Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1899-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, MONNOSUKE HIGUCHI, of 511, Bush Street, San Francisco, State of California,
U.S.A., Watch Maker, 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:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in typewriting machines, the
object being to provide a construction in a machine of this kind whereby the
extent of movement of the carriage carrying the cylinder varies in proportion
to the width of the letter that is printed, whereby the spacing of the letters
instead of being uniform without regard to the width of the letter conforms to
the width of the letter.
In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification Fig. 1 is a
perspective view of a portion of the operative parts of a typewriting machine
constructed in accordance with this invention. In this view only three keys are
illustrated and only the toothed rack is shown, since this invention relates only
to these parts. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, taken on an enlarged scale of a
portion of the toothed rack and the immediate devices for controlling the extent
of movement of the same. In this view the support for the pivoted detent and
the regulating-dog is shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a perspective view taken
from the opposite side of the parts shown in Fig. 2 and illustrating the
support for the detent and dog in full lines and the toothed rack in dotted
lines. Fig. 4 is a top plan or the detent and levers in detail and with the
regulating dog removed. Fig. 5 is a perspective view taken from the under side
of the regulating cog. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the detent and regu-
lating-dog, illustrating the normal position of the parts. Fig. 7 is a similar
view illustrating the position of these parts when the key that moves the carriage
three spaces is pressed. Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are similar views showing the
position of these parts when the keys for moving the carriage one and two spaces
are pressed. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the connection
between the sides of the arms 4 and 5 and the rods 12.
27
In accordance with the principle involved by this invention it is intended to
construct a type-writing machine in which as above stated the carriage is moved
according to the width of the letter. In typewriting machines in general use
the carriage is moved the same distance for each letter and consequently wide
letters, such as all the capitals except "I" and "J," small "m" and "w" and some
figures receiving the same space as small letters and characters, such as small
**f," "," "j" "," "," &c., letters also of medium width, such as the capital "I"
and J" and the remaining small letters. This of course produces a certain
cramped or uneven appearance in the printing, as seen in all type-writing. The
alphabet can be divided practically into letters of three different widths, and the
characters used can also be sub-divided in this manner, and it is obvious that when
the-printing is done with the space varying according to the width of the letters a
more symmetrical and legible writing is afforded. In this invention the alphabet
and characters are so divided, and for the purpose of illustration I have selected
three characters-namely, small ท a" and "i." In printing to attain the best
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page_text: "
32
56
effects the letter small a" should have twice the space occupied by small ","
while m should have three times the space, and I will now proceed to describe
the mechanism whereby this is accomplished.
In said drawings the frame of the typewriting machine is indicated by 1,
while a portion of the carriage is indicated by 2. Attached to this carriage is
a toothed rack 3 of ordinary construction. These parts do not form a part of
this invention, and therefore only sufficient portions thereof will be shown to
illustrate the use and operation of my invention. It is understood, of course,
that it might be desirable in connection with certain styles of printing to sub-
divide the alphabet into more than three divisions, although it is thought
that three ale sufficient; but yet, notwithstanding that I have shown
devices for making only three different spaces, I do not wish the invention
limited, except in the claims for the specific construction, to this arrangement.
Mounted upon the frame 1 are three pivoted arms, 4, 5, and 6. These arms
are provided at their forward or swinging ends with cross-pieces 7. The said
arms are pivoted concentrically and extend parallel with each other. The key-
levers 8, 9, and 10 are constructed in the usual manner-that is to say, they
are pivoted to the frame of the machine to operate the type in any approved
manner. These key-levers however are provided with downwardly-extending
projections 11, situated to engage the cross-pieces 7 of the arm. In the instance
illustrating the key for the letter "M is mounted upon the key-lever S, and
the projection 11 of this key-lever S is situated to engage the cross-piece of the
arm 4, and likewise the key-levers for "a" and "¿" are arranged to operate
arms and 6, respectively. The sides of the arms 4, 5, and 6 are connected
by rods 12 adjacent to their pivots. The connection between the sides of these
arms is such that the movement of one arm does not interfere with the others.
As a convenient construction for this purpose the sides of the arm 4 which are
.outermost are provided with the curved brackets 13, which extend downwardly
beneath the arms 5 and 6 and then upwardly on the inner side of said arm 6,
whereby it is connected with the rod 12. The arm 5 is provided with a similar
bracket 13, which passes around the arm 6. The rod 12 for the inner arm 6
is connected directly with said arm. An overhanging bracket 14 is rigidly
attached to the frame of the machine adjacent to the toothed rack 3 and is
bifurcated at its upward end in the manner shown. The detent 15 is mounted
upon a horizontal pivot extending through the same and through the bifurcated
end portions of the bracket 14, and is provided with a rearwardly-extending
finger 16.
Secured to the rear side of the bracket 14 are the downwardly and
upwardly facing stops 17 and 18. The end of the finger 16 is situated between
these stops 17 and 18, whereby the pivotal movement of the detent is limited.
The upper or downwardly facing stop 17 extends across the face of the bracket
to limit the forward movement of the operating-levers 19 and 20, hereinafter
referred to. The pivot-pin 21, between the bracket 14 and detent 15 extends
through the bifurcated end portions of the bracket and through the pivot of
said detent, while said detent is cut away between its sides to provide an open-
ing 22, as shown in Fig. 4 through which this pivot-pin 21 passes. The said
detent is also provided on the side opposite the tip thereof with an upwardly-
extending stop 23, designed to limit the movement of the regulating-dog.
Secured also to this side of the detent is a spring 24, arranged to engage the
regulating-dog and to press the tip of this regulating-dog to one side of the
tip of the detent. Upon the opposite side of the detent is another spring 26,
that is arranged to engage the side of the regulating-dog 25 when it has been
pressed to the full extent by the spring 24. The said detent is also provided
with two slots 27 and 28 to receive the bent ends of the operating levers 19
and 20, which serve to limit the extent of movement on the part of the regu-
lating-dog, and for this purpose the slot 27 is arranged to the rear and to one
side of the slot 28, as shown in Fig. 4. The regulating dog 25 is pivoted at its
rear end portion to the rear end portion of the detent and upon a vertical

page_text: pivot. It is arranged to slide horizontally upon the detent and is provided -
with a tip that stands in alinement with the top of the detent when the regu-
lating dog is in contact with the upwardly-projecting stop 23 of said detent.
The said dog is provided with two stop-faces 29 and 30. The stop-face 29 is
arranged so that when the dog turns upon its pivot the slot 28 near the nearest
end of the detent is in the path of this stop-face, while the stop-face 30 is
arranged to one side of and in the rear of the stop-face 29 and the slot 27 is
in the path of this stop-face. The end face of the dog is recessed, as shown
at 31, to allow the dog to swing on its pivot and without contact with the bent
ends of the operating-levers 19 and 20. These projecting levers 19 and 20 are
pivoted upon the horizontal pivot 21, that supports the detent, and extend
forwardly and are provided with upwardly-extending ends 32 and 33. The
upwardly extending portion of the arm 19 extends through the slot 27, while
the end 33 of the arm 20 extends through the slot 28. These operating-levers 19
and 20 extend to the rear and adjacent to the side of the bracket to engage the
downwardly-facing stop 17 thereof. Springs 34 are connected with the levers 19
and 20 and with the finger 16 of the detent and serve to hold these parts normally
in contact with the said stop 17. The finger 16 of the detent is connected
by means of a rod or wire 35 with the rod 12, extending between the sides of
the outer arm 4, while the ends of the levers 19 and 20 are connected by means
of rods or wires 35 with the rods 12, connecting the sides of the arms 5 and 6
respectively. In this way it is seen that the pressure upon the key controlling
the key-lever 8 draws down the finger 16 through the intermediacy of the pro-
jection 11, arm 4, and rods 12 and 35. This moves the finger against the action.
of the spring 34, and it is obvious that the movement of the other key levers 8
and 9 will depress the ends of the operating-levers 19 and 20 in the same
manner.
I will now proceed to describe the manner in which the detent and operating-.
dog control the extent of movement of the toothed rack. To illustrate, it is
supposed that the key m is depressed. This turns the detent 15 on its pivot,
and therefore lifts the dog 25, so that its tip passes above the teeth of the rack,
while the tip of the detent holds the rack. When the dog is released from the
rack, the spring 24 presses it until it is held by the opposing spring 26. It is
understood of course that the recess 31 in the under side of the dog permits
this dog to move to one side without contact with the upwardly extending
ends of the operating levers 19 and 20. The parts are so arranged that the extent
to which the dog is moved is equal to the space of three teeth upon the rack 3,
and therefore when the key mis released the spring 34 raises the finger 16,
thereby throwing the tip of the dog into the correct tooth of the rack whereby
the spring operating the carriage will move the carriage until the dog comes
into contact with the upwardly extending projection 23 of the detent, which is
equal to the space between three teeth. The position of the parts in this
operation are shown in Figs. 6 and 7, Fig. 6 showing the normal position, while
in Fig. 7 the detent and dog are shown in an inclined position when the
detent engages the toothed rack and the dog has risen above the same and has
been pressed to one side of the spring 24.
<
In Figs. 8 and 9 are shown the positions the parts assume when the key a"
is depressed, and therefore depresses the end of the operating-lever 19. As this
operating-lèver 19 turns on its pivot the upwardly-extending end 32 thereof
passes upwardly through the slot 27 and when the said lever strikes the bottom
of the detent, as shown in Fig. 8, the upper end of this end portion 32 stands
in the path of the stop-face 30 of the dog. After the lever comes in contact.
with the lower face of the detent the further movement also lifts the detent and
these parts then rise to the position shown in Fig. 9 wherein the tip of the
detent is in engagement with the toothed rack, while the dog after having risen
above the same has been moved to one side by the spring 24 until its stop-face 30
comes in contact with the end 32 of the lever 19. The extent to which this

page_text: upwardly extending portion 32 of the lever 19 allows the dog to move is equal
to the space between two teeth, and therefore when the key "a" is released
and the parts brought to their normal position, with the dog in engagement
with the toothed rack, said dog in moving back into contact with the stop 23
allows the toothed rack to move two spaces. It will be seen that the movement
of the lever 19 and the detent does not interfere with nor cause the lever 20
to move, and in moving the lever 20 there is no movement on the part of the
lever 19. When the lever 20 is moved in the manner described in relation to
the lever 19, it is seen that its upwardly-extending end portion 33 moves into
the path of the stop-face 29 and permits the dog to move under the influence
of the spring 24 only one space, and consequently when the dog again engages
the toothed rack the carriage moves only one space before the dog comes in
contact with the stop 23.
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. In a type-writer, the combination with a carriage having a toothed rack,
of a pivoted detent to engage said rack, a regulating dog pivoted upon said
detent, a stop upon said detent to limit the movement of the dog in one direction,
a spring to limit the movement of the dog in an opposite direction, a finger-
piece upon said detent connected with devices to be moved by certain key-levers,
stops situated on opposite sides of said finger-piece, a spring to move said
finger-piece opposite to the direction in which it is moved by the key-levers,
pivoted operating-levers having ends situated in the path of said regulating-
dogs, connections between said operating-levers and devices to be operated by
certain key-levers, springs to move said operating-levers in an opposite direction,
and a stop to limit the movement of said operating-levers under the influence
of said springs.
2. In
a typewriting machine, the combination with a carriage having a
toothed rack, of a pivoted detent to engage said rack, a regulating-dog situated
upon said detent, a stop upon said detent to limit the movement of said dog in
one direction, a spring to move said dog in an opposite direction, a plurality of
pivoted operating levers pivoted adjacent to said detent in a manner to turn
said detent upon its pivot when the levers are turned upon their pivots, stops
upon the ends of said operating levers adapted to move into the path of said
regulating dog, a stop upon said detent to limit the movement of said dog
under the influence of said spring, and a plurality of sets of key-levers, said
sets of key levers being connected with the detent and with the operating-levers.
3. In a type-writer the combination with a carriage having a toothed rack,
of a pivoted detent to engage said rack, slots in said detent, a regulating-dog
pivoted upon said detent and provided with variable stop-faces, a stop upon said
detent to limit the movement of the dog in one direction, a spring to move said
dog in an opposite direction, a stop upon said detent to limit the movement of
the dog under the influence of said spring, a plurality of pivoted operating
levers having end portions extending through the slots in said detent and into
the path of the stop-faces upon said regulating-dog, and a plurality of sets of
key-levers, said sets of key-levers being connected with the detent and with the
operating-levers.
4. In a typewriting machine the combination with a carriage having a toothed
rack, of a pivoted detent to engage the same, devices for turning said detent
upon its pivot, a regulating dog pivoted upon said detent, stop-faces upon said
regulating-dog, a stop upon said detent to limit the movement of said dog, a
stop upon said detent to limit the movement of said dog in one direction, a
spring to move said dog in an opposite direction, a stop to limit the movement
of said dog under the influence of said spring, and a plurality of sets of levers
situated in the path of said stop-faces upon said dog and situated below said

page_text: detent so as to move the same when said levers are turned upon their pivots,
and devices for moving said operating-levers.
Dated this 14th day of June 1899
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, E.C., Agents.