Improvements in or in connection with Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with Type-writing Machines.
1, WILLIAM BROWN HOPKINS, of No. 2008 First Avenue Birmingham in the
County of Jefferson and State of Alabama, United States of America, Millwright
and Machinist, 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 improved means for operating a type carrying arm for
use in a typewriting machine adapted to write on the pages of a book or on
documents which cannot be operated in the usual manner.
In the usual form of typewriting machines having a series of type characters
heretofore, they are generally provided with separate keys and levers for each
set of characters, the increased number of keys making the machine more difficult
to operate. Now by my invention, each type carrying arm is provided with a
pivotally attached type head, the head provided with three characters of type, a
shifting rod, being provided and operated by any suitable device to shift or
change the type head and bring any desired character to the writing position.
The manner in which this is effected, I have clearly shown upon the accompanying
sheet of drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a vertical side view of the type carrying arm according to my inyen-
tion, the dotted lines showing the writing position;
Figure 2 is a vertical back view of the same, the journal bearing and operating
rods left off to show the remaining parts;
Figure 3 is a side view of the type carrying arm having the second character in
the writing position;
Figure 4 is a side view of the same having the third character in the writing
position;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the journal bearing for the arm.
The type carrying arm 1 is made of any suitable material, of a forked form at the
upper end, the lower end being journalled in a suitable bearing 2, the bearing can
be attached to a typewriting machine frame in any desired manner, the arm being
adapted to swing forwards and downwards to the writing position.
The type carrying head 3 is pivotally attached to the head of the arm 1, a
series of type characters 4, 5 and 6 are provided on the face of the head, the
characters can be of any of the usual forms of letters, or letters and figures as
desired.
A shifting rod 7 is pivotally attached to the type head, the rod extends down-
wards between the forked jaws of the arm, and extends through the offset formed
by the connection of the prongs thereof, the shifting rod is provided with a coiled
spring 8, the upper end of the spring is attached to the shifting rod, the lower end
being attached to one side of the forked arm, the tension of the spring is regu-
lated to draw the shifting rod downwards. A swinging stop 9 is pivotally attached
to the arm 1, the stop is prevented from swinging downwards by a pin 10 secured
in the arm, the stop supports the shifting rod, the lower end of the rod resting
thereon, the tension of the spring holding the rod with a pressure on the stop.
An operating rod 11 is pivotally attached to the lower end of the arm 1, the
rod when drawn up by any suitable means, partly rotates the arm to the writing
position, as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. The keys or device to operate the
rod 11, are not shown in the present application.

page_text: The shifting abutment 12 formed as shown, is journalled on the main journal of
the arm 1, the abutment is provided with an operating rod 13, the rod pivotally
connected thereto, the abutment is adapted to be swung forward, by the action of
the operating rod, to the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4, to bring the second
and third type characters to the writing position. The device or keys having
the necessary stop motion to operate the rod 13 are not shown in the present
application.
In operation the abutment when in the position shown in Figure 1, allows the
first type character to operate, when the type carrying arm is swung to the writing
position. The abutment when swung forward as shown in Figure 3, operates
against the swinging stop 9 to move the shifting rod upwards to bring the second
character to the writing position. The abutment when set as shown in Figure 4,
brings the third character 6 in the writing position. The type carrying arm on its
return to a vertical position, releases the contact of the swinging stop with the
abutment, and the spring on the shifting rod draws the type head to its usual
position.
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 typewriter, the partly rotatable arm 1 having a type carrying head 3
journaled therein, in combination with the shifting rod 7 provided with the spring 8,
the swinging stop 9 and the operating rod 11, substantially as described and shown,
and for the purpose set forth."
2. The partly rotatable arm 1 having a type carrying head 3 journaled therein,
in combination with the shifting rod 7, the swinging stop 9, the movable abut-
ment 12, the operating rods 11 and 13 to operate and bring the swinging stop
and abutment in contact, substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose
set forth.
Dated this 24th day of September 1896.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.