Improvements in Copy Holders for Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left. 3rd Apr., 1991-Accepted. 13th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Copy Holders for Type-writing Machines.
I ALFRED WILLIAM PERCY LIVESEY of No. 95 Finchley Road, South
Hampstead, London, N.W. Stenographer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object the rendering of copying of MS. or printed
matter or the transcription of shorthand by type-writer manipulators more rapid
and less tedious by bringing the MS. printed matter or shorthand (hereinafter
called "the copy") as near to the keys of the machine as possible, so as to lessen or
altogether avoid the frequent interruption to the continuity of writing or copying
caused by the operator having every few moments to stop working and look away
from the keys to read a few more words of copy.
It consists firstly of an oblong or otherwise suitably shaped, open frame-
work to be attached in front of the type-writing machine just at the back of
the keys.
In front of the framework on each side are two projections, one above the other,
with drilled holes in the outer ends for receiving or supporting rods projecting from
the extremities of two cylinders or rollers, which are to rest evenly between the
projections or supports on each side of the framework, and parallel to one another
and a little distance apart, so as to present a framework supporting two horizontal
cylinders or rollers parallel to one another and to the machine.
The lower roller may be brought somewhat more forward than the upper one in
those type-writing machines where this is possible.
Closely attached to each roller at the right hand extremity thereof, and between
the roller and the supporting projection of the framework, is a cogged wheel, and
pressing against each of these cogged wheels is a small spring fastened to the
framework, of sufficient strength to prevent the rollers revolving or shipping round
too easily, but at the same time not so strong as to prevent the rollers being very
readily turned round with the hand. These springs to be made so as to admit of
the rollers being revolved in both directions with equal facility.
Attached to the projecting rod from each end of the top roller, and at the outside
of each supporting projection of the framework, is a wheel with milled edges for
turning the roller round with the hand.
On the bottom roller, attached to the left hand extremity of the projecting rod
in the manner just described, there is a similar wheel for turning the roller round,
but on the right hand side, instead of a milled wheel, there is a small curved handle
or finger plate, to enable several complete revolutions to be given to the roller, in
the reverse direction to the motion of the hands of a clock, with more rapidity than
could be done by means of milled wheels.
Along the whole length of each cylinder or roller is inserted a spring clip for
receiving the top and bottom ends of the copy. When the rollers are in such a
position that these spring clips are fully in view of the operator, the opening of the
spring clip in the top roller for the insertion of the end of copy will be directed
downwards, and the opening of the spring clip in the bottom roller will be directed
upwards.
For using this form of copy-holder the leaves of the copy should be separated,
and the first sheet, be taken and held with the front side to the operator, and the
bottom edge of the leaf inserted in the spring clip of the bottom roller, which is
then made to revolve from left to right, or in the reverse direction to the motion of
the hands of a clock, either by turning the milled wheel on the left hand extremity
of the roller, or by turning the curved handle or finger plate on the right hand

page_text: extremity with the finger. When the copy is nearly all wound round the bottom
roller in this manner the top edge of the sheet of copy is slipped into the spring
clip in the top roller, so that some lines of copy are presented to the view of the
operator, close to the keys of the machine, and directly behind them. In this
position the copy can be copied without taking the eyes off the machine, and after
some practice the machine can be kept continually working by this arrangement;
likewise, the straining of the neck consequent on constantly turning aside the head
to read the copy is entirely prevented.
When the first few lines have been copied the top roller is revolved by either of
the milled wheels on its right & left hand extremities being turned with the hand,
thus bringing fresh copy into view; this is copied in turn and the roller is again
revolved to bring more copy into view, and so on until the sheet of copy is finished.
The bottom edge of the sheet of copy is then pulled out of the spring clip in the
lower roller, and the sheet drawn forward, when the top roller will revolve and
allow the sheet to unwind, and the top edge is then withdrawn from the spring clip
& the sheet set free.
In like manner cach sheet of copy can be placed on the rollers, copied, and
withdrawn.
The form of the framework, and the length and size of the rollers and wheels
may be varied to suit different forms of type-writing machines, but in the
accompanying drawing (Sheet 1) I have shown a generally convenient form of the
copy bolder which I have invented.
is an open framework (preferably made of metal) with projecting parts FF on
each end for supporting rods W projecting from the two cylinders or rollers A
and B. E, E are two cogged wheels rigidly attached to the rollers A and B.
H, are two light springs attached to the framework F and pressing against the
cogged wheels E, E to prevent the rollers revolving too freely. C, C, C, are
wheels with milled edges for turning the rollers round with the hands, and D is a
curved handle or finger plate for more easily turning the lower roller round from
left to right, or in the reverse direction to the motion of the hands of a clock, with
the right hand fingers. M and M are spring clips slightly sunk into the body of
the rollers A and B fastened at M M, M M and open respectively at J & Q for
gripping the top and bottom edges of the sheets of copy.
These spring clips may be of various forms, one of which may consist of a long
strip of steel or brass with one edge fastened to the roller throughout its entire
length and slightly sunk into the body of the roller and the other edge slightly
curved up so as to readily admit of the edge of the sheet of copy being slipped in
and firmly held.
The whole of this copy-holder may be made in a separate framework as above
described and screwed on to machines already finished; or in the manufacture of
type writing machines to which the copy holder is intended to be attached, the
rollers and springs can be attached direct to the framework of the type writing
machines instead of to a separate framework. The attachments being just the
same as those described in the case of a separate framework. This arrangement is
illustrated in my drawing on Sheet 3.
In the case of type writing machines which will not admit of the copy holder
being attached to them, the copy-holder in a separate framework could be provided
with legs so as to stand separately in any convenient position.
The second part of my invention consists of an arrangement for revolving the
top roller by means of striking a key similar to the ordinary letter keys instead of
revolving it by means of the milled wheels; and by this means obviating the
necessity of lifting the hands from the keys.
This key arrangement consists of a long shaft similar to the ordinary key shafts
running the length of the type writing machine from front to back, with a key at
the front end and fastened to the framework of the machine, at the back end where
there is a strong spring for holding the shaft in place, and bringing it back into
plate after the key has been struck or pressed down. This key shaft to be placed

page_text: at the right hand end of the key board in such a position as to be underneath the
cogged wheel attached to the extremity of the top roller. To the key shaft is
attached an upright or vertical rod, placed at such a distance along the key shaft
as to come just behind the rollers. The top of this vertical rod has a tooth or catch
projecting forwards so as to catch the teeth or cogs of the cogged wheel attached
to the right hand extremity of the top roller. The attachment of this vertical rod
to the key shaft is to he moveable, so that when the key shaft is pressed down by
striking the key, the vertical rod may always descend in a vertical, or nearly
vertical, position. Attached to the key shaft a little distance behind the vertical
rod, is a small spring pressing against the vertical rod so as to keep its projecting
tooth or catch always pressing against the teeth of the cogged wheel; this spring
is to be rigidly attached to the key shaft but the end pressing against the vertical
rod is to hirve a slot cut in it and to be attached to the vertical rod by a nail or
screw with a large head placed through this slot so as to allow the spring to move
a certain space to and fro when the key shaft is pressed down and springs up.
From and out of the vertical rod and midway between the two rollers is a small
rod projecting horizontally forward beyond the rollers. The forward end of
this rod is flattened to form a finger plate. On pressing this finger plate the
vertical rod is pushed backwards and the tooth or catch releases the teeth of the
cogged wheel and the roller can then be revolved in any direction so that copy can
be taken off the roller by drawing the lower end of the copy forwards as herein before
described.
Both the key shaft and the vertical rod are to be provided with guides attached
to the framework of the type writing machine for the purpose of holding the same
in position.
The form of this arrangement for turning round the top roller by means of
striking a key, may be altered in such manner as to adapt it to the different forms
of type writing nachines. The particular form of this arrangement, hereinbefore
mentioned, is well adapted for attachment to the "Remington" type writing
machine, (& other similarly constructed machines) as shown in my drawing on
Sheet 3.
The manner of working this key arrangement will be by striking the key in the
ordinary way, which will press down the key shaft, bringing with it the vertical rod,
and the tooth or catch of the vertical rod catching in the teeth or cogs of the
cogged wheel of the top roller, will pull the roller round a certain part of a
revolution; the key is then set free, and the key shaft being drawn back into its
original position by means of the spring at its back extremity, the tooth or catch
of the vertical rod will run over the inclined sides of the teeth or cogs of the
cogged wheel and fall into position again by means of the pressure of the spring
attached to the key shaft and pressing against the vertical rod.
In constructing this apparatus care must be taken that the spring at the back end
of the key shaft shall be much stronger than the spring attached to the key
shaft and pressing against the vertical rod. The object of this is that the
former spring shall force the latter spring to yield and allow the tooth or catch
on the vertical rod to pass over the teeth of the cogged wheel.
The particular form of this key arrangement which I have above described I
have illustrated in my drawing on Sheet 2. Tis a long shaft attached to the back
of the type writing machine by a moveable joint at X and Z is a key in front of
the machine for striking or pressing down this shaft, R is a vertical rod attached to
the shaft T by means of a moveable joint at Y and having at the top end a tooth
or catch N, S is a small spring rigidly attached to the key shaft T but with an
attachment to the vertical rod R of such a character as to admit of its having a
certain amount of play whilst always pressing against the vertical rod R, G is a
small rod attached to the vertical rod R projecting forwards beyond the rollers A
and 1 in a horizontal position and provided with a finger plate at its forward
extremity P. By pressing this finger plate backwards the vertical rod R is pushed

page_text: back free from the teeth or cogs of the cogged wheel E, and the roller A is thus
set free to revolve in any direction.
F
111111
E
O is, a spring rigidly attached to the framework F, but with, an attachment to
the key shaft T of such a character as to admit of its having a certain amount of
play whilst always tending to draw the key shaft T upwards.
VV and W W are guides attached to the framework of the type writing
machine, for keeping the key shaft T and the vertical rod R respectively in
position.
When the key Z is struck the shaft T is pushed down bringing with it the
vertical rod R, the tooth or catch of which, N, pulls round the teeth or cogs
thus revolving the roller A a certain part of a revolution. On releasing the key. Z
the spring draws the key shaft T and the vertical rod R up into their original
positions, the tooth or catch N passing over the inclined sides of the teeth of the
cogged wheel E and being pushed into its original position by the pressure of the
spring S on the vertical rod R.
This key arrangement would have to be applied to type writing machines when
they are being manufactured..
In my drawing on Sheet 3 I have shown one form of type writing machine with
both the 1st and 2nd parts of my invention attached; but the rollers and springs of
the copy holder can be attached direct to the framework of the type writing
machine either with or without the key arrangement described in the second part of
this my Specification.
In all the drawings the same letters indicate the same parts.
In order to attach my copy holder to the "Remington" or other similarly con-
structed type-writing machines it would be necessary to shorten the arm XX shewn
in my drawing on Sheet 3 in order that it should not hang in front of, the copy
holder. It would likewise be necessary to remove the alarm bell from the front to
the side or back of the machine; and in constructing new machines it would be
desirable, in some forms of machines, to somewhat lengthen the key shafts so as to
leave a convenient space between the body of the machine and the keys in order
that my copy holder might be attached without causing inconvenience to the working
of the keys. And other slight alterations might be needed in the different forms
of type writing machines to conveniently attach my copy holder.
Dated this 9th day of October 1890.
ALFRED W. LIVESEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION....
+
Improvements in Copy-holders for Type-writing Machines.
ALFRED WILLIAM PERCY LIVESEY, of 95 Finchley Road; N.W., Steno-
grapher 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 :-
My invention has for its object, the rendering of copying of MS. or printed
matter, or the transcription of shorthand by type writer manipulators, more rapid
than heretofore, by removing the necessity for the operator to stop working every
few moments, and look away from the keys, to read a few more words of copy.
To this end, I apply to type writing machines, a frame, in which is mounted a
pair of rollers fitted with clips to receive the manuscript or copy which is to be
printed.
The copy I first secure in the clip of the lower of the two rollers, and having
wound it thereon, insert its top edge in the clip of the upper roller. By mechanical
or other incans, I rotate the top roller, causing it to take up the copy as it is
printed, and pass it gradually before the eyes of the operator while working the
keys of the type writer,

page_text: In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 shows in perspective the simplest form of apparatus which I employ for
presenting the copy gradually to the eyes of the operator of the type writing
machine. This apparatus I propose to attach to the machine inmediately above
the key-board, so that the operator may read while working the keys, and without
needing to turn his head from his work. A is a rectangular frame in which are
formed bearings for the axles of two parallel rollers B. C. These rollers are recessed
longitudinally to receive spring clips be of any approved construction. The clip
of the upper roller B opens downwards, and the clip of the lower roller C opens
upwards, for the purpose which will be presently evident.
Keyed to the axle of the roller C, is a winch handle D, and keyed to the axle of
each roller, is a toothed wheel E, interlocking with which, are click springs e, which
will permit of the rollers being rotated in either direction, and will retain them in
position, until the elasticity of the springs is overcome by the action of the
operator. Both ends of the axle of the upper roller, are fitted with milled
heads F, and the left hand end of the axle of the roller C is similarly fitted.
In using this form of copy-holder, the leaves of the copy should be separated,
and the first sheet he taken and held with the front side to the operator, and the
bottom edge of the leaf inserted in the spring clip of the bottom roller.
In
The operator will then rotate the roller from left to right, or in the reverse
direction to the motion of the hands of a clock, either by turning the milled head F
or the winch handle D. When the copy is nearly all wound. round the bottom
roller in this manner, the top edge of the sheet of copy is slipped into the spring
clip of the top roller, and held so that some lines of copy are presented to the view
of the operator close to the keys of the machine, and directly behind them.
this position, the MS., print, or shorthand, can be read and copied without taking
the cyes off the machine, thus saving time in finding the next succeeding word, and
after some practice any tolerably expert operator will be able to write off the whole
of the copy in view, without interruption, and the straining of the neck at present
experienced in constantly turning aside the head to read the copy is entirely
prevented. When the first few lines have been copied, the top roller is rotated by
either of its milled heads F, thus bringing fresh copy into view. When this is
type-written, the roller is again rotated, to bring more copy into view, and so on
until the sheet of copy is finished. The bottom edge of the sheet of copy is now
pulled out of the spring clip of the lower roller, and tension being put on the sheet
by the hand of the operator, the upper roller is caused to unwind, and deliver its
sheet into the operator's hand. This action is repeated with every sheet of the
manuscript or copy intended to be type-written or printed.
The complete apparatus shewn at Fig. 1 may be screwed onto a finished machine,
but in constructing some forms of new machines, the rollers and springs can be
attached directly to the machine itself.
In the case of type writers which will not admit of the copy-holder being attached
to them, the copy-holder may be made to stand alone in any convenient position
with respect to the keys of the machine.
Fig. 2 shews in end elevation, a modification of the above described apparatus,
(without its frame A,) the object being to enable the operator to drive the upper
roller by means of a key; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of this apparatus as
applied to a type-writer, the case of the machine serving to carry the apparatus.
In this modification, the axle of the upper roller B is fitted with a ratchet
wheel G, which receives the pressure of a click spring e, for retaining the roller in
a set position, as before. The key for operating the roller B is shown at H,
and pivoted to it is a vertical rod I, which terminates in a pawi i, that takes into
the teeth of the ratchet wheel G. A tendency is given to this pawl to remain in
contact with its ratchet wheel, by means of a spring attached to the key lever H,
and bearing on the back of the rod I. A finger projecting from the rod I,
serves to facilitate the thrusting back of the pawl, clear of the ratchet wheel, for

page_text: the purpose of turning the roller B in its back or reverse direction.
for lifting the key from its depressed position.
K is a spring
This apparatus being charged with a sheet of copy, as before explained, will, on
every depression of the key H, bring a fresh portion of the copy into view, until
the whole has been passed under the eyes of the operator. The sheet is then
removed, as before explained, and a fresh supply of copy is inserted in its place.
In order to attach my copy-holder to the Remington, or other similarly constructed
type writing machine, it would be necessary to shorten the arm J shewn on Sheet 3,
in order that it should not hang in front of the copy-holder. It would likewise
be necessary to remove the alarm bell from the front to the side or back of the
machine, and in constructing new machines, it would be desirable, in some forms of
machines, to somewhat lengthen the key levers, so as to leave a convenient space
between the body of the machine and the keys, in order that my copy-holder might
be attached without causing inconvenience to the working of the keys. Other
slight alterations might be needed in the different forms of type-writing machines
in use, in order to conveniently attach my copy-holder thereto.
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. The improvements in copy-holders, for type writing machines above described,
whereby the copy is held in tension, and readily passed before the eyes of the
operator.
2. In combination with type-writing machines, a copy holder constructed as
above described, for holding the copy at tension, and passing it by intermittent
movements before the eyes of the operator.
Dated this 3rd day of April 1891.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.