Improvements in and Attachments for Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Attachments for Type-writing Machines.
I, THOMAS MEREDITH of 13 New Inn, Strand in the County of Middlesex, Short-
hand Writer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide attachments for type-writing machines
which will enable a person using such machines to impress at once names of persons
and other frequently recurring words so that time may be saved and speed in writing
gained and also by which lines spaces or paragraphs may be numbered consecutively.
In carrying out my invention I attach to the one side of the machine a drum by
means of brackets or other suitable fastenings, parallel to and directly over one end of
the cylinder when such cylinder is in the position which it takes on the completion of
a line. The periphery of the drum is divided longitudinally into chambers or slot
which receive ordinary type held together by a tightening adjustment at one end of the
drun so that the type may be secured in their places. This attachment is hereinafter
called the "marginal drum." Keys are provided in such a manner that each slot has
its respective key and upon depressing each key the drum is revolved so that the slot
connected with each key is brought into position and further pressure upon the key
brings the type in that slot in contact with the cylinder, and causes an impression of
the type in such slot upon any paper or other material placed upon the cylinder.
This may be effected by depressing the marginal drum, or raising the main cylinder.
In use
Preferably the keys would work in a frame directly over the marginal drum.
after a line is printed by the main type wheel, and the cylinder has reached the end of
its travel, or on being brought into that position for the purpose the marginal drum
being then exactly over the margin of the paper is brought into play and the name or
word printed by the marginal drum will be at the conimencement of the next line
when the cylinder is brought into position for commencing a new line by the main
type wheel.
At the side of the attachment carrying the marginal drum I may also
attach any suitable consecutive numbering machine having its own key upon depressing
which automatically or by hand consecutive numbers will be printed when necessary.
When I desire to adapt my invention to printing words on a sheet of paper other-
wise than in or near the margin I arrange my slotted drum upon a bracket so that its
axis is parallel with that of the cylinder at a point nearly opposite the main type wheel.
It is operated in a manner similar to that described, and as at present worked out
each depression of a key actuates a lever which causes three motions :-(A) it causes
the cylinder to make a partial revolution in the direction of the drun; (B) it causes
the drum to rotate as before described so as to bring the particular word desired to be
imprinted into alignment with the matter being printed upon the paper upon the
cylinder; and (C) it presses the type against the alignment, and prints the word;
the parts assuming their normal position upon the key being released.
My attachments are intended more particularly for the type-writing machine knwon
as the "Mercury; but my invention is not limited to the improvement of that
particular machine.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON,
1, Furnival Street, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Attachments for Type-writing Machines.
I THOMAS MEREDITH of 13 New Inn Strand in the County of Middlesex Short-
hand Writer 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 object of my invention is to provide attachments for type-writing machines
which will enable a person using such machines to impress at once names of persons
and other frequently recurring words so that time may be saved and speed in
writing gained and also by which lines spaces or paragraphs may be numbered
consecutively.
In carrying out my invention I attach to the one side of the machine a drum by
means of brackets or other suitable fastenings, parallel to and directly over one end of
the roller when such roller is in the position which it takes on the completion of a line.
The periphery of the drum is divided longitudinally into chambers or slots which
receive ordinary type held together by a tightening adjustment at one end of the drum
so that the type may be secured in their places. This attachment is hereinafter called
the "marginal drum." Keys are provided in such a manner that each slot has its
respective key and upon depressing each key the drum is revolved so that the slot
connected with the said key is brought into position and further pressure of the key or
of a special pressure lever brings the type in that slot in contact with the cylinder and
causes an impression of the type in such slot upon any paper or other mat rial placed
upon the cylinder. This may be effected by depressing the "marginal drum" or
raising the main cylinder. Preferably the keys would work in a frame directly over
the "marginal drum." In use after a line is printed by the main type writer and the
cylinder has reached the end of its travel or on being brought into that position for
the purpose the marginal drum being then exactly over the margin of the paper is
brought into play and the name or word printed by the marginal drum will be at the
commencement of the next line when the cylinder is brought into position for com-
mencing a new line it being understood that the paper is moved forward one line
before the impression is made. At the side of the attachment carrying the marginal
drum or in its stead I may also attach a consecutive numbering machine having
its own key upon depressing which consecutive numbers will be printed when
necessary.
And in order that my invention may be the better understood I will proceed to
explain the same with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 represents end elevation of an apparatus constructed according to my
present invention for printing frequently recurring names or words in or near the
margin of a sheet of paper when being written or printed on by a type writing
machine.
Fig. 2 represents side elevation of same.
Same letters denote same parts in both figs.
66
a is the marginal drum" consisting in this case of a segment of a cylinder
having longitudinal slots therein to receive the type or types c c forming the
names or words desired to be impressed in or near the margin of the paper dis
the standard or frame for supporting the apparatus which standard may be made
sufficiently heavy to stand alongside a type-writing machine as shewn or it may
be formed with a clamping device for attaching it to the type writing machine
itself is the cylinder of the type writing machine.
The marginal drum a oscillates on a pin which pin is attached to a sliding
piece working in a slot in the standard d hij are keys for causing the
marginal drum to oscillate in one direction klm are keys for oscillating the
drum in the contrary direction, attached to the marginal drum" are arms
carrying pins h' i¹ j¹ k¹ l¹ m² to which the keys hijklm are connected.
The keys are arranged in two ranks one above the other the stems thereof being
nn'
"

page_text: cranked when required as shewn to engage with the pins ¹¹¹m. To give all
the keys approximately the same range of movement I cause the keys hk to
rotate the "marginal drum" to its extreme position and the keys jm bring the
types nearest the centre into position for printing. The springs p bring the
marginal drum" to its normal position after each impression, the motion of
the keys may be limited by the compression of the springs p or by suitable stops
is the inking ribbon. When it is desired to print a word or name in or near the
margin of a sheet of paper and when the cylinder is at the end of its motion to
the left that is at the end of a line and after the paper is moved forward and
before the carriage. is pushed back to the position for commencing a new line the
key corresponding to the name or word desired to be impressed is depressed to
the full amount of its travel relative to the rail or plate s bringing the required
naine or word into the position for printing and on still further depressing the
said key the marginal drum a is moved downwards and the name
impressed on the paper. In some cases I may use a special key or levert for
depressing the arm a as shewn. Instead of the inking ribbon r I may ink the
types by means of a pad or roller. The types may be ordinary type metal steel
india rubber or other suitable material either set up separately or the types forming
one word or name may be cast or otherwise formed in one piece. The types are
secured in their places by any suitable means a screw for example.
or word
Although have shown and described an apparatus specially applicable to a
type writing machine wherein the type levers and bars strike downwards I do not
confine my invention solely to such class of machines but by a suitable adjustment
of the parts it is applicable to other machines.
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
I. In apparatus used in connection with or attached to type writing machines
the use of a rotating cylinder or segment of a cylinder having type or types
disposed along the periphery thereof in combination with a means for rotating the
said cylinder or segment so as to bring any desired name or word into position
to be impressed or printed in or near the margin of the paper being typewritten
and a means of impressing the said type or types on the paper as and for the
purpose specified.
11. The improved apparatus substantially as described and shewn.