Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1889
Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writers.
1, EUGENE FITCH of Des Moines, County of Polk, State of Iowa, United States of
America, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 type-writers, and is chiefly designed to improve the
construction and increase the efficiency of the machine described in the Specifications
of the following former Letters Patent granted to me, viz. :-No. 9421 dated
20th July 1886, and No. 9792 dated 12th July 1887.
My present invention comprises various novel features hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan partly in horizontal section.
Figure 2 is a front elevation, and
Figures 3 and 4 are side elevations showing a type-writer with my present improve-
ments applied thereto.
Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line, Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 6 to 10 are different views showing details of construction hereinafter
described.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the frame of the machine. B B are the finger-pieces or keys. C is the
impression cylinder or roller which is carried in suitable bearings in the carriage C¹.
D', is the pivoted frame carrying the type-arins. E, E are the type-arm guides,
F is the paper-holder. G is the paper-receiver.
a, a are the levers carrying the finger-pieces or keys B. These levers a are pivoted
at a to a bar b (Figure 5) carried by the frame A. The said levers a are bent in the
peculiar manner shown in Figures 6 and 7 so that the bosses or portions a* which are
fitted upon the bar b will be at right angles to the said bar whilst the main portions of
the said levers are at different angles to the said bar according to their position in the
machine. a, a² are springs which normally retain the said levers a in their highest
position, and which return them to this position when released after having been
depressed. c, c are the type-arms upon which are secured the type-blocks d...
TD 1177

page_text: These type-blocks have hitherto been screwed upon the ends of the type-arms. It
has therefore been necessary in adjusting the said blocks upon the type-arms, to
turn the said blocks a complete revolution. I have found it desirable to provide
for more accurate adjustment of the said blocks. For this purpose I secure the
said type-blocks d upon the arms or levers c by means of nuts e, more clearly shown
in Figure 5, thus permitting very accurate adjustment of the said blocks d.
The arms or levers c are pivoted at e¹ to a bar ƒ carried by the type-arm frame D, D¹
and are coupled to the extremities of the levers a by means of connecting rods or
links
and provided with hinge-joints h substantially similar to those described in the
said former specification No. 9792.
The said connecting rods are coupled to the key-levers a in such a manner that
they can be easily and expeditiously connected or disconnected when the lever and
link are out of the machine, but cannot become disconnected whilst in place in the
machine. For this purpose each of the key-levers a is cut or slit as more clearly
shown in Figures 6 and 7 and the part a³ is then bent in one direction and the
parts a in the reverse direction so as to form a fork in which the connecting rod 9
may work freely. The part a³ is moreover provided with a pin a adapted to enter a
suitable hole provided for the purpose in the extremity of the connecting rod 9. To
disconnect the rod from the lever a, the said rod must first be brought in line
with the said lever a as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 6 in which position it is
no longer prevented by the parts at from leaving the pin a³ and can consequently be
easily detached. To re-connect the said rod g with the lever a all that is necessary is
to replace the said rod upon the pin a³ and turn the said rod about the said pin into
the position shown in full lines in Figures 6 and 7; it will then be retained in
position upon the said pin by the parts a. Besides facilitating the connection and
disconnection of the rod g and lever a, the above described device affords the further
advantage that the connecting rod g is in the same plane as the lever a.
In the machine as hitherto constructed the type-arm frame is so arranged that,
when at one extremity of its movement, the lower case type (which are most
frequently used) are in position for printing, these type being at or near one end of
the type blocks consequently a considerable movement of the frame from this
position is necessary to bring the type at the opposite end of the type-blocks into
position for printing. To obviate the necessity for moving the type-arm guides
through such a long distance, the said guides have hitherto been fixed to the main
frame of the machine. This arrangement has the disadvantage that the type-arm
frame is moved relatively to the said guides, consequently the type-arms, when
depressed, will not always protrude to the same extent through the said guides.
To overcome this difficulty and to provide for diminishing the distance through
which the type-arm frame has to be moved away from the position which it usually
occupies, (that is to say, the position for printing with lower case type), I arrange the
said type-arm frame and its adjuncts as hereinafter described, viz. :-
I arrange the lower case type in the centre of the type-blocks with the other type
on either side thereof, and I so arrange the type-arm frame D D¹ that it is retained
normally in position for printing with the lower case type, and must be moved from
this position in one direction to bring the capitals into position for printing and in
the reverse direction to bring the numeral figures or other signs or characters into
position for printing. The bracket i carrying the inking device is provided with a
sliding rod or plunger which is acted upon by a spiral or other spring and against
which bears a lug or projection 1* upon the lower portion of the said type-arm frame,
so that the said rod forms a stop for retaining the said frame in the position required
for-printing with the lower case type. The type-arm frame is made with an upper
portion D which is pivoted at D to the lower portion D of the said frame. The
type-arin guides E are secured in any suitable manner to the upper or pivoted
portion D of the type-arm frame instead of being fixed on the main frame as
heretofore.
For moving the frame D, D to bring into position for printing the capital letters,
figures or other signs; provide a lever & firmly secured to the lower portion D of the

page_text: said frame. To bring the capitals into position for printing, the said lever must be
depressed, and to bring the figures or numerals and other signs into the said position
the said lever must be raised. I provide morcover a catch piece k pivoted to the
frame A for locking the said lever in either position. k², are stops for limiting the
Emovement of the said lever k. The frame D, D', when free, is held in its central
position by the action of the spring 1 and that of the springs a².
I is a bracket firmly secured to the main frame A and provided at its upper end
with an antifriction roller against which is adapted to bear an inclined or curved
surface D³ upon an extension D of the upper portion D¹ of the type-arm frame. The
Isaid upper portion of the frame being pivotel, as above described, to the lower portion
thereof and the extension D* bearing, as above stated, on the roller 1, the type-
block d will be retained at the same distance above the impression roller or cylinder (
throughout the entire movement of the type-arm frame to bring the capitals or the
figures or other signs into position for printing. D is an arm pivoted to the
frame D, D' and provided at its free end with a pin or projection Do for varying
the feed movement of the carriage C¹ and consequently the letter-spacing when
changing from printing with lower case type to printing with the capitals or vice
versa, or for other purposes, as hereinafter described::
I also improve the construction of the feeding device for effecting the letter-
spacing. m is the feed rack having teeth m' and pivoted at m² to the carriage C,
which is arrranged to slide in grooves in the frame A in a manner substantially
similar to that described in the said former Specification No. 9792. The rack m
is connected by means of a rod n having rollers al with the spacing bar o which
extends the whole width of the levers a and below the same, as more clearly shown
in Figure 8. The spacing-bar o is pivoted at o' to lugs of upon the underside of a
cross-piece of the frame A and is provided with springs o³ for normally retaining the
said spacing-bar o, rod n and rack min their highest position. The rack m engages
when in the highest position with a toothed segment p pivoted at p to a plate g
attached in any suitable manner to a cross-piece of the frame A. ' is a stop
provided upon the plate 7 to regulate the movement of the toothed segment p in the
direction of the feed movement. The plate is provided, moreover, with teeth q
which engage with the teeth m¹ of the rack m when the latter is depressed by the
action of the spacing-lever a or of any of the levers a upon the spacing-bar o.
toothed segment p is provided, moreover, with a spring p² which tends to move the
said segment away from the stop 7. The movement of the said segment away from
the stop. is regulated by means of the pin D which projects through a slot q3 in
the plate . The carriage C is provided with a device, comprising a coiled spring,
drum and cord, substantially similar to that described in the said former Specification
No. 9792 for moving the said carriage across the machine from right to left.
-
The
The operation of the feeding device is as follows that is to say When the spacing-
lever or either of the levers a is depressed, by pushing down one of the finger pieces
or keys B, the rack m is also depressed through the action of the spacing-bar o,
connecting rod n and the upper roller n¹, and the teeth m¹ of the said rack m are
thus disengaged from the toothed segment p and caused to engage with the teeth q² upon
the plate q. By reason of the action of the spring p², the said segment p then
moves to the right until arrested by coming in; contact with the pin D Upon
pressure being removed from the said finger-piece or key B, the spacing-lever aⓇ or other
lever a returns to its normal or highest position owing to the action of its spring a²
and permits the spacing-bar o to return to its highest position under the action of the.
springs o. The rack m is then raised by the connecting rod n. and, the lower
roller n', and the teeth m' thus disengaged from the teeth q upon the plate q and
caused to engage with the toothed segment p. The carriage C is then carried
forward by the action of the moving device above mentioned, until the segment p
comes in contact with the stop g. To provide for increasing the feed movement when
printing capitals, the segment p is cut away as shown at p (Figure 1). When
the lever k is depressed and the type-arm frame D, D is moved forward to bring the
capitals cinto position: for: printing, the pin Dupon the extremity, of the pivoted
.
:

page_text: arin D is also moved forward in the slot g³ in the plate 7 so as to be opposite the part p¹
of the segment p, thus permitting the said segment to move further to the right when
the rack is disengaged therefrom and thus increasing its throw and consequently the
amount of feed movement of the carriage C₁ at each operation thereof. In like
manner the pin D is moved backwards in the slot q³ when the lever k is elevated in
order to bring the lower case type or the numerals or other signs into position
for printing, and by shortening the throw of the segment p decreases the amount
of feed movement of the said carriage C¹.
m³ is a lever by means of which the rack m can be turned about its pivot and
thus thrown completely out of gear so that the carriage C may be run along or moved
upon the frame A to any required position, substantially as described in the said
former Specification No. 9792.
I provide moreover means for printing the letters, figures or other signs or
characters in contact with, or overlapping each other so as to form ornamental borders,
head-lines or the like or for other purposes. is a stop piece or rod provided with a
handle or knob and arranged to slide in holes s' provided in lugs & upon a cross-
piece of the frame A. p is an extension of the segment p which is adapted to hear
or strike against the extremity of the said stop-piece r when the latter is in its operative
position, and thereby still further limit the movement of the segment p and con-
sequently the feed movement of the carriage C¹, as may be desired. The said
stop-piece may be moved into or out of its operative position as required, and may be
adjusted to vary the length of the feed movement.
My improved inking device comprises an ink-roller t which is placed in the path of
the type-blocks d in front of the type-arm guides E, and is carried upon a spindle t¹
supported in suitable bearings in a carriage having below the roller ta guard or
shield substantially as described in my said former specification No. 9792. The
carriage is fitted upon the extremity of a spindle supported in suitable
bearings in a plate attached to the bracket i. The spindle is provided with a
coiled spring u for returning the said spindle and consequently the ink-roller t and
carriage to their normal position after the said roller and carriage have been
depressed to allow the passage of the type-blocks d. An arm or lever is firmly
attached to the spindle u, and is so arranged that it extends into the path of the type-
arms c which strike against it in their descent and thus depress the ink-roller tor
inove it aside to allow the type-blocks d, after they have received ink from the said
roller, to pass the said roller and effect the printing. In the inking device as
heretofore constructed, the type-arms were liable to get beneath the arm for turning
the ink-roller. By my present improvements, however, I obviate this defect
I provide paper-holding arms having rollers v substantially as described in the
said former specification No. 9792. These arms, however, instead of being fixed to the
spindle C, are carried by means of loops or projections upon the 'said spindle in
such a manner as to be capable of lateral movement upon the said spindle. The loops
or projections v² are provided moreover with projections which slide in a groove in the
said spindle C, so that the arms are held against the impression cylinder C but can
be moved laterally upon the spindle C to adapt them for holding sheets of paper of
different widths. I prefer to provide one or more ink-pads contained in recesses having
covers A formed in any suitable part of the frame A, so that the ink-roller, when
removed from its spindle, can he rubbed on the said pads to re-ink it....
:
I provide an improved device hereinafter described whereby the impression cylinder
or roller can be intermittently rotated to effect the line-spacing, but which device
releases the said roller after each partial rotation thereof, so that the said roller
can be adjusted by means of a milled wheel fixed on the axle thereof for the purpose
of printing letters or other characters above a line or for other purposes. The
impression cylinder or roller C is carried in suitable bearings in brackets C³ attached
to the carriage and is provided at either or both extremities with small milled
wheels C by means of which the said cylinder or roller C may be rotated.
At one end of the said cylinder or roller C a ratchet-wheel w is firmly secured to
the gudgeon or axle of the said roller, and a segmental plate is loosely mounted

page_text: ご
upon the said gudgeon or axle. The plate is provided with an extension .' having..
a knob or handle ² and a pin 3 adapted to engage in any one of the holes formed
in the bracket C. y is a pawl pivoted at y¹. to the extremity of the short arm of a
bell-crank-lever and provided with a spring y. The hell-crank-lever is pivoted
at to the bracket and is provided at the extremity of its long arm with an
enlarged portion for convenience of depressing the said lover by the finger. is
a. spring which tends to retain the long-arm of the said bell-crank-lever in its
highest position. The pawl y normally bears against the edge of the plate and is
retained in that position by the action of the spring y. When, however, the long
arm of the bell-crank-lever is depressed, the pawly first travels over the edge of
the plate and then leaving the said plate, engages with the teeth of the ratchet-
wheel and rotates the impression cylinder or roller through the requisite angle.
By moving the plate so that the pin a enters one or other of the holes 2, the
said plate may be so adjusted that the pawl'y will have to travel over a longer or
shorter portion of the plate a before engaging with the ratchet-wheel w. The angle.
through which the roller C is moved at each operation can thus be easily and
expeditiously altered, thereby also altering the width of the line-spacing. As many
different widths of line-spacing can be provided as there are holes. Moreover,.as.
the pawl y normally rests against the edges of the plate out, of gear with the
ratchet-wheel, the impression cylinder or roller is free to be turned at any time
by means of the milled wheels C. The pawl y is made with an extension y³ which
by coming in contact with the plate limits the movement of the said pawl.
A³ is a lever pivoted at A to a cross-piece of the frame A and provided with two
or more projections A which form stops for arresting the movement of the carriage C
so as to form a margin of any predetermined width., at one side of the paper.
A, A are notches provided upon a lug provided upon the frame A which engage
with the long arm of the lever A³ and retain it in the desired, position for bringing
one or other of the projections A5 in.the path of the carriage C¹.
H is the bell which, as more clearly shown in Figure 10, is secured to a plate H
attached to the frame A. To provide for the ringing of the bell H. at the proper
time I employ a closely wound-or coiled spring I one extremity of which is attached
in any suitable manner to the plate H and the other end of which is provided.
with a hammer 11. Jis a wiper which is attached to the carriage C and which
actuates the said hammer 1' at the proper moment and causes it to strike the bell H.
By employing the closely wound, spring as above described I provide for preventing
undue vibration of the hammer after it has struck the bell.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven- .
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim
First The improved method or manner of coupling the connecting rod or link
to the key-lever so that the said link and lever can be readily connected and discon-
nected when out of the machine but cannot become disconnected whilst in place
therein, substantially as set forth.
3..
Second-The improved formation of the key-lever substantially as described and as
shown in Figures 6 and 7 for the purpose specified.
Third The combination of parts comprising the type-block, the screw-threaded
type-arm and the nuts fitted thereon, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
I
Fourth-The type-arm frame_and_its_adjuncts so constructed and arranged that,
when in position for printing with the lower case type, they must be moved from this
position in one direction to permit the printing of capitals and in the reverse
direction to permit the printing of numeral figures or other signs or characters, as
above specified.
Fifth The type-arm frame having its upper portion pivoted to its lower portion
and provided with an extension having an inclined or curved surface which bears
:

page_text: upon a roller carried by a bracket attached to the main frame, substantially as, and
for the purpose, set forth.
Sixth The combination, with the type-arm frame, of the separate bracket for the
inking device, and the spring stop-pin fitted in the said bracket, substantially as, and
for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh The combination, with the type-arm frame, of the type-arm guide
attached to and moyable with the said frame, substantially as, and for the purpose,
set forth.
Eighth The improved feeding device comprising the toothed segment pivoted
to the toothed plate and acted upon by a spring, substantially as, and for the purpose,
set forth.
Ninth The combination, with the toothed segment pivoted to the toothed plate
and acted upon by a spring, of the arm pivoted to the type-arm frame and provided
with a pin or stud for limiting the movement of said toothed segment, substantially
as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Tenth The combination, with the spacing-bar and the feeding, device comprising
the pivoted toothed rack, of the connecting rod coupled to the said spacing-bar and
provided with rollers bearing upon the upper and lower surfaces of the said rack,
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Eleventh The provision of suitable means for regulating the feed movement of
the impression-roller in such a manner that the letters or other characters
will be printed in contact with or overlapping each other, for the purposes above
specified.
Twelfth The improved inking device wherein the spindle carrying the ink-roller
is provided with a coiled spring and with a single arm extending into the path of the
type-arms, substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Thirteenth The combination of parts comprising the ratchet-wheel fixed on the
axle of the impression-roller, the adjustable segmental plate mounted on the said axle
and the pawl bearing against the said plate and adapted to engage with the said
ratchet-wheel, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fourteenth The combination, with the carriage for the impression-roller, of the
adjustable arm pivoted to the main frame and provided with stops or abutments for
liiniting the movement of the said carriage and thus regulating the width of the
margin at one side of the paper, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenth The combination, with the impression roller; of the paper-holding arms
provided with the rollers and adjustably fitted on the rod or spindle, substantially as,
and for the purpose, set forth.
Sixteenth The combination, with the bell, of, the hammer carried by a closely
wound or coiled spring, substantially as set forth.
Seventeenth-A type-writer in which my present improvements are incorporated
or embodied substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1889