LMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE WRITERS ADAPTED TO PRINT A PARTICULAR CODE OF SIGNS FOR WRITING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON Fel. Inst. P.A., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, G Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer, do horeby declare the nature of the said invention for " LMPROVEMENTS
IN TYPE WRITERS ADAPTED TO PRINT A PARTICULAR CODE OF SIGNS FOR WRITING
AND OTHER PURPOSES," (A communication from abroad by Professor John Celivergos
Zachos of New York City, County and State), to be as follows :—
First: This invention relates to a novel arrangement in a key-board, of letters
representing an improved stenophonotype alphabet and text, for the purpose of
facilitating the printing of this Stenophonic Text, at a reporting speed. The
improved key-board embraces ninety-six keys, arranged in sixteen columns of six
letters each, as illustrated in the accompanying diagrain, and which by their
peculiar shape, order of arrangement, and mechanical connection with the devices
used to set a series of types in their proper place and order for printing, inay all
bo arranged in a very small space, to admit of being touched simultaneously in
combinations of two or more keys, so that whole words and phrases can be printed
at one move, as chords are struck on a piano. The special feature of the invention
herein consists in the peculiar order and arrangement of the letters of the steno-
phonic alphabet on the keys, as shown in the accompanying diagram. Of the
sixteen columns of keys, the first three (Numbered 1, 2, 3, on the diagram) are
devoted to letters that indicate short and oft recurring words in the composition of
English. The next three columns (Numbers 4, 5 and 6) are devoted to such
consonant sounds, as precede the vowel sounds, in spelling by signs and sounds
corresponding. The succeeding eight columns (Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
and 14) are devoted to an arbitrary arrangement of letters, as shown in the
diagram, such as will always secure the right number and order of letters that
occur after the vowel sign, in the spelling of words by means of the stenophono-
types, and include the period (.) dash (-) and money mark (£). The ten digits
are contained in the last two columns (Numbers 15 and 16.)
The invention relates secondly, to a special mechanism that may be used to set
and print types, as fast as the keys can be depressed simultaneously and in suitable

page_text: combinations and it relates more particularly to two novel devices, namely: all the
keys pertaining to each of the respective columns in the key board above referred
to, are so placed as to rest upon one and the same lever, and so arranged as that
each key will, when pressed upon, push down the lever to a different degree,
whereby six different degrees of inclination of said lever may be produced, one for
each key.
Thirdly: It relates to improved mechanism whereby the movement of the
respective levers, one for each column of characters upon the key board, are
conveyed to sixteen parallel sectors or sixteen parallel bars on which respectively
are placed the types for printing, in columns of six corresponding precisely to the
columns on the keyboard shown in the diagram, and to the order and number of the
letters in said key-board. The movement of each lever produces a corresponding
movement of its appropriate sector or bar and the appropriate type is thereby
brought to a line of print. The types being thus brought into line for printing,
an impression is obtained therefrom, upon a strip of paper which is automatically
brought over the types, imprinted, and fed forward by suitable mechanical devices
arranged for the purpose, and brought into play by the thumb of the hand holding
the machine, or otherwise.

page_text: I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst, P.A., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, G Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TYPE WRITERS ADAPTED TO PRINT A PARTICULAR: CODE OF SIGNS FOR WRITING.
AND OTHER PURPOSES" (A communication from abroad by Professor John Celivergos;
Zachos, of New York City, County, and State), and in what manner. the same is to:
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following:
statement:i.
i
In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification,
Figure 1 is a plan view of the stenophonotype printing instrument or type-
writer, the cover of the portion beyond the key-board being removed.".
Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section, on line x, x, of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section on line y, y, of Figure 2.
Figure 4 an enlarged sectional view on line 2, 5, of Figure 2, illustrating one of
the columns of keys, and their support upon an oscillating-plate.
Figure 5, an enlarged detail view from below, of the under side of the sectors.
and of the oscillating key-plates, illustrating more fully the connection of the two.
Similar letters indicate the same parts in all of the Figures.
This invention relates to a novel arrangement in a key-board of keys bearing
letters and characters representing an improved stenophonotypo alphabet and text,.
for the purpose of facilitating by means of suitable mechanism, the printing of this
Stenophonic Text, at a reporting speed, and to the mechanism for accomplishing
this result.
The improved key-board embraces ninety-six keys, arranged in sixteen columns
of six letters each, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. These
keys by reason of their peculiar shape, order of arrangement, and mechanical.
connection with the devices used to set a series of types in their proper place and
order for printing, admit of being so touched simultaneously in combinations of
two or more keys, as that whole words and phrases can be printed at one move or
stroke of the hand, as chords are struck on a piano. Of the sixteen_columns
of keys, the first three, (Numbered 1, 2, and 3, in said Figure 1 of the drawing).
are devoted to letters that indicate short- and oft recurring words in the composition
of English. The next three columns (Numbers 4, 5, and 6) are devoted to such.
consonant sounds, as precede the vowel sounds, in spelling by signs and sounds
corresponding. The succeeding eight columns (Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
and. 14) are devoted to an arbitrary arrangement of letters, as shown in the
drawing, such as will always. secure the right number and order of letters that
occur after the vowel sign in the spelling of words by means of the stenophonotypes,
and include also the period. (.). dash (-) and money mark (£). The ten digits."
are contained in the last two columns (Numbers 15 and 16.)
These special letters and characters and their order of arrangement on the key-
board are clearly illustrated in the drawing, and need no further description in this
connection.
In the special mechanism adapted as hereinafter described for use in setting and
printing types corresponding to the characters' on said key-board, as fast as the
keys can be depressed, either singly or in suitable combinations, all the keys¨
pertaining to each of the columns in the key board are so placed, as to rest upon
one and the same lever, and the keys are so constructed and arranged in each
column, as that each, will, when pressed upon, push down the lever to a different
degree, whereby six different degrees of inclination of the lever may be produced,
one for each key..

page_text: The six keys in each of the respective columns are all supported upon a wide
plate A (see Figures 2, 4 and 5) pivoted at each end to the sides B, B, of the frame
or case of the instrument. Froin each plate A an arm A¹ depends at a right angle
thereto. The pivot-pins a, a, (see Figures 4 and 5) upon which the plate turns, are
placed at one side of the middle line of the plate, and the pivotal axis thereby
brought near to one of the longitudinal edges of the plate, and parallel with the
other as shown in Figure 5.
The keys in each column, (as for instance, the keys represented by the letters M,
L, S, T, N, R, (see column 13 in Figures 1 and 4,) are each elongated in form,
and are supported with their longest axes parallel to the sides of the instrument,
and at a right angle with the length of the oscillating plate A beneath them, by
means of a pin b at one end, which, passing freely through two horizontal partitions
or plates F F in the instrument, rests upon the free movable edge of the plate A.
A second stop-pin e projects parallel with the supporting-pin b from the opposite
end of the key through apertures in the partitions FF, and serves, by contact
with the pivotal edge of the oscillating-plate A, to prevent the further tipping
thereof by pressure upon the keys. The oscillating plate A, is kept, by means
hereinafter described, normally in an inclined position with its free edge against
the operative pins b, b, of all the keys in the row, the ends of the stop-pins c, c,
being lifted thereby above the plate, as shown in Figure 2. The stop-pins cc in
each row are all of the same length, but the supporting or operative pins b, b,
diminish in length in regular order each to the same degree, from the bottom or
front, to the top or rear of the row, so that when they all rest upon the upwardly
inclined edge of the lever plate, the key at the foot of the row, as for example the
key R in row 13-shall be elevated above the upper partition F, 2 centimeters,
the next key, N-will be lifted 3 centimetres; the next-T-4 centimeters; the
next S-5 centimeters; the next-L-16 centimeters; and the upper one,-M-
17 centimeters.
Hence by means of six-keys in each column, each key-plate A and its arm. A¹
may be oscillated in six different degrees of movement, each key when depressed,
acting on the plate to move it to an extent corresponding to the degree of its own
movement. In view of the consecutive arrangement of the keys by which they
have successively a progressively increasing movement from the bottom to the top
of the row or column, if any two or more of the keys are touched simultaneously,
the effect will be to obtain the maximum depression only, of the plate, due to
the movement of the key nearest the top of the column, the minimum depression
being obtained by striking the lowermost key only.
This device permits the shortest possible length of each row or column and the
shortest possible stroke in each key, in the attainment of the desired result. The
hand is carried from the left to the right in the setting of the type for any word
or phrase by means of these keys, and one letter or character only is selected from
a row or column at each movement of the hand, the depression of any one key in
either operating surely and independently of all other keys to move its appropriate
type.
The several arms A, A, depend from the several key-plates A, ▲ ench in a
different vertical, longitudinal plane, so that the several arins may be connected by
a series of parallel wires A², A² each to the lower end of one of a series of parallel
sectors D, D, (sce Figure 2) oscillating independently upon a common pivotal
shaft D', (Figures 1, 2 and 3) which is mounted in line parallel with the pivotal
axis of the oscillating key-plates A, A, within a chamber formed at one end of the
case beyond the end of the key board."
The arrangement of the sectors D, D, and of the printing devices combined
therewith is as follows:-
The peripheral portion of each sector D, is turned away from the end of the
key-board and upon its upper portion are fitted six types e, e, e, corresponding
respectively in their character and order of arrangement with the letters or
characters on the six keys in the column over the oscillating key-plate with which

page_text: that particular sector is connected. The lower portion of said curved or peripheral
face of the sector, is notched with ratchet-teeth fiff, 'six in number, the intervals
between the teeth being made to correspond exactly with the intervals between
the type. Each pivoted sector is automatically upheld in position with the centre
of its peripheral type-face tangential to a transverse plane at right angles to the
length of the instrument; by means of a spring E, Figure 3-its further upward
movement being arrested by a transverse stop-bar .G.!
זי …
!יין וייייר
The ratchet-teeth or detent notches f.ff, are adapted to be engaged, when tho
sector is drawn downward, by a hook upon the end of the longer arm of one of
a series of detent levers H, H, pivoted upon a fixed transverso rod H; to oscillate,
each independently of the other, and, each in the:samo longitudinal plane as one of
the sectors, in the rear of and below the same. Said arins. are each carried up
automatically against the face of its appropriate sector by a spring C (see Figure 2)
upon a fixed transverso bar C', A transverse rod extends under the outer, shorter
arms of said levers, being secured at each end to the free ends of the blocks i, i,
whose lower ends are pivoted respectively to the two parallel, longitudinal bars O, O,
of a swinging framo O, O', suspended near to the bottom of the case on the ouds
of vertical swinging bars P,,P. The swinging suspension bars P, P are of equal
length and are pivoted upon pins secured to each side B, B, of the case (see Figures
1 and 2). Intermediate arms P! of the same length as the suspension arms P; P,
are pivoted to each side bar 0,0, and are secured at their upper onds. to a transverse
rock shaft O mounted about midway of the length of the case.
The frame O, O', thus suspended, is made to swing forward and backward upon
its suspension bars by means of a crank-lover 03 projecting from the rock-shaft O¹;
at right angles to the arms P1, P1, (see dotted lines Figuro 2) connecting the shaft
with the frame. Said lover Os being pivoted at its outer end to a rud 0', pro-
jecting from a plate or "print-key" 05; extending the entire length. of the key-
board at its front edgo (see Figure 1). This plate O³ is upheld upon springs g, g;
(see Figure 4), which permit a limited depression thereof and the depression of the
plato, operating through the connecting rod O', upon the lever 03, will, by causing
the shaft 0%, to oscillate throw forward the frame O, O', its automatic return being
produced by the action of said springs g, g, when pressure is removed from the
plate.
ין
Levers Q, Q, are pivoted, one on each side of the case, to a transverse rod Qi
near the top thereof so as to depend therefrom each in an inclined position
tangential to the periphery of the sectors D, D, the lower end of each lever being
made to rest loosely upon the outer end of one of two short arms Q³ pivoted cach
at its inner end to the side bars O; of the swinging frame O, O' or upon a cross-bar
connecting said levers. A spring m (see, dotted lines Figure 2) is inserted under
cach arm Q, to hold it up whilst its upward movement is arrested by a stop n
engaging a lug n³ projecting from the pivoted end of the arm, as shown in the
dotted lines.
:
A transverse impression plate or bar U is carried across from one lever Q, to the
other, in position just below the lowest row of types on the sectors when they are
elevated and at rest, and pads are fitted upon this impression. plate one for each
sector, to bear against the face of the type when the type is brought into register
therewith.
it
-
A reel of paper V is mounted in suitable bearings at the end of the case, and the
paper ribbon thereon is led thence over the series of pads upon the impression
plate U, and thence down over a friction roller U, mounted between the
levers U, U, and thence under a second roller Us and over a fixed, transverse;
horizontal bed plate U whose ends are secured to the sides B; B of the case, and
thence out from the case, as illustrated in Figure 2.
The paper is automatically drawn forward from the reel at each forward
movement of the swinging-frame, by means of a series of teeth W, W, (see
Figures 1 and 2) mounted upon.a.transverse-bar-W-fitted-between two' swinging

page_text: arins w, w, whose upper ends are pivoted to the rod Q, inside of the bars QQ
carrying the impression plate and pads, and which, depending vertically, are
connected to the side-bars of the swinging frame O, O', by means of pins projecting
therefrom through longitudinal slots in the lower ends of the arms.
In the operation of the instrument any number of the types up to sixteen, may,
if need be, be brought into line or register with the impression platens for imprint,
and simultaneously imprinted to form one line of print on the slip during one
movement of the band from left to right over the keys. This being done, the
types are automatically returned to their first positions in readiness to be set for
the imprint of a second line, the paper being in the meantime automatically fed
forward, all in manner as follows: By a pressure of the finger upon the appropriate
key in any one of the 16 columns of keys, the oscillating plate A upon which that
particular column of keys rests, will be tipped to a degree corresponding to the
position of the particular key in the column, and the arm A¹ being thereby swung
back to a corresponding degree, will, through the intervening wire A' draw down
the sector D, to which it is attached, to a corresponding extent. So soon as the
sector is thus drawn down, it is automatically detained by the engagement of the
detent-lever H, with one of the ratchet teeth or detent notches f. Hence, if
the lowermost key in a column-for example the letter R in column 13,-is
depressed, the minimum oscillation of the plate A is produced and its appropriate
type sector D; will be drawn down but ona interval only, thereby bringing the
lowest of the series of types on the sector into line for print. If, however the
uppermost key in the column be struck,-as for example key M, in said
column 13,-the plate A is oscillated to its maximum, and the sector D, will be
drawn down thereby to its full extent, thus bringing the uppermost type into line
for print.
The letters or characters for one line of print upon the strip of paper are thus
selected from the sixteen columns of keys at one move of the hand from left to
right over the key board, and the number, repetition, and order of the keys, is such,
as illustrated in the drawing, as that the characters for whole words and phrases
are so brought within the span of the fingers as to admit of setting all the type:
therefor simultaneously at one stroke, in like manner as the several notes in a
chord admit of being struck simultaneously upon the piano.
So soon as one line of typo upon the sectors is thus brought into position for
print, pressure is applied by the thumb upon the print-key O' (Figures 1 and 4).
The consequent depression of this print-key operates through the intervening
crank-arın 03, rock-shaft O, and arm P¹ to swing forward the frame 0, 0¹, and tho
forward movement of its lateral bars O, O, will carry the incline blocks i, i, forward
under the short arm of the detent-lever H, and the free end of each of the pivoted
arms (or the cross-bar connecting them) is carried under and past the lower
ends of the impression levers QQ-the springs under said blocks and arins allowing
them to be depressed sufficiently to pass freely forward and causing them to bear
up against the levers after passing their ends. Said movement will furthermore
cause the feed-fingers W, W, to force forward the strip of paper upon which they
bear, a distance equal to the space required between the lines of print thereon.
The upward movement of the print-key 05 produced automatically by the
springs g g so soon as the pressure of the thumb thereon is removed, will operate to
produce a reverse movement or return of the bars O, O, thereby drawing the feed-
fingers WW back over tue paper in position for the next feed, and at the same time
the arms Q', (or the cross-bar connecting them) will engage a notch in the end of
each impression lever Q, so as to impart to said levers the reverse movement of the
bars 0, 0, and thereby carry the platens and the paper overlaying them, forcibly
against the type for imprint. At the moment this imprint is produced, the ends of
the arms Q (or their cross-bar) pass beyond the end of the lever Q and allow the
impression platens to full back from the type, and immediately thereafter the
cross-rod k carried by the inclined blocks i, i, passing back from under the ends of

page_text: the detent levers H, will lift them sufficiently to withdraw their opposite ends
from their engagement with the sectors D, D, so as to permit the said sectors to
swing back automatically to their first position, as shown in Figure. 2. The
apparatus is thereupon in readiness for a repetition of these type setting and
printing movements, wherein the downward stroke of the finger is made to set the
type, and of the thumb to move the paper whilst the automatic return of the print
key, as the hand is lifted produces the imprint and readjusts the operative devices.
As the sectors move up and down the type thereon are inked by contact with
an elastic inking-pad K (see Figure 2) fixed to contact there with above the
impression plate and pads U.
It is evident that the keys may be arranged so that their movement when
depressed shall be arrested by contact with the upper plate F, or other stop devices*
on the case or framo, instead of by the contact of a stop-pin C, projecting from the
key to strike the oscillating-plate A, and that the movement of said plate may
likewise be limited and arrested, as required, by means of a stop-device on the case:
or frame, instead of by a stop-pin c on the key; and the use of such equivalent
devices are contemplated although the combination of a stop-pin c with the'
supporting pin b on each key as described is preferred as being neater, simpler and
more effective:
It is also manifest that a. series of parallel straight bars reciprocating in suitable
way's may be substituted for the series of parallel pivoted sectors reciprocating
upon a common axis to carry the type and bring them singly as required into a
common line for print, the bars being actuated by the movement of the oscillating
plates A and arms A¹ in like manner as aro the sectors; and such equivalent'
devices are contemplated in this invention the necessary modification of the
mechanism for producing a feed of the paper forward, and for carrying it against
the type, and thereafter releasing the type carriers in connection with the sliding
bars boing such as will readily suggest themselves to a skilled mechanic.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1st. The combination in a type writer with an oscillating plate A operating
mediately by its movement to actunto a reciprocating type carrier and thereby
bring one or another of the types thereon into proper position for imprint, of a key
mounted on two pins bc one of which b rests upon the free edge of the oscillating
plate A whilst the other c by contact with the opposite pivotal edge of the plate
operates as a stop to limit its movement, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein set forth.
2nd. The combination in a typo writer with an oscillating plate A operating
mediately by its movement to actuate a reciprocating type carrier, and thereby
bring one or another of the types thereon into proper position for imprint, of a
series of keys cach supported upon the free edge of the plate A by a pin of
a different length the keys being arranged in a row parallel with the axis of the
plato, and so disposed as that the pin, shall increase in length by a regular
gradation from one end of the row to the other, substantially in the manner and
for the purpose herein-set forth.
3rd: The combination in a type writer with a reciprocating carrier fitted with a
series of typo and actuated by a spring to move the type automatically out of line.
for print, of an oscillating plate whose pivotal axis is in the direction of its length,
an arm projecting from said plate at right angles to its axis and coupled to the
type carrier and a series of differential keys corresponding in number with the.
type and supported upon the free edge of the oscillating-plate by means of
interposed pius graduated in length; all arranged so that the depression of either
key shall operate to move the type carrier, and bring the type appropriate to said
key into proper position for print, substantially in the manner and for the purposo-
herein-set forth.
i

page_text: 4th. The combination in a type-writer, with a reciprocating type-carrier, fitted
with a series of type, and with a corresponding series of ratchet teeth or detent
notches, and which is actuated in one direction by a spring to carry the type out of
line of print and in the other by the depression of one of a series of differential
keys operating to produce, each by its depression, a different degree of movement
in a lever coupled to said type carrier, of a print-key or plate upon the key-board,
supported to move independently of the type-key, and a spring or springs adapted
to automatically elevate the said print-key or plate; a bar or bars reciprocating to
and from the type-carrier; an interposed connecting crank lever operating by a
depression of the print key or plate to move the bar or bars forward towards the
type carrier, and by its elevation to retract the same; and a pivoted, spring-
actuated detent lever adapted to engage automatically the ratchet teeth or detent
notches on the type-carrier, and to be released therefrom by the reverse movement
of the bar or bars as the print key rises, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein set forth.
5th. The combination in a type writer, with a reciprocating carrier fitted with a
series of type and actuated in one direction by a spring to carry the type out of
line of print, and in the other by the oscillation of a plate or lever actuated by a
series of differential keys to bring the type into position for printing, of a print-
key or plate 0 upon the key board, upheld by springs and adapted to move
independently of the type-keys; a bar or bars 0, 0, reciprocating to and from the
type-carrier interposed, connecting crank levers P1 and 03, operating when the
print-plate is depressed to move the bar or bars forward and when the plate is
elevated by its springs to retract the same; and a lever Q swinging to and from
the type on the type-carrier and which carrying an impression plate or platen,
is adapted to be swung towards the type-carrier so as to force the platen against the
type brought into register therewith, at each return movement of the bars O, O,
all substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.
6th. The combination in a type writer, with the impression-levers Q, impression
plate U, and spring supported print-key or plate 05, of the longitudinally-
reciprocating bars O, O, the crank levers O³, P₁ interposed between the bars and
print-plate; the swinging-arms W; the teeth W, carried thereby; and the feed-
table U over which said teeth play, whereby the paper led from the impression
plate U over the table U is fed forward by the movement of the teeth at each
downward stroke of the print key or plate, all substantially in the manner and for
the purpose herein set forth.
7th. The combination in a type-writer, with a series of type carriers.D, D,
adapted to be set in position for print by the movement of a series of type keys in
a suitable key-board, substantially as described; and with a series of pivoted
detent-levers H, each adapted to automatically engage and hold one of the type
carriers when moved by its appropriate key into position for print, and with
impression levers Q and an impression plate U adapted to carry a strip of paper
against the type set for print, of a print-key or plate 05 in the key board upheld
upon springs F, reciprocating bars 0, 0, moving back and forth beneath the detent
and impression levers; crank arms 0³ and P¹ connecting said bars with the print
key; and spring-actuated pawl levers i and Q2 pivoted to the bars O, to actuate
tbo detent and impression-levers, all substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein set forth.
8th. The combination in a type writer, with a series of type-keys arranged in
rows or columns each of which rests upon a single oscillating lever A, which is
adapted mediately to actuate by its movement a reciprocating sector or type
carrier D, and with a detent lever H adapted to automatically detain said
type carrier at the end of its movement; of a single, extended, transverse, spring-
actuated print-key or plate 05, adapted to produce mediately by its depression, a
movement of the paper feeding device W, W2; and by its automatic upward
movement, a movement of the impression-lever Q, to carry the paper against the

page_text: type on the type-carrier and a subsequent movement of the detent-lever H, to
cause its release from engagement with the type-carrier, all substantially in the
manner and for the purpose herein set forth.