IMPROVEMENTS WRITERS TYPE
Year: 1884

page_text: I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
WRITERS" (a communication from Lee S. Burridge and Newman.
R. Marshman, both of New York, United States of America; Manufacturers) to be
as follows:-
IN TYPE
The object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive and yet complete
type-writer of very few parts, and not liable to get out of order, requiring for its
operation as few movements of the hand, as in the case of expensive machines now
in use, and which will conveniently admit of the insertion, adjustment and removal
of the paper.
The letter-plate is fixed, and the type-plate, with the stylus attached thereto, is
arranged to slide in front of the letter-plate, and capable of downward movement
to make the impression upon the paper, which is automatically movable at right
angles to the type-plate and letter-plate.
In one piece with a horizontal arm upon an upright post secured to a bed-plate,
are cast at right angles, and projecting about horizontally, two arms. Upon the ends
of these, parallel with the aforesaid post-arm, is arranged the letter-plate; and in
front of the said letter-plate is a bar having notches, one notch being opposite to
each letter and figure, and the sides of the notches are rounded off so, as to form
one edge, only, of the partition between every two adjacent notches; this is done
to prevent the stylus from catching upon the solid portion between the notches,
when being depressed to pass through a notch and cause the type to make an
impression on the paper.
The passing of the stylus through a notch, opposite to one of the letters or
figures, brings the corresponding letter of the type (which is secured on the lower
surface of the sliding type-plate) into an exact alignment.
At each end of the aforesaid post-bar, is pivoted an arm, reaching forward
beyond the letter-plate; and to the said arms is secured in front of, and parallel
with the letter-plate, a grooved bar, in which latter the type-plate is fitted
to slide,

page_text: Upon the upper surface of the type-plate, is fastened the stylus, and the lower
surface is provided with type, as before statod. To the said grooved guide-bar,
aro attached two inking-rollers, one at each side of the impression-roller, in such a
manner, that, when the type-plate is slid back and forth in its guide, the rollers
will revolve by contact with the type, and consequently ink the latter. In a guide
on the bed-plate, transversely to the letter-plate and type-plate, is fitted to slide,
a frame having a rack of rachet-teeth along one side, upon the upper surface
tbereof, and in end-brackets, upon the said sliding-frame, the paper-carrying-roller
(i.e. the impression-roller) has its bearings.
Upon the side of the sliding-frame, opposite to the rack, is secured a thin metal-
plate, which thence reaches under, and past the impression-rollor, and is curved up
around the latter, in such a manner that the free edge of the plate, acts as a light
spring against the roller; and, when the paper is inserted between it and the
roller, the edge of the plate keeps the paper in contact with the roller surface (the
said surface being formed of leather or rubber, so as to cause more friction against
the paper than the plate does). The paper, being thus held and curved over the
roller, is fed, in the direction from which it ontored, by turning a hand-knob,
fastened on one end of the impression-roller, and is held down, against the side of
the said roller opposite the contact-edge of the aforesaid curved plate, by means of
a wire, pivoted with one end to one of the impression-roller bearings, and arranged
to be hooked on to a catch upon the other bearing, the return edge of the paper,
being introduced between the snid wire and the roller.
Springs are provided to automatically raise the type-plate for impression, and a
stop prevents it rising above the normal position. To a suitable lug, upon the
guide-bar for the type-plate, is pivoted one end of a link, whose other end
projecting downward, is similarly pivoted, or movably attached, to one end of an
elbow-lever whose other end is pivoted to a bracket secured upon the bed-plate.
At the angle of the elbow-lever is pivoted to the latter, a pawl, which, by its
own weight, is kept in contact with the teeth of the rachet-bar, on the aforesaid
paper-carrying slide-frame.
When the type-plate is depressed by the stylus, to make an impression, the said
pawl recedes to engage the next tooth on the rack, and when the pressure is
withdrawn, and the type-plate, and consequently its guide-bar, rises, the downward
movement pushes the said pawl, and thereby the rack and also the paper, forward
for the space of one tooth, which space corresponds with the required distance
between two letters.
When a line is printed, the aforesaid pawl is raised from the teeth of the rack,
(for which purpose the pawl has a small handle in the direction towards the
operator), the impression-roller and its sliding-frame, pulled back towards the
operátor the entire length of a line; the knob on the end of the impression-
roller is then turned, until the next mark on the knob is brought into juxta-
position to a stationary pointer on the roller-bearing, thereby feeding the paper,
to bring a new and clean space in line under the type-plate, to start printing a
new line.
1004

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the county of Middlesex,
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention for "IMPROVEMENTS, IN
TYPE WRITERS" (a communication from Lee S. Burridge and Newman R. Marshman,
both of New York, United States of America, Manufacturers) and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:―
The object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive and yet complete type-
writer of a very few parts, and not liable to get out of order, requiring for its
operation as few movements of the hand, as in the case of expensive machines now
in иве,
and which will conveniently admit of the insertion, adjustment and removal
of the paper.
The invention comprises the combination with a stationary letter-plate, of a
type-plate fitted to slide, parallel with the said letter-plate, in hinged, or only
vertically movable, supports, a stylus rigid upon the said type-plate, an impression
surface, and means for feeding the paper the proper distance between the letters,
by the vertical movement of the type-plate; also the combination with the letter-
plate and type-plate of one or more supports each consisting of a horizontal or
overhanging arm or reach having at one end the aforesaid plates, and secured by a
downward projecting branch to the bed-plate or main support of the machine; also
the combination with the sliding type-plate of subjacent inking rollers pivoted to
elastic supports attached to the type-plate-guide in such a manner as to roll by
friction against the type-face, when the plate is slid, also the paper gauging and
feeding devices etc., as will be hereinafter fully ascertained reference being had to
the accompanying drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 represents a top or plan view of our improved type-writer.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly broken out and in section on the line x-x of
fig. 1, and seen in the direction of the arrow 1.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line y-y of fig. 1 seen in the direction of the
arrow 2.
Fig. 4 is a detail of the feed-pawl and stop. Like letters of reference in the
several figures indicate like parts.
A is the bed-plate or base-plate of the machine. In one piece with a horizontal
arm upon an upright post b secured to the bed-plate A, are cast at right angles,
and projecting about horizontally, two arms b₁. These parts b, b³, 6', together,
constitute an overhanging bracket B to which the upper machine-parts are
attached and which afford free space for the paper underneath. Upon the ends of
the arms b', parallel with the aforesaid post-arm b' is fixed the letter-plate C; and
in front of the said letter-plate are a series of notches c, one notch being opposite to
each letter and figure, and the sides of the notches are rounded off so, as to form on
top, one edge, only, of the partition between every to adjacent notches; this is done
to prevent the point ƒ of the styles F from catching upon the solid portion between
the notches, when being depressed to pass through a notch and cause the type to
make an impression on the paper.

page_text: The type-plate E, with the stylus F secured fixedly thereto, is arranged to slide
in front of the stationary letter-plate, and capable of downward movement to make
the impression upon the paper, which is automatically movable at right angles to
the type-plate and letter-plate.
For this purpose, at each end of the aforesaid post-bar b, is pivoted an arm D,
reaching forward beyond the lottor-plate; and to the said arms is secured in front
of, and parallel with the letter-plate, a grooved bar or guide d, in which latter the
type-plate is fitted to slide.
The passing of the stylus-point through a notch c, opposite to one of the letters
or figures, brings the corresponding letter of the type e (which is secured on the
lower surface of the sliding type-plate) into an exact alignment.
Upon the upper surface of the type-plato, is fastened the stylus, and the lower
surface is provided with type, as before stated.
To the said grooved guide-bar, d; are attached two inking-rollers, S, ono at each
side of the impression-roller, in such a manner, that, when the type-plate is alid
back and forth in its guide, the rollers will revolve by contact with the type, and
consequently ink the latter. The ink rollers S are pivoted to the free ends of
springs & fastened with their other ends to the guide-bar d, and are pressed
against the type-surface by the force of elasticity of the said springa
In a guid on the bed-plate A, transversely to the letter-plate C and type-
plate E is fitted to slide, a frame L having a rack M of rachet-teeth along one
side, upon the upper surface thereof, and in end-brackets, upon the said sliding-
frame, the paper carrying roller K (i.c. the impression-roller) has its benrings in
posts or uprights k. The journals are held by pins in the said bearings, which are
open at top to facilitate the insertion and removal of the roller K.
Upon the sid of the sliding-frame L, opposite to the rack M, is secured a thin
metal-plate j, which thence reaches under, and past the impression roller, and is
curved up around the Inttor, portions. being cut loose at two edges, from the
plate and bent to bear on the frame L at the side of the rack M in such a
manner that the free edge of the plate, jacts as a light spring against the roller;
and, when the paper J (see fig. 3) is inserted between it and the roller; the edge of
the plate keeps the paper in contact with the roller-surface (the said surface being
formed of leather or rubber, so as to cause more friction against the paper than the
plate does) The paper J, being thus held and curved over the roller, is fed, to
space the distance between the lines, in the direction from which it entered, by
turning a hand-knob, k', fastened on one end of the impression-roller, and is held
down, against the side of the said roller opposite the contact-edge of the aforesaid
curved plate, by means of a wire w, which is pivoted or fastened with one and to
one of the impression-roller bearings k, and arranged to be hooked on to a catch
upon the other bearing, the return edge of the paper, being introduced between the
said wire and the roller.
Spring G, pressing with their free ends under the arms D keep the type-plate.
normally raised and ready for impression, and a stop on one of the arms D acting
against the underside of the type-plate prevents its rising above the normal position.
The depression of the type-plate (and thus the impart of impression) is limited by a
stop on the bed-plato.
Tho pawl N,, which engages with the rack M to slide the paper-frame forward
through the space of one tooth (corresponding to 'the space between two letters) on
each depression of the stylus, is pivoted with one end to a crank secured on the
rock-shaft of the arms D, and has at its pointed or toothed end pin h, which
strikes against a stop H on the frame and checks the feed at the instant the
desired space has been transversed by the paper and before the impression is mado.
Thus the pawl N must stand still during the last end of the downward movement
of the type and stylus. To effect this the said crank consists of an arm I rigid on
the said rock shaft, and a piece O, pivoted with its upper end at o to the said
arm I, the pawl N being pivoted to its lower end. A spring P, wound around the
pivot o, and bearing with its two ends against tho edges of I and O; respectively,

page_text: tends to turn the latter against a stop-pin p on the arm I, thus keeping the
krank I, O, normally straight, until deflected against the force of the spring P when
the pin bas struck the stop H. A comparison between figs 2 and 4 makes clear
the position of the parts at the beginning and end, respectively, of the stroke. To
push back the frame 1 for starting a new line, the pawl N is raised' by the pin or
handle h:
3
The roller-knob k¹ has marks n on its circumference, at distances apart corre;
sponding to the desired space between the lines, and a pointer T, attached to the
bearing k, indicates, when a mark n is directly opposite to it, that the line on the
paper is at the proper distance from the preceding or successive line. The little
pointer R, curved up above the roller K indicates the exact spot, on the line where
the next impression will be made.
In machines of this class it has been common practice to attach the letter and
type-plates to the same movable supporting frame, whereas by my construction
only one of such plates is attached to the movable frame thereby lessening the
weight of the same and diminishing its inertia and friction. It has also been the
common practice to extend the arms of the type or movable frame to the rear of
the machine and pivot them there, whereas I pivot the movable arms directly to an
overhanging bracket, thereby shortening the same, thus lightening the moving
parts and diminishing the inertia, by which means less power is required to give
the downward blow and lighter springs can be used for returning the parts to their
normal position, and thus the power required in operating will be essentially
lessened. When it is considered that an operator on a type-writer will print from
one hundred to three hundred letter per minute, or from six thousand to eighteen
thousand letters per hour, it must be acknowledged that the lightening of the
labor at each stroke, no matter how little it may be, is a very important matter.
Having thus described the invention, as communicated to me by my foreign
correspondent, and the method of performing the same I claim and desire to secure
by Letters-Patent
1st The combination with the base-plate A and the letter-plate C stationarily
mounted thereon, of bearings movably connected with said plate and a type-plate E
fitted to slide parallel with the said letter-plate and mounted on said movable
bearings, a stylus F upon the said type-plate, an impression device K and means
for feeding the paper the distance between the letters by the vertical movement of
the type plate, as described.
2nd The combination with the base plate A and the letter-plate C stationarily
mounted thereon, of bearings movably connected with said plate and a type plate E
fitted to slide parallel with the said letter plate and mounted on said movable
bearings, a stylus F upon the said type plate, a paper-carrying impression-roller K
arranged to slide at right angles to the type-plate, and means for feeding the said
roller the distance between the letters by the vertical movement of the type-plate.
3rd In a type-writing machine, the combination of the overhanging arms or
brackets B rigidly secured at one end only to the bed A, a letter-plate C firmly
secured to the free ends of said arms, with the pivotally secured arins D, and the
type-plate E free to slide in guides on the said arms D, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
4th In a type-writing machine, a support B consisting of an overhanging arm or
reach with the letter-plate rigidly secured upon the said arm and having a
downward projecting branch b, fixedly secured to the bed-plate or main support of
the machine.
5th In a type-writing machine, the combination of a base plate and a letter-
plate fixedly mounted thereon, with a type-plate and bearings for the same moving
independent of the letter-plate and loosely connected with the base-plate and
arranged to receive and guide said type-plate, substantially as described.
6th In a type-writing machine the combination of a stationary letter plate with
a type plate sliding parallel with said letter plate, and pivoted arms provided with

page_text: "
bearings for the said type plate, whereby an equal leverage is maintained for the
same and the arms carry the minimum of weight substantially as described.
7th The combination in a type-writer, of a suitable paper-guide as a paper-
carrying roller K provided with a knob k and spaco-indications n on the said
knob, the said roller being mounted in posts h, k, which support a wire w in
contact with the said roller, and an index-point or mark T on one of said posts in
juxta position to the said knob, for the purpose of moving and guaging the movement
of the paper as hereinbefore set forth.
8th In a typo-writing machine, the combination of: a depressable type plate and
stylus mounted on pivoted arms D, a crank composed of an arm I fixed rigid with
the arms D.and a piece O pivoted to tlie arm I and held normally in line with the
said arm by a spring P, a feed-pawl N having a stop-pin h, and a paper-carrying
slide-frame provided with a rack M. and a stop H to engage the said pawl and
pin, respectively for the purpose set forth.
9th In a type-writer, the combination, with a sliding type-plate and its non
sliding guide, of inking rollers S arranged to revolve in contact with the type-
surface when the plate is slid.