Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 1st May, 1897"
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, CHARLES NORMAN FAY of No. 165 Rush Street in the City of Chicago in
the County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman,
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 :-
The present invention has relation particularly to that class of type-writing
machines in which the printing of the paper is effected by type carried upon the
inner ends of concentrically pivcted bars and adapted to make an impression upon
the paper through the mediam ot an inking ribbon that is intermittently moved to
expose fresh surface to the impact of the type. The first part of this invention
contemplates certain improvements in the paper carriage and its supporting bed
and the mechanism sustained by the carriage for holding and feeding the paper..
The second part of this invention comprises improvements in the mechanism for
effecting the feeding of the inking ribbon. The third part of the invention com-
prises an improvement in the type bars whereby the printing type are carried.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a type-writing machine embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the top plate of the machine and the
mechanism above the same.
Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross-section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a detail view of the variable step or line-space regulator.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the double escapement pawls.
Fig. 7 is a plan view with parts broken away, of the carriage and its subjacent.
bed rails and tie bars.
Fig. 8 is a detail face view of the front bed rail of the carriage showing the
margin stops in position thereon.
Fig. 9 is a detail view in vertical section through a portion of the front bed rail
whereon the carriage rests.
Fig. 10 is a detail view in horizontal section through the left-hand margin stop,
a part of the bed rail being shown in plan.
Fig. 11 is a detail view in vertical section through a part of the front bed rail,.
the left-hand margin stop being shown in elevation.
Fig. 12 is a detail view in vertical cross-section through the front bed rail and
frout carriage bar, the left-hand margin stop being shown in elevation.
Fig. 13 is a view in vertical cross-section through the carriage and platen, the
presser-roll mechanism being shown in elevation.
Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but with the presser-roll mechanism shown
in vertical section.
Fig. 15 is a detail view of the carriage, showing in elevation the tilting frame
for the platen and the mechanism for locking the same and mechanism for varying
the tension of the spring that controls the rear presser rolls.
Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 but showing the tilting platen frame turned
upward.
Fig. 17 is a detail rear view of the platen and its tilting frame and parts carried
thereby.
Fig. 18 is an inverted plan view of the tilting frame, the platen and connected
parts.

page_text: the stop is in the position seen in Figs. 1 and 11 of the drawings the stop pin 17
will contact with the bell trip 16 when the carriage has come within about five
spaces from the end of the line, thus giving to the operator a signal that five more
letters may be printed. Inasmuch, however, as some operators prefer that the
bell shall not ring until approximately the end of the line, it is obvious that if the
pin 17 be withdrawn and the margin stop 18 be turned so as to bring the hole for
the pin 17 nearer the left-hand side of the machine, then the pin 17 can be
reversely inserted in the horizontal hole of the, margin stop and will occupy the
position seen by dotted lines in Fig. 10; consequently, the pin 17 will not effect
the ringing of the bell until the stop 19 has nearly reached the margin stop 18, and
until the line of print is almost finished. The upwardly extending portion 10 of
the front bed rail is provided not only with a series of perforations 21 for
adjustment of the margin stop 18 but is formed also with a series of similar
perforations 23 for the right-hand margin stop 24. In order to better retain the
series of friction rolls 5 and 5* in proper position within their respective channels,
I prefer to project into said channels suitable pins 25 (see Figs. 2 and 7) which,
while allowing the free back and forth play of the friction rolls, insures that
they do not escape from the channels or lodge adjacent the ends thereof. By
reference more particularly to Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that
the friction rolls 5 are approximately as long as the width of the channels of the
rear bed rail 2 and the rear carriage side 7, while on the other hand the channels
of the front bed rail 3 and of the front carriage side 9 are considerably wider
than the friction rolls 5ª contained therein. By this means the friction rolls 5
fitting snugly as they do within their channels, not only relieve the parts of friction
but also aid in insuring the accurate straight-line movement of the carriage
from side to side of the machine; while the friction rolls 5* support the front of
the carriage and yet in nowise endanger the binding of the same, which would
be apt to occur if attempt were made to accurately fit both sets of friction rolls
within their retaining channels.
From the ends of the cross bars 11 and 12 of the carriage rise the brackets 30
and 31 that are perforated to receive trunnions 32 that project from the end
bars 33 of the tilting frame whereby the platen W is carried. The end bars 33 of
the tilting frame are connected together by front and rear bars 34 and 35 and
through suitable bearings in the end bars 33 extends the platen shaft w, the ends
of this shaft being furnished with hand-wheels w whereby the revolution of the
platen can be manually effected. It will be observed that the journal studs 32 of
the tilting frame are arranged at the rear of the platen shaft w' and consequently
when the tilting frame is turned about the journal studs in forward direction the
under-side of the platen W will be exposed to view as shown in Fig. 16, thus
permitting the line of print to be inspected. The end hars 33 of the tilting frame
are formed at their fronts with feet 36 that rest upon lugs 37 projecting inwardly
from the end bars 11 and 12 of the carriage (see Figs. 1 and 7), thus limiting the
downward movement of the tilting frame and the platen. In the feet 36 at the
front of the end bars 33 are journalled the ends of a rock shaft 38 that extends
across the front of the platen and adjacent each end of this rock shaft 38 is fixed
a latch 39, the lower hooked end of which will engage with a corresponding
projection 37 in order to lork the tilting platen frame in its normal position.
The latch 39 at the left-hand end of the rod 38 has attached thereto or formed
in piece therewith the forwardly extending arm or bar 40 that reaches out at the
front of the machine and in convenient position to be engaged by the hand of
the operator who may thus by one movement release the latch 39 and turn the
tilting frame and platen from the normal or printing position seen in Fig. 15 to
the position seen in Fig. 16. The upper end of the latch 39 is formed with
a hook 41 to engage the rod 34 in order to limit the movement of the latch 39
and bar 40.
From the front rod 34 of the tilting frame (or upon any other suitable support)
are sustained the upper and lower presser rolls 45 and 46. Preferably there will

page_text: bears against the subjacent cross-bar of the carriage. When the tilting frame is
in the normal or printing position (see Fig. 15) the arm 70 is in the position there
shown and at such time the rock shaft 61 is held so that the coil springs 68 shall
exert their greatest force in holding the presser rolls 65 towards the platen W.
When, however, the tilting frame and platen are turned upward to inspect the line
of print (as shown in Fig. 16) the arm 70 rides forward along the cross-bar of the
carriage and consequently permits a partial revolution of the rock shaft 61 to
which this arm is fixed, this partial revolution of the rock shaft with respect to its
bearings being in the direction to correspondingly uncoil the springs 68 carried
thereby. This partial uncoiling of the springs 68 lessens or relieves the pressure
of the rolls 65 against the paper on the platen W and consequently the manual
shifting of the paper upon the platen can be effected without danger of tearing the
paper. When, however, the tilting frame is returned to its normal position the
presser rolls 65 again firmly press the paper against the platen. So far as I am
aware my invention presents the first instance of a spring actuated presser roll or
device that is provided with means arranged to automatically relieve or to lessen
the spring pressure of said device or roll against the paper on the platen when the
platen is so turned as to expose the line of print, and I do not therefore wish the
invention to be understood as restricted to the precise construction herein set out.
I have found in practice that the mechanism hereinbefore described for retaining
the paper upon the platen is most efficient and will enable many carbon copies to
be accurately fed through the machine without danger of slipping or of the sheets
creeping" with respect to each other as they are apt to do with other types of
mechanism employed for holding the paper against the platen. The presser
rolls 45 and 46 being actuated by a common spring, press the paper uniformly
against the platen.
65
The mechanism whereby the line spacing and letter-space movement of the platen
is effected will next be described. Upon the shaft of the platen W is fixed a
toothed wheel w³ (see Figs. 2, 3 and 18) with which engages the point or projection 80
of the pawl 81 that is pivoted as at 82 to the top of an arm 83 that is carried by a
shaft 84, this arm 83 being connected to or formed in piece with the operating or
spacing lever 85 that extends forwardly and downwardly towards the key-board of
the machine in convenient position to be grasped and lifted by the hand of the
operator. By reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it will be seen that the arm 83 is formed
as an elbow lever, the front portion of this lever extending between the bifurcated
upper end of the operating lever 85. For convenience the operating lever will be
understood as comprising both the part 85 and the part 83. The pawl 81 is formed
with a downwardly extending heel 86 and preferably also with an extension 87, the
purpose of the heel 86 being to bear against the toothed wheel 83 in order to limit
the revolution or overthrow of the platen, and the purpose of the extension 87 being
to permit the operator by pressing thereon with his thumb or finger, to readily
disengage the pawl 81 from the toothed wheel 20³. The pawl 81 is of sufficient
weight to securely retain its point or tooth in engagement with the wheel to and
when the platen frame and platen are turned upward beyond the vertical to permit
the line of print to be inspected, the pawl 81 will swing away from engagement
with the toothed wheel and hence will allow the platen W to be turned in either
direction by the operator. By reference more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 of the
drawinge, it will be seen that when a partial revolution of the platen is to be effected,
the operator will lift the lever 85 from the position shown in full lines to that shown
by dotted lines in Fig. 3 and will thereby cause the pawl 81 to partially revolve the
platen W. As soon, however, as the platen has completed the required extent of
revolution, the heel 86 of the pawl 81 will bear firmly against the toothed wheel w*
and will instantly guard against the further revolution of the platen. It will
be observed that the heel 86 is interposed between the centre of revolution of
the platen W and the pivot point 82 of the pawl, and consequently a more
effective action of the heel 86 upon the toothed wheel will be bad. W ben
the operator desires to revolve the platen in reverse direction the pawl 81 can

page_text: arm 100 projecting from a bar 101 that has lugs 102 through which pass pivot
pins 103 whereby the bar 101 is pivotally connected to brackets 104 that rise from.
the top of the main frame (see Fig. 1). The pawls 98 and 99 are arranged one
above the other and are fixed together and upon the arm 100 between its lugs 105
by means of screws 106 and 107 (see Figs. 5 and 6). The points of the upper and
lower pawls 98 and 99 are arranged out of alignment and the distance between the
vertical planes of the points of said pawls is less than the distance between the
contact faces of the rack teeth. Hence it will be seen that when the pawls are in
the normal or idle position seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the upper pawl 98 will be in
engagement with the rack bar but the teeth of the lower pawl 99 will be about
opposite the middle of the cut-away space between the points of the rack bar teeth..
It is therefore manifest that as the pawls 98 and 99 are vibrated vertically, the
lower pawl 99 will engage with the rack bar as the upper pawl 98 is freed therefrom,
the rack bar and consequently the paper carriage being allowed to move a distance
equal to one-half the width of the interdental spaces at each upward and downward
movement of the pawls 98 and 99. The outer ends of the bar 101 have connected
thereto rods 116, the lower ends of which will be attached to the spacing mechanism
(not shown) and from the underside of the bar 101 depends an arin 108 (see Fig. 2)
to which will be connected one end of a coil spring 109, the opposite end of this.
spring being connected to an adjacent screw.110 passing through a bracket 111.
From the bar 101 also projects a short arm 112 through which passes a set-
screw 113 adapted to contact with the top of the bracket 111. When any of the
key-levers or space mechanism of the machine are depressed, it will be understood
that the rods :06 will be drawn downward, thus causing the pawl 98 to leave the
rack bar 96 and throwing the pawl 99 into engagement with said bar, and when the
pressure upon the key-lever or spacing lever is released the pawl 99 will be turned
from engagement with the rack bar and the pawl 98 will be caused to engage with
said bar, but at each upward and downward movement of the pawls 98 and 99 the
rack bar and the carriage will be permitted to move to the extent of one-half a
space. Hence it will be seen that if a quick or "staccato" touch be given to the
keys by the operator, the carriage will be advanced the proper letter-space distance
after the type are thrown against the paper on the platen. It will be understood
that if desired, the pawls 98 and 99 may be removed and other suitable construction
of pawls (such as fixed and limber pawls or dogs) may be substituted therefor.
In order to release the escapement mechanism of the carriage so as to permit the
carriage to be drawn backward to the right-hand side of the machine, I prefer to
provide the mechanism next to be described. To the rack bar 86 (see Figs. 2.
and 9) is connected a pin or screw 120 that extends downwardly and is engaged by
the rear end of the release bar 121. The forward end of this release bar is formed
with a seat or socket to receive the lower end of an arm 122 (see Fig. 2) that is.
fixed to the short shaft 123 (see Fig. 1) that is journalled in the bracket 124 upon
the front side 9 of the carriage. To the end of the shaft 123 is connected (or formed
in piece therewith) a release arm 125 that extends forwardly and in proximity to
the operating lever 85, as clearly seen in Figs. 1 and of the drawings. From the
foregoing description it will be seen that when the operator depresses the release
arm 124 the release bar or rod 121 will be thrust rearwardly, pushing with it the
pin or screw 120 and causing the rack bar 96 to rock about its pivots and rise from
engagement with the pawl 98. When the rack bar is thus disengaged the carriage.
can be moved freely in either direction. Inasmuch as the release arm 124 is in
proximity to the operating lever 85, the operator can with one hand simultaneously
disengage the escapement mechanism and shift the carriage in eituer direction and.
at the same time can effect the line-space movement of the platen W or either of
these operations may be effected independently of the other. It will he observel
(see Fig. 2) that the underside of the release bar or rod 121 is provided with a
short projecting stud to which is attached a coil spring 126, the forward end of this.
spring being attached to a similar stud on the cross-bar 12 of the carriage. This
coil spring 126 serves to draw the release rod or bar 121 normally forward and

page_text: surface d' of the shaft D. When this shift of the spools has been effected the
spool G₁ will then partake of the revolution imparted to the shaft F from the
shaft B and drum C, while the spool G may be turned independently of the shaft D
whereon it is mounted. And it will thus be seen that the ribbon will be re-wound
on to the spool G' from the spool G, and by reason of the lateral shift of the
ribbon spools, a new surface of the ribbon H will be exposed to the impact of the
type as the ribbon is advanced under the influence of the winding drum. Whenever
it becomes necessary to remove the spools G, G¹ from their shafts the thumb-
screws E' and E³ will be loosened, thereby permitting the brackets E and E' to be
turned forwardly so as to free the front ends of the shafts D and F; and when
the rear ends of the shafts are withdrawn from their bearings the spools can be
readily removed from the front ends of the shafts. It will be observed, by reference
to Fig. 2, that the notches d¹ and f' of the shafts D and F have inclined bottoms
and the ends of the latches and the engaging ends of the pawls g are preferably
rounded so as to permit the easy lateral shift of the spools G, G' upon their
shafts.
The mechanism whereby a longitudinal shift of the spools G, G¹ is effected will
next be described. Upon the inner face of each of the sides of the main frame A
is fixed a bracket-plate K having the upwardly extending arms & that form bearings
for the operating shaft M, one end of this shaft extending through the side wall
of the main frame and being provided with a hand-wheel m whereby the shaft
may be turned. Each of the plates K is also provided with brackets k¹ (see Fig. 4)
in which is held in manner free to slide, a bar P, the rear end of which is provided
with a rack p that engages a pinion fixed to the operating shaft M. From
each of the slide bars P rises a shifter for engaging the ribbon of the
corresponding ribbon spool and this shifter consists preferably of a bent wire R,
the legs of which stand upon opposite sides of the corresponding spool, while the
upper end of the wire extends through a long slot formed in the top plate of the
machine, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It will thus be seen that as the operating
shaft M is turned, the slide bars P may be moved back and forth and a corre-
sponding shift of the spools G and G¹ will be effected. By reference more
particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that when the pawl g of the
spool G, for example, is in engagement with the shaft D, the pawlg of the spool G¹ will
be disengaged from the teeth or notches of the shaft F and vice versa, and by turning
the hand-wheel m and the shaft M the proper fractional part of a revolution, not
only will the spools G and G' be alternately engaged with and disengaged from
their shafts in order to reverse the direction of travel of the ribbon, but if the
extent of revolution of the operating shaft M be accurately determined, it will
insure that the spools G and G shall be so shifted as to move the ribbon exactly
the space necessary to expose a fresh surface to the impact of the type. In order
to enable the operating shaft M to be given the proper fractional part of a
revolution, I prefer to form the hand-wheel m of polygonal shape, its peripheral
surfaces being marked with suitable letters, as for example, "R" and "L" to
indicate the direction of travel that will be given to the inking ribbon when the
corresponding surface of the hand-wheel m is uppermost. I prefer also to provide
one or both ends of the operating shaft M with a check wheel M¹ (see Fig. 5) the
periphery of which is provided with a series of conical notches or seats adapted to
receive the bevelled end of a check pawl S that is placed within a seat formed in
the bracket plate K and is pressed normally into engagement with the wheel M by
means of a spiral springs set within the seat wherein the pawl S is held. The
notches of the wheel M will correspond with the faces of the hand-wheel m and
these will correspond also with the annular series of teeth or notches and inter-
dental spaces in the spool shafts D and F. Hence it will be seen that when the
operator turns the shaft M by means of the hand-wheel m in order to shift the
ribben spools, the check pawl S will be depressed against the force of the spring K
until the pawl is free to enter the next succeeding notch of the wheel 'M' and
B

page_text: it can swivel slightly about the same and thus be always in position to accurately
receive the spreader screw. Another advantage of this construction is that
inasmuch as the threaded nut is formed separate from the rivet F whereon it is
held, all danger of mashing or distorting the spreader nut when upsetting the
reduced ends of the rivet is avoided.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the main fraine, of a carriage
bed having front and rear rails provided with chanuels to receive friction rolls, a
carriage having front and rear sides provided with channels extending opposite
the channels of the bed rails, said bed rails and carriage sides being interlocked to
prevent the lifting of the carriage, and friction rolls located within the channels of
the front and rear bed rails and carriage sides, one set of said rolls being fitted
accurately to the width of the channels wherein they are contained and the other
set of rolls being capable of lateral play within the channels wherein they are
held, substantially as described.
2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the main frame, of a carriage
bed having front and rear rails, the upper faces whereof are provided with channels
and above said channels with inwardly projecting portions, a carriage having front
and rear sides the lower faces whereof are provided with channels and with parts
extending beneath the inwardly projecting portions of the bed rails and rolls
located within the channels of the front and rear bed rails and carriage bars, and
tie bars extending transversely between and connecting together the bed rails, said
bed rails and tie bars being removably attached to the main frame of the machine,
substantially as described.
3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen and a supporting
frame having a part extending lengthwise in front of the platen, of a pair of
presser rolls shiftable toward and from the platen, suitable means for carrying said
rolls and whereby they are connected together and longitudinally adjustable upon
said rod, and spring mechanism for forcing said rolls toward the platen, substantially
as described.
4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen and a supporting
frame having a part extending lengthwise in front of the platen, of a pair of
presser rolls and swinging carriers for said rolls adjustable lengthwise upon said
rod, and a common spring for forcing both of said rolls toward the platen,
substantially as described.
5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen and a supporting
frame having a rod extending lengthwise in front of the platen, of a pair of presser
rolls and swinging carriers for said rolls adjustable lengthwise of said rod and
spring mechanism engaging said rod and aiding to frictionally retain the carriers
in place thereon and serving to force the rolls toward the platen, substantially as
described.
6. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the platen and a supporting
frame having a part extending lengthwise in front of the platen, of a presser roll
and a carrier therefor longitudinally adjustable upon said part of the frame and a
guide finger supported by said carrier and extending downward beneath the platen,
substantially as described.
7. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen and with means
for sustaining the same in manner permitting it to be turned to inspect the line of
print, of a spring actuated pressure device or roll, and automatic mechanism
arranged to relieve the spring pressure of said device or roll against the paper on
the platen when the platen is so turned as to expose the line of print, substantially
as described.
8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen and with
means for sustaining the same in manner permitting it to be turned to expose the

page_text: and rack and pinion mechanism for moving the slide bars, substantially as
described.
17. In a type-writing machine the combination with the spool shafts and spools,.
of ineans for shifting the spools comprising a revoluble operating shaft provided
with means whereby it may be manipulated, check mechanism whereby fractional
parts of a revolution of the shaft will be determined and suitable connections
between the operating shaft and the spools, substantially as described.
18. A type bar the trunnions whereof are formed of metal pressed outwardly
from the adjacent side walls, substantially as described.
19. A type bar having side walls provided with interior shoulders or surfaces
against which a screw may bear, a spreader screw located between the side walls
and a screw-threaded nut encircling said screw said nut being swivelled with respect
to the type bar, substantially as described.
20. A type bar the trunnions whereof are formed of metal pressed outwardly from
the adjacent side walls, in combination with a spreader screw, the head whereof is
located within the spaces formed opposite said trunnions and a threaded nut for
said spreader screw, substantially as described.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.