IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE-WRITING MACHINES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John James Raggett, of Sycamore Road, Aston, near
Birmingham, Architectural Draughtsman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TYPE-WRITING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John James Raggett at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1880.
JOHN JAMES RAGGETT, of Sycamore Road, Aston, near Birmingham, Architectural
Draughtsman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE-WRITING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to a type-writing machine, in which the letters, numerals,
punctuation points, words, signs, or characters (and which to avoid repetition I
will call the types) are arranged in a row or rows round a wheel or portion of a
wheel, hereinafter termed the type wheel, with a slight space between them and
a slight projection from the face of the wheel. Each row may contain the same
letter but of a different style, and there can be a different colored inking pad for
each row if desired. The same letter in each row is brought into position by one
and the same device, termed a guiding plate and key, the row being determined by
an adjustable slide receiving hole in the inking pad, or by an arrangement for the
spindle of the type wheel to slide so as to bring the required row of letters over
the receiving hole. The first of these methods will require the spacing to be
adjusted every time a row is changed
When a machine is required to write two or more copies at the same time, it
must be fitted with two or more type wheels (with an inking pad to each) fixed on
the same spindle, with a sufficiently long receiving paper roller to hold two or more
sheets of paper.
The type wheel is fixed on a long spindle and rods, termed position rods, arranged
to work on the spindle or pivots at one end of the two side arms of a suitable
frame, which frame at the opposite end to the type wheel is hung on the universal
spindle, which enables it to oscillate or to work to and from the paper or other
material on which it is intended to write.
This oscillating frame is brought into a
neutral or non-working position again by a suitable spring.
Beneath the type wheel and resting on the paper (which is on the receiving
roller) is the inking pad, the top or ink side of which is made to fit a portion of the
type wheel on being pressed upon it; on this pad are fitted pieces of cloth or other
TDi 1071

page_text: suitable material to receive the ink; this pad is fixed on suitable centres or bearings.
In the centre and between the two cheeks of the pad is a receiving hole through
which the letter is inscribed on the paper or other material. This receiving hole
may be formed in an adjustable slide fitting to the inking pad and made to slide
to suit any row of letters on the type wheel.
The bringing of the letters or other types into position to pass through the
receiving hole to the paper beneath is effected by the said position rods and guiding
plates.
The position rods are attached to the type wheel; each rod acts at different times
as a working rod or as a stopping rod. The said rods extend in the same direction
as the spindle thereof, and are so fixed that by pressing on them the guiding
plates are caused to bring the wheel into position and hold it fast until the desired
letter or other character is inscribed. These rods may be arranged in various
ways on the type wheel; they may also be fitted to a toothed wheel which works
in a pinion connected with the type wheel; or the working rods can be fitted to
the toothed wheel, and the stopping rod to the type wheel, or these parts may be
otherwise suitably arranged.
The guiding plates are strips of metal, ivory, bone, hard wood, or other suitable
material working on the universal spindle or centre, and having a suitable back
spring; thoy are of sufficient length to work on the position rods. Each of these
plates differs slightly in shape at the end which works the position rods; they may
vary from a straight to a rectangular formation, one half being at opposite angles
to the other half for turning the wheel in an opposite direction. The lower angle
of the guiding plate first comes in contact with the position rod, which causes the
type wheel to turn until the stopping position rod comes also in contact with the
guiding plate, when the wheel is held fast and the letter is impressed.
Each of these guiding plates can be made to serve for two or more letters
according to the number of position rods.
Attached to the guiding plates are the keys, which may be circular or otherwise,
and are arranged in rows, each row being slightly raised above the row immediately
in front of it by means of plates extending from the guiding plates. Or these keya
can be attached to levers which will work the guiding plates.
Suitable springs may be attached to cranks on the type wheel to be worked
either by hand or foot by levers to assist the guiding plates in bringing the type
wheel into position, or to change the side of the type wheel.
Beneath the inking pad are the receiving and feeding paper rollers arranged
parallel with the spindle of the type wheel; these rollers are placed in a suitable
frame, and with the line spacer, paper rest, rack, and other parts form the paper
carriage.
The paper is worked on to the receiving roller and kept in position by other
rollers or wheels placed so as to work with the receiving roller; these rollers or
wheels can have india rubber bands or be coated with india rubber. When metal
or hard and unyielding types are used the receiving roller must be coated with
india rubber or other yielding material, so that when the type wheel strikes the
inking pad the pad presses the roller, and the coating of india rubber forces the
paper slightly to protrude into the receiving hole so as to receive the impression.
Where india rubber types are used the coating of india rubber on the receiving
roller, will not be necessary. India rubber can be used for printing on lithographic
stone or similar material, after which any number of copies can be taken in the
form of lithography.
Or instead of having a roller the paper may be arranged on a table with suitable
clips.
The paper carriage is made to travel on suitable traversing bars, or the con-
necting bars of the paper carriage can be used for this purpose. Anti-frictional
rollers may be employed for this carriage if desired.
For the letter spacing I have adopted the ordinary toothed pinion working in a
toothed rack as follows:-The toothed rack is fastened to the framework of the

page_text: rollers or paper carriage parallel with the receiving roller. The toothed wheel
which works the rack is fixed on bearings at a convenient distance from the frame-
work of the type wheel or spacer, having a ratchet wheel, combination break, and
arm with a pawl. The arm is attached to the framework of the type wheel or
spacer, which framework or spacer works the paper carriage by oscillation upon
touching the type keys. There may be a suitable back spring attached to work on
the ratchet wheel or rack to prevent the paper carriage moving of its own accord.
In machines where only one sign is required to be written by a depression of
ono key a separate spacer is not required, but only spacing keys. Instead of the
said spacer there must be a space on the type wheel between the types to allow it
to be depressed for spacing without inscribing a letter.
When whole words or syllables are required to be written by the depression of
one key a separate spacer must be provided. This spacer consists of a frame
placed on the samo spindle as the framework of the type wheel and guiding
plates, and having similar back springs; it extends forward sufficiently to be
attached to the arm of the ratchet wheel which works the traversing gear, and
extends the full width of the guiding plates, having a rod or bar passing beneath
the guiding plates on which each guiding plate works, and so regulates the
traversing gear.
This regulation can be effected either by means of a bar notched.to suit the
distance required to be moved or by guiding plates made with a projection
sufficient to regulate the space with a straight bar. After writing a line the paper
carriage is required to be pushed back to commence the next line. For this
purpose the rack must be disengaged from the toothed wheel, or the pawls must be
disengaged from the ratchet wheel, or the toothed wheel must be fixed loosely, or
othor suitable means for disengaging the carriage must be provided.
The same action which adjusts the carriage to commence the next line also
alters the line-spacer. This adjustment can be effected either by touching keys or
by pulling a cord.
I provide means for reversing the paper carriage for figures or arithmetical
calculations. For this purpose I use an extra rack for the pinion to work in placed
on the opposite side of the wheel to the other rack. The pinion is made to slido
axially to connect itself with the required rack, or the racks can be fitted to an
oscillating frame to effect this purpose.
I provide for bringing in the syllables exactly at the end of the line by a
regulator to be adjusted after the warning bell has rung. This warning bell is
arranged to ring at about a distance of twelve or fifteen spaces from the end of
the lino.
The aforesaid notched bar can have four or more regulating spaces to suit the
separate rows of letters on the type wheel, and made to revolve on a centre for
bringing the required row into position.
Instead of a rack and wheel for. the letter spacer a male and female screw may
be used for this purpose; or I may use yielding and fixed dogs; or an escapement
or other suitable devices.
The line spacer consists of a ratchet wheel, combination arm brake, and pawls.
The ratchet wheel is attached to the end of either the receiving or feeding roller,
and is worked by the arm and pawls. The arm is arranged to act as a brake or
holdfast to keep the wheel from turning while the paper is being written upon.
Upon this arm I fix either one or two pawls; when there are two one must be on
each side of the wheel, the said pawls working alternately on the ratchet wheel,
one while the arm is being worked down, and the other while it is returning.
This arrangement allows three separate distances for line spacing, as either of the
pawls can be disconnected; there can be either the short distance, the long distance,
or both the long and short distances.
The said arın is worked either by pressing a thumb plate or by pulling a cord by
hand or foot, and is caused to return by a spring.

page_text: There must be a back spring to keep the receiving roller from moving when
either of the pawls are disconnected.
When several rows of types are used, each of these rows can have a different
colored inking pad beneath so as to enable one to write in different colors, each
row of type corresponding as far as letters or other characters are concerned, but
differing in the style of the letter used. The same keys and guiding plates that work
the one row also work all the other rows. The desired row is determined by an
arrangement in the inking pad; or when only one colored pad is used it may
be determined by the type wheel, the latter being fitted with a sliding adjustable
spindle for the purpose of bringing the required row of letters into position; this
spindle has adjustable grooves worked in it in which a plate is fixed to keep the
wheel in position.
The guiding plates on pressing a key work one of the position rods and turn the
wheel until the other rod comes in contact with the guiding plate, when the second
action comes in force, and the letter is inscribed on the paper or other material on
which it is intended to write. In this case the characters on the one side of the
type-wheel will require to be placed in the exact positions to suit the guiding
plates, which are already regulated to suit the other side of the type wheel, unless
the position rods are of sufficient size to allow of filing for regulation.
According to another arrangement by which one key acts for two characters the
position rods are oblong in section and twisted to suit the guiding plates, that is
to say, twisted in such a manner that when the wheel is in position these rods will
have their narrow surface resting against the guiding plates; the oblong twisted
rods are convenient for regulating the opposite side of the type wheel, as they can
be so made as to allow of filing for regulation. These rods can either be straight
or slightly spiral.
The said guiding plates, to which are attached the keys, are arranged side by
side and made to work at one end by an up and down motion on the same centre
fulcrum or spindle as the framework of the upper portion of the machine.
In some cases I provide for bringing the whole space of the wheel into position
without any special means for changing the side of the wheel; this object is
accomplished by three or more working position rods placed in such a manner as
to formu teeth for the guiding plates to work in, in the manner in which teethed
wheels work in gear with each other.
The aforesaid bearing plates serve to divide the position rods when they are
required to be in different directions, or they can be applied simply for stability.
They consist of a thin plate into which the position rods are fixed, and act as
bearings for these rods, or they can be formed to serve as extra type wheels.
If found necessary spiral or other springs may be attached to the keys to
modify the abrupt pressure as the guiding plates come in contact with the position
rods.
With regard to the receiving, feeding, and spacing devices, the receiving roller
is that on which the paper rests and receives the impression; the feeding roller
works in conjunction with the said receiving roller and assists in working the
paper on to the same. The feeding roller or rollers may either be one roller or
may be divided into a series of short rollers or wheels.
The feeding rollers may have springs or other suitable appliances to keep them
close to the receiving roller.
I provide a device, termed the paper regulating stop, as follows:-This is a stop
fixed either on the traversing bars or in such a position that the carriage may
come in contact therewith; it may consist of a ring made to slide on the traversing
bar, and kept in position by a pin which shall fasten the ring to the traversing bar
and so stop the carriage at the required position to suit the size of the paper. I
provide a device for regulating the spaces for £ s. d. and yds., ft., and ins., which
may consist of a series of adjustable arms attached to a spindle, which arms stop
the paper carriage at the required position.

page_text: I provide the machine with a scale to denote the number of spaces traversed.
This scale has the spaces marked on it and is fixed in any suitable position.
The spacer by which each character is properly spaced is required only in
machines where the different sized letters are spaced according to their size, and
where there are words as well as letters to be written with the depression of one
key. This spacer consists of a rectangular frame with two arms, front and back,
hung at one end on its two arms on the universal fulcrum or spindle on which the
guiding plute and the framework of the upper portion of the machine work, and
brought against the back stop by a similar spring.
I provide a paper-guide, preferably consisting of a plate of thin metal, made to
guide the paper into the rollers, and also to support it when it is too long to be
supported by the rollers; it is fixed on the paper-carriage and works along with
the carriage supporting the end of the paper.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John James Raggett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
November 1880.
JOHN JAMES RAGGETT, of Sycamore Road, Aston, near Birmingham, Architectural
Draughtsman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN TYPE-WRITING MACHINES."
This Invention relates to a type-writing machine wherein the letters, numerals,
punctuations, points, words, signs, or characters (which to avoid repetition I will
call the types) are arranged in a row or rows around a wheel or portion of a wheel,
hereinafter termed the type-wheel. The said Invention comprises improvements in
the construction of the various parts of the said machine, as hereinafter specified.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 an end elevation of a type-writing machine constructed according to my
Invention.
Figure 3 is a front view of portions of the same detached.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter described.
A represents the type-wheel upon which the types are arranged, the said types
having a small space between them and projecting slightly from the face of tho
wheel, which is of sufficient width and circumference to receive them. These types
may be made of metal, wood, india-rubber, or any other suitable material, and can
be cut, cast, or placed on the rim or circumference of the type-wheel in the form of
a row or rows, or in the form of a screw or spiral, the characters most frequently
used being nearest the receiving hole in the inking pad, hereinafter described, when
the type wheel is in its normal position. When the types are made of unyielding
material they may be caused to yield by means of a suitable spring fitted either to
the type or to the type-wheel, or the receiving. roller, hereinafter described, may be
coated with a yielding substance. The said type-wheel A is mounted on a spindle
or pivot C either at its end, as shewn, or at its centre, or in any other suitable
position on the said pivot, which works in the two arms D, and which may extend
the full width between the said arms, or may consist of pivots attached to the
sides of the type wheel or wheels. C¹ represents a piece on the spindle C, upon
which a spring acts to return the type-wheel to its original position after
being depressed, or an india-rubber spring may be used for this purpose. B, B,
represent rods, termed position-rods, which extend in the same direction as the
spindle C, and serve for the guiding plates to work on to turn the type-
wheel A, and hold it in position until the desired character is inscribed. The said
rods may be made of metal, bone, ivory, hard wood, or similar materials of sufficient
length for the whole of the guiding plates I to work on, and may be formed in
one piece with the type-wheel and spindle C (or may be otherwise arranged for
working the said wheel), or attached separately in their respective positions
to the said wheel or other device. The said rods B are either formed in one length
and arranged parallel to the spindle C, as shown in Figure 1, or in two or more
lengths, as shewn in perspective in Figure 7, each length being in a different
position, that is to say, placed so as to suit the guiding plates I and being brought
into its normal position by a spring. The side arms D of the framework, which
may be straight or of any other suitable form, are united by rods E when the
position rods are attached to the type-wheel, or the said framework or frame may
be made in one piece, and of metal, ivory, bone, hard wood, or other suitable
material. It is hung at one end aud oscillates upon the spindle F, and the type
wheel spindle A is hung on its shaft or pivots at the opposite end of this frame,
and moves to and from the inking pad with the frame as the keys are depressed in
the following manner, that is to say:-Each key when depressed forces its guiding

page_text: plate I upon the position-rods B, thereby first bringing the wheel into such a
position that the type on the same, corresponding with the character on the key j
of the said guiding plate is above the receiving hole in the inking pad; the said
plate then presses on both rods B with sufficient force to cause the frame-work D
to work on its fulcrum F with the guiding plate until the character on the type-
wheel is caused to pass through the receiving hole M into contact with the paper
or other material, and the impression is effected. The key is then released, and tho
framework is returned to its normal position by a spring K. which forces it up and
holds it against a back stop H, which also serves as a back-stop for the guiding
plates I, until the said framework is again worked by the depression of the same
or another key. The spindle F is supported in suitable bearings G, which may bo
extended to form a frame-work for any covering to the machine or for supporting
other parts. These guiding plates, to which the keys J are attached, consist of
strips of metal, ivory, bone, hard wood, or other suitable material arranged side by
side the said plates work on the same spindle or centre F as the framework of the
upper portion of the machine, or any other suitable fulcrum to suit the location of
the position-rods. The said guiding plates are of sufficient length to work on the
position-rods B, and their ends, which come in contact with the latter, differ
slightly in shape according to the position of the corresponding type on the type
wheel; they may vary from a straight to a rectangular formation. One half of
their number is at opposite angles to the other half for turning the type-wheel A
in opposite directions. The greater the angle of the guiding plate the further the
type-wheel will be turned on its axis.
In Figure 2a I have shewn in side elevation one of the said guiding plates
arranged in combination with the type-wheel and the position-rods B. Each of
the said plates is provided with what I term a working surface I' and a stopping
surface 12. The said working surface is the lower surface or angle of the guiding
plate, as shewn, and first touches or comes in contact with what I term the working
position-rod B, and causes the wheel A to turn until the stopping position-rod B
comes in contact with the stopping surface 12 of the guiding plate, as shewn in
dotted lines in the same Figure, and the wheel is held fast in this position until
the character is depressed and inscribed upon the paper or other material and
pressure is removed from the key, when the guiding plate is forced back to its
original position by the spring k, as above described.
In some cases I employ a separate device consisting of springs attached to cranks
on the type-wheel, to be worked by hand or foot by levers, to assist the plates I in
bringing the said wheel into position or to reverse or turn the type-wheel on
its axis.
When the guiding plates I are required to turn a type-wheel having characters
upon its entire circumference, so as to bring any one of such characters into, use
without using the springs above referred to for turning the wheel, and when both
of the rods B are attached to the type wheel A, the working surface of the gui
guiding
plates will be formed with teeth or notches, which will work, the position-rods
arranged in a similar manner to those shewn in side view in Figures 20 and 25,
and the stopping end of the said guiding plates will be so inclined as to come in
contact with the stopping position-rod to bring the character which it represents
into the required position to be inscribed in the paper.
The keys J, which are attached to the guiding plates or to levers for operating
such guiding plates, may be circular in form or of any other desirable shape, and
have inscribed on them the character or characters they are intended to represent;
they are arranged in rows on the top of the guiding plates I, each tow being
slightly raised above the row immediately in front of it by means of plates or
strips extending from and attached to the said guiding plates. If found necessary
spiral or other springs may be attached to the keys to modify the abrupt pressure
or jar as the guiding plates come in contact with the position-rods. Or these keys
can be attached to levers which will work the guiding plates, as hereinafter
described with reference to Figures 31 to 35.

page_text: Beneath the type-wheel A is the hollow inking pad L resting on the receiving
roller O, and connected by an arm N to the spindle F or other suitable bearing.
This pad is of such a shape on its upper or inking side as to fit a portion of the
circumference of the type-wheel when pressed upon it. This pad has fitted upon it
pieces of silk, cloth, or other suitable material to receive the ink, and is provided
at its centre with a receiving hole at M, through which the letter or character
passes and is inscribed on the paper or other material beneath. Where there are
more than one row of types on the type-wheel, this inking pad is fitted with an
adjustable slide which has a receiving hole, and which when fixed will permit the
required type, but no other, to pass through this hole. The pad may moreover be
fitted with inking ribbons of various colors which may be movable, or there may
be a differently colored pad under each row of letters. Or the inking may be effected
by rollers which rotate with the type-wheel or by any other suitable device.
Beneath the inking pad L are the paper-receiving roller O on which the paper or
other material rests and receives the impression, and the paper-feeding roller,
rollers, or wheels P and Q, which are caused to work in conjunction with the
roller O, either by friction or toothed gearing, and assist in working the paper over
the same.
The pivots of these rollers are placed in a suitable frame, and with the
line-spacer, paper-rest, rack, and other parts hereinafter described, constitute the
paper-carriage. The paper-feeding rollers may be extended longitudinally, as
shewn in Figure 1, when the machine is to be used for writing upon post cards
and the like, the said rollers Q being supported on an arm R. S represents an
elastic or other suitable band passing around the rollers P, Q.
The rollers O, P, and Q, which if desired may be coated with india-rubber, are
mounted on the framework T, within which are the connecting rods and traversing
bars U. The traversing bars may be unattached to the paper-carriage, as in Figure 4
and Figures 34 and 35. When metal or hard and unyielding types are used the
receiving roller O must be coated with india-rubber or other yielding material, as
above described, so that when the type wheel strikes the pad L the latter will
press upon the roller, and the coating of india-rubber will cause the paper to
protrude slightly into the receiving hole M to receive the impression. The roller P
may consist of a single roller, or may be divided into a series of short rolls or
wheels, and may be made of metal, ivory, bone, hard wood, or other material, and
pressed into closed contact with the receiving roller by springs when desired.
When india-rubber types are used the coating of india-rubber on the receiving
roller will be unnecessary. These india-rubber types may be used for printing on
lithographic stone, zinc, or similar material, from which any number of copies may
be taken as in ordinary lithography. Or instead of employing a receiving roller ○
the paper or other material may be arranged upon a table, and held thereon by
suitable clips. The paper-carriage is caused to travel on the traversing rods, and is
preferably provided with anti-friction or traversing rollers, or the lower connecting
rods U of the paper carriage may serve for this purpose, and the carriage arranged
to slide upon the same.
To effect the letter-spacing I adopt an ordinary toothed pinion working in a rack
as follows, that is to say:-The toothed rack d is fastened to the framework T of the
rollers O, P, Q, and parallel with them. The toothed wheel j, which works in the
rack d, is fitted upon the shaft h, fixed in bearings i at a convenient distance from
the framework of the type-wheel or the spacer. The said shaft h has also fixed
upon it the brake wheel o, the ratchet wheel p designed to move the paper-carriage
to the extent of one letter or character, and the ratchet-wheel q having very
small teeth for regulating the spaces. In combination with the brake wheel o
I arrange an arm m combined with a similar armı m¹ by connecting rods k. The
arm m passes partly around the brake wheel o, which may have triangular teeth
for a tooth or stop on the arm to fit into to hold the wheel fast when not in
action, and prevent its movement when not required. The arm m carries pawls r,
which engage the ratchet-wheels p, q; either of these pawls may be disconnected,
and as the said arm is caused to oscillate upon its shaft or pivot n by the upward
+

page_text: and downward motion of the framework or spacer the said wheels are rotated,
and motion is imparted through the wheel j to the rack d, and consequently to
the paper-carriage. In some cases I employ a lock-spring to prevent the ratchet-
wheels moving in the wrong direction; when the end of a line of writing is reached,
the framework is brought back to commence the next line, preferably by discon-
necting the rack from the toothed wheel j. This object may be effected by hanging
the rack on pivots, so that by touching a key the said rack will be turned to such
an extent as to clear it from engagement with the said wheel, thus enabling the
framework to be pushed back. Or any suitable device may be employed to
disengage the said rack from the toothed wheel. Or the wheel j may be fitted
loosely on its shaft or spindle h in a similar manner to the minute hand of a clock,
but sufficiently tight to work the rack, whilst at the same time permitting the
framework to be pushed or drawn back without any disconnection of the parts.
Or the pawls may be disengaged from the wheels p, q, either by depressing a key
or lever or by pulling a cord or connection, or a spring may be so arranged that it
will force the framework back immediately the pawls rare disengaged.
In order to reverse the paper-carriage for figures or arithmetical calculations,
I use an extra rack d' for the pinion j to work in, the said rack being placed on the
opposite side of the wheel to the rack d, and the wheel j so arranged as to be
capable of vertical adjustment; or the the said wheel may be arranged to slide
upon its axis h, so that it may be disengaged from the letter-rack and engaged with
the numeral or figure rack, or vice versa, as desired. Or the two racks may be
fitted upon a frame e arranged to oscillate upon a pivot, so that either rack may be
swung into gear with the wheel j, as desired. Or the traversing may be effected
by means of a male and a female screw, one fixed in connection with the roller
frame, and the other fixed on bearings at a convenient distance from the framework
of the upper portion of the machine, and having a ratchet wheel at the end which is
worked by the manipulation of the framework of the upper portion of the machine;
when the end of the line is reached, the framework is pushed back to commence
the next line either by turning the screw in an opposite direction, or by turning a
toothed wheel attached to the said screw, or by working a segmental rack-lever,
which rack works in a small toothed wheel attached to the screw; or the frame-
work may be returned by touching a key which disconnects the male from the
female screw and also turns the rollers, so that when the carriage is pushed back
the paper
is in the required position to commence the next line. The same action
which adjusts the carriage to commence the next line also alters the line-spacer in
each of the devices or arrangements above described. In combination with the
travelling paper-carrier I employ a bell, which is struck or rung about 12 or 15
spaces before the end of the line is reached by a spring-lever hammer or other
suitable device, against which the paper-carriage or a projection thereon abuts in its
endwise movement.
8
In order to ensure the ending of syllables or words exactly at the end of a line,
I employ a regulator to be adjusted after the warning bell has rung. This
regulator is shewn at w, and is arranged to slide upon the spacing frame & which is
pivotted at t, and which is depressed or caused to oscillate upon the said pivot each
time one of the keys J is depressed; by shifting or sliding the said regulator w
upon the frames the extent of motion imparted to the arm m, and through the
pawls and wheels p, q, to the wheel j and rack d, may be varied so that the space
between the letters inay be increased or decreased as desired.
I will now proceed to describe the line-spacer, which is designed to turn the roller
sufficiently to move the paper the proper distance to make the desired space
between each two lines of writing. For this purpose I employ a ratchet-wheel V2
and a spring arm or lever V which is provided with pawls W and X, and with a
thumb-plate Z; V₁ represents a brake-wheel provided with triangular notches into
which a stop Y on the arm or lever V is arranged to fit. The ratchet-wheel V2 is
attached to the end of the receiving roller O or to the feeding roller P, and serves
as direct means for imparting motion to the paper. Part of this lever or arm V is

page_text: made of such a shape as to pass partly round the end of the roller O or brake-
wheel V, and a spring serves to keep this portion of the lever firmly against the
said roller or the said brake-wheel, so that it acts as a brake or holdfast while the
paper upon the said roller is being written upon. The pawls W and X are
arranged upon opposite sides of the wheel V2, and work alternately upon the same,
one working on one side of the wheel during the downward movement of the
lever V, and the other on the opposite side of the wheel during the return or
upward motion of the said arm or lever. Either of the said pawls can be dis-
connected from the wheel V2, so that the receiving roller O may be worked three
separate distances for line-spacing. The least or short distance or movement of
the roller will be effected when the pawl W is disengaged from the ratchet-
wheel V2, the medium, distance when the pawl X is disengaged, and the longest or
greatest distance will be effected when both pawls are utilized; or instead of
disconnecting the pawls there may be a regulator-pin, which may be placed in any
one of a series of holes in the frame T to regulate the downward movement of
the arm or lever V. The said arm or lever is worked either by pressing upon the
thumb-plate Z placed on one of its ends, or arranged in any other suitable position,
or by pulling a cord attached to it and worked either by hand or foot, the said lever
being returned to its normal position by a spring. This thumb-plate may be so
arranged that the same movement which works it will also disconnect the traversing
gear; a suitable lock-spring is employed to prevent the moving of the roller
when either of the pawls W, X, is disengaged from the ratchet-wheel V2.
In machines in which differently sized letters or characters are used, and in which
it is desired to space each character according to its size, and where logotypes are
used, that is to say, where there are words as well as letters or characters to be
written by the depression of one key, I employ a regulating plate attached.to
the spacing frame 8, oscillating on the spindle t, and brought to its normal position
by a suitable spring. The regulation or spacing is in the proportion to the distance
which the spacer is worked up and down, and is effected by the action of the
.projections I* of the guiding plates I on the regulating bar v above which the
said guiding plates I work. The spacing frame s acts upon the connecting bar 7 of
the traversing gear of the paper-carriage, and spacing keys x are connected by arms
to the spindle t, and rest upon the connecting bar u of the said spacing frame, and
when depressed effect the spacing between the words.
This spacing may be effected by the employment of a bar, which is pivotted and
provided with arms, teeth, or projections of varying lengths, so that on being turned
the desired arm or projection may be brought into position for the guiding bars I to
work upon it when a different row of characters is to be used.
a represents a paper-guide, preferably consisting of a plate of thin metal,
arranged to guide the paper to the rollers O, P, and also to support it when it is
too long to be supported by the rollers; this guide is fixed on the paper-carriage
and travels end wise with the same. Or instead of employing the guide-plate a, I
sometimes uses a series of small bars of metal or other material. When the
machine is to be utilized for writing on post-cards, and the like, as well as on
sheets, I sometimes employ two guide-plates, one arranged as at a on one side of
the roller O for the sheets, and the other on the opposite side of the said roller for
the post cards.
.
I provide a device termed a paper regulating stop. This stop is fixed either on
the traversing bar, or in such a position that the carriage may come in contact
therewith; it may consist of a ring made to slide on the traversing bar, and
kept in position upon the same by a pin, and so arranged as to stop the paper-carriage
at the required position to suit the size of the paper. I also provide a device for
regulating the spaces for £ s. d., and yds., ft., and ins. This device may consist of
an adjustable stop, as shewn in side view in Figure 46, or of a series of adjustable
arms attached to a spindle, which arms stop the paper carriage in the required
position.
I also provide the machine with a scale to denote the number of spaces. This

page_text: scale has the spaces marked on it, and is fixed either on the stand of the machine
with an index-point fixed to the paper-carriage, or the scale may be fixed on the
said carringe close to the roller O, or in any other suitable position.
y represents a rest for holding the document or matter to be copied; and z is a
knife for cutting off the paper when desired.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form of my improved machine;
and
Figure 5 is a plan of the same with the paper-carriage and the adjacent parts
removed.
Figure 6 is a plan of the said paper-carriage detached.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in these Figures as in those
hereinbefore described.
In machines where only one type or sign is required to be written by the
depression of one key the wheel A will only require to be of sufficient width to
receive one type or character, as shewn in front view in Figure 9, and of sufficient
circumference, as shewn in side view Figure 8, to receive the alphabet, numerals,
and punctuation points, or other characters. In such machines a spacing franie
similar to that shewn at s is not required, but spacing keys are provided, as shewn
at x in Figures 4 and 5, and there must be a space on the type-wheel, as shewn
at A* in Figure 8, to allow it to to be depressed against the inking pad without
inscribing a letter or character on the paper or other material.
The spacing however may be effected by a simple connection with the arm m of
the ratchet-wheel which works the paper-carriage through the wheel j. When
one or more whole words or syllables are required to be written by the depression
of a single key a separate spacer must be provided, and I employ a wheel, such as
shown in front view in Figure 10, of sufficient width to contain the longest of the
required words, and of sufficient circumference to contain two or more of such
words in addition to the letters of the alphabet, numerals; and other characters.
Figures 11 and 12 are side views shewing type-wheels consisting of a portion or
portions of a circle. The portion shewn in Figure 11 is used on the underside,
and that shewn in Figure 12 either on the under or upper side. Figure 13 is a
front view shewing a type wheel having several rows of types; each of said rows
may have a different coloured inking pad, as above described, arranged beneath it
so as to enable the writing to be effected in different colors. By this contrivance
one guiding plate and key may serve for three or more letters, or each row of type
may correspond as far as letters or other characters are concerned, but differ in the
style of the letters used. The same keys and guiding plates that work one row
also work all the other rows. The action of the desired row is determined by an
arrangement in the inking pad; or when only one colored pad is used it may be
determined by an arrangement on the type-wheel which is fitted with a sliding
adjustable spindle, as shewn in front view in Figure 14, for the purpose of bringing
the required row of letters into position. This adjustable spindle has grooves in it,
as shewn; with either of these grooves a plate is arranged to engage to keep the
wheel in position. When the types are placed on the wheel in the form of a spiral,
as above described, a corresponding spiral is formed in the spindle of the type
wheel to allow the types to be brought into position over the receiving hole. The
type-wheel A may be made hollow to ensure lightness, or may be perforated to
any extent for this purpose as desired.
When a machine is required to write two or more copies of ordinary type-
writing I employ two or more type-wheels with one inking pad to each wheel,
but each additional copy necessitates a longer paper roller, frame, and connections.
The type-wheel is provided with means to enable it to be removed and replaced
when worn or injured.
Figure 15 is a side view of a type-wheel shewing the position-rods arranged on
opposite sides of and parallel with the spindle of the said wheel. By this arrange-
ment one set of guiding plates is caused to work both sides of the type-wheel,
that is to say, each guiding plate works two characters, one on the underside

page_text: and the other on the upper side of the wheel. In this case the characters on the
one side of the type-wheel will require to be placed in the exact positions to suit
the guiding plates which are already regulated to suit the other side of the type-
wheel, unless the position rods are of sufficient size to allow of filing for regulation.
In some cases I provide the type-wheel with a series of holes, or with a series of
angular teeth in a part of its periphery of less diameter than that carrying the
types, and upon the inking pad I arrange a pin or projection so that when the type-
wheel is depressed it will enter one of the said holes or pass between the teeth
in the same, and ensure the wheel being brought exactly into position to inscribe
the character and counteract any looseness or backlash which may occur when the
position-rods are placed on a wheel other than the type-wheel, or on any other
device. When whole words are placed on the wheel and one key is required to
work two of such words, one on each side of the wheel, that is to say, one on the
upper half of its circumference and one on the lower half, the two words must have
the same number of letters in order to permit the proper spacing, or the variable
letter spacing device above referred to must be adjusted to suit the opposite side
of the wheel.
Figure 16 is a side view illustrating another arrangement by which one key acts
for two characters. For this purpose the position-rods are made oblong in section
and twisted to suit the guiding plates, that is to say, they are twisted in such a
manner that when the wheel is in position these rods will have their narrow
surface resting against the guiding plates.
The oblong twisted rods are convenient for regulating the opposite side of the
type-wheel, as they can be made of sufficient depth in cross section to allow of
filing for regulation. These rods may either be straight or slightly spiral in form.
The latter form will enable the wheel to be turned further round without employing
a spring to assist in bringing the type-wheel to its approximate position for
inscribing the desired character.
Figure 17 is a side view of a type-wheel with four position-rods, two on each
side of its centre. In regulating the guiding plates for these rods they are filed in
different directions for the opposite position-rods.
Figures 18 and 19 are side and front elevations of a type-wheel with the position-
rods combined therewith in two lengths and placed in cross section at right angles or
nearly so to each other. This is a convenient form when more than one half of
the wheel is required to be brought into position without using the spring for
bringing the type-wheel to its approximate position for printing. D* in Figure 19,
and also in Figure 7, represents a bearing plate to divide the position-rods
when they are required to be in different directions, or applied to ensure greater
stability. This bearing plate consists of a thin plate, into which the position rods
are fixed, and provides bearings for these rods, or the said bearing plate may be so
formed as to serve as a type-wheel.
Figures 21 and 22 are side and front elevations of a type-wheel and position-
rods, the working position-rod being nearer the centre than the stopping position-
rod. These rods are formed in two lengths, as the working rod requires to be in
an opposite position for working the wheel the opposite way.. This arrangement
reduces the thrust of the guiding plates while bringing the required letter or
character into position.
Figures 23 and 24 are side and front elevations shewing an arrangement forming
a combination of the arrangements shewn in Figures 18 and 19 and Figures 21
and 22, for reducing the thrust of the guiding plate, and also turning the wheel
more than half round without bringing the aforesaid spring into use.
Figure 25 is a side view showing an arrangement by which the whole space of
the type-wheel may be brought into position without any special means for
changing the side of the wheel. This object is accomplished by three or more
working position-rods placed in such a manner as to form teeth for the working of
the guiding plates in a similar manner to that in which toothed wheels mesh or
gear with each other.

page_text: Figure 26 is an elevation and Figure 27 a plan shewing a method of operating
the type-wheel when the position-rods are placed in connection with a toothed
wheel which works a smaller toothed wheel attached to the said type-wheel, as
hereinbefore described. This method reduces the actual working of the position-
rods, and allows the guiding plates to be less angular than when the position-rods
are placed on the type-wheel, besides enabling the type-wheel to be turned entirely
around without the employment of the special appliance for changing its sides.
Figure 28 is a side view shewing the working position-rod placed on the toothed
wheel, and the stopping position rod placed on or in connection with the type-
wheel. This type-wheel will therefore be held more firmly than in the arrange-
ment described with reference to Figures 26, and 27.
Figure 29 is a side view of a type-wheel having three position-rods placed equi-
distant from its centre and from each other, thus forming a triangle. One guiding
plate can thus be made to serve for three letters or characters, that is to say, one on
each side of the triangle, the aforesaid separate device being used for bringing the
desired side into position.
Figure 30 is a side view of a type-wheel having four position-rods, by which one
key can be made to serve for four letters, that is to say, one on each side of the
square, each side being brought into position by the aforesaid separate device for
the purpose.
Figures 31 to 33 are side elevations shewing the keys J placed on levers J¹, the
said levers being connected to the guiding plates by rods J2.
Figure 32 shews the position rods B fixed in a rotary frame working on its pivots
in the framework or levers D, motion being communicated to the type-wheel A by
means of rods B¹ and cranks A¹.
Figure 33 shews the position-rods fixed to a toothed wheel or sector A³ pivotted
on a suitable frame, motion being communicated to the type-wheel A. by the said
wheel or sector A3 gearing with the toothed wheel A, in combination with
cranks A¹ and connecting rods B¹.
Figures 34 and 35 shew a plan and section of a machine, having the position-
rods fixed in a rotary frame beneath the type-wheel frame or levers D, motion
being communicated to the type wheel by means of two sets of rods B¹ and
cranks A¹
'
The spacing frame S' is shewn fitted on the same fulcrum or spindle t¹ as the
levers J, having the spacing bar v³ running under the whole of the levers, which bar
may be provided with four or more working surfaces for regulation, as above
described; or the fulcrum of the spacing frame may be at the opposite end to the
fulcrum of the key levers, with a flat plate or a series of bars or projections on the
key lever to work on. The spacing frame is connected by a rod s² to the traversing
mechanism.
When the guiding plates and position-rods alone are not adapted to turn the
type-wheel, so as to bring all of its characters into position without reversing or
changing the side of the type-wheel, special means are employed for bringing such
type-wheel into its normal position. For this purpose I use, as illustrated in end
view in Figure 36, a spring formed of any suitable material; I may employ one,
two, three, or more of these springs as desired; the greater the number employed
the less the wheel will require working by the guiding plates. Each of these
springs when drawn tight works a separate crank, and so brings a separate portion
of the type wheel into position. These springs may either be connected by a cord
to pedals to be worked by the foot, as in Figure 36, or they may be worked by
hand by means of levers (as shewn in side elevation in Figure 37) attached beneath
the framework of the upper portion of the machine or to the table of the same, or
in any other suitable position.
Or a square end, or an end with as many sides as the type-wheel has nominal
positions or sets of type, may be fixed on the end of the type-wheel-spindle,
and a metal spring may be fixed so as to work on one of these sides at one
time, as shewn in side view in Figure 38, and the means for bringing the sides into
'

page_text: position will be the same as when an india rubber spring, as shewn in side view
in Figure 39, is used.
Figure 40 is a side view, shewing an arrangement by which the receiving
roller alone is made to hold the paper. For this purpose the said roller is
provided with a slit or groove to receive one end of the paper, or has a suitable
clip or holdfast to clamp the same. By turning the roller at the end of each line
the paper will therefore be moved the required space for the cominencement of the
next line. This arrangement is more especially applicable for machines in which
only short lengths of paper are intended to be printed upon.
Figure 41 shews a side view of devices whereby the paper is drawn and kept
on the receiving roller by another roller placed parallel to and by the side of the
said receiving roller, the paper being drawn between them by friction.
Figure 42 is a side view of a modified arrangement of the parts shewn in
Figure 40.
In Figure 43, which is a side elevation, I have shewn an arrangement in which
the paper is drawn and kept on the receiving roller by one or more pairs of
grooved wheels at each end of the said roller. Around these wheels elastic bands
are placed, and touch and work on the receiving roller, so that when the paper is
placed against the rollers the elastic bands will draw it in to the required position
by friction.
Figure 44 is a side view of another arrangement in which the paper is fed onto
and kept upon the receiving roller by two small rollers or, wheels, one being
fixed at each end of the said roller O and in a line with the receiving hole in the
inking pad. This arrangement is especially applicable when printing or writing
upon cards or thick paper.
Or instead of employing rollers for feeding the paper and retaining it upon the
receiving rollers, it may be placed upon a flat surface or table, as above described,
and instead of turning the rollers when the end of a line is reached another set of
traversing gearing working at right angles to the first can be employed; or the
paper may be arranged upon a sector or curved surface (as shewn in side view in
Figure 45) which may be oscillated or turned upon its centre at the completion of
each line.
In some instances I may dispense with the position rods and guiding plates,
and provide suitable mechanism for adjusting or turning the type-wheel on its
axis to bring each type into the proper position before depressing the oscillating
frame or lever.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shewn how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it understood that
I claim,-
First. The type-wheel pivoted on an oscillating frame or lever, and having the
types placed in a row or rows upon its rim or circumference, in combination with
any suitable mechanism for bringing each type to a common printing point,
substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Second. The type-wheel journalled or pivoted in an oscillating frame or lever,
or equivalent device, in combination with position-rods and guiding plates for
working these rods to bring each type to a common printing point, so that it may
pass through the hole or aperture in the inking pad to the paper or other surface,
subtantially as above described.
Third. The inking pad shaped and arranged to fit a portion of the type-wheel,
and provided with a hole or aperture through which each type passes when the said
wheel is depressed, substantially as above set forth.
Fourth. The type-wheel journalled or pivoted in an oscillating frame or lever in
combination with keys fixed either upon the guiding plates or on levers for working
the same, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The type wheel pivoted to an oscillating frame or lever in combination
with the traversing carriage and mechanism for effecting the letter-spacing
substantially as herein described.

page_text: Sixth. The variable line-spacer consisting of the receiving and feeding rollers,
in combination with the arm, the ratchet-wheel, the brake-wheel at the end of
the receiving roller, the pawl, the extra regulation pin, and the thumb plate,
all combined and arranged substantially as shewn in the Drawings and operating as
set forth.
Seventh. The spacing frame and the regulating plate in combination with the
guiding plates and paper-carriage, and the mechanisin by which each letter or word
may be properly spaced according to the number of letters, as above set forth.
Eighth. The spacing frame and regulating slide in combination with the
connecting or regulating bar of the traversing gear, by which the letter-spaces
may be varied and the lines may be made to terminate evenly or at a uniform
distance from the edge of the sheet, as above described.
Niuth. The toothed wheel or pinion for working the rack or racks, the brake-
wheel, the ratchet wheel or wheels, and the arm passing partly round the said
brake-wheel, and acting as the brake in combination with the oscillating frame
or lever and the paper-carriage, whereby the spacing is effected and the carriage is
held firmly by the brake when in its normal position, all substantially as above
set forth and for the purpose specified.
Tenth. A type-writing machine, consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as in either of the forms or arrangements illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings, and operating in the manner and for the purposes
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John James Raggett, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
J. J. RAGGETT. (L.S.)