Improvements in or relating to Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 8th Jan., 1890-Accepted; 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Type-writing Machines.
1, FREDERICK MYERS, of 56 Huskisson Street, Liverpool in the County of Lan-
caster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in that class of type writing machine which
is set forth in various modified forms, in my patent specifications Nos. 10410 of 1888,
14651 of 1888, and 17041 of 1888, and the objects of my present improvements
are broadly to render such machines more efficient, rapid, and regular in their
action.
In the above machines 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 or mechanism connected therewith, are or is depressed.
The construction of such a machine in its latest form may be briefly described as
follows:-
The type are arranged upon the type wheel in parallel circular groups, preferably
three in number. The type wheel is capable of being oscillated about and moved
longitudinally upon its axis, which is horizontal and is placed transversely to the axis
of the platen below it. The platen is carried by a frame arranged to slide upon a
bed which is hinged at its end remote from the type wheel, so that it may be raised
towards the platen during the act of printing. The groups of type on the type wheel
are brought into position by the longitudinal movement of the type wheel upon its
axis. This movement may be effected on the depression of any one of the type key
levers, corresponding to a type in one of the said groups, through the medium of a
hinged comb arrangement such as described in the above specification No. 14651 of 1888.
Or the type wheel may be slid longitudinally by means of a separate hand lever key
or its equivalent, connected by suitable means to the type wheel or its shaft. Or
its longitudinal movement may be effected by a knob or button on the end of the
type wheel shaft. The type wheel shaft is also connected by suitable gearing with a
spring raised comb frame, pivoted at its rear edge to the main frame of the machine.
The said comb frame carries at its front edge below the type key levers, a slotted
plate or comb or its equivalent, the slots of which are extended to various depths
below the levers. Each of the said levers has a constant travel previous to striking
the main frame, and each of them works within, and strikes the bottom of one of
the said slots, so that the comb frame, and consequently the type wheel, is rotated
into a different position for each type in a group, this position being, of course, the
position required to print with the type corresponding to the depressed key. A spring
raised spacing frame also pivoted at its rear edge to the main frame, carries at its
front edge a spacing bar which rests against the lower sides of the key levers, so that
the frame is oscillated at each depression of a lever. The spacing frame is connected
by suitable mechanism with a spacing rack, lying parallel to the platen, and capable
of sliding for a certain distance upon the hinged bed aforesaid. The rack, when
drawn along by the depression of the spacing frame, engages a pawl on the sliding
platen frame, and draws it along for the distance necessary to space one character or
word, the rack being returned into its normal position by a spring when the spacing
frame is released. The whole of the above mentioned parts is carried by the main
frame aforesaid, which may be pivoted at or about its centre to a fixed machine bed,
and be held firmly locked thereto by a spring catch, until the type wheel and platen
have been adjusted to their proper position by the depression of a type key lever,

page_text: when the frame is automatically released and the hinged platen raised against the
type wheel by the depression of the said frame by such type key lever. Or the
main frame may be fixed, and the raising of the platen accomplished by suitable
mechanism operated by the type key levers, after the adjustment of the platen and
type wheel.
My present improvements relate more particularly to the mechanism for locking the
type wheel in its exact position for printing, to the locking of the platen, to the spacing
of the words and characters, to the raising of the platen to print, and to sundry small
details of construction.
The invention may be carried into effect as follows:-
The type wheel shaft is provided with a locking wheel or wheels, having a series of
teeth corresponding in number and rolative angular position with the type on the
type wheel. A locking arm or lever is arranged in proximity with the locking wheel,
and is connected with suitable mechanism, in such a manner that each time a type
key lever is depressed, the outer end of the arm is moved into engagement with the
corresponding tooth on the locking wheel, and arrests its motion as soon as the proper
type is in position for printing. To effect the movement of the arm, it may be
pivoted, preferably at its lower end, to the main frame, at which point it is provided
with a short, approximately horizontal projection. A lever lying transversely below
and in proximity to the type key levers, and pivoted to the main frame at its end
remote from the type wheel, engages with the above short projection. Each time a
type key lever is depressed, it depresses the said transverse lever below it, and the
latter, in its turn, depresses the short projection of the locking arm, and causes the
upper end of the same to move into engagement with the locking wheel. A suitable
stop arrests the movement of the locking arm as soon as the type wheel is in position
and before the platen is raised to print. In order to reduce the diameter of the
locking wheel, and at the same time to increase the pitch of its teeth, it is preferable
to place several small wheels (say five) side by side upon the type wheel shaft, and
to form each with a corresponding number of teeth (say one fifth of the total number),
the teeth in each wheel being set in advance of the teeth in the others, and being
preferably of an equal pitch. The wheels may be formed separately or in a piece.
Where several wheels are employed, each is provided with a locking arm and a
transverse lever, each of which is operated by a certain number of type key levers.
Suitable stops, guides, and returning springs are provided, where necessary, for the
transverse levers and locking arms, and each of said levers is preferably connected to
its locking arm by a flexible connection which admits of either moving independently
of the other within certain limits. It is also preferable, for a reason which will appear
hereinafter, to mount the pivot or pivots of the transverse lovers in such a manner
that they shall be capable of a certain amount of downward movement.
The platen may be locked prior to each printing operation as follows:-
A rack having its teeth of the same pitch as, but facing in the opposite direction to,
the aforesaid spacing rack, is secured to the sliding platen frame, preferably on its
underside. A pivoted pawl, carried by the hinged bed which supports the platen
frame, is raised into engagement with the rack on said frame, as soon as the platen
has been moved the required distance, and locks it during the spacing operation. The
raising of the pawl may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as by a sloping
projection on the sliding spacing rack, which, in its forward movement, engages and
raises a projecting pin on the aforesaid pawl.
1
The spacing of the characters may be accomplished on the depression of the main
frame as follows:-
An approximately horizontal shaft journalled upon the main frame, or on type
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wheel standard thereon, is provided with an approximately horizontal arm and with a
more or less upright arm. The former arm is engaged by or connected with, a
suitable attachnient on the spacing frame whereby it is drawn downwards at each
depression of said frame, so that the upright arm, which engages a pin or its
equivalent on the spacing rack, is moved sideways and slides the said rack (and
consequently the platen) a distance sufficient to space a character.
هه

page_text: The spacing of the words may be accomplished by a separate word spacing lever,
which is spring pivoted upon the main frame, preferably at its end remote from
the type wheel, and is provided at one end with an upright inclined finger, which
engages a pin on the spacing rack and draws it and the platen along for the
required distance in a similar manner to that described in my patent specification
No. 8143 of 1888.
When the main frame is pivoted, the platen is raised to print by means of a
suitable lever arrangement which is actuated by the depression of said frame.
When, however, the frame is fixed, the mechanism is so modified that the platen
is raised by the action of the type key lever during the latter portion of its
travel.
This may be effected as follows:-
The pivoted comb frame aforesaid has heretofore been provided with a fixed
vertical rack. This gears with a suitable pinion connected with the type wheel, in
such a manner that the latter is rotated each time the comb frame is depressed.
According to my present improvement, I so mount the said rack upon the comb
frame, that it is capable of sliding thereon for a limited distance in an approximately
vertical direction. The rack is connected to the comb frame by a spring device of
such a strength that the vertical movement of the rack relatively to the frame is
prevented, until such time as the type wheel has been locked in position. Any
subsequent further depression of the comb frame takes place without moving the rack,
as the latter is held firmly by its engagement with its pinion aforesaid. This further
movement of the comb frame is necessary in order that the type key levers may be
depressed after the locking of the type wheel to effect the printing operation. During
the further depression of any type key lever, it depresses a pivoted frame (somewhat
similar to the spacing frame aforesaid) and connected by a suitable lever or its
equivalent to the hinged platen bed in such a manner that the downward movement
of the frame causes the platen to be raised against the type wheel. To prevent this
increased movement of the type key levers from interfering with the proper working
of transverse levers aforesaid, it is preferable to pivot the latter upon a movable pivot
as afore described.
Instead of simply threading the type key levers upon their shaft, as in my patent
specification No. 17041 of 1888, I find it more convenient to connect each lever with
its shaft, in such a manner that it may be readily and quickly removed, when
required, without disturbing the other levers or the lever shaft. This may be
accomplished by cutting away the upper portion of each lever eye, so that it bears
only on the lower balf of the shaft's periphery. The end of the lever simply
slipped under the shaft until its eye coincides therewith, and the pressure of the lever
elevating spring then presses the eye into place, and retains it there. The lateral
movement of the levers may be prevented by collars upon the shaft, or the levers may
each be provided with a tail which works in a suitable slot in a guide plate fixed
behind the shaft.
The forward ends of the type key levers may be guided by the slotted comb afore-
said or by a fixed comb on the main frame. The slots of various depths on the
aforesaid comb frame may be replaced by a series of stops of various heights or by a
series of adjustable stops or screws carried by the front edge of said frame, or such
edge may simply be provided with a striking rib having an inclined or curved upper
face.
The type wheel is beld firmly in any of its three longitudinal positions by means of
a suitable spring catch or the like.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to 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 5
arranged above the paper carriage 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, or mechanism in
connection therewith are or is depressed.
Certain portions of the mechanism are, however, applicable to type writing machines
other than the above.
The machine herein described is in some respects similar to the machines set forth
in my former patent specifications Nos. 10410, 14651, and 17041, all of 1888.
The present invention has for its object the rendering of such machines more
efficient, rapid, and regular in their action, and it relates more especially to the
locking of the type wheel in its exact position for printing, to the spacing of the
words and characters, to the locking of the platen, to the raising of the platen to
print, and to various details of construction.
The invention may be described by aid of the accompanying drawings which depict
an entire machine embodying my improvements, and also modifications of certain
parts thereof.
In these drawings :-
Figure 1 is a plan of the machine, parts being shown broken away and other
parts removed.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the right hand end of the machine.
Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, the type wheel locking mechanism, type
wheel, type wheel standard, mechanism supported thereby, platen, platen locking
mechanism, etcetera, being removed, and parts being also broken away.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of a detached portion of the mechanism shown in
Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an elevation of the left hand end of the machine.
Figure 6 is a section showing a paper clipping device.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation on the line xx Figure 1, with parts removed.
Figure 8 is a detail view (sectional elevation) showing an arrangement for locking
the platen during the printing operation.
Figure 9 is a similar view showing an arrangement for spacing the characters.
Figure 10 shows a detail of the type wheel operating and the platen operating
mechanism which will be fully described hereinafter
Figures 11 and 12 are respectively a front and side elevation showing a modification
of part of the mechanism shown in Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a part section, on line y y Figure 1, showing a device employed
in connection with the platen raising mechanism, and described more fully herein-
after.
Figures 14 and 15 are respectively an end and front elevation showing a slightly
modified form of type wheel locking mechanism and a device for preventing rebound
or vibration in the type wheel.
Figures 16 and 17 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner of constructing
the locking wheel shown in Figures 14 and 15.
Figure 18 shows a modified arrangement of platen raising mechanisip.
A, is the main frame or bed of the machine, which may be conveniently secured
by legs A and screws A' to a base plate or table A¹. Upon one end of the main
frame A there is mounted an overhanging standard B', which serves to support the
1

page_text: type wheel H and other mechanism hereinafter described, the shaft h of the type
wheel being extended forwards, as in Figures 1 and 2, and supported at its forward
end by a standard B' formed preferably in one with the main frame.
The type wheel H is firmly secured to its shaft h, and is capable of being oscillated
about and moved longitudinally upon its axis in a manner hereinafter described. The
said axis, which is approximately horizontal, is placed transversely to the platen or
paper carriage R below it, and the type wheel is located with its periphery in close
proximity to that of the platen, as seen in Figure 2.
The type are arranged upon the type wheel H in parallel circular groups X Y Z,
preferably three in number. One group or circle of type, as for instance, ✗, contains
the capitals, and the stops or signs most frequently used therewith, a second group,
as Z, embraces the small letters with their usual stops, etcetera, while the third
group, Y, which is preferably the central one, includes the numerals and those stops,
signs, or characters which are seldom used.
Any particular group of type may be brought into position above the axis of the
platen by simply pushing back or pulling forward the shaft by means of the
button h². The type wheel may be readily adjusted and held in any of its three
longitudinal positions by a spring catch device K2 K³, such as set forth in my former
patent specification No. 10410 of 1888 above cited, such device offering no
impediment to the free oscillation of the wheel.
All
Each type in a group is provided with a corresponding finger or type key C.
the keys are arranged in a convenient manner in the front of the machine, and each
key is carried by a type key lever C which operates the type wheel by mechanism
hereinafter described, and is so arranged with reference to said mechanisin, that, when
depressed, it rotates the type wheel into a different position, that position being the
one in which the type, corresponding to the depressed key, is in position for
printing.
The type key levers Care arranged in a parallel series, as shown in Figure 1, and
are pivoted at their rear ends, on a type key lever shaft D, which is supported at one
end in the standard B' aforesaid, and at the other end in a lug B formed preferably
in one with the main frame A. The forward ends of the levers Care guided by the
slots in a comb plate (* fixed to the front of the machine as in Figures 1 and 3.
The rear ends of the levers may be held against lateral play by collars on the shaft D,
or the said rear ends may each be provided with a tail clo, which works in a suitable
slot c¹, Figures 1, 4 and 7, in a guide plate c¹³, fixed behind the shaft. The guide
plate may be attached to, or formed in one with, a bridge piece c', which is
supported upon the short standards B³ cast with the main frame.
Each lever C is held normally in its elevated position in contact with a fixed
check rod by means of a lever elevating spring cl, all the springs being prefer-
ably stamped out of a single piece of sheet metal which is secured to the underside of
the bridge piece c' by screws, as at c, Figures 1 and 4. The downward movement
of the levers is limited by the lower ends of the comb slots ct, which are all located
at the same distance from the undersides of their respective levers, so that each of
the latter has the same amount of travel.
Each lever C is preferably connected with its shaft in such a manner that it may
be readily and quickly removed when required, without disturbing the other levers
or the lever shaft. This may be accomplished by cutting away tho upper portion of
each lever eye, as at ', Figures 1 and 4, so that it bears only on the lower half of
the shaft's periphery. The end of the lever is simply slipped under the shaft until
its eye coincides therewith, and the lever elevating spring & then presses the eye
into place, and retains it there.
The type wheel shaft h carries a pinion K which gears with a toothed quadrant F
mounted loosely upon a fixed horizontal shaft F (Figures 2 and 7) projecting from
the type wheel standard B. F¹ is a second pinion also mounted on the shaft F
and movable with the quadrant F2. The pinion F¹ gears with a vertical rack F³
which is secured to the sides of a type wheel operating frame C, such as set forth
in my former specification No. 17041 of 1888. The frame is hinged at its rear

page_text: edge, as at a, to the main frame A of the machine, and is held normally in its
raised position by a spring co, Figures 1, 3 and 7, inserted between a lug on the
frame and an arm A5 of the main frame. The upward movement of the frame C
is limited by a stop c on the frame, which rests against the type key lever shaft D
or a collar thereon, as in Figures 1, 3 and 9.
The front edge of the hinged frame C is provided with a projecting rib c¹³ which
lies transversely below the type key levers C, and is adapted to be struck by the
same when depressed. The rib c¹s is preferably inclined from one end to the other,
as shown in Figure 11, so that the striking points of the rib all lie at different
distances below their respective levers, and the movement of the latter being constant,
each lever will, when depressed, depress the frame to a different point, and will,
consequently, through the gearing F F1 F2 K, rotate the type wheel into a different
position, that is, into the position required to print with the corresponding type.
Instead of an inclined rib, as shown, a stepped or curved rib may be employed, the
type or type keys being arranged accordingly. Or in lieu of the rib, there may be
employed a series of adjustable screws c, such as shown in Figure 10, and as set
forth in my specification No. 17041 of 1888, beforementioned.
The type wheel may be locked in position prior to the printing operation by the
following arrangement:
The type wheel shaft is provided with a locking wheel, having a series of teeth
on its periphery, corresponding in their relative annular positions with the type on
the type wheel. In order to reduco the diameter of this locking wheel, and at the
same time to increase the pitch of its teeth, it is preferable to form it of several
small wheels (say five) such as H³ H³, placed side by side upon the type wheel
shaft h, and to provide each with a corresponding number of teeth H³, Figure 7,
(say one fifth of the total number) the teeth in each wheel being set in advance of
the teeth in the others, as seen in Figure 7. The wheels may be formed separately,
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or in a piece, as described hereinafter. A locking
arm or lever L, Figures 1, 2 and 7, is arranged with its upper end L in proximity
to each locking wheel H³, and is connected with suitable mechanism, in such a
manner that each time a type key lever corresponding to the said wheel is depressed,
the end L of the arm is moved into engagement with the corresponding tooth H
on the locking wheel, and arrests the motion of the latter as soon as the proper type
is in position for printing, by reason of the contact between the edge of the locking
arm and a fixed arm L" carried by the standard B. To effect the movement of an
arm Lo, it is pivoted, at its lower end, as at 17, to the main frame, at which point
it is provided with a short, approximately horizontal arm or projection L. Each of
the above projections L' is engaged by a lever E, lying transversely below and in
proximity to the type key levers C¹, and pivoted (at its end remote from the type
wheel, as at e) to the main frame A, or to a part carried by the frame. Each time
a type key lever is depressed, it depresses the corresponding transverse lever E below
it, preferably by means of the pins el thereon, and the transverse lever, in its turn,
depresses the short projection L of the corresponding locking arm, and causes the
upper end L of the arm to move into engagement with its locking wheel. The upper
ends of the pins e¹ are placed at such a distance from their levers C₁ (having regard
to their distance from the pivot e) that the locking arm Le only begins to move
into position as the proper locking tooth H³ is approaching it. The outer ends of
the levers E may be guided by the pins e², Figure 7, on their undersides, the said
pins passing through holes in the fixed plate on the main frame. After each
depression of a transverse lever, E, it, together with its locking arm L, is returned
to its normal position by a spring e, the said springs being attached to the plate ea
aforesaid.
The return of the levers E is also assisted by a spring e³, hereinafter described.
The locking arms L' are held in their normal position by the contact between their
heels, Figures 2 and 7, and the main frame, and the upward movement of the
levers E is limited by the stop e', hereinafter described, and by the contact between
the lever ends e and the lower edges of the projections L'.

page_text: Each transverse lever is connected with the projection L of its locking arm by a
slightly flexible connection es e, Figures 1 and 7, consisting of a fork-like end having
a rigid under jaw e and a flexible upper jaw e. This permits the free end of the
lever to descend without straining any part, after the arrest of an arm L by the fixed
arm L" (that is, after the locking of the type wheel) and during the further
depression of a type key lever, to perform the printing operation, as hereinafter set
forth.
It is preferable, for a similar reason, to mount the pivot e of the transverse levers
upon a short link E¹ (Figures 1, 5 and 7) or similar movable part, in such a manner
that the pivot may have a certain amount of downward movement. The link and
pivot are upheld by an elevating spring e, and the upward movement of the link and
the pivot ends of the levers is limited by the stop aforesaid, which engages the
upper side of the link.
The locking wheels H³ H³ and pinion K are all mounted as a whole upon the type
wheel shaft in such a manner that the latter can be slid longitudinally without
moving the wheels and pinion, the longitudinal movement of the latter being pre-
vented by the forked bracket ³, Figures 1 and 2, that rests in a peripheral groove h*
in the boss of the pinion.
It will be evident that an arrangement of transverse lever and locking arm, similar
to the above, could be employed, though not so advantageously with a single locking
wheel.
The platen R lies transversely below the shaft h, with its periphery in close
proximity to that of the type wheel. The platen may be turned to space the lines
by a milled wheel 10, such spacing being performed by a ratchet and spring pawl
device, of any well known construction.
The platen is mounted in a platen frame R', which is capable of sliding upon a
bed S, in a direction parallel to the platen axis. T is a reciprocatory spacing rack
such as set forth in my patent specification No. 10410 of 1888 above cited. It is
conveniently mounted upon the platen bed S by slot and pin connections t ta,
Figures 7 and 8, and is held normally in its position furthest to the right by a
spring. The rack teeth are preferably made of a pitch equal to the space required
for a character, or between two words, and they are engaged, in one direction only,
by a pawl t carried by the sliding platen frame R', so that each time the rack is
drawn along towards the left, the platen is also drawn along in the same direction.
The spacing of the words may be accomplished by a separate word spacing lever G³,
Figures 1, 5 and 7, which is pivoted as at G₁ upon the main frame, preferably at its
end remote from the type wheel, and is provided at one end with an upright inclined
or wedge-shaped finger G, which engages a pin to on the spacing rack T when the
front end of the lever is depressed, and draws the said rack and the platen along for
the required distance. The downward movement of the lever G' is controlled by the
stop G, and a spring G7 returns the lever, after each operation, into the position
shown, in which position it is held by a stop G³. The spacing rack is returned into
its normal position by the spring to aforesaid.
The spacing of a character may be accomplished on the depression of its corre-
sponding type key lever in a similar manner to that described in my specification
No. 14651 of 1888, as follows, reference being had to Figures 1, 2 and 9.
PP is a spacing frame similar to that set forth in my patent specification No. 17041
of 1888. It is hinged to the main frame at its rear edge, preferably upon the pivot a
aforesaid, and is held normally raised by a spring P, Figures 1 and 2. At its front
edge it carries a spacing bar P, which rests against the lower sides of the type key
levers, so that the frame is turned upon its hinge axis at each depression of a type key
lever.
An approximately horizontal shaft V, journalled upon the main frame A or on the
type wheel standard B¹, is provided with an approximately horizontal arm V' and
with a more or less upright arm V¹. The arm V' is connected, by a link V³, with
the side Pl of the spacing frame whereby the arm is drawn downwards at each
depression of said frame, by a type key lever, so that the upright arm V¹, which

page_text: engages a pint or its equivalent on the spacing rack T, is moved sideways, and slides
the said rack (and consequently the platen) a distance sufficient to space a character.
The connection between the link Vs and arm V2 is made by an elongated slot &* in the
upper end of the link, through which the end of the arın projects, and a stiff spring v
is inserted between the upper side of the arm and the upper end of the slot v³, for a
reason which will appear hereinafter
The platen R may be locked prior to each printing operation as follows:-
A rack T, Figures 2 and 8, having its teeth of the same pitch and facing in the
same direction as, those of the aforesaid spacing rack T, is secured to the sliding
platen frame R¹, preferably on its underside. A pivoted pawl T', carried by the
bed S which supports the platen frame, is raised into engagement with the rack T¹,
as soon as the platen has been moved the required distance, and locks it during the
subsequent printing operation. The raising of the pawl T at the proper moment
may be accomplished by any suitable means, such as by a sloping projection or
shoe T, which is carried by the sliding spacing rack T, and, in its movement forward
with the rack, engages and raises a projecting pin T on the aforesaid pawl, so that
the pointed extremity of the latter is placed in front of the rack tooth above it, and
prevents the further movement of the rack and platen as soon as the latter has been
moved the required distance. The shoe T is returned with the rack T by the spring to,
and the pawl is withdrawn from the rack by the contact between the upper side of the
shoe and the pawl pin 1.
The bed S is hinged so that it and the platen thereon may be raised towards the
type wheel to perform the operation of printing. It is preferable to hinge the bed (as
set forth in my former specification No. 17041 of 1888) upon a pivot s³ at the left end
of the bed, that is, at its end remote from the type wheel, as, by this means, there is no
danger of producing a smeared impression when the paper is pressed against the type.
The free end of the bed S is provided with a tubular projection 10 (Figures 2 and 8)
which rests upon a projections on the machine bed A and thus supports the bed S
normally in the same position. The projection s' is also provided with an upright
pins which rests within the tubular projection 810 and serves to prevent any lateral
movement in the bed S whilst it is rising and falling during the working of the
machine. The weight of the bed, platen, etcetera, is also taken off the platen raising
mechanism, hereinafter described, by means of a spring 8, surrounding the pro-
jection s².
The printing operation is performed by raising the right hand end of the bed S and
the platen by the action of a type key lever during the latter portion of its travel, and
after the adjusting and locking of the type wheel.
To allow of the above further depression of a type key lever, without a corresponding
movement in the type wheel and its connecting mechanism, the lever shaft D is made
capable of a certain amount of upward movement. To this end, it is mounted in
elongated slots d³ in the standard B¹ and lug B, its rotary movement being prevented
by the facets da, on its extremity (see Figure 5).
The shaft is locked in its lowest position by a sliding locking bar D¹, Figures 1, 2, 3,
5 and 13, which is mounted in the standard B' and lug B aforesaid directly above the
shaft. The bar D' carries two projecting pieces D', Figures 3 and 13, on its under-
side, which bear against the upper faces of two pins or projections D³ on the lever
shaft. The end of the bar D₁ beyond the standard B₁ has a forked_piece D*,
Figures 1, 2 and 13, which is engaged by an approximately upright arm Ds, carried
by the arm V2 aforesaid, so that each time the spacing frame P P¹, connected with
said arm, is depressed by a type key lever, the locking bar D₁ is slid towards the left,
and at the proper moment the projections D' on the bar are clear of the pins D³ on
the shaft. The bar D¹ prevents the upward movement of the shaft until a lever C
has depressed the frame into its proper position for adjusting the type wheel. The
latter is, at this moment, firmly locked, as above described, and the frame C is unable
to descend further. At the same moment, the movement of the bar D¹ has released
the shaft D, so that the continued pressure on the front end of the type key lever
causes it to turn about the rib c¹ as a fulcrum, and to raise the shaft D with its rear

page_text: end, thus permitting such additional downward movement in the front end of the type
key lever as is necessary to perform the printing operation in the manner hereinafter
described. On the release of the lever C, the shaft is returned to its normal position
by springs d, which are attached to the main frame A and press downwards upon
links & Figures 3 and 13. These are hooked over the shaft at each end thereof,
and each carries a projecting pin d or its equivalent, upon which rests the forked end
of the spring d. The locking bar is returned into its normal position on the
release of the lever by the spacing frame spring P*.
Instead of the above arrangement for permitting an additional movement in the
type key levers, the following device may be employed, reference being had to
Figure 10.
The vertical rack F³, which serves to transmit the movements of the hinged
frame to the type wheel through the medium of the gearing F1, F2, K aforesaid, is
mounted upon the hinged frame, as shown, in such a manner that it is capable of
sliding thereon for a limited distance in an approximately vertical direction. The rack
is connected to the hinged frame C by a suitable spring f, which is attached to the
frame at f, and holds the rack down in the position shown, with its projecting lug f
resting against the top of the frame. The spring is preferably connected to the rack
in a movable manner, such as by the headed pin f, which passes through an
elongated slot in the end of the spring. A recess 8 is formed in the frame to
give the spring freedom of movement. The spring f is of such a strength that
the rack is prevented from sliding upon the frame until such time as the type
wheel has been locked in position by one of the arms L°. The shaft D has, in this
case, no vertical movement, and the continued pressure on the type key lever
depresses the hinged frame C in defiance of the spring fand without moving the
rack F, as the latter is held firmly by its engagement with its pinion F¹.
During the above additional movement of any type key lever, the latter depresses a
pivoted frame J, J¹, J2, by means of a bar J, at the front of the frame and lying
transversely below the levers. The frame is capable of turning about its rear edge J³,
and is provided at one end with a rearwardly projecting arm J' which is connected at
its rear end, by a suitable link, lever or its equivalent, with the underside of the
hinged platen bed S, so that the depression of the front portion of the frame by the
lever causes the platen R to be raised against the type wheel. It is preferable to
connect the arm J'and the platen bed Sin such a manner that the latter is enabled to
fall away from the type wheel into its original position as soon as the paper on the
platen has been pressed against the type. This end may be attained as follows:-
The rear end of the arm Ja is provided with an upturned toe J whose salient
upper end rests normally against the salient projection ; of a piece J' which is
mounted on the underside of the hinged bed S. The piece J' is pivoted as at j'
upon the bed S, the pivot being placed to the rear of the toe, so that during
the upward movement of the toe, the latter tends to press the forwardly projecting
toe of the piece J' against the underside of the bed S. The relative positions
of the salient end of the toe J and the salient projection j are such that, as
Boon as the paper on the platen has been pressed against the type, the slight
forward movement of the toe J* (due to the oscillation of its arm J³) causes the
projection to slip off its salient end, and thus allows the bed and platen to fall to
their original positions. The downward movement of the lever C₁ is immediately
arrested by the lower end of its guiding slot c, and on the release of the said lever,
the frame J JJ' is returned into its normal position against the stops J, Figures 2
and 5, by the flat spring J'. The pivoted piece Jo is returned to its original position
(after being tipped backwards by the toe J' on its return movement) by the
counterbalance
To prevent the above increased movement of the type key levers from interfering
with the proper working of transverse levers E by straining their flexible con-
nections, it is preferable to pivot the latter levers upon the movable link E' as
afore described, so that they may move downwards more or less bodily during such
increased movement. The said increased movement also causes the spacing frame P P¹
B

page_text: to be depressed after the spacing operation, and this additional movement in the
spacing frame is permitted without a corresponding movement in the spacing rack by
the stiff spring v', Figure 9, aforesaid, which is of such a strength that it will not
yield until the movement of the arm V has been arrested by the locking of the
platen.
Instead of actuating the platen raising frame J J J2 during the latter portion of a
key lever's travel, as above described, the frame may be depressed, by means of a
separate lever, immediately after the movement of a type key lever has been arrested
by striking the bottom of its guiding slot c. This arrangement may be understood
by reference to Figures 1 and 18. A lever is mounted at its rear end upon the
main frame, preferably upon the check rod c³, and is connected in any suitable manner
with the front bar J or side J¹ of the frame, as by a stem, which rests normally
against the upper side of said bar or side. The lever is provided at its forward end
with a finger key jo, and its position in plan may be seen in dotted lines in Figure 1.
When a separate printing lever is employed, the lower ends of the lever guiding
slots c or the upper edge of the rib a are or is placed at such a shorter distance from
the undersides of the levers C that the latter will be brought to a standstill at about
the same point that they would otherwise have come in contact with the bar J. The
above arrangement obviates the necessity of providing a vertical movement for the
lever shaft D (or making the rack F movable upon its frame (*) and of providing a
spring connection in the spacing mechanism.
Instead of forming the locking wheels separately, as in Figures 1 and 2, they may
be formed in a piece, as follows, reference being had to Figures 14 to 17:-
The rim of the combined wheel is stamped out of a piece of sheet metal h³,
preferably in the form shown in Figure 17, the locking teeth H³ being formed by the
stepped edges of the diagonal bars . This strip of metal h is then bent round a
skeleton boss h, as in Figure 16, and securely soldered or brazed to it, the
adjacent ends h being also firmly united in a similar manner. The steps in the
bars are so located that when the wheel is complete, as in Figures 14 and 15, their
relative angular positions correspond to those of the type on the type wheel. To
prevent the rim of the boss from interfering with the movement of the locking arms L,
and also to still further lighten the wheel, the said rim is cut away as at he, Figure 16,
after the rim 5 of the wheel has been attached. The arrow at the top of Figure 17
shows the direction in which the teeth H' engage the end I of the locking arm L.
By the above construction, a very light, cheap and sufficiently strong locking wheel
is obtained.
In some cases, if it be found desirable to prevent any possible rebound or vibration
in the type wheel during the operation of printing when the machine is being worked
rapidly, an arrangement such as shown in Figures 14 and 15 may be employed to
lock the said wheel in an opposite direction, after its movement in one direction has
been arrested by one of the arms L. The forward edge of the locking wheel rim h
is provided with a series of notches or teeth 10, which may be stamped out at the
same time as the rim itself (see Figures 16 and 17). The working faces of these
teeth face in an opposite direction to the working faces of the teeth H³, and they are
placed in the same relative angular position as the said teeth H³. One of the teeth h
is engaged by the salient end N of a locking arm N' after the type wheel has been
arrested by one of the arms L aforesaid. The dotted arrow at the foot of Figure 17
shows the direction in which the rebound of the type wheel would take place. The
arm N' is pivoted, as at n, to the main frame A, near which point it is provided with
a lateral arm N', projecting towards the rear of the machine and having a depending
forked extension N³. The upper branch of this fork rests normally on the upper edge
of the side J¹ of the platen raising frame J J' J, while the lower branch of the fork
is located at a short distance below the lower edge of the said side, as may be seen in
Figure 15. During the first portion of the downward movement of the frame J J¹ J³,
the arm N' falls towards the rear of the machine and its salient upper end N comes in
contact with the adjacent tooth 710, and, during the further movement of the frame,
necessary to complete the printing operation, the said end is moved along the working

page_text: face of its tooth by the contact between the lower branch of the fork N' and the
underside of the arm J¹. On the return movement of the frame, the arm N¹ is brought
back by it to its normal position, and leaves the type wheel free to revolve to its
original position.
The type may be inked by an absorbtive inking roller M, Figures 1, 2 and 7, which
is mounted upon an axle carried by two pivoted depending arms m. One of these
arms is provided with a lateral arm m³, which is pressed upwards by a spring m³. By
this arrangement, the inking roller constantly bears with a yielding pressure against
the type.
The sheet of paper Q, Figure 6, is guided below the platen R by a guide plate,
Figures 6 and 7. This guide plate is extended at intervals in the form of tongues ³,
which hug the side and top of the platen, so that the latter, on being turned by the
hand wheel, moves the paper forward as desired.
The mode of action of the machine is as follows:-
The type wheel is first adjusted by the spring catch device K' K' to the group of
type with which it is desired to print. A type key C is then depressed and causes a
partial rotation of the type wheel H by means of its lever C, the frame (", and
gearing F F F and K.
As soon as the required type is in position for printing,
the wheel H is locked by one of the arms L. During the above depression of the
type key, its lever C has also depressed the spacing frame P P1 and moved the platen
the necessary distance by the mechanism V V V V₁ t¹T and t. By the time the
type wheel is locked and the platen in position, the latter is also locked by the pawl T'
and rack T, and the locking bar 11 (where such is used) has been moved so as to
release the lever shaft D.
The continued pressure on the type key now raises the shaft D (or still further
depresses the frame (4) and actuates the platen raising frame J J'J'. This frame,
during the first portion of its movement, locks the type wheel against rebound by
the arm N1, and, continuing its movement, it presses the paper against the type by
means of its rearward arm J' and the hinged bed S. As soon as the impression is
made, the contact between the toe J on said arm J³ and the pivoted piece J® is
broken, and the bed S falls, drawing the paper away from the type. Immediately
afterwards, the movement of the type key lever is arrested by the bottom of its slot c¹.
On releasing the said lever, the whole of the parts, with the exception of the platen,
are returned to their normal positions by their various returning springs, etcetera.
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, be arranged
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 by taking out
the screws b, Figure 1, removing the covers 6', and disconnecting the wheel from its
shaft.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a type writer, a type wheel locking arrangement consisting of a series of
locking wheels (either separately or in a piece) movable synchronously with the type
wheel and having their teeth arranged in the saune relative angular position as the
type thereon, a corresponding series of pivoted locking arms having their outer ends
adapted to engage in one direction the teeth of their respective locking wheels, and
a corresponding series of levers each adapted, when depressed, to operate its respective
locking arm and each located transversely below and adapted to be depressed by any
one of its respective type key levers during a certain definite terminal portion of the
stroke of such lever, substantially as described.

page_text: 2. The arrangements, substantially as described, whereby any one of the transverse
type wheel locking levers E may be depressed by a type key lever, during the
printing operation, independently of its locking arm Lo.
3. In a type writer, the combination with a sliding platen, and a reciprocatory
spacing rack connected therewith substantially as described, of a pivoted word spacing
lever provided with an apturned rear end having an inclined face which is located
normally in close proximity to one side of a lateral projection or pin on said rack and
is adapted to engage the same at each depression of the forward end of the lever,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In combination with the reciprocatory spacing rack adapted as described to
impart a step by step forward movement to the sliding platen frame during the
successive downward strokes of the type keys, a similarly pitched locking rack
movable synchronously with the platen frame and having its teeth adapted to be
engaged in the same direction as those of the said spacing rack, a locking paw!
mounted in proximity to said rack, and means adapted to place said locking pawl and
its rack in engagement at the completion of each such forward movement of the
platen frame and to retain it therein during each operative stroke of the printing
mechanism, whereby the platen is firmly locked in position just prior to and during
the moment of printing, substantially as described.
5. In a type writer having a depressible type wheel operating frame provided with
an operating rack as described or with its mechanical equivalent, the mounting of said
rack or its equivalent upon said frame in such a flexible manner that any type key
lever, after having depressed the frame and rack, and adjusted and locked the type
wheel in position for printing, is enabled to depress the frame independently of the
rack and to obtain thereby the additional lever movement required to perform the
printing operation, substantially as described.
6. In a type writer the combination with a series of depressible type key levers and
a hinged platen carrying bed, of a frame pivoted about its rear edge and having its
forward edge lying transversely to the type key levers and at such a distance below
the same that any one of them will engage it during a definite terminal portion of its
downward travel, and a rearwardly extending arm carried by said frame and connected
at its outer end with the free end of the hinged platen carrying bed, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
7. The flexible arrangement, substantially as described, whereby the spacing frame
may be depressed, after the completion of the spacing operation, for the purpose
specified.
Dated thin 7th do
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, and London, Patent Agents.