs through intervals
in lines connecting initial with terminal matter of the line, as in invoices &c., where
denominated articles are referred to a detached column of figures.
For the rapid execution of each of these frequently occurring requirements I
substitute a tiny wheel, (e, Fig. 9) the fixed hyphen or dot being similar to a small
pinion wheel or the rowel of a spur; and that for underlining having a smooth
periphery. By the pressure of the wheel on the paper whilst the travelling frame
is drawn, by the other hand, through the necessary interval, the underline, or
guiding sequence of dots or short hyphens or ornamental border is produced in a
fraction of the time required for detailed impressions. In machines which comprise
an actuating lever for each letter and sign the 'tiny wheels' have, of course, to
Occupy separate levers.
It may be well to note that the process of symmetrically spacing letters in words
in type-writing machines by an actuating ratchet wheel,' in connection with
pinion wheels, dispenses with separate traction agency, but it may be retained, as
an auxiliary, if preferred.
'
Beyond the above detailed technical improvements in 'lever '-actuated type-
writing machines, I have devised improvements in their accessories for paper
guiding and inking. These modifications apply, prominently, to machines of the
Remington" type but are, more or less, applicable to type-writing machines of
other construction.
To illustrate by the "Remington "-I abolish its characteristic, projecting ribbon
spools, with all their complicated and derangible system of automatic bevel wheels,
and substitute neat ribbon boxes, (w, Fig. 4) each enclosing a 'spool' or 'bobbin,'
pivoted on a tiny shaft (x, Fig. 4) which projects through one end of the box to a
level of the front of the travelling frame, when the box is attached to the side of
the travelling frame' at a point opposite to the printing platen or bed. The
printing ribbon is collected on each enclosed spool' or 'bobbin' through an
aperture or slit in the side of the box and through which it passes for use.
boxes are associated in pairs and are attached to the sides of the 'travelling frame'
at opposite ends of the printing platen or bed,' on metal bars on which they slide
through a range sufficient to present the entire surface of the 'printing ribbon' to
the action of the type.
'
These
4

page_text: $
The printing ribbon' is attached to both of the enclosed spools' or 'bobbins'
and when the boxes are attached to the opposite sides of the travelling frame,' the
ribbon stretches across the frame, from box to box, beneath the 'printing platen or
bed' and in the line of printing. To vary the portions acted upon lineally by the
type, the shaft of the box towards which it is to be drawn is turned to the required
extent at the end of its projection, which is armed with a disc or other lever
contrivance, (y, Fig. 4). To vary the transverse portions of the 'printing ribbon
for presentation to the action of the type, the boxes are moved on their slide bars
in the required direction and for precise guidance in regulating their respective and
mutual positions, the sliding bars to which they are attached have corresponding
scles (, Fig. 4) engraved on their visible ends, applicable to adjusted points
which they pass. In connection with the 'printing ribbons' I have devised a method
of "illuminating" the recorded matter, in a variety of colors, without materially
retarding the process of writing, and in the case of machines such as the "Remington,'
without the very least retardation of the operation, all the capitals and other
characters of the machine may be produced in any different color to the body of the
matter.
"
This embellishment I provide for by parti-colored printing ribbons' or by
colored narrow ribbons running side by side, in juxta-position. Either arrange-
iment provides that the matter which is being printed may, if preferred, be produced
in either of the colors, exclusively.
For the readier and more reliable placing and guidance of the sheets of paper,
envelopes or other material to be written upon I provide a thin wood, mill-board or
papier-maché tablet, (, Fig. 4) about 12 to 14 inches high and about 9 inches wide,
the sides of which I border with a thin metal rim rising about a quarter of an inch
above the front surface of the tablet, so as to rigidly guide sheets of paper of full
width into and through the machine and, for the equally effective control of
material of less width, each tablet is furnished with a narrow metal bar of the
length of the tablet and fixable at any line of its width by a simple spring, so as to
establish a track for guidance of any width less than that of the entire tablet, even
down to that necessary for the guidance of a visiting card.
Each tablet has annexed, on yielding spring bearings, to its lower end, a small
roller (1, Fig. 4) as a feeder and companion to the larger roller within the frame, on
the line of which the printing is effected. The tablet is attached to the back of the
principal roller frame by studs, (2, Fig. 4) which rest in the sockets in the frame
and support the tablet at an angle of about 45 degrees. Across and slightly above
the upper edge of each tablet is stretched a small shaft of metal, bone or other
substance which is supported on curved spring bearings, (3, Fig. 4) and on the
shaft are lodged two small pulleys which are movable into and fixable in any
required relations to each other over the length of the shaft. These pulleys are
connected by suitable driving bands (4, Fig. 4) with the chief roller within the
frame, whose revolutions actuate the driving bands on which the paper &c. lies in
progress to the printing point, and the tension of the bands in conjunction with the
chief roller sustains the paper &c. in firm smoothness to receive the impression of
the type.
To secure uniform resistance to the actuation of the key levers I attach to the
key point of each lever a socket of thin metal as a receptacle for the stud of the key
and with a recess beneath sufficient to receive as ballast as much small shot as will
readily establish any exact uniformity of resistance that may be deemed expedient,
or I compactly attach to the key points strips of lead or other metal to effect the
same purpose.
My improvements, applicable to type-writing machines, which are actuated by
levers, further comprise a rest, (Fig. 6) affixable to the machine in front of the
actuating keys, to support the hand whilst the keys are being manipulated by one
hand instead of two, with far less physical fatigue and quite equal speed. The
simple instrument consists of a curved strip of metal (5, Fig. 6) about half an inch

page_text: wide, pierced with small holes, to secure a miniature cushion within the curve, as a
soft bed for the wrist to rest upon, and this cushioned curve is supported, at its
convex centre by a short length of brass tube, (6, Fig. 6) about half an inch in
diameter, which connects it with the projecting arm of the apparatus (7, Fig. 6)
that is attached to the front of the machine.
At the extreme point of this projecting arm, on which the vertical tube is lodged,
it is expanded (8, Fig. 6) to allow of an orifice somewhat less than the diameter of
the tube, so that a strong indiarubber ring may be pinned at its under surface and
then be stretched to pass through the tube to an orifice in the centre of the curved
rest within which it is again pinned, at full tension; (under an incision in the
cushion) to form an universal joint, so that the operating hand can move most freely
over the entire system of keys.
My improvements in type-writing machines comprise modifications specially
applicable to machines which print with letters arranged on the peripheries of
wheels, and for such of these instruments as record their matter by radial depression
of the wheel and provide for their progression by ratchet wheels, acted upon
by pawls, to produce a lineal interval by each impression equal to the space
required for a single letter, I provide ratchet wheels (13, Fig. 13) which represent
the minimum space required for the small-type letters "i" or "1" and I adjust the
minimum radial range of the wheel to represent that minimum of progression by
projecting the small-type letters "i" and "1" sufficiently far beyond the peripheral
surface of the printing wheel to prevent the actuation of more than one tooth of
the ratchet wheel. Then for the thick small-type letters "m" and "w I regulate
the radial range so that three of the teeth of the ratchet wheel will be collected
by the printing of either of these letters and, thus, symmetrical spacing of the
letters in the words is obtained. For the remaining twenty-two letters of the
alphabet I adopt a uniform projection which, uniformly, collects two teeth of
the ratchet wheel by the record of any one of such majority of letters. My
improvements of type-writing machines of the class last referred to comprise an
additional wheel (14, Fig. 13) in close conjunction with the foundation wheel
(14, Fig. 13) but not, necessarily, of the same diameter, because if it be deemed
desirable to produce capitals or other portions of matter of larger than ordinary
dimensions that may easily be done by having the wheel for such exceptional matter
of slightly less diameter than that which prints the small-type letters and this
latitude of range may be extended so as to provide for the most florid script
typography. Then also, the duplication of the wheels provides for two distinct
classes of type on the same machine, because each semi-circle furnishes both
capitals and small letters, and italics may be associated with Roman characters on
the same machine and be, concurrently, employed to produce very effective results,
whilst the diminished revolutions of the wheel materially expedite the process of
writing. To operate with the modified machine, provide in the substantial
bearing on which the double wheel is fixed, an active spring (15, Fig. 13) which
is fixed in a groove or slot in the bearing and is angulated at a precise point to
lodge in one or other of the several grooves (15ª, 15ª, Fig. 13) in the centre of the
axial bearing of each half of the double wheel, so as to guide that portion in its
revolutions as steadily as if it were rigidly fixed, and the exertion required to move
the double wheel backwards and forwards is easy. As the front section of the
double wheel (being slightly larger in diameter than the rear section) will descend
below the printing plane of the rear section when it is operating, I raise the printing
bed (16, Fig. 13) slightly above the surface of the platform of the machine and
make it only just sufficiently wide to accommodate the largest letters ever employed
on the machine; and to avert possible smearing of the unprinted paper whilst
passing the unemployed front section of the double wheel, I slope the front portion
of the machine platform (17, Fig. 13) up to the near edge of the printing bed and,
as this angulation precludes the use of a rigidly straight paper guide, I form that
accessory of two strips of moderately thick vulcanized indiarubber, firmly united

page_text: down one side (18, Fig. 13) so as to form an elastic clasp, within which I place the
left edge of the sheet of paper and then lay the elastic clasp in a groove by which
it is accurately guided and the alignment of the printed matter is faultless. To
serve as printing ink, I employ saturated narrow ribbon which I loosely tack on to
two very slender india-rubber rings (19, 19, Fig. 15) so as to secure the ribbon, of
whatever color, around the periphery of each section of the double wheel and cover
all the letters on its periphery, by which means very even typographical impressions
will be secured; and to regulate the even wear of the printing ribbon, it can be
constantly moved round the wheel (14, 14ª, Fig. 13) and thus exposed to the
varying use of all the letters. By this arrangement, also, the capitals may be
printed in one color and the small-type letters in another or, by an easy adjustment,
the capitals may be printed in divers colors in the same operation or occasional
gold letters may easily be introduced and the effect be very artistically varied.
Beyond this scope of application, I provide for exchangeable double wheels with
not only varying type but for various languages, so that each machine, thus
equipped, may be a veritable polyglot, producing in all its variety of literature the
most technical typographical accuracy of type, accents and ornaments. It may as
well be noted that special wheels for the most copious exposition of scientific
subjects and symbols may be easily provided and, in a word, it may be said that
such a comprehending machine would embrace all cognate work up to the Chinese
language. Finally, my promiscuous improvements in type-writing machines com-
prise, for wheel machines of the class last specified, a new method of preparing the
necessary type for application to the periphery of each wheel, in the manner
following, viz.-I arrange the letters and characters for the periphery of each
wheel, in convenient sequence, equidistantly, in a frame of a length equal to the
circumference of the wheel to which they are to be applied and then stereotype the
line, without stems, but with a film of stereotype metal at the back of the line of
letters sufficient to connect them securely and yet be flexible enough to wrap round
the periphery of the wheel, on a thin bed of india-rubber. To secure the type
firmly on the wheel, I provide strips of thin tenacious metal which I perforate at
exact intervals, to allow the type to pass through it and I pin it tightly through its
meeting ends and at other points of the circumference, if necessary.
The progress
of the printing line is produced by a pinion wheel, (20, 20, Figs. 13 & 14) gearep
on the shaft of the ratchet wheel (13, 13, Figs. 13 & 14) and working in a rack
(21, Fig. 14).
Instead of multiplicity of wheels, it may be found more conveniently practicable
to interchange strips of type, which may be easily attached to and removed from
the rim of the wheel.
Having now particularly described and ascertamed the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim as novelties are
1. The pawl or "dog" with three spring blades and one rigid blade.
2. The grooved roller and its special appliances (a, Fig. 1).
3. The oscillating spring frame and pawl (c, d, 1, q, Fig. 7) which actuates the
motor ratchet wheel.
4. The combination of two pinion wheels (j, h, Fig. 3) and a toothed rack
(k, Fig. 3) or the alternative of two pulleys (n, o, Fig. 3) for the lower pinion
wheel (1, Fig. 3).
5. The method of regulating the tension of the wires connecting the key-levers
with the type arms (r, r, s, &, Figs. 5 & 9).
6. The short grooved arm combined with the type-bearing arm, to substitute
percussion for
ussion for pressure on the printing platen or bed (t, Fig. 5).
ל

page_text: 10. The combination of wheels in typewriters which print with letters attached
to their peripheries and the method of providing various spaces for selected
letters.
Dated this 7th dox of Lon 1902
JOHN LEA.