Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Aug., 189-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1891
Improvements in Type-writers.
I, JOHN JACKSON, of 1 Kerfield Crescent, Grove Lane, Denmark Hill, London
S.E., Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the construction of type
writers, my improvements rendering the same more simple, cheap, light and portable
than type writers of ordinary construction.
My invention consists of a base plate formed of wood and metal, or wholly of
metal, or of any other suitable materials. Upon this base plate secure a thin
slotted plate, in such a manner that a sheet of paper may be readily passed between
the two plates. A corrugated or other suitable roller is fitted, either in a recess in
the base plate, or above the same, for the purpose of causing the paper to travel
with regularity. The slot in the upper plate is made of sufficient width to receive
the type which is used in printing, with some margin to spare above and below the
letters and figures.
Upon the upper plate I mount a pivoted rod, which is capable of being placed
immediately over the slot in the upper plate. This rod is fitted with a spring
which raises it a short distance above the slot. It is also fitted with a thumb piece
or finger pallet for pressing the rod down over the slot. The rod is also notched,
the notches being placed at distances apart equal to the total width of ordinary
letters and spaces between the letters. The rod may be mounted in vertical slotted
brackets and with or without a spring or springs, so as to fall downwards by
gravitation.
I effect the printing by means of a segmental or circular stereotype plate or bar
fitted with a handle. The outer edge of this bar is formed with stereotype letters,
figures, and other suitable characters for printing: corresponding index letters
being marked on the inner surface. This curved stereotype plate is placed between
the longitudinal rod and the slotted plate. The inner edges of the stereotype plate
are serrated, the serrations being readily engaged in the notches of the rod over the
slot. On each side of the slot, blotting paper, or ink pads, are placed, which
absorb a suitable quantity of ink to last a considerable time.
When using the apparatus, the paper to be printed is placed between the plates.
The stereotype plate is then used with the right hand, by placing the particular
letter over the slot. The longitudinal rod is then depressed with the left hand,
whereby the stereotyped letter is caused to press upon the paper under the slot, and
thus leave a print of the letter. The longitudinal rod is then allowed to rise, and
the stereotype plate is also raised and moved one notch to the right, and the same
process is repeated until one line is printed. The paper is then shifted upwards by
the roller, ready for the next line of print. The stereotype plate falls upon the
pads and takes up ink between the operations.
In some cases 1 modifiy the construction of the guide rod, by using a flat bar
with slots and serrations, which guide the stereotype plate in a manner analogous to
that herein before described.
Dated 6th October 1
1000
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writers.
1, JOHN JACKSON, of 1 Kerfield Crescent, Grove Lane, Denmark Hill, in the
County of Surrey, 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:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the construction of type-
writers, my improvements rendering the same more simple, cheap, light and portable
than type-writers of ordinary construction.
My invention consists of a base plate formed of wood and metal, or wholly of
metal, or of any other suitable materials. Upon this base plate 1 secure a thin
slotted plate, in such a manner that a sheet of paper may be readily passed between
the two plates. A corrugated or other suitable roller is fitted, either in a recess in
the base plate, or above the same, for the purpose of causing the paper to travel
with regularity. The slot in the upper plate is made of sufficient width to receive
the type which is used in printing, with some margin to spare above and below the
letters and figures.
Upon the upper plate I mount a pivotted rod, which is capable of being placed
immediately over the slot in the upper plate. This rod is fitted with a spring which
raises it a short distance above the slot. It is also fitted with a thumb piece or
finger pallet for pressing the rod down over the slot. The rod is also notched, the
notches being placed at distances apart equal to the total width of ordinary ictters
and spaces between the letters. Or, the rod may be mounted in vertical slotted
brackets and with or without a spring or springs, so as to fall downwards by
gravitation.
:
I effect the printing by means of a segmental or circular stereotype plate or bar
fitted with a handle. The outer edge of this bar is formed with stereotype letters,
figures, and other suitable characters for printing corresponding index letters
being marked on the inner surface. This curved stereotype plate is placed between
the longitudinal rod and the slotted plate. The inner edges of the stereotype plate
are serrated; the serrations being readily engaged in the notches of the rod over the
slot. On each side of the slot, blotting paper, or ink pads are placed, which absorb
a suitable quantity of ink to last a considerable time.
When using the apparatus, the paper to be printed is placed between the plates.
The stereotype plate is then used with the right hand, by placing the particular
letter over the slot. The longitudinal rod is then depressed with the left hand,.
whereby the stereotyped letter is caused to press upon the paper under the slot,
and thus leave a print of the letter. The longitudinal rod is then allowed to rise,
and the stereotype plate is also raised and moved one notch to the right, and the
same process is repeated until one line is printed. The paper is then shifted
upwards by the roller, ready for the next line of print. The stereotype plate falls
upon the pads and takes up ink between the operations.
In some cases I modify the construction of the guide-rod, by using a flat bar
with slots and serrations, which guide the stereotype plate in a manner analogous
to that hereinbefore described.
In order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying the
same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
two explanatory sheets of drawings, in which the same reference-letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where shown.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed as herein before first
described and in which a circular stereotype bar is employed to effect the printing.
In this arrangement the metal base plate a is secured to a wooden block a¹ and
carries a thin slotted plate in such manner that a sheet of paper may be readily
passed between the plates a and b. Corrugated or other suitable rollers are

page_text: fitted either in recesses in the base plate a or above the same for the purpose of
causing the paper to travel with regularity in order to effect the alignment or line-
spacing of the document being operated upon. The slot e in the plate b is of
sufficient width to receive any one of the type fused in printing, with some
margin to spare above and below the letter or figure imprinted thereby. Upon
the upper plate a is mounted a rod d the cranked ends d' of which are pivoted to
the bed plate a so as to allow of the said rod d being placed immediately over the
slot c in the plate b. This rod d is fitted with a spring which raises it a short
distance above the slot. It is also fitted with a thumb piece or finger pallet d³ for
pressing the rod down over the slot and is also notched at d such notches being
placed at distances apart equal to the total width of ordinary letters and spaces
between the letters. Instead of pivoting the ends d' of the rod d the said rod
may be mounted in vertical slotted brackets and with or without a spring or
springs. The printing is effected by means of a segmental or circular stereotype
plate or bar fitted with a handle. The outer edge of this bar is formed with
stereotype letters figures, or other suitable characters, for printing; corresponding
index letters being marked on the inner surface of the bar. This curved stereo-
type plate passes between the longitudinal rod d and the slotted plate as shewn.
The inner edges of the stereotype plate fare serrated as at the serrations being
readily engaged by the notches of the rod d. On each side of the slot c blotting
paper or ink pads e are placed which absorb a suitable quantity of ink to last a
considerable time.
The
the plates a and b.
with the right hand by
The longitudinal rod d is
In use the paper to be printed is passed between
stereotype plate or bar is then used by its handle
placing the particular letter required over the slot c.
then depressed with the left hand whereby the stereotyped letter is caused to
press upon the paper under the slot and thus leave its impression thereon. The
rod d is then allowed to rise and the stereotype plate is also raised and moved
one notch to the right along the bar d and the same process repeated until one
line is printed. The paper is then shifted upwards by means of the rollers >',
ready to receive the next line of print. The stereotype plate falls upon the
pads e and takes up ink between the operations.
Figure 2 shews a plan view of the hereinbefore mentioned modification of my
invention, and Figures 3 and 4 shew respectively a front and side elevation of
the same.
This arrangement is similar to that shewn at Figure 1, but with the
notched bar and all connected thereto, and also the rollers removed, the
circular flat barfbeing in the form of a disc bearing the type upon its periphery
and being unattached to the rest of the apparatus. The reference-letters indicate
the parts which are marked with like reference-letters in the arrangement shewn
at Figure 1 so that their description need not be repeated. One or two rods lie
along the side or sides of the slot and take into the recesses between the
stereotype letters f¹ to ensure their printing in a line. In use the disc is held
by the handle by which it is manipulated to bring the required letter over the
slot c and is then depressed to impress that letter upon the paper.
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 1
claim is :-
(1) The formation and arrangement of flexible or hard letters which are
divided by gutters or grooves and fixed upon an independent.segmental or circular
plate or bar for the purposes and in the manner as herein specified.
(2) The construction of guide-rods or ribs which will fit into the gutters or
grooves formed each side of the letters for the purposes as herein specified and
described.
(3) The formation and construction of two strips of thin metal (or other
suitable substance) to guide-rods and the covering and utilization of the said
strips as an inking pad in the manner as herein described and specified.

page_text: (4) The formation and construction of the letters, the guide-rods, and the
inking pad, which are operated in combination as herein described and specified.
Dated this 6th day of August 1891.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.