Improvements in Typewriters.
Year: 1899

page_text: Improvements in Typewriters.
I, EMIL NOWAK, of 1, Wollzeile 34, Vienna, Austria, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to a typewriter for the blind, in which there is
exchangeably arranged on a vertical spindle a type disc which carries in two
rows one above the other two sets of raised alphabet characters and wherein
there is used an adjusting lever which is movable over an index-plate provided
with the corresponding raised characters also arranged in two rows, and by means
of which the type-disc is revolved in such a manner that the characters of the
type-disc that correspond to the position of the lever on the index plate come
in front of the point of impact of a striker and are impressed on the paper,
which is guided between rollers, as soon as the striker strikes. On the portion
of the adjusting lever that extends over the characters on the index plate there
is an opening through which the typist can feel the characters to which the lever
is adjusted. According as a character of the upper or lower row of characters is
to be typed, the type disc must be raised or lowered in order that the corre
sponding row of characters may reach the height of the point of impact of the
striker. To this end the adjusting lever is either (a) revolved, pressing down
by means of a cam the longer arm of a two-armed lever the shorter and forked
arm of which embraces and raises the type-disc underneath its driving sleeve
or (b) pressed down, the spindle of the type disc being seized and raised by a
forked lever-arm.
At the two extreme ends of the index plate there are arranged blank portions
where there are no characters and which correspond to smooth parts of the type
disc, so that if, after the adjusting lever has been moved to the extreme right
or left hand position, the striker is by the depression of a key caused to strike,
no character is impressed on the paper, but the slide moves forward in the
known way, so that a space results; hence the space-lever heretofore used in
with type-writing machines is done away with.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 represents a machine according to my
invention in front elevation Fig. 2 in side elevation, and Fig. 3 in plan.
Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective.
Ta is a spindle carried in a footstep bearing C of the bed plate A and a
collar C of the upright D, and having a rectangular part T¹ at its upper end
upon which the type-disc T is placed. This disc carries two rows, one above
another, of raised alphabet characters of the kind used for the blind, or of some
other kind, or both, and a smooth portion in the same order as the index plate J.
The index plate is arc shaped and is provided on its outer edge with teeth z;
it carries, likewise raised in two rows arranged one above the other, characters
used for the blind or both ordinary characters and those used for blind alphabet,
so that the key-board finger of the blind operator is able to feel the said characters
distinctly and it carries also at each of its two extreme ends a smooth. portion.

page_text: Around the bolt B there can partially rotate a two-armed lever L, on which a
rod L' provided with a handle L² is mounted to also partially rotate; it is carried
by the eyes w-n. When the rod L' and with it also the lever L, is moved over
the characters on the index-plate J, the finger of the blind typist, which rests
on the opening F cut in L, can feel the characters that lie underneath it and
can adjust the lever to the character desired, whereupon a spring f (Figs. 1
and 2), fixed on the underside of the lever L, catches in the teeth and presents
the lever L from being fixed outside the middle line of a letter or sign.
The shorter arm of the lever L carries a toothed segments which is in gear
with the driving sleeve S (which is keyed on the vertical spindle T2) in such a
manner that the sleeve S¹ and consequently also the type disc T on the spindle T
will make a complete revolution during the movement of the lever L from one
end of the index plate J to the other. When the type disc T is in the normal
position the characters of the upper row are at the same height as the striker-
head H at the moment of striking of the same should the characters of the
lower row be wanted, the rod L' is by means of the handle L2 turned to the right
through an angle of 90°; during which the cam e (Figs. 1, 2, and 4), on the
end of the said rod presses down on the collar e¹ of the bolt 13 and thereby on
the shorter arm of the lever e', the end of which is forked and which can move
about a pine, whereby the spindle T2 (and with it the type-disc T) is acted
on by the longer arm of the lever e³ underneath the sleeve and lifted to such
an extent that the lower row of characters of the type-disc T is raised to the
height of the point of impact of the striker H.
A spring (see Fig. 4) serves to prevent the premature spontaneous backward
rotation of the rod L¹.
In the carriage R, which can be moved horizontally on the wheels over the
rails, are mounted the paper guide-rollers W and we and the paper drum R',
and the roller W carries on the left hand a knob V for the line shifting in addition
to a ratchet-wheel in which a spring catches (Figs. 1, 2, or 3). In the
uprights M M secured on the bed-plate A are mounted the chain-wheels G-GI
over which a pitch-chain k is run, the tension of which can be regulated by
adjusting the bearings of the left-hand chain-wheel G in the slides of the
uprights MM by means of the adjusting screws mm (Fig. 3). .
The carriage R gears with the links of the chain by means of a projection R2
(Fig. 1).
The striker H moves in a bearing block H2 about a longitudinal spindle H15
and is linked to the two-arm levers H3 which can be rotated about the axle H
and whose longer arm carries a striking key H and on whose shorter arm, which
is held down by a helical spring Sp, are arranged pawls H-H8 which engage
in the ratchet-wheel H and are located on a tilting arm. The two pawls are
connected by a helical spring H" (Figs. 2 and 3) and are lifted out by rotating
to the right a disc H which is keyed on the axle of the ratchet-wheel H and
which presses with its upper edge against a pin H" of the pawl H and with
its lower edge against a pin Ho of the pawl Hs; the rotation of the disc H¹² is
effected by means of a handle H¹³.
The machine works as follows:--
First a type-dise having on it the characters required-blind-characters or
characters for those who can see-is fixed on the rectangular piece T¹ of the
spindle T Then the paper is placed with its lower edge between the rollers W
and w and is rolled-up on the paper-drum by turning the knob V in the proper
direction until the upper edge of the paper P rises about 1 cm. over the edge
of the type-disc.
The blind typist then grasps the handle L² with the three last fingers of the
right hand and rests the fore-fingers on the opening F. When the adjusting
lever L has, in consequence of its being rotated or shifted, the character which
it is required to write under its opening F, the left hand of the typist gives a
light blow to the key H* which causes the striker H to strike against the paper

page_text: and to impress the character therein. On letting the key H4 go the striker H
falls back into its original position, to which result the pull of the spring Sp
contributes, and the pawls H6 H8 rotate the ratchet wheel H by one tooth, whereby
the chain-wheels G G are slightly turned and the carriage R with the paper is
advanced by the width of one character.
If a character of the lower row is to be written or impressed, the lever L2 is,
after it has been brought to a stand still, turned to the right through an angle of
90° by means of the handle L2, whereby the type-disc T correspondingly raised,
in the manner hereinbefore described.
Just before the end of each line a pin fixed to the carriage R strikes against a
bell not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.
When a line is completed the paper is shifted by one or more teeth of the
ratchet wheel (the width of each of which corresponds to the width of a line)
by means of the knob V. The handle H is turned to the right, the pawls H6 H8
being lifted out of the ratchet wheel H7 in the manner described and the
carriage R thereupon brought back to its initial position..
.
The space at the end of each word is made as follows:-The lever L' is moved
or turned upon the blank portion of the index plate nearest to the letter last
typed and the key His struck during this the lever comes against one or the
other of the studs of the bed-plate A which limit its movement. The striker H,
in consequence of this, strikes against a smooth part of the type-disc T. the paper
receives no impression of character the pawls H H nevertheless advance the
carriage R through a character interval in the manner before mentioned: by
repeated blows on the key H when the lever Lis over a blank space as large as
desired may be formed.
According to the type-dise chosen and the kind of raised characters provided
on the same with this type writing machine.
•
(1) A blind person can write to blind people in blind characters of any desired
kind.
:
(2) A blind person can write to people who can see in raised and sharply
defined characters of any kind desired.
(3) A person who can see can write to blind people in blind characters of any
desired kind without having to learn them: for which special purpose the guide
letters for those who can see are provided on the index-plate J above the
characters for the blind.
Dated this 19th day of June 1899
F. WISE HOWORTH
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London,. W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
I, EMIL NOWAK, of J, Wollzeile 34, Vienna, Austria, 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 has reference to a typewriter for the blind, in which there is
exchangeably mounted on a vertical spindle a type disc which carries in two
rows one above the other two sets of raised alphabet characters and wherein
there is used an adjusting lever which is movable over an index plate provided.
with the corresponding raised characters also arranged in two rows, and by means
of which the type-disc is revolved in such a manner that the characters of the
type-disc that correspond to the respective positions of the lever on the index plate
come in front of the point of impact of a striker and are impressed on the paper,

page_text: which is guided between rollers, as soon as the striker strikes. On the portion
of the adjusting lever that extends over the characters on the index plate there
is an opening through which the typist can feel the characters to which the lever
is adjusted. If a character of the lower row of characters is to be typed, the
type-disc must be raised in order that this row of characters may reach the height
of the point of impact of the striker. For raising the type disc there is mounted
on the adjusting lever a rod carrying at one end a handle and at the other end
a cam which raises the axle of the type disc by means of an intermediate lever.
At the two extreme ends of the index-plate there are blank portions on which
there are no characters and which correspond to a smooth part or smooth parts
of the type-disc, so that if, after the adjusting lever has been moved to the extreme
right or left hand position, the striker is, by the depression of a key, caused to
strike, no character is impressed on the paper, but the carriage moves forward
in the known way, so that a space results; hence the space lever heretofore used
in typewriting machines is done away with.
A machine according to this invention is represented in side elevation in Fig. 1,
in front elevation in Fig. 2, and in plan (with parts removed and broken off)
in Fig. 3 of the drawings filed with myProvisional Specification. Fig. 4 is a detail
perspective view.
Ta is a spindle carried in a footstep bearing C of the bed plate A and a
collar of the upright I), and having a rectangular part T at its upper end
upon which the type-disc T is placed. This disc carries two rows, one above
the other, of raised alphabet characters of the kind used for the blind, or of some
other kind, or both, and a smooth or blank portion in the same order in which
characters and blank portions are arranged on the index plate J. The index
plate is arc-shaped and is provided on its outer edge with teeth ; it carries,
likewise raised in two rows arranged one behind the other, characters used for
the blind or both ordinary characters and those used for the blind, so that the
keyboard finger of the blind operator is able to feel the said characters distinctly;
and it has also at each of its two extreme ends a smooth portion. About a bolt B
there can partially rotate a two-armed lever L, on which a rod L' provided with
a handle L is mounted to rotate partially in eyes a¹ and n. When the rod L',
and with it also the lever L, is moved over the characters on the index plate J,
the finger of the blind typist which rests on the opening F cut in the lever L,
can feel the characters that lie underneath it and can adjust the lever to the
character desired, whereupon a spring f (Figs. 1 and 2), fixed on the underside
of the lever L, catches in the teeth . The spring is intended to prevent the
lever L from being fixed anywhere except opposite-to the centre line of a letter
or sign.
The shorter arm of the lever L carries a toothed segment S which is geared
into the driving-pinion S1 (which is keyed on the vertical spindle T2) in such a
manner that the pinion S', and consequently also the type disc T on the spindle T,
will make a complete revolution during the movement of the lever L from one
end of the index plate J to the other. When the type disc T is in the normal
position the characters of the upper row are at the same height as the striker-
head H at the moment of striking; when the characters of the lower row are
wanted, the rod L' is turned to the right through an angle of 90° by means of
the handle L2 and during this the cam e (Figs. 1, 2, and 4) on the end of the
rod L' presses down on the collar e¹ of the bolt B and thereby on the shorter arm
of a lever which is mounted on a pin and has forked ends, so that the
spindle T3 (and with it the type-dise T) is acted on by the longer arm of the
lever underneath the pinion S₁ and lifted to such an extent that the lower
row of characters of the type-dise T is raised to the height of the point of impact
of the striker H.
A spring (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) that presses on a flat on the boss n² serves to
prevent the premature spontaneous backward rotation of the rod L'.
In the carriage R, which can be moved horizontally on the wheels r over the
"

page_text: rails r, are mounted the paper guide rollers W and w and the paper cylinder R¹.
The roller W carries on the left hand a knob for changing line, in addition
to a ratchet wheel W in which engages a spring w² (Figs. 1, 2, and 3). In
standards M secured on the bed-plate A are mounted chain-wheels G and G¹ over
which a pitch-chain k is run, the tension of which can be regulated by adjusting
the bearings of the left-hand chain-wheel G in the slides of the corresponding
standards af by means of screws m (Fig. 3).
The carriage R has a projection 1 (Fig. 1) which engages between links of
the chain k.
The striker H is mounted in a bearing-block H2 on a horizontal spindle H15
and is linked to a two-armed lever H3 which is mounted on an axle H and whose
longer arm carries a striking key H and whose shorter arm, which is held down
by a helical spring Sp, has a pin-and-slot connexion' with a two-armed lever
loosely mounted on the axle of the chain-wheel G and carrying pawls H and H8
which engage in a ratchet wheel H fixed on the axle of the wheel G.
The two pawls are connected by a helical spring H (Figs. 2 and 3) and are
lifted out by rotating to the righ a cam H which is loosely mounted on the
axle of the ratchet wheel H7 and which presses with its upper edge against a
pin H on the pawl H, and with its lower edge against a pin H on the pawl Hs;
the rotation of the cam H is effected by means of a handle H¹³.
The machine works as follows:
First a type-dise having on it the characters required-blind characters or
characters for those who can see is fixed on the rectangular piece T¹ of the
spindle T. Then the paper is placed with its lower edge between the rollers W
and and is rolled up on the paper cylinder by turning the knob V in the
proper direction until the upper edge of the paper P is about one cm. above the
edge of the type-disc.
.
The blind typist then grasps the handle L2 with the last three fingers of the
right hand and rests the fore-finger on the opening F. When the adjusting
lever L has, in consequence of its being rotated or shifted, the character which
it is required to write under its opening F, the left hand of the typist gives a
light blow to the key H which causes the striker H. to strike against the paper-
and to impress the character therein or thereon. On letting the key H go, the
striker H, assisted by the spring Sp, falls back into its original position, and
the pawls H and H8 rotate the ratchet wheel H by one tooth, whereby the chain-
wheels G and G¹ are slightly turned, and the carriage R with the paper is advanced
by the width of one character.
If a character of the lower row is to be written or impressed, the rod L', after
it has been brought to a standstill, is turned to the right through an angle of
90° by means of the handle L2, whereby the type-disc T is correspondingly raised
in the manner hereinbefore described.
Just before the end of each line, a pin fixed to the carriage, R strikes against a
bell not shown in the figures for the sake of simplicity.
When a line is completed the paper is shifted by one or more teeth of the
ratchet wheel w' (the width of each of which corresponds to the width of a line)
by means of the knob, V; the handle H is turned to the right to lift the pawls H
and H8 out of the ratchet wheel H in the manner described; and the carriage R
is then brought back to its initial position.
The space at the end of each word is made as follows:-The lever L is moved
to the blank portion of the index-plate J nearer to the letter last typed and
the key H is struck; when the lever is in position over one of the said blank
portions, it or its rod Labuts against one or the other of two studs u of the
bed-plate A, which limit the movement of the lever. The striker H, in con-
sequence of this, strikes against a smooth part of the type-dise T and the paper
5 receives no impression, but the pawls H and H8 advance the carriage R to the
extent of a character in the manner before mentioned; by repeated blows on

page_text: the key H when the lever L' is over a blank portion, a space as long as desired
may be formed.
With this typewriter, according to the type disc chosen and the kind of raised
characters provided thereon-
(1) A blind person can write to blind people in blind characters of any..desired
kind;
(2) A blind person can write to people who can see in raised and sharply
defined characters of any kind desired; and
(3) A person who can see can write to blind people in blind characters of any
desired kind without having to learn them, guide letters for those who can see
being provided on the index-plate J behind the characters for the blind.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A typewriter for the blind, comprising a type-disc T which is placed on
a vertical spindle T2 and has raised on it the characters of a writing system for
the blind, or of some other system, or both, and an adjusting lever L which
can be moved or turned over an index-plate provided with corresponding characters
and has, over the characters of the index-plate J, an aperture. I, so. that the typist
can feel the character which is situated under the lever L at any moment, the
type disc T being turned in the known way on the movement or rotation of the
adjusting lever L so that the characters of the type disc corresponding to the
position of the lever L on the index-plate J come in front of the point of impact
of the striker H and are impressed by the said striker in or on the paper P', which
is guided between the rollers W and w.
2. A typewriter according to the preceding claim, in which there is an exchange-
able type dise T having the raised characters arranged in two rows one above the
other with a view to the reduction of the periphery and the lower row of
characters is brought to the height of the point of impact of the striker-head H¹
by partially rotating a rod L' provided with a came and a handle L2 and attached
to the adjusting lever L.
3. A typewriter according to Claim 1, in which the type disc T having the
raised characters in two rows one above the other, is moved vertically by means
of a came on a rod L' attached to the adjusting, lever L, and a two armed lever e
which is acted on by the cam e and is forked at both ends, and embraces the
spindle T2 of the type disc T with one end.
4. A typewriter according to Claim 1, in which smooth or blank portions are
provided on the index-plate J and the type disc T so that when the striker H
strikes upon such a blank portion no character is impressed on or in the paper,
but the paper carriage R is moved to the extent of a character through the
intermediary of a ratchet wheel H7 and pawls H and H8 actuated by the striker
lever H.
5. A typewriter according to Claim 4, in which two chain wheels G and G
and a pitch-chain k are provided for moving the carriage R carrying the paper
guide rollers W and w and the said chain wheels are driven by means of pawls He
and H8 arranged on a two arm lever and of a ratchet wheel H keyed on the axle
of one of the chain wheels.
6. A typewriter constructed, arranged,, and operating substantially as herein-
before described with reference to and shown in the drawings filed with my
Provisional Specification.
ren 1900.
F. WISE HOWORTH
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Dated this 19th day of March 1900.
F. WISE HOWORTH
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.