Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
1, JAMES DENNY DAUGHERTY, of Kittanning, in the County of Armstrong,
and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Inventor, 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 relates to improvements in type-writing machines and it consists
in the arrangement and combination of parts which will be fully described
hereinafter.
The objects of my invention are to connect the key levers and the type bars
directly at their inner ends without the intervention of any other parts, so as to
simplify and cheapen the construction, and lessen the friction in the operation of
the machine; to separate the type bars and key levers by means of division bars
or plates which prevent the parts from interfering with each other; to provide
each type bar with a type or types having capital and small letters, or other
characters upon them, and to change from one letter or character to the other by
raising the inner end of the frame which carries the type bars and key levers,
while the roller or platen carrying the paper remains stationary ; to pivot at its
rear end the guiding frame for the type bars and which also holds or carries the
ribbon, and to give to this guiding frame a vertical movement at its free front end,
so that while it serves as a guide for the type bars it also raises the ribbon so
that each type bar prints its character in alignment and then as the type bar drops
back into its normal position the guiding frame carrying the ribbon also drops,
so as to leave each letter or character, as well as the whole line of writing
unobstructedly exposed to the operator without the movement of any other part; to
operate the carriage by means of two pivoted spring actuated dogs which allow the
carriage to move forward one space each time that one of the type bars is operated
and which permit the carriage to slide freely back to its starting point.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a type writer which embodies my invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a front end view of the type writer to which my invention is applied.
Fig. 4 is a rear end view of the same.
Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, are detail views of different parts of the
same.
.
A represents the base plate which will be of any desired shape, size or
construction that may be preferred, and from which at any suitable point rise the
two posts or projections B, to the upper ends of which are pivoted the front ends
of the frame C, in which are pivoted upon a rod D the key levers E. Extending
across the rear or inner end of this lifting frame C, are the two curved pivotal
rods F, G, and pivoted upon the rod F are the type bars H, and secured to the
rod G are the rear ends of the division plates I, and the front ends of the division
plates are secured to the curved pivotal rod D, upon which the key levers E are
pivoted. These division plates I are secured rigidly in position and separated at
their inner ends by the washers J, which are slightly thicker than the type bars.
These division plates or bars I, serve to separate the type bars and the key levers
at their rear ends, and also serve to separate and hold the key levers.in position
upon the pivotal rod D. These division plates I, are preferably given the shape
shewn, and have downwardly extending projections 11 at their front. ends, which
are-made to increase from the upper front corner of the bar or plate in thickness
down to the top edge of the key levers, and from this they are all of a uniform
thickness. This increased thickness at the lower ends of the extensions is made

page_text: for the purpose of separating the key levers and holding them rigidly in position
upon their pivotal rod D. The upper edges of these division bars or plates I are
of one uniform size or thickness, there being sufficient space between them to
allow the type bars to freely operate, and at the same time so confine them as to
prevent their interference in operation with each other. The beveled or inclined
sides of the extensions I serve to prevent the type bars from having any lateral
play cr movement when they are at their lowest point, while the upper edges of
the plates allow the type bars abundance of room for any amount of movement
that may be necessary. These division plates I may either be formed of pieces of
solid metal, or they may be formed of sheet metal as here shewn, and which
pieces of sheet metal are bent double and have these doubled portions separated at
their lower ends by means of washers which are placed upon the rod D.
As
The inner end of each of the key levers E, which are pivoted upon the rod D,
is provided with curved arms or projections K, which form an opening or
socket having curved sides, and each one of the type bars is provided with
a curved arm, lever or projection M, which engages in the socket L of its
corresponding lever E, thus forming an interlocking joint for connecting these
parts, and that without the intervention of any other part or piece of any kind
whatsoever. When the front end of one of the key levers is depressed at its rear
end, as it moves upward it exerts a pressure upon the arm or projection M, or its
corresponding type bar, and thus causes the type bar to turn upon its pivot through
nearly a quarter of a circle and imprint one of its characters upon the paper.
soon as the key lever is released, a spring which is connected to the feed lever
presses the front end of the said feed lever against the under side of all of the key
levers and the spacing bars, and thus cause the type bars through their corre-
sponding key levers to instantly return to their normal position. As will be
seen the type bars are pivoted upon the curved rod, and when in their normal
position they form a segment of a circle. The centre bar is made perfectly
straight, while those bars at its sides are slightly curved or bent at their outer
ends, the curve or bend at their ends increasing in degree the further the bars
recede from the centre and at such an angle as to bring the types upon the
bars in a vertical position when at the printing point.
Pivoted between its ends upon the standards i which project from the frame A,
is the shifting or 66 upper case frame X' which has its inner ends pivotally
connected to the inner end of the frame C, and this frame X' extends around in
front of the keys as shewn in Fig. 1. A downward pressure upon the outer
end of the frame X' raises its inner ends and with it the inner ends of the
frame C in which the type bars are pivoted upon the rod F.
Rising from the base plate A, opposite the inner corners of the lifting frame X¹,
are the posts N which have the two inward extensions at their upper ends and
through these extensions are passed the set screws O against which the opposite
edges of the lifting frame strike for the purpose of regulating with the utmost
nicety the distance that the lifting frame shall be raised in changing from one type
or character to another, and thus every letter and character be brought into perfect
alignment. When the lifting frame is down in its normal position as shewn in
Fig. 2, only the small letters are brought into operation, but when the inner end of
this lifting frame carrying the type bars and all of their attachments are raised by
depressing the front end of the lifting frame, then the type bars will print only the
capital letters or the characters which are then brought into alignment. It will be
noticed that the type bars are given a vertical movement while the roller or platen
carrying the paper to be printed upon remains stationary, thus reversing the usual
method employed in type bar machines now in the market of changing from one
form of letter to another.
Pivoted upon the curved rod is a spacing bar or lever P which extends across in
front of the keys and at each side as shewn, so as to be in position to be struck by
any finger and from any point, and to thus enable it to be operated more rapidly
and easily than can be done where the rod or bar extends along in rear of the keys

page_text: in the usual manner, or where the spacing mechanism is operated from a small key.
In order to hold the spacing lever up in position and return it instantly to position
after being operated, there is attached to each of the inner ends of this lever
beyond the pivotal bar D, a light spring and this wire has enough elasticity
to hold up the spacing lever when the feed lever has been depressed by one of the
key levers.
Pivoted between the two standards R which rise from the rear corners of the
base plate A, is an L-shaped feed lever S, which has its front end to extend across
the top of the base plate underneath the keys and spacing levers as shewn in Fig. 2,
so that each time one of these levers is operated the feed lever S is operated
thereby. To the upper end of this feed lever S is fastened one end of the spring T
by means of which the key lever is returned to its normal position as soon as it is
left free to move after it has been operated by one of the key levers or the spacing
levers. The rear end of this spring T is secured to the nut U, placed upon the
screw V, which passes through the projection upon the top of one of the grooved
sliding bars upon which the carriage moves. By means of the screw and the nut
the tension of the spring T can be regulated at will, and thus give to the key and
the spacing lever a harder or softer touch as may be desired.
Mounted upon the upper end of this feed lever S is the adjustable head W upon
which the two spring actuated bars of the dog X are pivoted, and this head W
made adjustable upon the upper end of the lever so that the dog can be adjusted
into position to operate directly with the rack bars. This head W is secured to
the lever S by means of screws the upper one of which passes through a slot in the
head, and this slot permits the necessary adjustments for the dog. The dog X is
made in two parts which are jointed at the centre of the head, so as to allow each
part an independent movement of its own, and both parts of the dog are held in a
line with each other by means of a spring Y which is applied thereto. This spring
serves to hold the two parts of the dog X pressed backward against each other
where they overlap, and thus form practically a rigid or single dog, but the spring
allows the two parts of the dog to freely give as the carriage is returned to its
starting point, and when the bevelled side of the dog which is engaged with the
rack slips freely over the teeth of the rack so engaged.
Rising from the top of the head are the two projections Z through which pass
the horizontal set screws A' which have their inner ends to bear against pieces of
raw hide, rubber, or other suitable substance which is placed in the holes through
which the screws pass, and which substance serves to prevent the dog from making
any unnecessary amount of noise. The set screws serve to adjust the raw hide
forward, and thus regulate the angle or position that the two parts of the dog shall
occupy in order to properly engage with their corresponding racks. As the feed
lever is caused to vibrate by the movement of the keys and spacing lever, the ends
of the dog are made to play in and out upon the teeth of the opposite racks, and
thus allow the carriage to move forward one space for each movement of one of the
levers. While one end of the dog is forced backward by the pressure of the
carriage, the other end is forced one half space forward so as to be ready to engage
with its corresponding rack when the feed lever is moved in that direction, and this
end which was forced forward so as to be ready to engage with its rack is in turn
forced backward after it engages with the rack, and thus the dog is made to turn
partially upon its pivot, and at each partial turn the other end is brought into an
operative position. As the inner ends of the two parts of the dog overlap, the two
parts are held rigidly together, so as to always be in a line with each other while
the carriage is being fed forward, but either of these parts of the dog give freely
before the carriage, when the carriage is being moved back to its starting point.
By means of the construction here shewn and described, it will be readily seen that..
the dog consists of only two parts which are jointed together, a spring for pressing
the two parts in a line with each other, and the two adjusting set screws, and that
a very cheap feed mechanism is produced.. The great advantage of this con-
struction consists in having the carriage to move one half space as the type bar

page_text: rises, and then move the other half space as the type bar descends, and thus cause
the carriage to move while the type bar is in motion, instead of having the carriage
move only after the type bar has returned to its normal position. As a consequence,
a much more rapid feed is given to the carriage, and it is impossible to strike any
two of the keys so rapidly that the carriage does not move its full space at each
stroke. Rising from the inner ends of the base plate A, are the two T-shaped
standards or supports R, upon which are mounted the two grooved guiding bars C₁
upon which the carriage D' moves, and which supports also have the ribbon spools
upon them. The carriage D¹ consists of the plate E¹ which has its ends turned
vertically upward so as to form bearings or supports for the different parts, and
which has its central portion cut away and the two racks F! formed as a part of
the plate. Projecting from the opposite outer edges of this plate are the extensions
or tongues G which catch in the grooved guiding bars C₁ and thus guide the
carriage back and forth in its movements. Journalled between the up-turned ends
of the plate is a roller H' which is provided with a lever I' and a spring actuated
dog J for revolving the roller and moving the paper. The lever may either be
given the shape here shewn or any other that may be preferred, and the distance
that the roller is made to turn at each movement of the lever can be regulated by
means of a stop pin K' which can be placed in either one of the two holes prepared
for it. If placed in the upper hole, the lever will move a long distance and turn
the roller a greater distance than it will if the pin is placed in the lower hole.
Placed in front of the lower front ends of the large roller is a small roller L' which
serves to cause the paper to move when the large roller is moved by the lever.
The whole frame of the carriage being formed from a single plate which can be
stamped up and have the racks formed as a part thereof, the cost of the construction
of the machine is greatly simplified and cheapened.
Pivoted by means of the rod N¹ which is journalled back of the rear grooved
guiding bars C¹ is the guiding frame O' which both holds the ribbon in position,
and guides the type bars in position so as to strike the paper in regular spacing,
As will be seen the front end of this frame is divided and the upper part is formed
into two horizontal prongs which are separated from each other at any suitable
angle, leaving just sufficient space between their inner ends to allow the types to
strike the paper, and that without any lateral play or movement.. These two
prongs are given the V-shape shewn so as to guide the type bars at the sides
into position with the same precision and accuracy as it does those located at or
near the centre of the machine. This guiding frame O' has openings through its
front end for the passage of the ribbon Q, and is given a vertical movement at its
front end for the purpose of raising the ribbon as each type bar rises and thus
bring it in position to be struck by the type, and then as the type returns to its
normal position, the ribbon is depressed so as to leave a free and unobstructed view
of the entire line which is being written. As above stated, this guiding frame is
pivoted at its rear end, and its front end has a rising and falling movement for the
purpose of operating the ribbon directly in front of the eye of the operator where
he can see every letter that is made and the connection of each word with what has
preceded or followed it. In order to give the operator as unobstructed a view as
possible, there are no parts placed between the eye of the operator and the paper
with the exception of the front end of this frame, which always drops below the
line of writing as soon as the letter is struck. For the purpose of giving this frame
a vertical play at its front end, there is pivoted upon the under side of the base
plate A a lever R¹ which extends at its front end underneath the feed bar, or front
end of the feed lever S where it extends across under the keys and spacing levers,
and which lever R' is connected at its rear end to the vertical lever S¹ which is
forked at its upper end and connected directly to the guiding frame O¹.
Each
time that one of the key or spacing levers is depressed, the front end of the feed
lever and the front end of the lever R' is also depressed, and as the rear end of the
lever R is raised the guiding frame O¹ is raised before the type bar can rise to
strike the paper. The carriage is drawn forward by the cord or strap that is

page_text: wound around the wheel S', which has a flat spring wound around its axle or
journal, and which journal is provided with a ratchet or dog whereby the tension of
the spring can be increased or decreased at will. The carriage is returned to the
starting point by means of its operating lever.
The two ribbon spools T¹ are mounted upon the extended upper end of the
frame S and each spool is provided with a ratchet U' and a handle V' on the lower
end of its shaft or axle. By means of these handles the ribbon can be rapidly
wound from one spool to the other as desired. The reversing movement of the
ribbon is caused by a sliding bar W₁ which is provided with suitable guiding slots,
and secured to the front edge of the front grooved guiding bars C' by means of set
screws.. This sliding bar W₁ has suitable guiding arms or prongs X' projecting
from its lower edge, and these prongs catch upon opposite sides or edges of the
dogs Y which are pivoted upon the standards Z' which rise from and move with
the feed lever which is pivoted between the two standards upon which the carriage
is placed. Also secured to this sliding bar W' are the two springs a, which are
curved in opposite directions, and which alternately engage with the ratchets of the
ribbon spools. These springs secured to the bar and the dogs Y' moved by the
arms projecting from the lower edge of the bar, are moved so that while one dog
and one spring are engaging with the ratchet, the other dog and other spring are
moved away from their ratchet so as not to engage therewith. At each end wise
movement of the bar one dog and one spring are brought into operation with their
corresponding ratchets, and the other spring and dog are thrown out of operation..
By moving the bar W₁endwise, the ribbon is caused to reel upon either spool that.
may be desired, and thus its movement is reversed in the usual manner. The two
dogs Y¹ are pivoted upon standards Z' so as to have a partial turning movement of
their own at the same time they are given a reciprocating movement each time the
feed bar is moved for the purpose of turning the spool upon which the ribbon is
being reeled. In order to hold these two dogs in their proper position, their rear
ends are connected by a suitable spring b, which allows them a sufficient play at.
their front ends to engage and disengage from the ratchets in such a manner as to
cause the spools to revolve a suitable distance at each movement of the fced lever.
As soon
as the dog begins its backward movement the corresponding spring,
engages with the ratchet and prevents any backward movement of the spool.
It will be seen that the endwise movement of these springs is produced entirely
by the rocking movement of the feed lever so as to move the ribbon the moment.it
has been struck by a type, and thus no two type ever strike successively upon the
same place upon the ribbon. This construction greatly simplifies and cheapens the
cost of the machine, and a mechanism is produced for operating the ribbon which.is
not liable to ever get out of repair while in operation. The sliding bar W' has one
of its ends formed into a curved elastic handle c, and the outer end of the handle
moves back and forth over the projections d, which serve to retain the bar in
whatever position it may be adjusted. The only object and use of this endwise
sliding bar W is to reverse the movement of the ribbons, and it is so constructed
and arranged that the operator has only to apply one finger to the handle formed
upon one end, and thus move it in either direction desired. This construction
enables the movement of the ribbon to be reversed by a single movement of the
bar W¹ by one of the fingers.
In order to prevent the free ends of the key levers and the spacing bars from
having any lateral play or movement a curved vertical toothed plate is placed
below the lower edges of these levers, and the upper ends of the teeth extend up
between the levers so as to allow them only a vertical play. By means of this
construction the key levers are prevented from being bent or from getting out of.
position at any time.
As shewn in Fig. 9 the type blocks are secured to the ends of their respective
type bars, having a hole or opening made through each one of the blocks to receive
the end of the bar, and then the block is fastened into any desired position by means.
of a set screw.

page_text: This construction enables the type blocks to be adjusted with the utmost accuracy
with very little trouble.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
In a type writer the combination with the carriage, of a vertically shifting
frame carrying key levers and type bars, the latter having each two or more
characters, whereby when the frame is shifted the type bars and keys are moved
therewith, substantially as shewn.
2. In a type writer, the combination of a frame and a carriage supported
horizontally thereon in an elevated position, a horizontal frame pivoted between its
ends below the said carriage, and a series of type bars pivoted in the inner end of
the said frame, having each two letters, whereby the tilting of the frame will
move the type bars vertically and bring each letter in position to print, substantially
as shewn.
3. In a type writer the combination with the carriage having two horizontal
rack bars, of type bars, key levers, a pivoted feed lever having one end to
oscillate between the rack bars, and a dog vertically pivoted to horizontally vibrate
and alternately engage the two racks as the feed lever moves back and forth
between the racks, substantially as described.
4. In a type writer, the combination with the carriage, having two horizontal
rack bars, of type bars, key levers, a pivoted feed lever having one end to oscillate
between the rack bars, and a dog composed of two independently vertically pivoted
parts which horizontally vibrate and alternately engage the two rack bars as the
feed lever moves back and forth, substantially as described.
5. In a type writer, the combination with a carriage having a rack bar which is
provided with teeth of such size that two equal one space, of type bars, key
levers, a pivoted feed lever, and a dog upon the feed lever composed of two parts,
each part having a longitudinal movement in the same direction in relation to the
carriage, whereby the carriage moves a half space when the key lever is depressed,
and a half space when it is released, for the purpose substantially as described.
6. The combination of the frame provided with the cross bars D, F, G, and the
key levers pivoted upon the cross bar D, with the type bars and the division plates,
substantially as shewn.
7. The division plates I provided with the downward extensions I' at their front
ends, the extensions being widest or thickest at their lower ends, substantially as
described.
8. The combination of the frame C provided with cross bars D, F, G, the
division plates secured to the bars D, G, and separated by washers, and the type
bars, the plates being provided with downward extensions upon their front ends,
and which extensions are made thickest at their lower ends, substantially as set
forth.
9. The combination of the pivoted lifting frame carrying the key levers and the
type bars, with the standards N provided with regulating devices for limiting the
movement of the rear end of the frame, and a means for lifting the said frame,
substantially as described.
10. In a type writer, the combination with the carriage, supported in an elevated
position, of a frame pivoted below the carriage between its ends, the type bars,
pivoted in the inner end of the frame and each having two characters, and means
for tilting the frame, whereby the tilting of the frame brings either in position for
printing, and adjustable stops above and below the frame which engage therewith
for limiting its movement, substantially as specified.
11. A dog composed of two parts which are placed upon the same pivot, and
which extend in opposite directions, and which are made to overlap at their inner
ends, in combination with a spring for holding the two parts in a line with each
other, substantially as described.

page_text: 12. The combination in a type writer, of a normally horizontally pivoted type
bar having a downwardly extending projection adjacent to its pivoted point, and a
borizontal key lever below the type bar having an upwardly extending projection
which engages the projection of the type bar, whereby the type bar and lever
normally rest in a plane one above the other, substantially as described.
13. In a type writer, the combination of a separate and disconnected type bar
and key lever, one having a projection and the other having two shoulders in
the path travelled by the projection, one shoulder for moving the type bar in one
direction and the other for returning it to position, substantially as shewn and
described.
14. The combination in a type writer, of a normally horizontal pivoted type bar
having a downwardly extending projection near its pivotal point, and a horizontal
key lever below the type bar having an upwardly extending socket, into which the
said type bar projection rests, for the purpose shewn and described.
15. In a type writer, the combination with the printing mechanism and horizontal
ribbon spools, of an L-shaped pivoted feed lever and horizontal pawls upon each
side of the upper end of the said L-shaped pivoted feed lever, and which
engage the said ribbon spools as the said lever oscillates, substantially as
specified.
16. In a type writer, the combination with the printing mechanism and ribbon
spools, of an L-shaped pivoted feed lever and pawls pivoted between their ends
upon the upper end of the said lever, and springs secured to their inner ends for
holding them in contact with said ribbon spools substantially as shewn.
17. In a type writer, the combination of the feed lever, a lever R₁ having its
outer end engaged by the feed lever, a frame through which the ribbon passes
pivoted at its rear end, and a lever S₁ connected respectively to the inner ends of
the ribbon guiding frame and the lever R', whereby a downward movement of the
feed lever raises the said ribbon guiding frame, combined to operate in the manner
shewn and described.
18. The combination with a type writer carriage having two parallel racks, of a
dog composed of two independently movable parts which extend in opposite
directions and a spring for holding the two parts normally in a line with each other,
combined to operate in the manner substantially as described.
19. In a type writer, the combination with the carriage having two parallel racks,
of a dog composed of two independently movable parts which extend in opposite
directions, and a set screw which engages each part for limiting its movement,
substantially as shewn.
20. In a type writer, the combination with the feeding lever, levers horizontally
pivoted upon the upper end of the feed lever and extending forward for operating
the ratchets upon the ribbon spools, and the end wise sliding bar W having
notched hangers which engage the horizontally pivoted levers, substantially as
shewn and described.
21. The combination with a type writer, of a pivoted frame having its free end
provided with a slot or opening for the passage of the type, outwardly extending
diverging guiding arms and loops upon opposite sides of the said opening, through
which loops the ribbon passes, and a connection between the operating mechanism
and the said frame for tilting it, substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of August 1891.
J. D. DAUGHERTY,
By L. W., per F B.