Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1886.
Complete Left, 12th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 8th Mar., 1887.
DON CLAN ALPINE THATCHER of 140 Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a type-writer which is intended to supersede the costly and
intricate printing machines or type-writers at present in use, and to simplify their
construction.
The improved type writer is composed as follows.
The paper carriage or receptacle consists of a flat pedestal or base of wood or other
substance slightly raised in the centre along its entire length in order to seize and
hold the paper more firmly.
The paper on which it is desired to print, is laid on this pedestal and over it is then
fixed a flat thin sheet of metal by means of screws, pins, or any other convenient and
practical mode of fastening. This metal sheet is open nearly down its entire length
and is turned up or grooved along its edges, in order to receive the type apparatus
which slides up and down. Also along either edge of this metal sheet (which when
fastened, holds the paper firmly in its place whilst allowing it to be moved as
required) is formed a series of teeth or notches to catch and guide the progress of the
type wheel hereinafter described.
The type wheel on its outer circumference carries the metal or other type, whilst on
its inner rim are arranged corresponding characters for the guidance of the operator.
The wheel is also notched or perforated at its extreme edge each notch or perforation
answering to the adjoining sign in the type.
The apparatus for holding the type wheel in position is arranged to move back-
wards and forwards freely over the paper carriage and consists of a flat base on
which is fixed an upright stanchion or support, and other contrivances. The stanchion
is partially open down the centre to allow the handle of the type wheel to be raised
and depressed at will. The type wheel is arranged to revolve on the stanchion and is

page_text: pressed down at each letter or character desired. With each depression a small
tooth enters one of the perforations, and denotes that the impression has been duly
made. The ink pad or receptacle is fixed at the top, or on one side of the stanchion.
A small piece of watch spring, or steel wire, fastened to the handle of the dial, and
also to the base of the stanchion after each depression causes the dial to spring into
position ready for the next movement of the operator. A small raised barrier or
ledge is also provided to keep the type wheel steady.
A guide handle catches in the teeth or notches as the type wheel is moved up and
down the paper and enables the operator to space and arrange the type.
DON CLAN ALPINE THATCHER.
By Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.
I, DON CLAN ALPINE THATCHER, of 140 Cromwell Road, South Kensington, in the
County of Middlesex, 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 :-
My invention relates to type writers of that class in which the types are mounted i
upon a wheel or disc adapted to be rotated to bring any desired type into proper
position for printing.
The chief object of the said invention is to provide a type-writer which is less
expensive than those heretofore constructed, and the dimensions of which are such
that it can he readily transported from place to place. To attain this object the said
invention comprises the improvements hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a plan of a type-writer constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section of the same, and,
Figure 3 is an end view, partly in section on the line a, a Figure 2.
a is the base of the type-writer, which may be composed of wood, metal or any
other desirable material and b is a plate hinged at d to the base a and forming with
the latter a clip or holder for the paper.

page_text: .
Along the centre of the base a is formed a rib e, which serves as a support for that
part of the paper which is being printed upon; and along the centre of the plate bis
formed a slot somewhat wider than the said rib, so that spaces are left between the
latter and the sides of the slot to afford room for the paper.
The rib e may be attached to or formed integral with the base a, as shown in the
drawing it is composed of a strip of metal attached to the base.
The paper is inserted by raising the plate band placing the sheet between the base
and the said plate, the latter is then closed down upon the sheet and secured by means
of a catchy operated by a knob h and engaging beneath the end of the rib
by any other suitable form of fastening device.
or
The paper when thus introduced is in the position indicated by the dotted line *
Figure 3, the portion of the sheet which is to be printed upon lying upon the rib e in
proximity to the lower side of the type-wheel.
is the type-wheel, which is mounted upon a carriage sliding in guides or
grooves k, one of which is formed in a strip * secured to the upwardly turned edge k
of the plate b, while the other is formed by bending the edge of the said plate
as shown.
The standard carrying the type wheel is preferably attached to the carriage by
ineans of a nut m, which bears upon the lower inwardly turned portion of the said
standard and clamps it against the carriage. The part is provided with a slot !¹¹,
as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, so that the standard and the type-wheel can be
readily removed from the carriage to enable the apparatus to be packed into the
smallest possible space.
The axis of the type wheel is provided with a handle for turning the said type
wheel to bring the different types into position for printing; and a vertical slot π is
formed in the standard 1, to allow the wheel to be depressed to bring the respective types
into contact with the paper. Collars o, o are secured to the axis of the type wheel, on
opposite sides of the standard 7, to prevent any lateral play of the said axis in the
slot n.
To raise the types away from the paper after each impression I provide a spring,
connected to the axis of the type-wheel and to a stud p. I prefer to use an india
rubber band p for this purpose, arranged as shewn.
The ink is applied to the types by means of a pad or roller 7 mounted upon a
stud secured to the standard 7, the spring p' normally holding one or other of the
types in contact with this roller, which rotates with the type-wheel. This roller also
prevents the said type-wheel from being drawn too far upwards by the said
spring.
In order to limit the downward movement of the type-wheel to prevent the types
being pressed too forcibly upon the paper, I arrange a screw in the standard
beneath the axis of the said wheel. This screw is provided with an excentric head, so
that by turning it in one or the other direction the downward movement of the type-
wheel can be regulated as desired.
To ensure the alignment of the successive letters or characters printed I form a hole
or depressions in the type-wheel opposite each type, and below the type-wheel, upon
the plate t affixed to the carriage, I place a tapering pin t¹adapted to fit the holes s.
When the type wheel is depressed this tapering pin enters one or other of the said
holes, according to the character to be printed, and turns the type wheel sufficiently to
bring the required type into alignment with the characters already printed. A hole t¹¹
is formed in the plate t to permit the types u to come into contact with the paper.
As shewn in the drawing the type wheel is in the form of a hollow cylinder, and
the types u are inserted from the interior through holes in the same, being held therein
by means of a ring v. The interior of this ring is marked with characters cor-
responding to the type adjacent to them, so that the operator may at once ascertain
the positions of the various types on the type-wheel.
Instead of securing the type as hereinbefore described they may be inserted and
secured from the exterior of the wheel in any desirable manner. Also instead of

page_text: making the type-wheel in the form of a hollow cylinder, it may be made solid and
have the types formed upon or secured to its periphery.
To effect the necessary spacing between the letters and words in a line I form a
series of teeth won the bar or strips k*, the distance between the adjacent teeth
corresponding to the spaces required for the letters. Secured to the carriage j is a
pawl, adapted to engage with the said teeth and provided with a knob y for lifting
it out of engagement therewith. Each time a character is printed the carriage is
moved so that the pawl engages with the next tooth to that with which it previously
engaged, thus ensuring the proper spacing between the letters. The spaces between
words are formed by moving the carriage a distance of say two teeth.
In order that the several lines of printing shall be of approximately the same
length, I attach a bell y' to the apparatus, which bell is struck by a hammer y" when
the carriage reaches a predetermined point. As shown the bell is mounted upon a
bolt, the head of which is adapted to slide in a groove y' formed in the base a to
enable the bell to be adjusted to suit different widths of paper.
The spacing between the lines is effected by drawing the paper forwards by hand,
and, to ensure that the lines are parallel, slots, are formed parallel with the rib e
through which slots à line previously printed can be seen.
In order to have a supply of ink for re-inking the roller y, I sometimes make the
handle hollow and provide the same with a cap, so that the said handle will contain
a small bottle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to he performed I declare that what I claim is :—
First. In a type writer, the combination, with a stationary paper-holder, of a type-
wheel or disc supported upon a movable carriage and adapted to be rotated and
depressed, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Second. The improved type-writer consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and operating
as, and for the purpose, set forth.
D. C. THATCHER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.