Improvements in Type Writing Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 18th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 8th June, 1889
RESERVE CO
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Writing Machines.
I, FREDERICK MYERS of 56 Huskisson Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to a type writing machine in which the type are arranged
above the printing roller or platen upon the peripheries of one or more vertical
dises, the said disc or each disc, (if there be more than one) being rotated into
a given position for each type thereon, the relative amounts of such rotation
depending upon the relative distances to which the type key levers are depressed.
The object of the invention is to construct a strong and comparatively cheap
machine, and one which shall at the same time be easily and quickly worked by
means of the ordinary keys placed in front of the machine.
On one end of the main frame of the apparatus is mounted an upright frame,
and on the other an overhanging standard. The main frame carrying the aforesaid
frame and standard, and almost the whole of the mechanism, is pivoted in an
approximately horizontal position to a lower fixed machine bed.
The main frame is held normally in its elevated position by means of a spring or
springs or their equivalent. The upward movement of the main frame is controlled
by an adjustable stop which is preferably fitted with a buffer block.
A similar buffer
or buffers may also be provided for the frame to strike against at the termination
of its downward movement.
The type keys are preferably arranged in three parallel rows at the front of the
machine. The same keys which are used for printing the large characters inay also
be used for printing the small characters and the figures, in the manner hereinafter
described. Each type key is attached to the front end of a type key lever, all the
type key levers being carried by a horizontal main shaft which passes through their
rear ends, and is supported in bearings preferably on the main frame, and upright
frame aforesaid. The type key levers are preferably connected to the main shaft by

page_text: `a long key or feather, which passes through a suitable slot in the eye of each lever,
so that the shaft is rotated for a certain distance whenever a type key lever is
depressed. Or the eye of each type key lever may be provided with a feather, and
a long slot may be formed in the main shaft. The type key levers corresponding to
one row of type keys are of a different length from those belonging to another row,
so that a key in one row, when depressed to a given distance, would produce a
different amount of movement in the main shaft from that which would be produced
by a key in another row, when depressed to the same distance.
Each of the type
key levers is guided preferably at or near its outer end, by a guiding slot, against the
lower end of which it strikes when depressed to a certain distance. The slots are
preferably formed in a vertical rib extending across the main frame below the levers.
No two slots in the rib bave the same depth, so that each key in a row depresses
its lever to a different point and rotates the shaft through a different angle from
that of any other key. The type key levers are, after each depression, returned to
their normal position by a spring or springs or their equivalents, and their upward
movement is controlled by a check arrangement, of any suitable description.
The levers. may be retained in their position longitudinally upon the shaft by
collars upon the shaft, but prefer to retain them by passing them through slots in
a vertical rib, which is placed as near as practicable to the shaft.
To avoid depressing all the levers, each time a type key is moved, the slots in the lover
eyes are made wider than the width of the feather on the main shaft. One edge
of the feather is held normally (by a spring or counterweight) against the corre-
sponding edges of all the slots, so that the least downward movement of a type lever
will actuate the shaft. The greatest movement of which a type lever is capable will
not, however, cause the shaft to rotate so far as to bring the opposite edge of the
feather in contact with the corresponding sides of the slots of the other levers, and
the latter will consequently remain stationary. After a lever is released, the shaft is
returned to its normal position by the spring aforesaid.
A finger bar may be arranged on the front of the main frame, by which
it may be depressed independently of the keys for a purpose hereinafter to be
explained.
The main shaft carries a bevel wheel or quadrant, which gears with a similar
wheel or quadrant on a transverse shaft carried in bearings on the upright standard
aforesaid. The front end of the said shaft carries a toothed quadrant arm, which
projects vertically upwards for some distance. The said arin is connected with a
spring or its equivalent which returns it to its normal position whenever it is released.
A buffer or stop may also be provided for the arm to strike against on its return
movement. The spring and buffer aforesaid may be attached to any convenient part
of the machine.
The type are carried on the periphery of a type wheel which is mounted upon a
horizontal shaft above the printing platen hereinafter described, in such a manner
as to be capable of rotating in a vertical plane passing approximately through the
axis of the said platen. The type are arranged in one or more (preferably three)
parallel circles around or partly around the periphery of the type wheel, a blank
space or gap being preferably left at one point in the circles of type or in the type.
wheel itself, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Instead of arranging two or more
groups of type upon one wheel, 1 may arrange them on separate wheels of equal
diameters mounted side by side upon the same shaft. One group or circle. of type
contains the capitals, and the stops or signs most frequently used therewith, a a. second
group embraces the small letters with their usual stops; etcetera, while the third.
group, which is preferably the central one, includes the numerals and those stops,
signs, or characters, which are seldom used.
The type wheel shaft is mounted in suitable bearings upon the machine, so as to
move with the main frame, but independently of the printing platen. The said
shaft is capable of a considerable amount of movement longitudinally, so that any
of the groups of type upon the type wheel may, as desired, be brought into
position above the printing platen by simply pushing back or pulling forward

page_text: the shaft. The shaft and wheel are held in the desired longitudinal position by
means of a spring pawl or its equivalent, which is adapted to engage any one of a
series of parallel circumferential grooves, carried by the shaft, and corresponding in
number and distance apart, to the groups of type on the type wheel. The grooves
can be formed on a boss on the type wheel or shaft, or upon the shaft itself, and the
spring pawl is so constructed as to yield when a slight force is applied longitudinally
to the shaft, while it at the same time holds the type wheel securely in position,
without in the least interfering with its rotation.
The type wheel shaft carries near its front end a toothed wheel into which gears
the vertical quadrant arm aforesaid, so that the type wheel is rotated more or less
at each movement of the quadrant arm, that is, of the main shaft carrying the type
key levers. It will be obvious that other mechanism might be employed for
connecting the main shaft with the type wheel, but at present, I prefer the fore-
going arrangement.
A
The front end of the type wheel shaft carries a locking wheel or disc, having on
its periphery a series of teeth, notches, or their equivalent, corresponding in number
to, and in the same relative angular position as, the type on the type wheel.
locking pin or pawl is arranged to engage with one of these notches each time the
main frame is depressed to print a character, so that the type wheel is always held
firmly in position during the monent of printing. The locking wheel also serves as
a handle for adjusting the longitudinal position of the type wheel.
The printing platen or roller is supported in any convenient manner on a platen
frame which slides longitudinally in a hinged guide or bed. The end of the
platen is provided with a wheel having a number of notches into which a spring
pin or pawl engages itself, holding the platen in any desired position. The distance
between each of the notches is equal to the distance required between the lines of
writing or printing. One side of the hinged bed is hinged or pivoted to the upright
frame and standard aforesaid, or in other convenient manner. The other or rear side
is supported (by means of a curved or sloping projection on the hinged bed,) upon a
curved or sloping abutment carried by the fixed machine bed. The abutment or
projection (or both) is of such a shape that the rear side of the bed (and therefore
the printing platen) is raised slightly as the pivots of the hinged bed are drawn
slightly forwards and downwards by the depressing of the main frame in the act of
printing. The depressing of the main frame also causes the type wheel to be brought
down upon the printing platen, as hereinafter described.
The depressing of the pivoted main frame also causes the platen frame to be moved
longitudinally the necessary distance for spacing the letters. This may be effected as
follows: A toothed rack is supported in brackets attached to the hinged bed, and has
at or near one end a horizontally projecting pin. The sliding platon frame has pivoted
to it a pawl, which engages the teeth of the toothed rack in one direction only.
A spacing finger, having an inclined or wedge-shaped termination, is mounted
upon the inner side of the upright frame, so as to slide thereon in an approximately
vertical direction. The inclined end projects upwards with its point in close proximity
to the aforesaid rack pin. The lower end of the finger is jointed to one end of
a lever, which oscillates at or about its centre on a pivot carried by the fixed machine
bed, the other end of the lever being pivoted to the main frame, at or near its front
edge. As the main frame is depressed, the inclined end of the spacing finger is
forced upwards against the pin aforesaid and causes the rack, and consequently the
platen frame, to be drawn along the distance necessary to space a letter or other
character. The rack having been drawn along the required distance, the pin rests,
during any further movement of the main frame, against the vertical side of the
pacing finger without operating the rack. On the upward movement of the main
rame the rack is returned to its original position by a spring. When the sliding
rame is to be withdrawn the pawl carried thereby may be thrown back out of gear.
Other means, such as an upright finger projecting from the fixed machine bed,
or a rocking lever carried by the upright frame, might be employed to operate the
rack, but I prefer the foregoing arrangement.

page_text: 3
In order to space the words, the main frame may be depressed by the finger bar
aforesaid. Or a separate word spacing lever may be employed instead of the finger
bar to actuate the rack. A gap is left as aforementioned in the groups of type on
the type wheel in order that the wheel, when depressed, in spacing a word may not
come in contact with the platen.
The sheet of paper is held in position on the platen by means of a roller, which
lies against the platen. The roller is mounted between two arms which are pivoted
to the sliding platen frame. The roller is held in contact with the printing platen
by a spring or springs, which press against the aforesaid arms. One of these arms
has an extension by means of which the roller may be drawn away from the platen
when the paper is to be inserted or adjusted. To fix a sheet of paper in the
machine, the edge of the sheet is first slipped under the platen, being guided by a
guide. The roller is then thrown back, the edge of the paper turned over the platen,
and held in position thereon by releasing the roller. Or the roller may be dispensed'
with, and a simple wire used instead, either with or without a spring.
The type may be inked previous to each impression as follows:
The ink is placed upon a roller of absorptive material. This roller bears against
the type, and is carried in bearings which are adjustable in any convenient manner,
upon the frame. The type required to print is drawn across the ink roller each time
the type wheel is rotated previously to, and after printing.
A warning bell such as is usually found in type writing machines may be placed
in any convenient position so as to ring when a line is almost complete.
The mode of action is as follows:
The type wheel is first adjusted so that its spring pin or pawl rests in the groove
on the type wheel shaft corresponding to the group of type with which it is desired
to print. A key is depressed, and causes a partial rotation of the type wheel by
means of the type key lever belonging to the said key, and the mechanism
connecting the said lever with the type wheel shaft. The type key lever strikes
the bottom of its guiding slot as soon as the type wheel has been rotated sufficiently
to bring the corresponding type into position for printing. By continuing the
pressure on the key, the pivoted main frame is depressed. This causes the locking
disc to be brought down upon the locking pin aforesaid. The pin, entering the notch
immediately above it, adjusts and locks the type wheel in position before printing.
During the first part of the downward movement of the main frame, the rack pin
slides down the inclined spacing finger, and the printing platen is consequently drawn
along into the proper position for printing. During the depression of the main
frame, the type wheel and printing platen approach each other, and by the time
the main frame has descended to the buffer, the platen has pressed the paper against
the type wheel, and produced an impression. The key being released, the key lever,
type wheel, and main frame are returned to their normal position by their respective
springs or counterweights, the spacing finger is withdrawn from the rack pin, and
the rack returns to its original position by its spring. The machine is now ready for
another or the same key to be depressed to produce the next impression.
On the completion of a line, the hand wheel or disc on the platen is turned in
a given direction. The line spacing pawl is therefore depressed, and the paper moved
the distance required to print the next line.
In describing the foregoing machine, it has been assumed that the matter was
printed from left to right. The machine could however, with slight modifications be
adapted to print from right to left. Also the style of the printed characters may
be varied by having a series of similar type wheels, each bearing characters of a
particular style, any one of which wheels may be readily changed for any other.
It must be distinctly understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details
of the apparatus herein described, as the same may be modified without materially
departing from the essential principles of the invention. For instance, instead of
placing the type upon a type wheel, the former may be carried on the outer end of a
quadrant arm extending horizontally over the printing platen, and mounted upon
a vertical shaft, which could be worked by any suitable gearing from the main shaft

page_text: aforesaid. The type in this case, are arranged in an arc of a circle, having its
centre in the axis of the shaft carrying the quadrant arm. A convenient way of
arranging the three groups of type is to place each group on one side of a triangular
bar, which is pivoted on the arm so as to be capable of being turned about its
longitudinal axis. One end of the bar is provided with a hand wheel, by which it
may be turned, and a small wheel is also placed on the axis having three equidistant
nicks or holes in its periphery, with any of which a spring pawl may engage so as to
hold the bar firmly in position with any desired side downwards.
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Type Writing Machines.
I, FREDERICK MYERS, of 56 Huskisson Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to that kind of type writing machine in which the type are
arranged above the printing roller or platen, upon the peripheries of one or more
vertical discs, the said disc, or each disc (if there be more than one), being rotated
into a given position for each type thereon, the relative amounts of such rotation
depending upon the relative distances to which the type key levers are depressed.
Certain portions of the mechanism are, however, applicable to type writing machines
other than the above, and certain portions also are described and claimed in my former
patent specification No. 8413 of 1888.
The invention relates more especially to the arrangement of the type on the type
wheel, to the position and manner of mounting the type wheel, to the mechanism for
operating, adjusting, and locking said wheel, to the spacing mechanism, and to
various other details, the object being to construct a strong, and comparatively cheap
machine, and one which shall, at the same time, be easily and quickly worked by
means of the ordinary keys placed in front of the machine.
The invention may be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which―
Figure 1 is an end elevation of the machine.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the reverse end of the machine to that shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of the machine with parts broken away.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the machine with parts removed and other parts
broken away.
Figure 5 is a detail view of a modification of the type key levers and their
connections.
Figure 6 is a detail view of the inking mechanism.
Figure 7 is a detail view showing an alternative arrangement of spacing
mechanism.
In the drawings and specification, only so much of the machine is shown and
described as is necessary for the proper understanding of the invention. For a fuller
description of the remainder, reference may be had to my former patent specifications
Nos. 14130 of 1887, 3233 of 1888, and 8143 of 1888.
On one end of the main frame A of the machine is mounted an upright frame B,
and on the other an overhanging standard B. The main frame carrying the afore-
said frame and standard, and almost the whole of the mechanisin, is pivoted as
at A in an approximately horizontal position to the lower fixed machine bed A¹,
being held in its normal position by a spring or springs A', and an adjustable

page_text: stop a, which is preferably fitted with a buffer block. A similar buffer or buffers a
may also be provided for the frame to strike against at the termination of its down-
ward movement.
The main frame is preferably pivoted to the bed A¹ directly below the type key
lever shaft D and printing platen R, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or even slightly in
advance of these parts. By this arrangement, the weight of the frame and mechanism
is almost equally distributed on each side of the pivots A³, so that a comparatively
light spring may be employed at A', and little power is required to compress the
spring when the frame is depressed.
The type keys C are preferably arranged in three parallel rows at the front of the
machine. The same keys which are used for printing the large characters are also
used for printing the small characters and the figures, in the manner hereinafter
described. Each type key is attached to the front end of a type key lever C, all the
type key levers being carried by the horizontal key lever shaft D, which passes
through their rear ends and is supported in bearings, preferably on the main frame A
and upright frame B aforesaid. The typo key levers may be connected to the key
lever shaft by a long koy or feather d, which passes through a suitable slot d' in
the eye of each lever, so that the shaft is rotated for a certain distance whenever
a type key lever is depressed, (see Figure 5). Or the eye of each type key lever
may be provided with a feather, and a long slot may be formed in the lever shaft.
Each of the type key levers is guided, preferably at or near its outer end, by a
guiding slot c, Figures 3 and 4, against the lower end of which it strikes when
depressed to a certain distance. The slots are preferably formed in a vertical rib (
extending across the main frune below the levers. No two slots in the rib have the
same depth, so that each key depresses its lever to a different point and rotates the
shaft through a different angle from that of any other key.
Each type key lever, after being depressed, is returned to its normal position by
a spring c. This spring is preferably secured to the rear of the frame A and rests
against the underside of the lever. By this arrangement, the levers cannot depress
the main frame before striking the bottom of the slots e, as they otherwise might
do if the springs were mounted upon the front part of the frame.
The upward movement of the levers is controlled by a check rod c³ or by other
suitable check arrangement.
The levers C may be retained in their position longitudinally upon the shaft D
by loose collars upon the shaft, but it is preferable to retain them in position by
passing them through slots in a vertical rib 3, Figures 4 and 5, which is
mounted upon the frame A, and placed as near as practicable to the shaft.
After a lever is released, the shaft 1) is returned to its normal position by a
spring, hereinafter describe:1.
To avoid depressing all the levers, each time a type key is moved, the slots d'
in the lever eyes are extended downwards from the feather d on the key lever
shaft, as shown in Figure 5, (or upwards from the feather d, if the latter he on the
rear side of the shaft). The upper or working edge of the feather is hold normally,
in an arrangement such as shown in Figure 5, by the spring f aforesaid or its
equivalent, against the corresponding edges of all the slots, so that the least downward
movement of a type key lever will actuate the shaft. The greatest movement of
which a type key lever is capable will not, however, cause the shaft to rotate so far as
to bring the lower or rear edge of the feather in contact with the corresponding
sides of the slots of the other levers, and the latter will, consequently, remain
stationary.
The type wheel, and the adjusting, locking and driving mechanisin therefor, may be
arranged as follows:-
The key lever shaft D carries a bevel wheel or quadrant D¹, which gears with a
similar wheel or quadrant F1 on a transverse shaft F, carriel in bearings on the
upright standard B₁ aforesaid. The front end of the shaft F, carries a toothed
quadrant arm F2, which projects vertically upwards for some distance. The said arm
is connected with the spring for its equivalent, which returns it to its normal position

page_text: whenever it is released, the said spring being preferably secured to a weighted
downward extension of the quadrant arm, as shown. A buffer or stop may also be
provided for the arm to strike against on its return movement. The spring and
buffer aforesaid may be attached to any convenient part of the machine.
The type are carried on the periphery of a type wheel H, which is mounted upon a
horizontal shaft h, above the printing platen R, in such a manner as to be capable of
oscillating in a vertical plane passing approximately through the axis of the said
platen. The type are arranged in one or more (preferably three) parallel
circles Z, Z, Z3, around or partly around the periphery of the type wheel, a blank
space or gap H³ being preferably left at one point in the circles of type or in the type
wheel itself, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. Instead of arranging two or more
groups of type upon one wheel, I may arrange them on separate wheels of equal
diameters mounted side by side upon the same shaft. One group or circle of type, as
for instance, Z, contains the capitals, and the stops or signs most frequently used
therewith, a second group, as Z², embraces the small letters with their usual
stops, etcetera, while the third group Z', which is preferably the central one, includes
the numerals and those stops, signs, or characters which are seldom used. By thus
arranging the type in parallel rows, the diameter and weight of the type wheel may
be greatly reduced.
The type wheel shaft his mounted in suitable bearings h¹, upon the machine,
preferably upon the standard B¹, so as to move with the main frame, but independently
of the printing platen R. The shaft. h is capable of a considerable amount of movement
longitudinally, so that any of the groups of type upon the type wheel may, as desired,
be brought into position above the printing platen by simply pushing back or pulling
forward the shaft. The shaft and wheel are held in the desired longitudinal position
by means of a spring pawl K' or its equivalent, which is adapted to engage any one
of a series of parallel circumferential grooves K³, carried by the shaft, and
corresponding in number and distance apart, to the groups of type on the type
wheel. The grooves can be formed on a boss on the type wheel or shaft, or
upon the shaft itself, and the spring pawl is so constructed as to yield when a
slight force is applied longitudinally to the shaft, while, at the same time, it
is stiff enough to hold the type wheel securely in position, without in the least
interfering with its rotation. Or the grooves K³ may be replaced by a simple collar
having a central groove, the pawl in this case resting either within the groove or
against either end of the collar.
The type wheel shaft carries near its front end a toothed wheel K, into which
gears the vertical quadrant arm F' aforesaid, so that the type wheel is rotated more
or less at each movement of the quadrant arm, that is, of the key lever shaft D
carrying the type key levers. It will be obvious that other mechanism might be
employed for connecting the main shaft with the type wheel, but at present I prefer
the foregoing arrangement.
The front end of the type wheel shaft carries a locking wheel or disc H³, having,
on its periphery, a series of teeth, notches H³, or their equivalent, corresponding in
number to, and in the same relative angular position as the type on the type wheel.
A locking pin or pawl L is arranged to engage with one of these notches each time
the main frame is depressed to print a character, so that the type wheel is always held
firmly in position during the moment of printing.
The locking pawl L is preferably supported by a spring finger L' attached to
the fixed bed A¹. After the pawl bas engaged one of the notches H2, and during
any further depression of the main frame, the spring finger is compressed and
prevents any injury to the locking wheel or pawl. The locking wheel H' also
serves as a handle for adjusting the longitudinal position of the type wheel.
One side of the hinged bed S carrying the platen frame R¹ is hinged or pivoted
to the upright frame B and standard B', or in other convenient manner, and the
other side (preferably the rear one) is supported (by means of a curved or sloping
projection S¹, on the hinged bed), upon a curved or sloping abutment S, carried
by the fixed machine bed A', as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The abutment S³ or

page_text: projection S¹ (or both) is of such a shape that the rear side of the bed S (and
therefore the printing platen R) is raised slightly, as the pivots 8 of the hinged bed
are drawn slightly forwards and downwards by the depression of the main frame A in
the act of printing.
It will he obvious that other elevating devices, not carried by the main frame, may
be employed for supporting that side of the bed remote from its pivots. Also the
pivots & might be placed at the rear side of the bed S, and the front side be supported
upon a suitable elevating device.
The depression of the pivoted main frame A also causes the platen frame R¹ to be
moved longitudinally the necessary distance for spacing the letters. This may be
effected as follows:-
A toothed rack T is supported in brackets attached to the hinged bed S, and has at
or near one end a horizontally projecting pin t¹ (Figures 3 and 4). The sliding platen
frame R¹ has pivoted to it a pawl which engages the teeth of the toothed rack in
one direction only.
The rack T may be operated by the depression of the main frame in various ways,
a few of which are set forth below.
A spacing finger T, having an inclined or wedge-shaped termination, may be
mounted upon the inner side of the upright frame B, so as to slide thereon in an
approximately vertical direction. The inclined end projects upwards with its point
in close proximity to one side of the aforesaid rack pin t¹. The lower end of the
finger is jointed to one end of a lever such as t, which oscillates at or about its
centre on a pivot t7, carried by the fixed machine bed A', the other end of the lever
being pivoted as at 8 to the main frame A, at or near its front edge. As the main
frame is depressed, the inclined end of the spacing finger T is forced upwards against
the pin aforesaid, and causes the rack T, and consequently the platen frame R', to
be drawn along the distance necessary to space a letter or other character. The rack
having been drawn along the required distance, the pin t¹ rests, during any further
movement of the main frame, against the vertical side of the spacing finger without
operating the rack. On the upward movement of the main frame, the rack is
returned to its original position by a spring t When the sliding frame R¹ is to be
withdrawn, the pawl t2, carried thereby, may be thrown back out of gear with the
rack.
Or the rack pin t¹ may be engaged by the upwardly projecting arm T' (Figure 7)
of a rocking angle lever T¹, which is pivoted to the upright frame B. The other
arm T of the lever is first cranked horizontally, and then projects vertically down-
wards and rests upon the rear end of the lever te, which, as before, is pivoted to the
fixed bed A' at t, and to the front of the oscillating main frame A at t. As the main
frame is depressed, the rear end of the lever to rises and lifts the arm T3 of the angle
lever. By reason of the shape of the angle lever T', the lower end of the arm T³,
when raised, moves sideways towards the right, while the upper end of the arm
moves towards the left, and draws along the rack T. By the time the rack has been
moved the proper distance, the lower end of the arm Ts has moved off the rear end of
the lever t, and any further upward movement of the latter (due to the depression of
the frame. A while printing) takes place along the vertical part of the arm T³,
without causing it to be moved sideways. When the main frame is released, the
rack T and lever T¹ are returned to their normal position by the spring t*.
T
Or an upright finger may be attached to the fixed bed A¹. The finger is provided
with an inclined termination which projects upwards in proximity to one side of the
rack pin t, so that it engages the latter and draws the rack along each time the main
frame is depressed.
In spacing a word, the main frame is depressed by means of a finger bar provided
at its front edge for that purpose. Or a separate word spacing lever may be employed,
instead of the finger bar, to actuate the rack when spacing a word.
.
A gap H is left' as aforementioned, in the groups of type on the type wheel H, in
order that the platen, when raised in spacing a worl, may not come in contact with
the wheel.

page_text: The sheet of paper Q is held in position on one side of the platen by a roller s
(Figures 2 and 3). The roller is mounted between two arms, which are pivoted
at to the sliding frame R'. The roller is held in contact with the printing platen
by a spring or springs, which press against the arms. One of these arms has
an extension 7, by means of which the roller may be drawn away from the platen R
when the paper is to be inserted or adjusted. To fix the sheet of paper in the machine,
the edge of the sheet is first slipped under the platen R, being guided by the guide 78.
The roller is then thrown back, the edge of the paper turned over the platen, and
held in position thereon by releasing the roller 3. Or the roller may be dispensed
with, and a simple wire used instead, either with or without a spring.
The type may be inked previous to each impression as follows:-
The ink is placed upon a roller M, Figure 6, of absorptive material. This roller
bears against the type, and is carried in bearings preferably upon the spring arm M',
which is adjustable in any convenient manner, upon the frame or standard B. The
type required to print is drawn across the ink roller each time the type wheel is rotated
previously to, and after, printing.
A warning bell, such as is usually found in type writing machines, may be placed
in any convenient position, so as to ring when a line is almost complete.
The mode of action of the foregoing parts of the machine is as follows:-
The type wheel H is first adjusted so that its spring pin or pawl K2 rests in that
groove on the type wheel shaft corresponding to the group of type with which it is
desired to print. A key is depressed, and causes a partial rotation of the type wheel
by means of the type key lever C₁ belonging to the said key, and the mechanism
connecting the said lever with the type wheel shaft. The type key lever strikes the
bottom of its guiding slot c as soon as the type wheel has been rotated sufficiently to
bring the corresponding type into position for printing. By continuing the pressure
on the key, the pivoted main frame A is depressed. This causes the locking disc H
to be brought down upon the locking pin or pawl L aforesaid. The pawl entering
the notch immediately above it, adjusts and locks the type wheel in position before
printing.
During the first part of the downward movement of the main frame A, the
rack T is operated by means of the lever to and the spacing finger T or angle spacing
lever T, and the printing platen is, consequently, drawn along into the proper position
for printing. During the depression of the main frame, the printing platen R is
raised towards the type wheel H, by the contact between the projection S¹ and
abutment S, and by the time the main frame has descended to the buffer a³, the
platen has pressed the paper against the type wheel, and produced an impression.
The type key being released, the key lever, type wheel, and main frame, are returned
to their normal position by their respective springs, the spacing finger or lever
releases the rack pin t¹, and the rack is returned to its original position by its spring t*.
The machine is now ready for another or the same key to be depressed to produce
the next impression.
In describing the foregoing parts of the machine, it has been assumed that the
matter was printed from left to right. The machine, could, however, with slight
modifications, be adapted to print from right to left. Also the style of the printed
characters may be varied by having a series of similar type wheels, each bearing
characters of a particular style, any one of which wheels may be readily changed for
any other.
It must be distinctly understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details of
the apparatus herein described, as the same may be modified to a certain extent without
departing from the essential principles of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a type writer, the combination of a type wheel or whee Iscapable of an
oscillatory and a longitudinal movement upon an approximately horizontal axis, a

page_text: series of type key levers connected with said type wheel and adapted to impart
varying amounts of oscillation to the same, a depressible main frame carrying said
wheel, levers, and connecting mechanism and pivoted upon an axis lying below the
wheel and approximately at right angles to the axis of the same, and a platen carrying
bed below the wheel hinged at one side to the main frame on an axis approximately
parallel to the pivot axis thereof and supported at the opposite side upon an elevating
device not carried by the frame, substantially as described.
2. In a type writer, a platen bed hinged at or near one side to a pivoted depressible
main frame as described, and supported at the opposite side upon a stationary abut-
ment such as S having a curved and sloping face adapted to bear against the opposing
curved or sloping face of a projection such as S¹ on the bed, whereby the depression
of the main frame causes the platen to be raised against the type wheel, substantially
as described.
3. In a type writer, the mechanism, substantially as described, for imparting the
varying movements of the key lever shaft to the type wheel arranged as described
above the shaft, the said mechanism consisting of a toothed wheel or quadrant D¹ on
the shaft, a wheel F¹ gearing with the same and carried by a transverse shaft F, an
upright balanced toothed wheel or quadrant F2 on the shaft F, and a pinion K on the
type wheel shaft gearing with the quadrant F.
4. In a type writer, the combination with a type wheel H having its type arranged
circumferentially as described and a pivoted depressible main frame A carrying said
wheel, of a locking wheel H' moving synchronously with the type wheel and having
on its periphery a series of notches or their equivalent corresponding in number and
relative angular position with the type, and a locking. pawl mounted in a flexible
manner upon a stationary support L' and adapted to engage one of the notches in said
locking wheel at each depression of the main frame by a type key lever, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a type writer, the combination with a depressible main frame such as A and
a reciprocatory spacing rack such as T, of a spacing finger T capable of sliding upon
the main frame in an approximately vertical path and having a sloping termination
for engaging one side of a projecting pin t' or its equivalent on the rack, and of a
rocking lever such as to connecting the lower end of said finger with the front part
of the main frame, whereby the rack (and the platen connected therewith) is.drawr.
along the necessary distance to space the words or characters each time the said main
frame is depressed, substantially as described.
6. In a type writer, the combination with a depressible main frame such as A and
a reciprocatory spacing rack such as T, of an angled spacing lever T¹ pivoted upon
the main frame and resting with its upper end against the side of a pin t¹ or its
equivalent on the spacing rack, and a rocking lever such as to having one of its ends
engaging the lower end of said angle lever and the other end connected with the front
part of the main frame, whereby the rack (and the platen connected therewith) is
drawn along the necessary distance to space the words or characters, each time the main
frame is depressed, substantially as described.