AN IMPROVED WRITING MACHINE FOR THE BLIND TERMED THE DIPLOGRAPHE.
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED WRITING MACHINE FOR THE BLIND TERMED THE DIPLOGRAPHE.'
A communication from abroad by Ernest Recordon, Professeur de Physique
at Geneva, Switzerland.
Sealed the 30th September 1870, and dated the 13th April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th April 1876.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "An IMPROVED WRITING MACHINE FOR THE BLIND
TERMED THE DIPLOGRAPHE.'” A communication to me from abroad by Ernest
Recordon, Professeur de Physique at Geneva, Switzerland.
This instrument is unique of its kind.
For the last forty years the solution of the problem solved satisfactorily by the
machine or apparatus hercin termed the "Diplographe " has been vainly sought.
All the writing machines in actual use have a very great fault.
Supposing a blind man to use "Braille's" punch and board or table, he writes for
himself alone, he may read his own writing over again, but a person not deprived
of sight cannot profit by this writing of which he does not possess the key. On
the other hand, if the blind men wishes to write to those having sight he must first
know their alphabet (which is for him a somewhat long and difficult study), and usc
somewhat complicated writing instruments, the study and handling of which also
presents some difficulty, further, the blind man cannot then read over again what he
has written so that he is unable to keep up a long correspondence or to write for the
press.
This improved machine or "diplographe" permits the person having sight-
1°. To write in relief in dots or signs for the blind without knowing the dot
alphabet or code of signs for the blind, and without previous study.
1

page_text: 20. It permits the blind to write to those who can see without knowing the
alphabet, and without previous study (the two alphabets being placed opposite each
other on the circumference of the printing wheel).
3º. The blind man can read over again that which he has written to those who
can see, an immense advantage afforded by no other instrument.
I will now proceed to describe the construction of the "diplographe," reference
being had to the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
The length of the instrument shown on the Drawing is 24 inches long by 16
inches high, and 12 inches wide. These dimensions will vary to suit the purchaser.
Two wheels of different diameter (say 8 inches and 3 inches) are set on the ends
of an axle A.
The first wheel A¹ carries on its periphery the dotted or blind alphabet represented
by points or projections which print it on the sheet of paper C.
The second wheel B carries on its periphery typhographical characters engraved
in relief A, B, C, et cetera, the ten numerals, the accents, and the signs of punctuation
(as well as the wheel A¹) in all forty-five signs.
The typographical characters will print themselves upon the sheet D at the same
time that those upon the wheel A¹ print upon
the paper C.
The axle carrying these two wheels A, B, is secured by bearings upon a slide or
carriage E, F, united by a handle P, Figure 1, on which Figure A indicates the
axle connecting the wheels; C, paper upon which the dots are printed; D, paper
upon which ordinary characters are printed; E, F, slide; P, working handle; G, G,
Figure 2, rod upon which the carriage E, F, slides. Thus the slide or carriage may
by the aid of the handle P held in the right hand cause the application of the two
wheels A, B, against the papers C and D.
When the impression is made the right hand pulls the carriage back and the left
hand secks on the .circumference of the wheel A¹ the next letter to be printed.
It will be seen that both alphabets are placed side by side on the side of the
wheel A', that A, B, C, et cetera, for those who can see, and that ⚫ et cetera for
the blind. The person desiring to write whether blind or not must bring the
letter to be printed under the index H, sufficiently prominent above the wheel A¹
to arrest the finger of the blind. This index is fixed to the slide carrying the
wheels.
The letter brought under the index is upon the periphery of both wheels facing
the paper, (Figure 3).
The chosen letters cannot shift involuntarily, for behind the wheel A¹ (sec
Figure 4), and attached thereto, is a very round rose I, having as many rounded
teeth as there are letters on the periphery of the wheels (45). A spring I fixed to
the carriage E, F, keeps the wheel at the chosen letter, a slight effort permits the
writer to turn the wheel to bring the following letter.
Movement of the papers:-The sheet C secured to the board K by means of the
hinge rule L closed by a hook, slides in a groove and is held at the top by a slide
rule, and the sheet D is held in a similar inanner.
When a letter is printed the two sheets of paper advance automatically to the
extent of the width of a letter. The sheet C travels towards the right, the sheet D
towards the left not in the same direction, because the sheet I receives the impres-
sion as it is read, whereas the impression in relief in dots being sunk in the
sheet C, this sheet must be turned over to permit the reading of the impression by
the blind.
The difference in diameter of the wheels A¹, B, permits the sheet C to pass behind
the sheet D.
The Drawing shows the sheets at the beginning of a line, when the line is finished
the sheet C is behind the sheet D, which arrangement permits the proportions of the
instrument to be restricted.
The boards which support the paper are carried by a sliding frame (Figure 5),
for at each end of a line they must be lifted one notch of the racks M, M³, fixed

page_text: on the side of the boards held by the rack detents N, N1, (the mechanism is the
same for both sheets of paper). At each end of a line the bell t strikes to warn
the blind person to bring the papers back to their point of departure. The knob R
fixed at the end of a rod serves to give motion to a rod which moves the frame of
the board of the paper D.
It is easy (and I also do it) to construct these machines so as to pass the sheets
of paper automatically from one line to the following.
Firstly, after the printing of one line the two sheets of paper slide the breadth of a
letter is order to present to the printing wheels the place for the next letter to be
printed, this change being made by moving backward the carriage carrying the
printing wheels.
The two frames of the boards carrying the sheets of paper C and D have a rack at
the bottom placed horizontally, and with equal numbers of teeth, because the lines
of the papers C and D inust both end at the same time.
The Drawing shows the rack of the board of the sheet C.
The arrangement of the rack of the sheet D is similar but the teeth are turned in
the opposite direction to cause the papers to travel in contrary directions.
It is by means of a cranked lever with ratchet at its end that the movement of
the paper is obtained; the end of the lever abuts at each end of the handle P. At
cach backward movement of the carriage E, F, operated by the handle P the lever
actuates the ratchet which pushes the rack forward to the extent of one tooth.
a (Figure 6) point at which is fixed on the side of the frame supporting the
carriage E, F, the lever which by means of the rod acts on the rack of the
board of the Sheet C.
a¹ (Figure 7) point at which is fixed on the other side of the frame supporting
the carriage E, F, the lever which by the rod b¹ acts on the rack of the board of
Sheet D.
To produce the spaces to be left in blank between the words the handle P is
moved forward so that the wheels A¹, B, nearly touch the paper, no printing takes
place and the papers move one notch of the rack.
Two reels or bobbins are provided, which, covered cloth and inked with an
inking ball are by means of a spring R' fixed to the carriage made to ink the
wheel B.
This instrument may be made portable by fixing the two lateral sides S,X,T,V,U,
near the sides of the frame, which supports the carriage E, F, and making lateral
openings in these sides for the passage of the boards K, K, to the outside of the
apparatus while working.
The hooks Z, Z³, serve to secure the lid of the instrument, which when closed
resembles an ordinary box.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
October 1876.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED WRITING MACHINE FOR THE BLIND
TERMED THE DIPLOGRAPHE." A communication from abroad by Ernest Recordon,
Professeur de Physique at Geneva, Switzerland.
This instrument is unique of its kind.
For the last forty years the solution of the problem solved, satisfactorily by
the machine or apparatus herein termed the " Diplographe" has been vainly
sought.

page_text: All the writing machines in actual use have a very great fault.
Supposing a blind man to use "Braille's" punch and board or table, he writes
for himself alone, he may read his own writing over again, but a person not deprived
of sight cannot profit by this writing, of which he does not possess the key. On the
other hand, if the blind man wishes to write to those having sight he must first know
their alphabet (which is for him a somewhat long and difficult study) and use some-
what complicated writing instruments, the study and handling of which also present
some difficulty, further, the blind man cannot then read over again what he has
written so that he is unable to keep up a long correspondence or to write for the
press.
This improved machine or "Diplographe "permits the person having sight―
10. To write in relief in dots or signs for the blind without knowing the
dot alphabet or code of signs for the blind and without previous study.
20. It permits the blind to write to those who can see without knowing their
alphabet, and without previous study (the two alphabets being placed opposite each
other on the circumference of the printing wheel).
3º. The blind man can read over again that which he has written to those who
can see, an immense advantage afforded by no other instrument
I will now proceed to describe the construction of the "Diplographe," reference
being had to Figure A of the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
The length of the instrument shown in this Figure is 24 inches long by 16 inches
high, and 12 inches wide. These dimensions will vary to suit the purchaser.
Two wheels of different diameter (say 8 inches and 3 inches) are set on the ends
of an axle A.
The first wheel A¹ carries on its periphery the dotted or blind alphabet repre-
sented by points or projections which print it on the sheet of paper C.
The second wheel B carries on its periphery typhographical characters engraved
in relief A, B, C, &c., &c., the ten numerals, the accents, and the signs of punctuation
(as well as the wheel A.¹), in all forty-five signs.
The typhographical characters will print themselves upon the sheet D at the
same time that those upon the wheel A¹ print upon the paper C.
The axle carrying these two wheels A, B, is secured by bearings upon a slide or
carriage E, F, united by a handle P.
Figure 1 on which Figure A indicates the axle connecting the wheels.
C, paper upon which the dots are printed. D, paper upon which ordinary
characters are printed. E, F, slide. P, working handle. G, G, Figure 2, rod upon
which the carriage. E, F, slides. Thus the slide or carriage may by the aid of the
handle P held in the right hand cause the application of the two wheels A¹, B;
against the papers C and D.
When the impression is made the right hand. pulls the carriage back and the left
hand seeks on the circumference of the wheel A' the next letter to be printed. It
will be seen that both alphabets are placed side by side on the side of the wheel A¹,
that A, B, C, etc., for those who can see, and that
etc., etc. for the blind.
The person desiring to write whether blind or not must bring the letter to be
printed under the index H sufficiently prominent above the wheel A¹ to arrest the
finger of the blind. This index is fixed to the slide carrying the wheels.
The letter brought under the index is upon the periphery of both wheels facing
the paper (Figure 3).
The chosen letters cannot shift involuntarily, for behind the wheel A³ (see Figure
4) and attached thereto, is a very round rose I, having as many rounded teeth
as there are letters on the periphery of the wheels (45). A spring I, fixed to the
carriage E, F, keeps the wheel at the chosen letter. A slight effort permits the
writer to turn the wheel to bring the following letter.

page_text: Movement of the papers :-The sheet C secured to the board K by means of the
hinge rule L, closed by a hook, slides in a groove and is held at the top by a slide
rule and the sheet D is held in a similar manner.
When a letter is printed the two sheets of paper advance automatically to the
extent of the width of a letter. The sheet C travels towards the right, the sheet
D towards the left, not in the same direction, because the sheet D receives the
impression as it is read, whereas the impression in relief in dots being sunk in the
sheet C this sheet must be turned over to permit the reading of the impression by
the blind.
The difference in diameter of the wheels A, B, permits the sheet C to pass behind
the sheet D.
The Drawing shows the sheets at the beginning of a line, when the line is finished
the sheet C is behind the sheet D, which arrangement permits the proportions of the
instrument to be restricted.
The boards which support the papers are carried by a sliding frame (Figure 5), for
at each end of a line they must be lifted one notch of the racks M, M¹, fixed on the
side of the boards held by the rack detents N, N¹, (the mechanism is the same for
both sheets of paper). At each end of a line the bell t strikes to warn the blind
person to bring the papers back to their point of departure. The knob R fixed at
the end of a rod serves to give motion to a rod which moves the frame of the board
of the paper D.
It is very easy (and I also do it) to construct these machines so as to pass the
sheets of paper automatically from one line to the following.
Firstly. After the printing of one line the two sheets of paper slide the breadth
of a letter, in order to present to the printing wheels the place for the next letter
to be printed, this change being made by moving backward the carriage carrying
the printing wheels.
The two frames of the boards carrying the sheets of paper C and D have a rack
at the bottom placed horizontally, and with equal number of teeth, because the
lines of the papers C and D must both end at the same time.
The Drawing shows the rack of the board of the sheet C.
The arrangement of the rack of the sheet D is similar, but the teeth are turned in
the opposite direction to cause the papers to travel in contrary directions.
It is by means of a cranked lever with a ratchet at its end that the movement
of the paper is attained; the end of the lever abuts at each end of the handle P.
At each backward movement of the carriage E, F, operated by the handle P, the
lever actuates the ratchet which pushes the rack forward to the extent of one
tooth.
a (Figure 6) point at which is fixed on the side of the frame, supporting the
carriage E, F, the lever which by means of the rod b acts on the rack of the board
of the sheet C..
a¹ (Figure 7) point at which is fixed on the other side of the frame supporting
the carriage E, F, the lever which by the rod b acts on the rack of the board of
sheet D.
To produce the spaces to be left in blank between the words the handle P is
moved forward so that the wheels A, B, nearly touch the paper, no printing takes
place and the papers move one notch of the rack.
Two reels or bobbins are provided which are covered with cloth and inked with
an inking ball by means of a spring R' fixed to the carriage and made to ink the
wheel B.
This instrument may be made portable by fixing the two lateral sides S,X,T, V,U,
near the side of the frame which supports the carriage E, F, and making lateral
openings in these sides for the passage of the boards K, K¹, to the outside of the
apparatus while working.
The hooks Z, Z¹, serve to secure the lid of the instrument, which when closed
resembles an ordinary box.

page_text: Figure B shows a modification of the "Diplographe". in which the two type
wheels are supported on a rocking frame in lieu of being fixed as in Figure A, a, b, c,
rocking frame.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)