IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP BY STEP TYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPHS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Herbert William Higgins, of 88, Farleigh
Road, Stoke Newington, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of
65
IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP BY STEP TYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPHS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Herbert William
Higgins at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November
1880.
FREDERICK HERBERT WILLIAM HIGGINS, of 88, Farleigh Road, Stoke Newington,
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP BY STEP TYPE PRINTING
TELEGRAPHS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in step by step type printing
telegraphs. My improvements relate to an arrangement of the mechanism of type
printing instruments, which causes the printing to be done on a broad sheet of
paper in lines like a newspaper, instead of as formerly in a single line on a
continuous narrow band. The apparatus consists of the following parts:-A step
by step escapement for rotating the type wheel, to which is geared the type axle.
The latter pivotted in and carried by a frame which acts as a lever, the short
end of which carries an iron armature placed over an electro magnet. The typo
wheel is attached to a tube which is a little longer than the width of the paper;
upon the end of the tube slides a second and shorter tube, to which is attached a
dise. Under the disc is fixed a row of teeth like a saw, upon the inclined planes
of which the disc slides, the object of this arrangement being to cause the type
wheel to shift laterally before printing in order to effect the horizontal spacing.
After the type wheel has been thus moved it is held in position by a click engaging
a rack on the type wheel axis. When it is required to return the type wheels to
the commencement of a line the type is brought to the position where one of the
spaces on the type wheel is opposite the impression pad. Upon the current
necessary for printing being sent the click strikes the serrated ridge and is
lifted out of the rack, thus allowing the type wheel to return to the starting
position.

page_text: A spring acting horizontally on the type wheels causes this return. At the same
time that the type wheel is returned to the starting position a pin on the type
wheel axis is brought during the downward movement into contact with an
escapement which liberates the clock train that feeds the paper forward for the
vertical spacing between the lines. The synchronism of the sending and receiving
instruments is ensured by means of a small auxiliary electro magnet, through
which a weak current is sent once in every revolution of the type wheel, and
removes a detent which would otherwise arrest the type wheel at zero; the
instrument thus automatically readjusts itself after having become deranged. The
current which removes this detent is sent upon the printing line and is much
weaker than the printing current. Should the wheel be so much out of position
at any time that the ordinary printing current be sent instead of that which
removes the detent, it would not have the same effect, because the unlocking current
should preceed by a short interval of time the type revolving current. The locking
of the type wheel takes place when the escapement has been liberated from its
electro magnet.
The wheel is then held; and if the ordinary printing current be sent it will cease
before the type revolving current commences; while on the other hand the liberating
current will unlock the wheel and keep it so until the type commences to rotate.
The forward movement of the paper necessary to space between the lines is effected
by motive power derived from a coiled spring acting through a train of clock work
which is liberated by the removal of a detent every time the blank space represented
by the radial pin on the type axis is brought opposite the impression pad. In the
transmitting apparatus a counter shows the operator when the proper number of
prints to fill one line have been made.
But it is in the power of the operator, by pressing the key used for the purpose,
to start a fresh line at any time.

page_text: The type wheel axis f has two arms f³, f, and between these the guide f³
extends; it passes through the type wheel and steadies it in its movements; f¹ is
a spring barrel on the type wheel axis which tends constantly to wind upon itself
a cord attached to the type wheel. This cord passes to the barrel f, over the
guide pulley f*. Another cord is also attached to the type wheel and passes
to another barrel f' and over the guide pulley f5x. The spaces between the printed
letters in a line upon the paper are obtained by the type wheel being drawn along
its axis by the winding up of the cord upon the barrel f5. It is the movement of
the rocking frame g, under the influence of the printing magnet h, which causes
the rotation of the barrel f5 in winding up the cord.
Fixed to the barrel f5 there are two ratchet wheels, and with these two corre-
sponding pawls engage, as is more clearly seen in the Figures 3 and 4, one of
theso pawls f is carried upon an arm projecting from the axis f, and it goes round
with this axis. The other pawl m is pin jointed to the frame. The pawls are
provided with springs to hold them to the teeth of the ratchet wheels. Thus each
time that the axis f is moved towards the paper the barrel f³ is rotated the
distance of a tooth of the ratchet by the operation of the pawl m; the pawl fɛ
retains the barrel whilst the axis f recedes from the paper and until the pawl m
falls into the next tooth of its ratchet. During the rotation of the axis f under the
influence of the signal currents, the pawl fo rides over the teeth of its ratchet wheel.
At the end of a line when it is desired that the type wheel and paper should
move in order that a new line may be commenced, the transmitter stops the signal
currents when the parts are in the position in which they are seen in the Figures
3 and 4, and he then sends a current through the coils of the printing magnet,
which causes the movement of the frame g, but no printing takes place in con-
sequence of parts being in the way to prevent the type wheel coming into
actual contact with the paper. There is a tail fox upon the pawl fº,
then comes into collision with the T headed lever n, and moving it a short
distance, as far as the stops n' admit, is itself caused to turn, and so this pawl
is lifted out of the teeth of its ratchet. In this movement also a lateral
projection from the tail fox descends against a corresponding projection on a
tail of the pawl m, with the result that this pawl also is lifted out. The barrel f5
being thus left entirely free, the cord is unwound from it by the operation of
the spring in the barrel f, and so the type wheel is brought to the commence-
ment of the line. A simultaneous forward movement of the paper results from
the action upon the lever n. This lever controls the clock train o, which is
connected with the paper roller c, and rotates it whenever the train is set free.
which
o' is a disc upon one of the axes of the train, and it carries two pins at different
distances from the centre of the disc. As seen in Figure 3, one of the pins (that
further from the centre) is resting against the lever n and is stopped by it, but
immediately that the lever n is lifted, as already described, the disc o' makes a half
revolution, it is then again stopped by the other pin striking the end of the lever n.
Imediately however that the return motion of the frame g commences, the lever n
falls to its original position, and the disc o completes its rotation, thereby
permitting that amount of movement of the clock train and roller c requisite to
move the paper forward by the space of a line.
In order to keep the receiving instrument in unison with the sender at the
other end of the line, a current is dispatched through the printing circuit once
for each rotation to be made by the type wheel; this current is so much weaker
than the printing current that it does not affect the printing mechanisin; but
passing through the coils of a magnet p it causes it to attract its armature, which
is attached to the lever q. This lever has a tooth at its further end, which is
intended to engage with a notch 1 in a disc 7, fixed upon the axis f of the type
wheel. The type wheel would be stopped at each revolution by the tooth falling
into this notch, were it not that the instant before it would fall in the magnet p
lifts the tooth out of contact with the disc on the periphery of which it, at other
times, rides. If however the type wheel should be out of unison with the sender,

page_text: it results that the unison current does not arrive when required to prevent the
notch being engaged, and so the type wheel is stopped by the falling in of the
tooth; it is released when the next unison current lifts out the tooth at the proper
time.
Figures 5 and 6 show another method of mounting the type wheel which may
be adopted, but which is less convenient than the modification which I have already
described. Here the ratchet for moving the type wheel step by step along its axis
is upon a straight stationary bar, and the retaining ratchet is upon the axis itself.
A disc, which moves with the type wheel, is, by the movements of the frame g
brought against the ratchet teeth, and the inclines impart the required longitudinal
movement. The retaining pawl is carried by a projection upon the axis with
which it revolves, and it is lifted when at the end of the line the printing movement
is caused to take place, the axis of the type wheel having first been brought to the
position indicated by the Drawings.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim as my improvements
in step by step type printing telegraph instruments,―
First. The arrangements for printing in column by imparting to the type wheel
a step by step lateral movement until the end of the line is reached, and then a
sudden return at the same time that a forward movement of the paper is caused to
take place, substantially as described.
Second. The arrangements for ensuring accord between the sender and the
receiving instrument by the action of a current passing in the printing circuit,
and exciting an electro magnet to lift at the proper instant a retaining tooth,
which, whenever the type wheel is out of time, interrupts the rotation, substantially
as described.
Third. My improved step by step printing telegraph instruments, substantially
as described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Herbert William Higgins, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
ΒΙΟΛΙΑΤΑ
F. HIGGINS. (L.S.)

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 29th day of December, 1888, Ainended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Herbert William Higgins, of 88, Farleigh
Road, Stoke Newington, in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP BY STEP TYPE PRINTING TELEGRAPHS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Herbert William
Higgins at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th November
1880.
FREDERICK HERBERT WILLIAM HIGGINS of 88 Farleigh Road Stoke Newington
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP BY STEP TYPE PRINTING
TELEGRAPHS.'
This Invention has for its object improvements in step by step type printing
telegraphs. My improvements relate to an arrangement of the mechanism of typo
printing instruments, which causes the printing to be done on a broad sheet of
paper in lines like a newspaper, instead of as formerly in a single line on a
continuous narrow band. The apparatus consists of the following parts. A step
by step escapement for rotating the type wheel; to which is geared the type axle.
The latter is pivotted in and carried by a frame which acts as a lever the short
end of which carries an iron armature placed over an electro magnet. The type
wheel is attached to a tube which is a little longer than the width of the paper,
upon the end of the tubo slides a second and shorter tube to which is attached a
disc. Under the disc is fixed a row of teeth like a saw, upon the inclined planes
of which the disc slides. The object of this arrangement being to cause the typo
wheel to shift laterally before printing in order to effect the horizontal spacing,
After the type wheel has been thus moved it is held in position by a click engaging
a rack on the type wheel axis. When it is required to return the type wheels to
the commencement of a line the type is brought to the position where one of the
spaces on the type wheel is opposite the impression pad. Upon the current
necessary for printing being sent, the click strikes the serrated ridge and is
lifted out of the rack, thus allowing the type wheel to return to the starting
position.

page_text: A spring acting horizontally on the type wheels causes this return. At the same
time that the type wheel is returned to the starting position a pin on the type
wheel axis is brought during the downward movement into contact with an
escapement which liberates the clock train, that feeds the paper forward for the
vertical spacing between the lines. The synchronism of the sending and receiving
instruments is ensured by means of a small auxiliary electro magnet through
which a weak current is sent once in every revolution of the type wheel and
removes a detent which would otherwise arrest the type wheel at zero, tho
instrument thus automatically readjusts itself after having become deranged. The
current which removes this detent is sent upon the printing line and is much
weaker than the printing current. Should the wheel be so much out of position
at any time that the ordinary printing current be sent instead of that which
removes the detent, it would not have the same effect, because the unlocking current
should proceed, by a short interval of time, the type revolving current. The locking
of the type wheel takes place when the escapement has been liberated from its
electro magnet.
The wheel is then held and if the ordinary printing current be sent it will cease
before the type revolving current commences while on the other hand the liberating
current will unlock the wheel and keep it so, until the type commences to rotate.
The forward movement of the paper necessary to space between the lines is effected
by motive power derived from a coiled spring acting through a train of clock work
which is liberated by the removal of a detent every time the blank space represented
by the radial pin on the type axis is brought opposite the impression pad. In the
transmitting apparatus a counter shows the operator when the proper number of
prints to fill one line have been made.
But it is in the power of the operator by pressing the key used for the purpose
to start a fresh line at any time.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patont filed by
the said Frederick Herbert William Higgins in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th May 1881.
FREDERICK HERbert William HIGGINS of 88 Farleigh Road Stoke Newington
in the County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEP BY STEP TYPE PRINTING
TELEGRAPHS.'
This Invention has for its object improvements in step by step type printing
telegraphs.
These instruments as now in use print longitudinally in a single line upon a
narrow tape or strip of paper; by my Invention I produce a type printing receiv-
ing instrument which prints across a comparatively broad band of paper in
successive lines.
I also by improved devices ensure accord between the sender and the
receiver.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation and Figure 2 is a side elevation with some of
the parts removed of a step by step printing telegraph instrument constructed
according to my Invention and represents the way in which I prefer to carry
my Invention into practice.
a is the sheet of paper to receive the printed messages, it is drawn from a
reel a'. The paper passes by guides beneath an impression pad where it is
printed, then between two rollers c and c¹ one of which rotates at intervals to move
the paper forward to give the intervals by which the lines are separated. The
paper is then led upwards through a cutter d which serves to cut off the printed
messages from the continuous strip whenever required. e is the typo wheel, it is
able to slide along its axis f with which however it is compelled to rotate. The
axis is carried between pivots by the rocking frame g; and gl is an armature fixed
to the rocking frame. The attraction of the electro-magnet for the armature g¹
whenever the printing current is transmitted through its coils from the sending
station is the cause of the type being brought into contact with the paper.
is a toothed wheel on the axis gearing it by the aid of another similar
toothed wheel with an axis on which there is an escapement wheel i. j is tho
k is
escapement lever it has its fulcrum at j¹ and an armature is fixed to it.
an electro-magnet through the coils of which the signal currents pass causing
In this way
the
it alternately to attract and release the armature .
escapement wheel is caused to rotate in accordance with the signal currents
in all respects as is usual in printing telegraph instruments. The type wheel axis f
being as already described geared with the axis of the escapement wheel i rotates
in unison with it. In this manner the type wheel is turned round by the operation
of the signal currents passing through the line wire until the required letter is
brought to the printing position and then a strong current passing through the
coils of the printing magnet h, the type wheel is raised into contact with the paper.
In all this as well as in the arrangement for the supply of ink the arrangements
When the
are such as are common and usual in printing telegraph instruments.
type wheel is raised it moves out of gear with the axis of the escapement wheel i
and to prevent the type wheel from turning when so disconnected from tho
escapement a pinion on the axis then engages with a pin y on the impression
bar b.

page_text: The type wheel axis has two arms f2f2 and between these the guide f
extends; it passes through the type wheel and steadies it in its movements. fis
a spring barrel on the type wheel axis which tends constantly to wind upon itself
a cord attached to the type wheel. This cord passes to the barrel over the
guide pulley **. Another cord is also attached to the type wheel and passes
to another barrel f³ and over the guide pulley fx. The spaces between the printed
letters in a line upon the paper are obtained by the type wheel being drawn along
its axis by the winding up of the cord upon the barrel f³. It is the movement of
the rocking frame g under the influence of the printing magnet h which causes
the rotation of the barrel f' in winding up the cord.
Fixed to the barrel there are two ratchet wheels and with these two corro-
sponding pawls engage as is more clearly seen in the Figures 3 and 4-one of
these pawls f is carried upon an arm projecting from the axis and it goes round
with this axis. The other pawl m is pin jointed to the frame. The pawls are
provided with springs to hold them to the teeth of the ratchet wheels. Thus each
time that the axis is moved towards the paper the barrel f5 is rotated tho
distance of a tooth of the ratchet by the operation of the pawl m, the pawl f
retains the barrel whilst the axis frecedes from the paper and until the pawl m
falls into the next tooth of its ratchet. During the rotation of the axis funder the
influence of the signal currents the pawl frides over the teeth of its ratchet wheel.
At the end of a line when it is desired that the type wheel and paper should
move in order that a new line may be commenced the transmitter stops the signal
currents when the parts are in the position in which they are seen in the Figures
3 and 4 and he then sends a current through the coils of the printing magnet
which causes the movement of the frame g but no printing takes place in con-
sequence of parts being in the way to prevent the type wheel coming into
actual contact with the paper. There is a tail fex upon the pawl f which
then comes into collision with the T headed lever and moving it a short
distance, as far as the stops n admit is itself caused to turn and so this pawl
is lifted out of the teeth of its ratchet. In this movement also a lateral
projection from the tail fox descends against a corresponding projection on
tail of the pawl m with the result that this pawl also is lifted out. The barrel
being thus left entirely free the cord is unwound from it by the operation of
the spring in the barrel and so the type wheel is brought to the commence-
ment of the line. A simultaneous forward movement of the paper results from
the action upon the lever n. This lever controls the clock train o which is
connected with the paper roller c and rotates it whenever the train is set free.
.
a
o is a disc upon one of the axes of the train and it carries-two pins at different
distances from the centre of the disc. As seen in Figure 3 one of the pins (that
further from the centre) is resting against the lever and is stopped by it but
immediately that the lever n is lifted as already described the disc o makes a half
revolution; it is then again stopped by the other pin striking the end of the lever n.
Imediately however that the return motion of the frame g commences the lover n
falls to its original position and the disc o completes its rotation thereby
permitting that amount of movement of the clock train and roller c requisite to
move the paper forward by the space of a line.
In order to keep the receiving instrument in unison with the sender at the
other end of the line a current is dispatched through the printing circuit once
for each rotation to be made by the type wheel; this current is so much weaker
than the printing current that it does not affect the printing mechanism, but
passing through the coils of a magnet p, it causes it to attract its armature which
is attached to the lever q. This lever 7 has a tooth at its further end which is
intended to engage with a notch in a disc r fixed upon the axis of the type
wheel. The type wheel would be stopped at each revolution by the tooth falling
into this notch were it not that the instant before it would fall in, the magnet p
lifts the tooth out of contact with the disc on the periphery of which it at other
times rides. If however the type wheel should be out of unison with the sender

page_text: it results that the unison current does not arrive when required to prevent the
notch being engaged and so the type wheel is stopped by the falling in of the
tooth; it is released when the next unison current lifts out the tooth at the proper
time.
Figures 5 and 6 show another method of mounting the type wheel which may
be adopted but which is less convenient than the modification which I have already
described. Here the ratchet for moving the type wheel step by step along its axis
is upon a straight stationary bar and the retaining ratchet is upon the axis itself.
A disc which moves with the type wheel is by the movements of the frame 9,
brought against the ratchet teeth and the inclines impart the required longitudinal
movement. The retaining pawl is carried by a projection upon the axis with
which it revoves and it is lifted when at the end of the line the printing movement
is caused to take place; the axis of the type wheel having first been brought to the
position indicated by the Drawings.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same I would state that it has come to my knowledge that before the date
of my patent a patent No 210,895 was granted in the United States of America for a
type-printing-telegraph differing from mine in its general arrangement in that the return
of the type wheel was produced by special electro magnetic appliances and not by the
morement of the printing mechanism with the type wheel in a special and suitable position
I therefore disclaim the arrangement so previously described. I would state also that I
am aware of the patent granted to William Robert Lake and dated 24th May, 1871,
No 1400, for an instrument in which a feeble current in the printing circuit is employed
to remove an unison stop but the arrangement is such that the unison stop does not operate
until the type wheel has made more than two rotations and then requires for its removal a
special current forming no part of the routine working of the instrument. In both of
these features Lake's apparatus to which I make no claim differs from my invention. I
would have it understood that I claim as my improvements in step by step type
printing telegraph instruments-
First. The arrangements herein set forth for printing in column by imparting to the
type wheel a step by step lateral movement until the end of the line is reached, and
then a sudden return at the same time that a forward movement of the paper is caused
to take place substantially as described.
Second. The arrangements herein set forth for ensuring accord between the sender
and the receiving instrument, by the action of a current passing in the printing
circuit and exciting an electro magnet to lift at the proper instant a retaining tooth
which whenever the type wheel is out of time interrupts the rotation substantially
as described.
Third. My improved step by step printing telegraph instruments substantially
as described and illustrated by the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Herbert William Higgins have
hereunto set my hand and seal this Tenth day of May in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.