IMPROVED TYPE-WRITER
Year: 1884

page_text: I, EDWARD EDEN PEACOCK 5 Tierney Road, Streatham Hill, Surrey, journalist,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVED TYPE-WRITER to be as
follows:-
r
It embodies the following features viz:-(1) Printing a great number of copies
at one time. (2) The force with which the type strikes the paper is independent
of the pressure exerted by the finger or hand. (3) There is only one mechanism
for striking the various types, thus doing away with the complicated machinery of
other type writers (4) One, two, three or four sets of types can be worked
alternately without any interruption in the manipulation of the instrument
(5) Only one type can be brought into play at once thus avoiding the indis-
tinctness of impression or missing of letters which occurs when by accident two
keys are touched simultaneously.
The arrangement of my improved type-writer is as follows:-
A series of thin metal strips, forming a drum, with types on one end in one or
more rows, is caused to revolve by means of a handle, the latter being provided
with a pointer dipping into holes made in the upper disc corresponding to different
letters of the alphabet. By bringing the handle with its pointer over any indicated
letter the corresponding type is brought opposite the aperture in the case, ready
for printing on the paper which is fed by a roller facing the aperture. By
depressing the handle so that the pointer enters the hole corresponding to the
letter a pin is pushed downward and causes the hammer to strike on the head of
the type fixed to the spring and thus the character is marked on the paper. The
hammer works like the trigger of a gun and is a special feature of my type-writer.
When the handle, and with it the pin, is depressed, it depresses a lever with a paul
on one end which paul raises the hammer and at the same time tightens a spring.
When the hammer is at its highest point the paul slips out of the notch of the
hammer and the latter strikes the type under the combined influence of the spring
and its own weight.
Another lighter spring now lifts the lever with the paul and the recoiling
hammer catches the paul thus assuring its normal position and placing it ready for
another blow.
In order to bring into use the different sets of type which may be ranged around
the drum the latter can be lifted and lowered by means of a lever with a catch
spring so as to revolve at a level corresponding with the desired set of types.

page_text: The feeding arrangement consists of a roller which takes the paper and holds it
by means of two small rollers pressing against the larger one, thus allowing the
paper to follow the movement of the roller. It has two distinct movements, one
horizontal, which is effected by means of a rack on the frame carrying the roller
and a pinion actuated by the hammer mechanism; this motion makes up the line
the roller advancing each time after a letter is printed. A special lever makes
spacing between the words. The other movement of the roller is round its axis in
order to place the paper for the commencement of a fresh line. It is done auto-
matically for regular work but a handle is provided to make any desired distance
.between the lines.
'
The feeding arrangement consists of a horizontal arbor or spindle with the
pinion already mentioned. A ratchet wheel or a frictional drum is fixed on the
arbor and receives its motion from the upper lever of the hammer mechanism a
clock spring fixed with one end to the arbor and the other to the frame of the
instrument is gradually wound up while the line is in progress and brings the
frame of the roller back to begin a fresh line. There is a graduated scale in front
of the instrument which shows what part of the line the instrument is printing;
and an alarm that sounds when the line is nearly finished.

page_text: I EDWARD EDEN PEACOCK of 5 Tierney Road, Streatham, in the county of
Surrey do hereby declare the nature of this invention for an "IMPROVED TYPE
WRITER" and in what manner the same is to be performed, 'to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
7
This invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which like letters of reference represent like parts.
Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the machine in its case and the full size for
a foolscap machine.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the inner drum with details representing &
moditication.
Figure 3 is a sectional plan of Figure 2.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 8 are details and Figure 7 is a general plan showing the
carriage L at the starting point for the commencement of a line.
1.
A is a covered cylinder or drum attached to the frame and B is a smaller cylinder
inside A supported upon rollers B' which are located under the flange B and
revolving upon a vertical axis as the handle C is turned. The types D are carried
in projecting tubes D' upon the periphery of B being withdrawn to their normal
position by helical springs D' Figure 1 or by long springs as in Figure 2. They
are prevented from falling out of the tubes into the interior of the drum B by the
pins Ds which as the types move in the tubes D¹ travel in slots formed therein.
Where the large springs D2 are employed I prefer to place them side by side and
bend the one which carries the lower type so as to bring the type in the same
vertical line with the upper one as shown in Figure 2.
E is the roller upon which the paper is wound and which may have facets E¹ if
desired so as to present a flat surface to the type which when impelled forward
passes through the hole A¹ in the side of A till it reaches the paper which receives
the impression in the usual manner.
The types are arranged in one or more rings or rows around the cylinder B so
that to bring any particular type opposite the opening At the cylinder B must be
revolved so far as may be necessary to accomplish this. This turning of B is
managed by means of the handle C which is jointed to the arm C₁ of the short
tube which passes through a hole in the top of cylinder A. Two lugs or guides C³
serve as an additional bearing for C between which it lies and against which it
presses when turned. Connected with the tube C inside drum A are two or more
arms C whose depending' forked ends C engage with pins or projections C on the
side of drum B whose hollow spindle B fits nicely in tube C² and serves to
support the upper portion of B. By turning C therefore B also is turned to the
same extent and upon the same central axis.
I
The upper plate A2 of the cylinder A carries the letters or other symbols
arranged in rings upon it as shown in plan in Figure 7 and around the periphery.
of the plate are tapered or countersunk holes A³ in which the pointer C is placed
according to the letter required. There is one hole A³ for each letter or symbol
and by placing the pointer C7 into the hole corresponding with any required letter,
2
>

page_text: the corresponding type D brought opposite the opening A¹ ready to mark the
paper upon the roller E.
As shown in Figure 7 two sets of letters & are engraved
upon plate A but only one set need be represented on this plate if the position of
both sets is the same (A always representing A whether large or small) the number
of different sets of letters & which the machine can print depending upon the
number of rows or sets of types D in the cylinder B..
As shown in Figure 7 the positions of the large and small letters of the alphabet
on plate A correspond but the position occupied in the larger circle by the
numerals is in the smaller circle devoted to various marks of punctuation. There-
fore while printing either large or small letters with a plate so marked it would
not matter which circle was followed; but if printing numerals or punctuation
marks the position of the handle C would have to be ascertained from the respective
circle appertaining thereto.
As shown in Figure 1 one row of type D is at the proper level to print
through A¹ say small letters and to print capitals the lower row of type must be
brought to the level of A¹. This is done by raising the whole cylinder B by means
of the crank B³ secured upon the shaft B which preferably extends across the
drum B and carries a second crank B³ on its other end; these cranks carry
rollers B' at their ends which when the cranks are turned up support the drum B
at a higher lever than before so as to bring the lower row of types opposite
opening A¹.
The length therefore of the crank B³ from the centre of B to the periphery of B¹
must be, such as to lift the cylinder B the exact distance necessary to bring the
lower row of type opposite the opening A¹.
The drum B is just as free to revolve when raised as when down as it is carried
on rollers B¹ in both cases and the spindle B slides up in the tube C2 and the
pins C slide up in the forks C. The shaft B is turned in any suitable manner as
by a crank and button B outside the cylinder A which may be retained either up
or down by any convenient form of spring or spring detent such for instance as
the spring of an ordinary pocket knife.
Having now explained that the printing is accomplished by types D supported in
the revolvable drum B which types are normally withdrawn into said drum but are
capable of being projected through opening A' in the cylinder A and how the drum
is revolved and raised so as to present whatever type may be required opposite
the opening A¹, I will now proceed to show how the types D are forced against
the paper.
.
There are two alternative modes of doing this and which are illustrated
respectively in Figures 2, 3 and 6 of the accompanying drawings. The arrange-
ment shown in Figure 2 is most suitable for a large size machine, and the arrange-
ment shown in Figure 6 for a small size machine although it may also be used with
good effect in larger sizes.
In Figures 2 and 3 F is an arm or hammer suitably weighted if necessary
pivotted at F' and provided with the projection or striking head F¹ which strikes
the type. The pivot end of F is formed into a cam or equivalent baving a spur F³
upon which rests the end of a pawl or catch G1 pivotted to the arm or lever G
which is jointed at G to the frame G³ which is secured to the bottom of the
machine. The cam also carries another spur F which serves as a bearing for the
spring F secured at its other end to the frame and by pressing upon the spur F
tending to pross the striking head towards the type.
The spring G controls the movements of pawl G₁; the pin H fits easily in the
hollow spindle B' its lower end resting upon lever G and its upper end supporting
the handle C; lever G is kept raised by spring G.
In use the handle C which in its normal position is raised up, is turned to the
required letter and depressed, the pointer C' entering the hole A³ corresponding
with the letter selected and the handle then taking the position shown in Figure 1.
The pin H is thus forced down pushing lever G before it; lever G carries pawl G¹
with it and pawl G³ acting on the spur F³ raises the hammer F as shown in dotted

page_text: lines in Figure 2; until the spur attains such an angle that G¹ can no longer remain
upon it, when it slips off and the striking head FI falls under the influence of its
own weight and the spring F sharply upon the type D driving it forward against
the paper which receives the impression.
As soon as the pressure is removed from handle C lever G at once returns under
the influence of spring G° to its normal position raising handle C with it as already
explained.
In Figure 6 the bolt or hammer I is carried in the frame J and is weighted at I¹,
the weight I working upon the guide pin 1%. The helical spring I³ surrounds the
bolt I and when extended just fills the space between the end of the frame J and
the collar which is secured upon the bolt I. One end of the spring K is fixed to
collar I and the other to the lever K¹ which is secured on the spindle K* which
spindle also carries the levers K³ and K' and is supported in the arm J' of frame J
as shown. The lever K' (a back view of which is shown in Figure 6*) is in two
pieces connected by a knuckle joint at K³ and kept normally in the same plane by
the spring K and when at rest it lies in front of the lug I³ projecting from the
weight I. The action is as follows:-The pin H being pressed in by the action of
handle C, depresses lever K³ turning spindle K' which moves lever K¹ and so draws
back the bolt I and compresses spring Is between collar I' and frame J. The radial
motion of lever K' gradually withdraws it from the lug I until it is disengaged
when the bolt I flies forward under the influence of spring I³ and strikes the
type D sharply on the head driving it forward as in the former instance. The
forward movement of the bolt I stretches spring K which as soon as the blow has
been delivered brings bolt I back until collar I* rests against spring I³.
spring K being still in a state of tension pulls lever K' back into its former position
raising lever K³, pin H, and handle C at the same time. As K³ passes back it
comes in contact with lug 18, the spring K6 gives and the jointed portion of K¹
mounts the rounded or inclined outer surface of 15 and thus slips past resuming its
normal position as soon as it has cleared lug I³.
The
The method of traversing the paper so as to cause each succeeding letter to print
upon fresh paper will be understood by reference to Figures 1, 4 and 8. The
roller E which carries the paper is supported in a carriage L rather longer than
the roller and free to travel longitudinally in the guide L'; on the underside of
carriage L is a toothed rack L* (Figures 1 and 8) with which gears the toothed
wheel L. The spring box L contains the watch spring L³ the outer end of which
is fastened to the box L and the inner end to the extended boss of wheel L³ or to
the spindle L upon which L³ is secured; a ratchet wheel M is also fixed upon
spindle L which latter is free to revolve in suitable bearings. All this is shown
in Figure 1. Turning to Figure 4 which is a partial vertical section taken at
right angles to Figure 1 we get a side view of the ratchet wheel M with which
engage two pawls one M' which is pivotted to the lever M² which is free to turn
about its centre on the spindle L and the second M³ pivotted to a bracket fixed to
the framework of the machine.
The end of lever M2 is depressed by the pin M' which is pushed down by the
handle C every time it is worked-This may be managed in any convenient
manner, but preferably by the lug G7 Figures 2 and 3 projecting from the lever G
over the top of pin M* and forcing it down as the lever. is depressed. In the
modification shown in Figure 6 the motion of pin M is obtained from the lever K*
which is secured upon the spindle K. The end of lever M* is kept up against the
bottom of pin M by the spring M5 and as the pin descends and the lever M² turns
it takes pawl M with it thus turning the ratchet wheel M and toothed wheel L³
which gearing with the toothed rack L² of the carriage L causes the latter to travel
in its guide L' thus presenting a fresh space of paper to the hole A' ready to receive
the next letter. The various parts are of course adjusted so as to impart the right
amount of traverse to the carriage at each stroke.
Spacing. The lever M' has a projecting end or tail piece M6 which rests upon the
lever M' pivotted at M³ and operated by the button M kept raised when not in

page_text: use by the spring M. It will thus be seen that upon pressing the button M the
lever M is raised lifting with it the tail piece M and depressing M' and pawl M'
thus turning ratchet wheel M. and moving roller E. This is the method adopted
for spacing or providing the spaces between the words.
Return of the Carriage. The pawl M³ serves only as a detent to prevent wheel M
froin turning back and the carriage L from running back to the commencement of
its journey, which it would do under the influence of the watch spring L' unless
prevented. When it is desired to return the carriage to the commencement of its
journey or to an intermediate position the button N is depressed carrying with it
the lever N which is pivotted at N2 and carries the lugs from which project the
pins N which engage with the tails M and M¹ of the pawls M and M³. Upon
lever N¹ going down theso tails are pulled down also with the effect that both
pawls are simultaneously disengaged from the teeth of wheel M which is then free
to turn and carriage L at once returns under the influence of spring L³ to its
starting point or until stopped by the release of button N when the pawls M
and M³ re-engage with the teeth of M.
Turning of the Roller. The turning of roller E when a line is completed so as
to present a fresh surface, for the next line is accomplished as follows. Upon the
spindle of the roller E is fixed the ratchet wheel O with which engages the pawl
or detent O¹ pivotted at O upon the movable arm 03 which is pivotted at O' upon
the carriage L. The inclined plate P is fixed upon the outer drum or case A as
shown in Figure 8 in a position to engage with the end of 03 when the carriage L
has reached the end of the printing line. As it travels on the inclined plate forces
down the arm 03 and pawl 01 being engaged with one of the teeth on ratchet
wheel the wheel and roller E with it is turned the required distance to present
the new surface for the next line. Pawl O' is kept in gear with wheel O by the
spring O which engages with a pin 06 projecting from O¹; the movable arm O³ is
kept raised (except when depressed by plate P) by spring 07 the stop Os
preventing it from going too high and perhaps catching against the end of the
plate.
At the other end of roller E or upon its spindle is fixed the disc Q indented
at the required places Q1 to receive a spring detent Q3; these indentations Q' are
so spaced as to bring the allotted space for each succeeding line opposite the type
line.
The indentations Q and detent Q are so shaped as to hold the roller while the
line is being printed but yield to the increased pressure exerted by the plate P,
the spring causing the detent to promptly engage the next indentation when one
has passed. The detent Q can be held back by the finger when it is desired to
turn the roller by hand; for this latter purpose the milled knob Q3 is provided
upon the end of the roller spindle.
For the purpose of retaining the paper properly upon the roller E and preventing
it from crumpling the two small rollers E' are provided parallel with roller E and
journalled at each end in slots E³ in the ends of carriage L. They are kept in
place and pressed upon roller E by the rubber rings E' one at each end and can be
readily removed when desired. The roller E is also readily removable being
journalled in a similar manner in the slots E³ of the ends of carriage L.
The upper one of these rollers or if preferred a cross stay which binds together.
and strengthens the ends of L is marked or graduated in any convenient manner,
so that by referring to the index E which is fixed to the casing A in a vertical
line above the hole A' through which the printing is effected, the operator can tell i
how much of a line is printed, and where to stop.
As an additional safeguard to prevent overrunning the paper the bell T is
provided and secured to the casing A. The tail of the hammer T projects as
shown so that it may be moved by the arm T2 which can be set at any desired
position upon the graduated roller E or upon the stay or other portion of the
carriage L. The graduated roller or stay is however preferred, as the operator
knowing the size of paper he is using can at once set the arm in the proper

page_text: position by the marks without having to measure. The arm moves along with the
carriage till it comes in contact with the hammer tail T¹ which is moved with it
till it slips past and under. the influence of a spring in the ordinary way flies back
and rings the bell.
The inking device is shown in Figure 5. and consists of two rollers R R¹ capable
of revolving upon vertical spindles outside the case A. The first roller R has a
hollow spindle R closed by a cap R³ and perforated so as to allow the ink which
is poured into the hollow spindle to pass to the roller R and be taken up by the
absorbent material of which it is composed. The second roller R' touches the first
one and receives the ink from it; it projects through an opening A* in the case A
so that 'as the inner cylinder B is revolved the types are successively brought into
contact with it and their faces inked as they pass. When first starting to use the
machine the drum B should be revolved a few times so as to ink all the type; after
that the turning of the drum necessary to the use of the machine is sufficient to
keep the type inked.
The first roller R must either be made of or covered with some absorbent
material such for instance as felt which will absorb and retain the ink; the second
roller R is preferably made of india rubber like the ordinary inking rollers in
common use.
.
When roller R is only covered with the felt or equivalent the central portion
must be of open material such as will permit the ink to pass through or.holes
must be made in it to allow of the ink, passing.
:
These rollers are protected by a suitable case S which may be hinged at S¹ so
that it may be moved out of the way when the rollers have to be got at as for
cleaning. There are preferably two sets or pairs of these inking rollers, but any
convenient number from one upwards may be used.
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 hollow cylinder or drum B carrying the types D in one
or more rows around its periphery and adapted to be revolved so as to present each
type as required to the point at which the impression is to be made substantially
as specified.
2.In a type writer the combination with the drum B which carries the types D
in one or more rows around its periphery of the cylinder or casing A. having an
opening A through which the type is projected to make the impression sub-
stantially as specified.
3. In a type writer the cylinder or casing A upon the top A whereof are
presented or formed in concentric circles the holes A³ and letters or symbols which
the machine is adapted to print substantially as specified.
4. In a type writer the combination with the cylinder B and casing A of the
handle C adapted to revolve the cylinder B and provided with a pointer C7 which
takes into the holes A³ substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a type writer the combination with casing A. of rollers B¹ which support
the cylinder and allow of its free revolution substantially as specified.
6. In a type writer the combination with the casing A of cranks B³ carrying
rollers B¹ for the purpose of raising the cylinder B substantially as specified.
7. In a type writer the method of projecting the types D by striking with a
hammer or equivalent device substantially as specified and shown in Figures 2
and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
8. In a type writer and as a means of imparting. the impulse or blow to the
types D the combination with the handle C operated by the person working the
machine and rod H which carries the movement to the interior of the drum B of
lever G carrying detent G¹ which engages with the spur F3 of the arm or
hammer F the whole constructed and operating substantially as specified and
shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 9. In a type writer and as a means of imparting the impulse or blow to the
types D the combination with the handle C operated by the person working the
machine and rod H which carries the movement to the.interior of the drum B of
levers K and K' and spring bolt I the whole constructed and operating sub-
stantially as specified and shown in Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.
10. In a type writer and as a means of imparting the required movement to
the carriage L and roller E the combination with the spring controlled shaft Le of
the toothed wheel L³ which gears with the rack L² and so imparts the motion to
carriage L of the ratchet wheel M driven by the pin M by means of the lever M?
and pawl M' substantially as specified.
11. In a type writer and as a means of traversing roller E without printing the
combination with ratchet wheel M of levers M and M2 to the latter of which
pawl M¹ is pivotted the whole constructed and operating substantially as specified.
12. In a type writer and as a means of disengaging the pawls M³ and M¹ from
ratchet wheel M the combination with said pawls of lever N¹ carrying the pins N³
which act upon the tails M" and M¹ substantially as specified.
13. As an inking device for a type writer the combination with the inking
roller R which imparts the ink to the type of the supply roller R which contains
within it the ink which after passing through the body or wall of the roller R is
imparted to the inking roller R' substantially as specified.
.:
14. In an inking device for type writers the hollow roller R containing the
supply of ink which passes through the body or wall of the roller substantially as
specified.
:
15. In a type writer the combination with a drum B which carries the types
in one or more rows upon its periphery of an inking device consisting of an inking
roller R¹ against which the types press as they pass and a supply roller R which
contains the supply of ink substantially as specified.
16. In a type writer and as a means of turning the paper carrying roller E the
'combination with said roller E ratchet wheel O spring detent O¹ and lever O³ all
carried in or upon the carriage L and moving with it, of the fixed inclined plate P
which depresses lever 0³, as it passes substantially in the manner specified.
17. In a type writer the combination with the paper carrying roller E of the
supplemental rollers E carried in the same frame L that carries. roller E and
continually pressing upon E substantially in the manner and for the purpose
specified.