Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 6th June, 1895-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1895
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, EUGENE FITCH, of 6 River Bank, East Molesey, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in type-writing machines whereby the
construction of the mechanism is much simplified and the total height of the entire
machine considerably reduced.
According to my invention the type-arms, whose inner ends are pivotted to a
segmental support, are arranged in such a manner as to normally occupy a horizontal
position immediately above the finger-key levers instead of a vertical position as
heretofore, the position of the travelling carriage that carries the paper being such
that the type-arms perform approximately a half revolution about their pivots in
causing their type to strike the paper.
A resilient cushion composed of india-rubber tubing or other suitable material
is so situated with respect to the type-arms that when these latter are impelled
forward by the operation of the finger-key levers they strike against the said
resilient cushion at a point in close proximity to their pivots thereby ensuring
their prompt return to their normal position. This resilient cushion is
advantageously made adjustable in order that the force with which the type strikes
the paper can be regulated to suit manifold or ordinary writing.
The type-arms may be supported in their position of rest by means of a semi-
circular frame covered with some non-elastic material that will tend to prevent
said arms from rebounding when they are thrown back by the above mentioned
resilient cushion after striking their blow upon the paper.
For the purpose of keeping the type-arms in alignment, and when employing
type-arms with lateral bends, I provide a forked piece or guide which may consist
of a metal plate having a vertical cut or slot at its upper end, the inner edges of
said cut or slot being curved outwardly at their upper parts for increasing the size
of the opening. This metal plate is so located that the vertical cut or slot
occupies the central point or focus of the before mentioned segmental support
whereby as cach type-arm is impelled forward about its pivot, its front portion is
received within said cut or slot and thus always guided into proper register.
The finger-key levers according to my invention are not connected to the type-
arms but are so arranged that their inner ends lie directly below the type-arms
and in contiguity to their pivots so that said arms will be more forcibly thrown
forward when the finger key levers are operated. That portion of the type-arms
against which the finger key levers strike is advantageously made with a projecting
curved edge or shoulder which enables the type-arms to turn freely about their
pivots when struck by the finger-key levers. The finger-key levers may be held
in position by means of short upright pins having a vertical division formed
therein for the reception of said levers; the lower end of the division being
shaped as a knife-edge that enters a corresponding notch formed in the lower edge
of the finger-key levers and serving as fulcrums therefor. The front ends of the
finger-key levers may be enlarged so as to constitute hammer heads where they
lie below the type-arms, and a spring or other suitable means is provided for
keeping these ends normally depressed.

page_text: To prevent lateral movement of the front portions of the finger key levers a
segmental comb having spaces of the requisite gange, through which the levers
pass, may be employed.
The segmental support to which the type-arms are pivoted may be made
detachable for the purpose of enabling the whole of the type-arms to be removed
bodily therewith, and to be replaced by others having type of a different
character.
Dated this 10th day of November 1894
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, EUGENE FITCH, formerly of 6 River Bank, East Molesey, in the County
of Surrey, but now of 102 Petherton Road, Canonbury, 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:
1
This invention relates to improvements in type writing machines whereby their
construction is simplified and their total height considerably reduced so as to render
them more portable and capable of occupying less space than heretofore.
One of the essential features of my improvements is the manner in which the
type arms are arranged with relation to the finger-key levers so that they occupy
a horizontal position and perform approximately a half-revolution about their
pivots in causing their type to strike the paper. Another essential feature of my
improvements is the manner in which the type-arms are actuated by the finger-key
levers without being connected thereto. My invention also comprises various
other improvements for enabling the before mentioned essential features to be
satisfactorily applied as is hereinafter fully described.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a plan of a type writing machine constructed in accordance with my
invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan of a movable under-frame with which the base of the machine
is provided.
Figure 4 is an end view of the carriage carrying the paper cylinder.
Figure 5 is a cross-section taken on the line 1. 1 of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a detail view of a crank arm hereinafter described.
In Figure 1 one of the ink ribbon spools as well as some of the type-arms and
some of the finger-keys have been removed for the sake of clearness.
A, A are the finger-key levers; B, B the typé-arms, and C is the paper-
cylinder.
The finger-key levers consist of a series of metal blades each having at its outer
extremity the usual finger-key a and at its inner extremity a vertical pin a¹.
These finger-key levers have their fulcra in short pins or posts a² that project
vertically from the base A', the said pins or posts being slotted for the reception of
the notched portions a³ of the finger-key levers. The finger-keys a are provided
with square stems a* that enter correspondingly shaped sockets a affixed to the
base of the machine, the said sockets being formed with longitudinal slots a into
which the outer ends of the finger-key levers project and enter recesses a' in the

page_text: stems of the finger-keys. The before mentioned vertical pins a' are also formed
with recesses a into which the inner ends of the finger-key levers fit, the said
pins a' having at their lower ends prolongations or stems a that enter holes formed
for their reception in the base of the machine. These prolongations as ensure that
the pins shall move in a vertical manner and also serve, together with the sockets a*,
as guides for preventing lateral movement of the finger-key levers. a a³ are spiral
springs which normally tend to keep the inner ends of the finger-key levers
depressed. a ao are strips of india-rubber or other suitable material against
which the outer ends of the finger-key levers strike when they are depressed.
B' is a segmental support situated on the base A' and in proximity to the paper-
cylinder C. This segmental support is formed with a series of equidistant radial
slots into which the inner ends of the type-arms B are fitted, the said arms being
pivotally connected to the support by means of a wire B2 which extends through
holes formed in the type-arms. In order to enable this wire to be conveniently
placed in position the segmental support may be made in two vertical portions as
seen at Figure 2. The inner or pivotal ends of the type-arms are formed with
curved shoulders or lugs b, which when the type-arms are in their normal or
horizontal position, lie immediately above, but without being connected to, the
upper ends of the pins a¹ so that when the finger key levers are operated the type-
arms are thrown forward by a sudden blow delivered upon the shoulders 6 by the
pins a. B is a strip of leather or other suitable material whose lower edge is
affixed to a segmental frame B carried by the base of the machine. This strip B
occupies a concentric position relatively to the segmental support B' and is located
at such a distance therefrom that the outer ends of the type-arms rest thereon,
when in their horizontal position. Situated on the inner surface of the segmental
support B is a resilient cushion or strip of india-rubber B³ which is of such a shape
in cross-section that its upper edge normally lies partially over the upper edge of the
segmental support. This resilient strip B5 is secured to the said segmental support
by means of a curved plate B which is held in place by screws B'. It will thus
be seen that while this resilient strip is firmly retained in position, its upper edge
is left disconnected and free. Therefore when the type-arms are thrown forward
by the operation of the finger-key levers the said strip offers small resistance to
their movement but is sufficiently resilient to cause then to promptly return to
their normal position immediately after striking the paper. The outer ends of the
type-arms are slotted at 6 so that the screws by which the type 2 are connected
to the type-arms can be adjusted and the position of the type be thereby regulated
to obtain proper alignment thereof. D is a hinged bracket having near its outer
end a forked piece or guide d which occupies the central point of the segmental
support so that when the type-arms are thrown forward by the finger-key levers
the bent ends of said type-arms enter the forked piece; their type are thus always
directed towards the same point.
E is a spacing-bar which is provided with arms e extending beneath the buse
and pivotally connected thereto at e¹. These arms are furnished with projections e²
that engage with other arms e³ also pivotally connected to the under-side of the
base at e. The free ends of these last mentioned arms e³ carry uprights whose
upper ends project through the base of the machine and are furnished with
transverse pins . e' is a curved rod that extends from one upright e to the other
and lies immediately over the inner ends of the finger key levers. Depending
from the said curved red e' is a link whose lower end engages with a tail with
which the pivoted escapement F is provided. This escapement is of ordinary
construction being provided with two sets of teeth that can be alternately
brought into engagement with the rack c* ou the carriage when the said
escapement is rocked about the pivots f³ which are mounted on an under-frame G.
It will be observed that by reason of the position occupied by the said curved
rod e' the escapement is operated each time any one of the finger-key levers, or the
spacing bar, is actuated. The aforesaid under-frame G is movable and is provided
with a pair of lugs or guide bars G entering recesses G2 in the base of the

page_text: machine. This under-frame is also provided with a longitudinal bar G³ that
extends to the front of the machine where it is received in a socket G on the base.
The outer part of this under-frame is provided with rails G which act as guides
for the carriage C¹ and ensure its travelling to or fro in a truly rectilinear manner.
The said outer part of the under-frame is formed with a slot or opening Go through
which a centrally located lug C2 on the underside of the carriage projects and in
which the said lug travels during the movements of the carriage. This lug is
furnished with a turn piece C³ which when turned at right angles to the aforesaid
slot G prevents the carriage from becoming detached vertically from the under-
frame. G7 G are two studs that project upwards from the outer part of the
under-frane and lie in the path of a centrally located projection C on the under
side of the carriage and thereby act as stops to limit the extent of the carriage's
movement. The last mentioned stud G8 is detachable and can therefore be placed
in one or other of a row of holes G° so that the movement of the carriage towards
the right can be regulated and lines of typing of the required length be obtained.
G is a stud carried by the under-frame G and mounted on this stud and moving
freely thereon is a grooved wheel G" having a boss G. G12 G¹³ are two cords
the former of which passes around the wheel G₁ and is connected to a pin C* on
the carriage while the latter passes around the boss G₁x and is connected to one
end of a spiral spring G1 whose opposite end is secured to the bar G³. This
spiral spring becomes stretched when the carriage is shifted towards the right and
supplies the necessary force to move the carriage along towards the left during the
working of the machine as is well understood. Gs is a transverse rocking shaft
situated below the base of the machine, the said shaft being provided with two
arms G G7, the former engaging with the stem of the push button G18 and the
latter with a forked piece G19 on the bar G³. This rocking shaft G is surrounded
by a spiral spring which normally tends to keep the arm G7 pressed forward and
the movable under-frame, with the carriage, in its outermost position. When the
under-frame is in this position the lower-case type, which are situated at the
extreme end of the type-arms, strike the paper. By pressing upon the push
button G the rocking shaft G18 is turned and the under-frame thereby caused to
assume its innermost position. The upper case type, which are situated farther
away from the ends of the type-arms than the lower case type, then strike the
paper. By turning a pivoted catch g into engagement with a notch in the stem of
the push button G when the latter is depressed, the under-frame can be locked
in its innermost position when desired. The drawings shew the parts in this
position.
By removing the rocking-bar Gand disconnecting the link " from the tail of
the escapement the entire under-frame and parts connected therewith can be bodily
detached from the machine.
: -
HH are spools upon which the ink-ribbon I is wound. These spools revolve on
detachable pins that are situated on opposite sides of the machine. One of the
spools in Figure 1, viz. that on the right of the machine, has been removed in
order to clearly shew the feed mechanism beneath it. The feed mechanism consists
of a fine ratchet wheel h engaging with which are two pawls h³, the former
being a retaining pawl and the latter a driving pawl. The ratchet wheel is
loosely mounted on a hollow fixed spindle into which the before mentioned pin h
enters. The driving pawl is pivoted at to a plate which is also loosely
mounted on the hollow spindle 4, the said driving pawl being provided with
a nose that lies in proximity to a pin projecting through the aperture h³ in
the plate . This plate is formed with a lateral extension 10 which engages
with the lower end of a crank arm " pivoted to a vertical support that projects
from the base of the machine. The other end of the said crank arm lies immediately
above the pin 6 with which each of the hercinbefore mentioned uprights e' is
provided.
It will thus be seen that each time the curved rod is raised by the operation
of one of the finger-key levers or of the spacing bar, the crank arm his actuated

page_text: by the pin e with the result that the plate is shifted and the ratchet wheel
partially rotated by the driving pawl ³. ¹³ is a spiral spring by which the said
plate, together with the driving pawl ³, is returned to its original position.
are pins on the ratchet wheel which enter corresponding holes in the spool
when the latter is in place and impart thereto the step by step motion of the ratchet
wheel. 5 is another lateral extension with which the plate h is provided. This
extension is formed with a hole which can be brought over a corresponding hole in
the base of the machine and be locked in this position by means of a detachable
pin 16
When the plate is shifted and locked in this position the said crank arm
is moved out of the reach of the pin e and cannot therefore be acted upon thereby.
The driving pawl is also moved out of engagement with the ratchet wheel by reason
of its nose coming against the pin ; and the retaining pawl is likewise
disengaged by the edge of the plate coming against it. When the plate is in
this position the ratchet wheel remains unaffected by the driving mechanism and
can be turned in either direction. In the drawings the driving mechanism on the
left hand side of the machine is in this position while the mechanism on the right
hand side is in its working position and will cause the spool on this side to be turned
in a direction to wind up the ink ribbon at each movement of the finger-key levers
or of the spacing bar. By removing the pin 1 from the position it occupies in
the left hand mechanisin and inserting it into a corresponding position in the right
band mechanism, the direction of the winding of the ribbon can be readily reversed.
The course taken by the ribbon is shewn in Figure 1. It passes from the left hand
spool over vertical guide pins i, through a hook i', then in an upward direction over
a horizontal pin 22 and in a forward direction round a front rod ; it then passes
backwardly towards a horizontal pin and downwardly through a hook i³
whence it passes over the guide pins and thus reaches the right-hand spool.
J and K are two pivoted levers situated at the left hand end of the cylinder C.
The lever J is for lifting the rack c* out of engagement with the escapement F when
it is desired to shift the carriage into position for commencing a fresh line of typing,
and the lever K is for turning the paper cylinder the requisite distance for spacing
the lines. The said lever J engages with one end of a pivoted lever j having at
its outer end pins that lie on opposite sides of the pivoted rack. Thus when
the said lever J is pressed inwardly, the end j' of the lever is raised and disengages
the rack from the escapement. The carriage can then be shifted in either
direction as required. When the lever J is released a spring ³ returns the
lever j to its original position and brings the rack again into engagement with the
escapement.
The lever K is controlled by a spring K¹ and is provided with an extension k
that passes through a vertical slot formed in the end plate c of the carriage.
This extension k enters a slot formed in a segmental plate that is loosely mounted
on the axis of the paper cylinder. The segmental plate carries a pawl which is
capable of engaging with the teeth of a ratchet wheel m which turns with the
paper cylinder. 2 is a spring which tends to keep the said pawl in engagement
with the ratchet wheel m but is normally prevented from so doing by a pin 13.
When however the lever K is pressed inwardly the segmental plate / turns about
the axis of the paper cylinder and the pawl leaves the aforesaid pin 13 and
engages with the ratchet wheel m thereby turning this latter and partially rotating
the paper cylinder. In order to regulate the extent to which the paper cylinder
can be turned by the movement of the lever K and therefore the distance between
the lines of typing, the said segmental plate is formed with a projection * and the
edge of the end plate e is provided with a series of holes into one or other of
which a detachable pin can be inserted. This pin when in place acts as a stop
against which the projection strikes and thus prevents the segmental plate and
its pawl from moving beyond this point when the lever K is actuated.
N is a longitudinal bar carried by side arms n n pivoted to the end plates of
the carriage. This bar is controlled by a spring n¹ which pressed it towards the
paper cylinder and keeps the paper in close contact therewith. n* is thumb piece

page_text: by which the bar can be turned away from the paper-cylinder when a sheet of paper
is being inserted into position.
M M are revolvable rods extending from one plate c to the other of the carriage C¹.
These rods are recessed at intervals for the reception of india-rubber bauds o which
produce sufficient adhesion between the paper and the cylinder C to ensure that the
paper shall turn with the cylinder.
The segmental support B to which the type-arms are pivoted may if desired be
made detachable for the purpose of enabling the entire series of type-arms to be
removed bodily therewith and to be replaced by another segmental support provided
with type-arms bearing type of different character.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A type-writing machine in which the type-arms occupy a horizontal position
and are arranged to perform approximately a half revolution about their pivots in
causing their type to strike the paper substantially as described and for the purpose
specified.
2. In a type-writing machine the means for enabling the type-arms to be
actuated without their being connected to the finger-key levers substantially as
described.
3. The construction of the type-arms with a curved shoulder near their pivotal
ends and with laterally bent and slotted outer ends substantially as described and
for the purposes specified.
4. In a type-writing machine the combination of a series of horizontally arranged
type-arms having laterally bent outer ends and curved shoulders near their pivotal
ends, a segmental support to which said type-arms are pivotally connected, a series of
vertical pins situated immediately below the aforesaid shoulders on the type-arms,
finger-key levers for operating said pins, a resilient cushion for returning the type-
arms to their normal position each time they are thrown forward by the finger-key
levers, and a segmental frame for supporting the type-arms in their position of rest
all substantially as described.
5. The combination with a segmental series of horizontally arranged pivoted
type-arms having laterally bent outer ends, of a forked guide carried by a hinged
bracket and located centrally with respect to the segmental series of type-arms,
substantially as described and for the purpose specified.
6. A type writing machine having its parts constructed arranged and
combined to operate substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
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HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.