AN IMPROVED TYPE WRITER
Year: 1885

page_text: I, FREDERICK NESFIELD COOKSON, of Eva Villa, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton,
in the County of Staffordshire, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for "AN IMPROVED TYPE WRITER," 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 the production of an improved type writer, and consists,
more especially, in the concentration of the devices for bringing the type into the
proper position for printing, as well as of that for producing spaces in the printed
line, into one plane and round a common centre, thereby considerably facilitating the
working of the writer, making it almost a single handed instrument, at the same
time allowing the matter as it is type-written, to be easily seen by the operator,
as he continues at his work, without it being necessary for him to stop the
instrument, or move any part of it
In order that my invention, and the means by which it may be put into
successful operation, may be thoroughly understood, I hereby describe the same in
detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken
as part of this specification and read therewith, and in which each separate part is
marked throughout the figures in which it appears, with the same reference letter
Fig 1 is a plan of my invention at work, and in the act of making an impression.
Fig 2 is a plan of the instrument at rest, with dial-ring and cover of the type-
turret removed
Fig 3 18 a plan of the under mechanism of the instrument
Fig 4 is a front elevation of the inking, and letter-and word-spacing mechanism,
in a state of rest.
Fig 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of the printing mechanism, taken at the
line ab on Fig 2
Fig 6 is a sectional elevation of the bell-lever of the printing mechanism
Fig 7 18 an elevation, taken at the line c-d on Fig 3, and shews how the
driving-pulley and spacing-push actuate the letter-and word-spacing mechanism
Figs 8 and 9 are longitudinal sections of a type, in the act of printing, and in
a state of rest, respectively.
Fig 10 is a sectional elevation of a duplex-turret, in position for operating the
types in the upper tier of the turret.

page_text: Figs 11 and 12 are, respectively, plan and elevation, of an intermediate striker
of my multiple turret
A is the driving pulley, the hollow spindle, a, of which is carried by the hollow
pillai B, fixed to the base plate, C, of the type writer D is the type turret out of
the underside of which projects a concentric tube, D', embracing the upper part of
a hollow pillar, E, fixed to the base plate, and upon which the turret is rotated
The diameter of tube and pillar are regulated so as to ensure the steady rotation
of the turret. A driving cord, b, is connected by one end to any point, a¹, in the
periphery of the pulley A, and, after being wound two or three times round the
tube, D¹, to give it "bite," is fastened by its other end to the periphery of the
driving pulley at a point, a³, close to the point of connection, a¹ The pulley, A,
is shrouded to prevent the cord slipping off
I do not confine myself to the driving cord illustrated, inasmuch as spur-gearing,
a flat driving-band (as shewn in Fig 5), or any equivalent device, may be adopted
The relative diameters of pulley and type-turret are, conveniently, 4 to 6,
although I do not confine myself to this ratio, inasmuch as it may be modified in
either direction, as may be required The type-turret is fitted with a complete
alphabet, numerals, signs of punctuation, and abbreviations, either upper or lower
case, and all lying in one plane, the total number being regulated by the
circumference of the turret and the size of the type
The body, d, of each type, d, 18 hollow, a slot, d³, being formed in the top and
bottom side thereof, by means of which the travel of the type is guided and
checked by a pın, ɖ³ Each body is as thick as the turret is deep internally,
and the whole are arranged radially within the turret
The front end of the body of each type is flush with the periphery of the type-
turret, the faces, d³, alone, projecting so long as the type writer is at rest
A withdrawing spring, d, is inserted within the body of each type, acting
between the pin, d, and the inner end, d, of the body
The types of my type writer are therefore removable singly, consequently, &
damaged one can be easily and economically replaced, or the operator can exchange
the fount at will, by simply providing himself with the desired fount, emptying
the turret and putting in the new fount in the proper way, which is described at
length hereafter
Thus, any change of fount, from upper to lower case, Roman to Italic, Script
to Engrossing, Roman to Greek or Hebrew, music, or stenographic, is practicable,
without being at any charge beyond the cost of the additional fount, and the
time a short one at most-occupied in making the change in the turret
This ready exchange of founts is as practicable with the double-turret type-
writer illustrated in Fig 10, and described further on, as with the single-turret
type-writer now being described
G 18 a ring dial having the alphabet, numerals, with as many other characters
and signs as there are types in the turret, marked thereon
These signs are marked on the dial, preferably in the usual order, but the types
are arranged in the turret in an order always the reverse of that followed on the
dial This reversed sequence of the dial-signs and types, respectively, is a
distinguishing feature of my invention, and its bearing upon the utility of my
type-writer will be explained further on, when I explain the operation of the
instrument as a whole
I do not confine myself to the strictly alphabetical order of the index letters on
the ring dial, nor to putting the numerals in the order of their respective values
commencing with the lower one, inasmuch as they, as well as the other index signs,
may be placed in any order But, whatever order may be adopted for the dial,
the reverse order must be followed in the turret, and vice versa
Figure 1 represents the letters and numerals arranged on the dial in their usual
order
This does not interfere with rapidity of manipulation, inasmuch as the
motion of the operator's hand is a simple circular one through a smaller or larger
are round the axis of the driving pulley, instead of being one in various right lines

page_text: at various angles with each other, along and up or down a key-board And the
ratio of peripheral speed between pulley and turret is such, that the novice finds
his fingers exerting too much, rather than too little, energy The advantage, too,
of having the index signs, on the ring dial, in the normal and well-known order,
18 very great
The learner is spared the trouble of learning a new arrangement, no matter how
ingenious such a one might be in itself, or useful under certain circumstances, eg,
with the ordinary compositor's case He brings with him the knowledge of his
letters, and so forth, as he acquired it in his early school-days, and is at once ready
for immediate practice with my type-writer as such, the rotation of the familiar
signs before his eyes, in the old familiar order, being a useful guide to him in
stopping the type-turret at the right moment.
The interior edge of the ring, G, has notches, g, formed in it, opposite the centie
of each index sign thereon The sides, g, of these notches are all at the same
angle with the respective radu bisecting their angles, which are sufficiently obtuse
to facilitate the entrance of the nose, h³, of the index, and also its withdrawal, but
not to quite the same extent as its entrance, for the reason explained hereafter
The ring itself is carried by three brackets, g³, the index sign "A" being
conveniently in the centre nearest to the paper roller, ze, bisected by a diameter
of the ring, drawn at right angles to the axis of the paper drum
The
F1s the cover of the turret, fitted down close upon the periphery
bottom, do, and top, F, of the turret, pins, d³, and ports, de, compel the types to
advance and return in right and radial lines
sign,
An index, H, is fixed upon the cover, F, of the type-turret, over the type "A,"
and works in a plane conveniently above the dial ring It is pressed outwards
by a spring, h¹, so that the nose, h², will readily enter the notches, g, as it passes
them, thus facilitating the stoppage of the index opposite the desiderated
when the impulse given to the turret may have been rather too much, or rather
too little to cause the index to stop exactly opposite the centre of said sign
The index is not limited to being over the type "A" (although such a position 15
a convenient one) since with the number of types illustrated in the figures it
might be over Y," the type which is diametrically opposite to "A," and "A"
and "Y" being also the two signs on the ring dial under which their corresponding
types can be at one and the same moment, in consequence of the reversed order in
which they are relatively arranged.
16
The hollow spindle, a, bears upon the forked end, 2, of a lever, I, which has its
fulcrum at A stop, 64, 18 provided to limit the down stroke of this spindle The
other end, 23, enters the pillar E, where it is connected by the bell lever, J, with the
striker K
A spiral spring, *, is provided to return the lever, I, to its position of rest. Two
plates, k, project from the upper surface of the striker, through which, and at the
proper point to secure a due projection of striker in front of the nose of the bar, j
is passed a cross head, 1, which is received in the slot, 3, in the top of said bar 7'.
The slot, 3, 1s of sufficient depth to allow the nose of said bar, ¹, to make its full
stroke, without tending to lift the striker from off the bottom, d³
The striker, itself, is guided in its stroke by two guide plates, k², springing from
the face of the pillar E. The length of its stroke is limited by a stop, k³, passed
through a slot k
L is a bracket, in which works a bell crank lever l, having its fulcrum at l
One end connects with the inking and spacing mechanism, while the other end is
actuated by either, or both, the driving pulley A, and the spacing push, M
The former reaches said bell lever by an extension, 28, bearing, in its descent,
upon the roller, 1, and the push, by bearing upon the extension, l, which enters
the pillar B A slot, b³, and screw, b³, serve as a stop to the stroke of the push.
A spiral spring, m, on a pin,m², is provided for raising the push M to its normal
position

page_text: N is a connecting bar from the bell-crank lever 7 to the quadrant O working on
the pin o
P is a rocking bar, carrying the inking-pad p It is centred in the bracket p¹,
and actuated through the connecting bar p' by the quadrant OA spiral spring, p³,
resting against the bracket p' is provided, to expedite its return to its normal
position and to prevent it sticking The ink pad itself may be made of silk ribbon
wrapped round a light frame or plate, in which is formed a socket to embrace the
top of the rocking bar, P The ink pad is carried sufficiently close to the type
turret, to ink the particular type about to be struck as it is pushed, by the stroke
of the quadrant O, past the face, and out of the way, of said type
The quadrant also carries the pawl Q, and its spring q, bearing conveniently
against the pin of the connecting bar p³ The pawl engages into the rack R,
moving it one tooth to the left, at each stroke of the quidrant, and carrying the
paper along with it, so that the next type may strike at the propper distance from
the impression made by the preceeding one
The quadrant carries, on its under surface, a stop pin o¹, striking against
the front motion bar t, its heel o³, entering between two teeth of the rack,
thereby sufficing to move it for the proper distance to the left, even should the
pawl fail to perform its proper function, and also preventing the paper drum being
carried too far in its spacing travel by its own momentum S is the releasing lever
for disengaging the pawl from the rack, when the operator wishes to move the
paper drum to the right hand again, for a fresh line of matter It has its centre on
the pin 8, 8' being an extension producing a convenient thumb piece, 8³ is its
operating end, and a³, a small spiral return spring
In one
The paper drum, T, constructed of any material, having a suitably hard surface,
18 carried in bearings in two uprights t, t, springing from the bottom plate t¹, which
slides between the two motion bars t, t The paper clip, t, works in two centres
projecting from the ends of the drum, and is pressed to said paper drum by two
springs, to
The ends, to, of the clip are suitably shaped to receive the pressure of
these springs to advantage, and also to pass the bar, V, when necessary
end of the drum I produce a circular line of perforations, U, the distance between
each producing the distance between the lines of matter on the paper A pin, u,
with a tapered end, and carried by a spring bar, u¹, enters a perforation, U, in the
end plate of the paper-drum as the latter is revolved, from which it is forced by
slight tangential pressure brought to bear thereupon, only to enter the next per-
foration of the series, in which it presses with sufficient force to keep the drum
steady while the next line of matter is being worked off
Instead of, or in conjunction with, the mechanism for rotating the paper drum
for producing the spaces between the lines of type-written matter, described in the
preceeding paragraph, I may use the ratchet mechanism illustrated in plan in
Fig 1, partly so, in Fig 2, in front elevation, in Fig 4, and in side elevation
In Fig 10
X is a ratchet wheel mounted on the end of the paper drum Any desired pitch
can be given to this wheel, but for the purpose of my invention, I prefer that the
pitch given to it be equal to the smallest space it is probable that the operator may
require to separate the lines of his work With a ratchet wheel pitched in this
way, a wider spacing can always be secured as may be required by the varying
circumstances of the particular work my type-writer may be required to execute,
by simply turning the wheel more than one tooth after the completion of a line
The ratchet wheel is fitted with a stop-spring x It is conveniently actuated by
a rod, a¹, passing under the base of the type-writer, and riding on transverse
bars, a³, as the drum is moved from right to left and back again
The complementary members of this ratchet mechanism are the pawl, a³, the
pawl-lever, a, and a returning spring,
The warning bell, which is sounded just before the end of a line to prevent the
operator from running into the right-hand margin is shewn in Figs 3 and 4
Z 19

page_text: a pin, fixed at a proper distance from the end of the rack R. As the end of the
line is being reached, the nose of the pin pushes the clapper, z, back, and this
being carried by a vibrating rod, z', the bell, ³, is sounded
The bar, V, is carried by brackets v, v, and kept to its work by springs v³, v²
My type-writer is operated as follows
The inking pad, p, having been carefully charged with ink, and the proper fount,
or founts, placed in the type turret, the paper, of the proper width, and of any
length, is clipped by its top edge under the paper chip, t, care being taken to place
it squarely thereunder The paper drum is then rotated backwards until the
clip, t, has passed under the bar, V, up to a level which will leave a suitable
maigin at the top of the sheet, the bottom of which projects, behind, under the
drum The pressure of the bar, V, during the rotation of the drum, keeps the
paper smooth, during the operation of the machine, until there is no longer any
risk of it becoming wrinkled on running awry The drum is next adjusted between
the motion bars, to produce the proper left hand margin on the paper, and the
ratchet mechanism set to produce the proper distance between the lines Closing
his hand upon the driving pulley A, the operator rotates it until the index, H, is
over the dial sign-eg, "A"-of the character it is desired to produce upon the
paper The pulley is pressed down smartly, swinging the inking pad past the type
and inking its face, moving the paper drum one space to the left and producing
the impression
The pressure is then taken off the pulley, and the mechanism is
returned to a position of rest, by the various springs furnished for that purpose,
but the operator's hand need not be taken off the pulley Suppose the next
letter to be printed is "B" It has been already pointed out that the types in
the turret are arranged in the reverse order to that of the dial-signs
The type "B" is, therefore, to the left of the dial sign "A," and will be brought
in front of the striker, by rotating the turret until the index points to the
sign "B" If "C" be the next letter to be printed, the index must be brought
over the sign "C,” to bring the type "C" in front of the striker, and so on
throughout
The production of single letters is continued until a word is completed, when
the spacing push, M, is depressed, and the paper drum is moved to the left the
space of one tooth for each depression of said push accordingly, the type-actuating
mechanism remaining idle the while
Each impression is exposed to the full view of the operator, as the next one is
about to be made, and so on, until the end is reached, the whole having come into
letter by letter, and remained legibly visible, until, the weight of the paper
has bent it backwards over the paper drum
The type-writer described above is illustrated as fitted with a single turret,
capable of holding only one fount at a time.
Now my invention extends to the production of a double turret, capable of
receiving two founts, eg, upper and lower case, known outside the printing trade
as capitals and small letters.
This construction is illustrated in Fig 10
F 18 the cover, do the bottom, D¹ the concentric tube, E the supporting pillar,
and the bar to actuate the striker The pillar, E, and tube D', not only
impart steadiness to the rotation of the double turret, but also serve as a guide
to it, during its elevation or depression These parts are duplicates of those
illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the connection of the end of the bar, ¹, with the
two strikers K², K³, being, however, slightly modified; as hereafter explained.
With the exception of this modification, the internal arrangement of such turret
is that already described in detail.
The cross head,, corresponding to the pin, 7, of the single turret instrument, is
fixed in the end of the bar, ¹, the top striker K¹ having a notch, k³, on its under
face, and the bottom striker K, a similar one, 7 on its upper face, to receive it,
according to which striker, or in other words which fount, capitals or sınalls, 18,
to be used.
-

page_text: The plane in which either striker can propel a type being fixed, and passing
through the centre of either turret, according as to which may be in the type-
writing plane, I provide for the alternate elevation or depression of such turret, to
bring its type into the type writing plane, by the lever Y (to be actuated by the
hand of the operator), working on the fulcrum, y, and embracing the tube, D¹, by
its forked end, y, acting between the underside of the turret and a collar, d
A retaining bar, y³, is provided to receive and hold the outer end of the lever, Y,
when either capitals or smalls are being used in succession without a change
I do not confine myself to this lever mechanism, for raising or depressing the
above described type turret, inasmuch as it may be replaced by any other
equivalent such as an eccentric or cam mechanism
There is only one dial-ring to my double or multiple turret some of the spaces
containing two or more signs, according to the number of founts in the turret
The extra accomodation, afforded by the non-necessity of having two founts of
marks of punctuation and numerals, permits of the introduction of a number of
abbreviations, fractions, or mathematical signs, as may be desired
Figs 11 and 12 are, respectively, plan and elevation of the striker used in the
intermediate tiers of my multiple-turret type-writer, eg, one capable of holding
four founts with an increased number of abbreviations, signs and the like The
cross head, ³, engages in one of the notches, k³, according as to whether the striker
is being driven forward or backward An opening, k, is formed to allow the
cross-head passing through, to engage with either top or bottom striker
The strikers of the top and bottom tiers of a multiple-turret may be of the
construction illustrated in Figure 10, or that in Figs 11 and 12
The strikers of my double or multiple turrets may be kept in their respective
planes, by cross pins,, extending between the guide plates,, as shewn in Fig 10,
or the strikers and guide plates may be made with V edges
An extension of the raising and lowering device illustrated in Fig 10 is applied
to my multiple-turret to raise and lower the same, the number of notches in the
retaining bar, y³, or its equivalent, corresponding with the number of strikers in
the turret
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, in a type writer
1 The combination of slotted body, d¹, rear end, d', face, d³, and spring, ds,
producing one separate and removable type, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying figures, 8 and 9
2 The combination of bottom, d³, top F, and ports, de, in the periphery, the
whole producing a single type-turret, substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying figures 1, 2, and 5
8 The combination of bottom, d³, top, F, central disc, and two tiers of
ports, de, in the periphery, producing a double type turret, substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying figure 10
4 The combination of bottom d³, top F, two or more intermediate discs, the
like number increased by one of tiers of ports, de, producing a multiple type
turret, substantially as described
5 The combination of dial-ring with the contents of one or each tier of types
indicated thereon in reverse order, and the index, with a single or multiple type
turret, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings
6 Either construction of striker K³, K², with under notch k³, or upper notch k²,
according as to whether it is for the upper or lower tier in a duplex turret, or top
or bottom tier in a multiple turret, substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying figure 10.
7 The construction of striker for the intermediate tiers of my multiple turret
substantially as illustrated in figures 11 and 12 and described therewith.

page_text: 8 The combination of either construction of type-turret, as defined in my second,
third, or fourth claim, respectively, with pins, d³, and types, as the latter are defined
in my first claim, substantially as described with reference to figures 1, 2, 10, 11
and 12
9 The combination of either construction of striker, described with reference
to figures 1 and 2, or 10, or 11 and 12, with bell-lever J and pin or cross head
connecting therewith, substantially as described with reference to the said figures
10 The combination of the driving pulley A, capable of revolving the type-
turret D, hollow-spindle, a, pillar B, fork lever, I, returning spring, 2, bell
lever, J, cross-head, and one or more strikers, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying figures, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
11 The combination of bottom plate of turret, d³, hollow spindle, D¹, and
central supporting hollow column E, substantially as described with reference to
the accompanying figures, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
12 The combination of hollow spindle, D³, collar d' (or a mechanical equivalent
therefor), and the forked end of the lever Y (operated in a convenient way) for
lowering or raising a duplex or multiple turret, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying figure 10
13 The combination of driving pulley, A, having a reciprocating vertical motion
upon the column B, the bell crank lever, l, point of contact, ³, and connecting
bar N, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figure 6.
14 The combination of spacing push, M, bell-lever 1, its extension, returning
spring, m, or its equivalent, and connecting bai N, substantially as described
with reference to the accompanying figure 7
15 The combination of rocking bar P, swinging in a plane at right angles
with the plane in which the types are worked and carrying the inking pad
with bracket, p¹, bar, p³, and spring p³, operated by the connecting bar N
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures 3 and 4
'
'
16 The combination of the turret revolving and type-actuating pulley A, with
the spacing push M, around a common axis, both connecting with the inking and
spacing mechanism of my improved type writer, substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying figures 1, 2 and 3
17 The combination of rack, R, quadrant O, pawl Q, spring 9, lever S,
spring s³, and connecting bar N, capable of being operated by either pulley A, or
spacing push M, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings
18 The combination of my type turret D, revolving in a plane passing through
the axis of the exposed paper dium, with the rocking action of the inking pad
timed so as to be out of the printing line, and the co-ordinated lateral motion of
the drum, producing the visibility of the type-written matter so soon as produced,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying figures
19 The combination of the line spacing mechanism substantially as illustrated in
Figs 1, 2, 4, 10, and described in reference thereto, with any or all of the mechanismus
defined in the preceeding claims.
20 The warning-bell and its actuating mechanism, substantially as illustrated in
Figs 2 and 4, and described in reference thereto, in combination with any, or all,
of the mechanisms defined in the preceeding claims.
Dated this 27th day of May 1885
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, WC.
Agents for the Applicant.