Improvements in Typewriters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1898-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriters.
We, ARTHUR A. MORSE and CLARK W. THOMPSON, both of Lacrosse, in the
County of Lacrosse and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Gentle-
men, 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:
-
This invention relates to an improvement in type-writers, and it consists
First. In a spring-actuated endwise moving cylinder which has a continuous
turning movement as the type-bars are operated, combined with an escapement
mechanism which is operated by each one of the type-bars for permitting the
cylinder to partially turn, and thus form the space between the letters, and an
escapement which is operated by a spur on the end of the cylinder for forming
the spaces between the lines.
Second. A cylinder which has an endwise movement, a spring which is placed
therein to cause the cylinder to partially revolve each time that one of the type-
bars is operated, and a mechanism connected with the spring for rewinding the
spring as the cylinder is returned to its starting position.
Third. In the arrangement and combination of parts, as will be more fully
described hereinafter.
The object of this invention is to produce a continuous type-writing machine
in which the cylinder revolves continuously in the same direction while the keys
are being operated.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine which embodies this invention complete.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear end view.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken upon the line Y-Z of Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is a detail view taken on the line X-W of Fig. 10.
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the cylinder, showing the spring
placed therein.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the spacing mechanism taken on the
line U-V of Fig. 10.
Fig. 8 is an elevation of the clip for holding the paper, the clip being shown as
open.
Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the clip closed.
Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the mechanism connected to the rear end of
the cylinder.
Fig. 11 is a perspective of the end of the cylinder, showing the cutaway portion
for forming the alignment.
R¹ represents the frame of the machine which may be of any preferred shape,
size or construction that may be desired, and from the top edges of which rise
the standards R which form supports for the operating parts. In the front end
of this frame is arranged the key-board, in the usual manner, and connected to
each of the keys J is the usual operating key-bar j', which is pivoted at ll as
shown. All the key-bars j¹ bear against the lower portion of the frame ; which is
[Price Q71

page_text: provided with the friction roller J upon its top, so that each time that one of the
key-bars is operated, this frame j is depressed for the purpose of operating the two
levers I, one of which is placed at each end of the platen cylinder, as shown in
Fig. 1.
The lower ends of these levers I are connected by the shaft 'h which
extends from one lever I to the other, so that as the platen carrying frame C moves
endwise carrying the escapement feed levers with it, the roller J will always bear
against the top of the rod h. As the frame C moves endwise, being supported
upon the rollers P, Q, which travel upon the rods Q¹, P¹, and as the rod h moves
endwise under the roller J at the same time, a depression of any one of the key-
bars will cause the frame j to sink, and in sinking, to depress the roller J, and
this causes the two levers I to partially rock the shaft H which is journaled upon
the frame C, and to which shaft H the upper ends of the levers I are secured.
This shaft H extends the length of the frame or carriage C, which is provided
with suitable bearings for it. In order to return the shaft H and the levers I to
position as soon as they are left free to move, which is when the frame j rises to
its normal position, a spring, i, is secured to the frame or carriage C, and the inner
lower end of this spring bears against the outer side of the lever I, as shown in
Figs. 3 and 4. Also secured to the rocking shaft H is an escapement, which con-
sists of the two arms g, gl which are out of line with each other as shown in Figs. 2
and 10, and which alternately engage with the ratchet wheel G upon the rear
end of the cylinder A. Each time that a type-bar is depressed, the levers I cause
the shaft H to partially rock and the arm g¹ is turned out of contact with the
ratchet wheel G, and the arm g is made to engage therewith, and then, when the
frame rises again, after having been depressed, the arm g is released, and
the arm g' is again made to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel G. In this
manner, each depression of a type-bar allows the cylinder to be revolved the space
of one tooth upon the ratchet wheel G, and this movement of the cylinder forms the
space between the letters.
The cylinder A is journaled at each end upon the carriage or frame C and is
made hollow so as to receive the shaft B, which extends longitudinally through
its center, and the spring A' which is fastened at one end to the inner side of the
cylinder, and at the other to the shaft B. This spring is coiled upon the shaft
sufficiently to cause the cylinder to rotate whenever it is left free to revolve. We
do not limit ourselves to any particular construction of spring, for this may be
varied at will.
To one end of the cylinder A is secured the ratchet wheel G, with which the
escapement 9, 91 engages, each tooth of the ratchet wheel representing the space
occupied by a letter. As shown in Fig. 11, a portion of the ratchet teeth are cut
away in the path of gl, as at G¹, and this smooth space represents the distance that
the cylinder is turned when it reaches the end of a line, and is about to start a new
one. The space G also forms the margin which is formed along each edge of the
paper that is being written on.
The paper to be written upon is wrapped around the cylinder so that its edges
overlap, and it may be held in position by any suitable means. One form of
clamp is shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10, and consists of two bands 7, one of
which is applied to each end of the cylinder, and a spring wire guiding device 6,
which is fastened at each end directly to the cylinder, as shown in Figs. 2, 8 and 9.
This wire acts as a guide to keep the paper perfectly straight, while the spring
actuated clamp 9 and 10 holds the inner edge of the paper. The plate 9 extends
longitudinally with the cylinder A and in a direct contact therewith, and the
clamp 10 is pivoted to one edge of this plate 9. This clamp is raised to allow the
edge of the paper to be inserted between the plate 9 and the spring actuated
clamp 10, and the spring 12 holds the clamp 10 in a closed position, after it has
grasped the edge of the paper. The clamp 10 is provided at its inner edge with
a little handle or lever 11, which catches under the spring 12, and holds the
clamp 10 in a raised position when so desired. When the clamp 10 is closed down

page_text: upon the paper, the spring bears against this handle or lever 11 and causes the
clamp 10, to tightly grasp the paper. After the edge of the paper has been
grasped between the parts 9 and 10, the band 7 is rotated upon the cylinder, and
the paper is drawn through under the guiding wire 6 until the other edge of the
paper comes just under it, where it is held.
In writing, when the end of a line is reached, which is at or near the edge of
the paper that is held by the clamps 9 and 10, the smooth place G¹ upon the
ratchet wheel G is encountered by the escapement dog g¹, and then the cylinder
revolves the length of this smooth place G¹, and aligns the letters along the other
edge of the paper that is held between the parts 9 and 10. As the cylinder is
intended to revolve one tooth continuously in the same direction, each time that
a type-bar is struck, the paper must be just wide enough to wrap around the
cylinder and overlap the edges. The operator does nothing but continuously
operate the types from the beginning to the end of the page, without any further
thought or reference to the carriage or any movement thereof. Having no car-
riage to continuously move back to the starting position, the operator does not lose
his or her place upon the notes, and the time spent in moving the carriage back is
saved.
One end of the shaft B projects through the end of the cylinder and has the
beveled pinion b secured thereto, and this pinion meshes with the beveled wheel E,
which is placed loosely on and near one end of the shaft D. Upon the outer end
of the shaft is secured the pinion F which meshes with the rack F, which extends
longitudinally with the cylinder, but is secured rigidly to the frame so as to have
no movement during the operation of the machine. As the cylinder is operated,
it is drawn by the spring T endwise away from the operator, the spring A¹ is
gradually unwound from the shaft B which does not rotate while the cylinder is
making its outward movement, but after the cylinder has completed its outward
movement, the operator catches hold of the carriage at any suitable point, and
draws it backward to the starting point nearest to the operator, and during this
backward movement, the rotation of the pinion F along the rack F¹ causes the
spring to be rewound to the necessary tension.
In order to prevent the shaft B from rotating while the carriage and cylinder
are making their outward movement, the ratchet wheel E¹ is also placed loosely
upon the shaft D, but is secured to the wheel E so that the two move together.
In order to prevent these two wheels E, E' from revolving while the cylinder is
making its outward movement, the pawl el engages with the ratchet wheel E',
and prevents the ratchet wheel E and the wheel E from revolving the shaft B so
as to affect the spring. As soon, however, as the backward movement of the car-
riage and the roller begins, the pawl e which is keyed fast to the shaft D engages
with the ratchet wheel E¹, so as to cause the wheels E, E and the pinion b to
revolve, and thus revolve the shaft B so as to rewind the spring.
In order to form the spaces between the lines, upon the outer end of the cylinder
is a small stud or projection k, which catches against the arm K upon the end of
the partially rotating shaft L, and to the outer end of the shaft L' is secured the
escapement M, shown more especially in Fig. 7. This escapement M engages
with the ratchet wheel M', placed upon the carriage parallel with the shaft L, but
slightly below the shaft L, on the outer end of the shaft N is secured the toothed
wheel O, which engages with the stationary rack O¹, and which corresponds to
the one F upon the opposite side of the frame.
Each time that the cylinder makes a complete revolution, the stud or projec-
tion strikes against the arm K and moves it just sufficiently to rotate the shaft L
slightly, and this shaft in turn operates the escapement M. As the escapement
releases the ratchet wheel M³, the wheel O is left free to revolve and move a pre-
determined distance upon the rack O¹, and while the ratchet M¹ is thus freed from
the escapement, the spring T which is wrapped in the drum of the cylinder T,
draws the carriage endwise the distance that is to be made between the lines. This

page_text: spring T¹ is fastened at, t, to the inner end of the carriage, and, as the carriage is
drawn towards the operator, this spring T is drawn outward and held at a tension.
Each time that the stud or projection operates the arm K, the spring draws the
carriage outward just as the end of the line is reached.
As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the shift key S" is provided and this shift key is
placed upon the lever S¹ which is pivoted at 1, and is connected by any suitable
ligaments with the short lever S that is secured to one end of the partially
rotating shaft p¹. Also secured to this shaft p¹ are the arms p which are notched
at their upper ends so as to receive the guide P¹, upon which the wheel P travels.
When the lever S is operated by the shift key, p is partially revolved, and the
arm p secured thereto forces the whole carriage and its attachments laterally,
sufficiently far to bring into play another set of type. This lateral movement of
the carriage causes the racks F¹, 0¹ to be made sufficiently wide to allow the wheels
engaging therewith to remain in contact with them when the lateral shift of the
carriage is made. The roller Q is also made of sufficient length to permit it to
slide upon its support Q¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a continuous writing typewriter, a carriage, a platen cylinder journaled
therein, and which is adapted to rotate continuously in one direction as the type-
bars are operated, and a spring placed in the cylinder to cause it to so rotate, com-
bined with a mechanism for rewinding the spring as. the carriage is drawn
backward to the starting point, substantially as shown.
2. In a continuous writing typewriter, a reciprocating carriage, a platen cylinder
journaled therein, a spring placed in the cylinder for causing it to revolve con-
tinuously in the same direction as the type-bars are operated, combined with a
shaft placed in the cylinder, and to which one end of the spring is secured, and a
mechanism for rewinding the spring as the cylinder is drawn back to its starting
point, substantially as described.
3. In a continuous writing typewriter, a reciprocating carriage, a platen cylinder
journaled therein, a shaft extending through the cylinder, and a spring placed in
the cylinder and having one end secured to the cylinder and the other to the shaft,
combined with a pinion placed upon the shaft, a gear wheel for meshing with the
pinion, and a ratchet wheel, both loosely placed upon the shaft, a shaft upon which
these wheels are loosely placed and which is provided with a pinion at one end,
and a stationary rack with which the pinion on the end of the shaft engages, and
suitable pawls which engage with the ratchet wheel, substantially as set forth.
4. In a continuous writing typewriter, a carriage, a platen cylinder journaled
therein, a shaft passing through the cylinder, and a spring placed in the cylinder
and having one end attached to the cylinder and the other to the shaft, combined
with a suitable mechanism for rewinding the spring as the carriage is drawn back
to its starting point, the spring being at its highest tension at the starting point,
and at its lowest tension when the carriage has reached the length of its movement,
substantially as specified.
5. In a continuous writing typewriter, a hollow platen cylinder, which is adapted
to rotate continuously in the same direction as the type-bars are operated, a spring
placed in the cylinder for causing it to so rotate, the type-bars, and suitable escape-
ment pawls connected with the type-bars for releasing and stopping the action of
the spring, combined with a suitable mechanism for rewinding the spring, as the
carriage is returned to its starting point, substantially as described.
6. In a continuous writing typewriter, a carriage, a platen cylinder journaled
therein, a spring placed inside of the said cylinder to cause it to rotate continuously
in the same direction as the type-bars are operated, a spur or projection extending
from the end of the cylinder, a mechanism which is operated by this spur or pro-

page_text: jection at each revolution of the cylinder, and a spring for moving the carriage
endwise each time the mechanism is operated, the bars being combined and
arranged to operate, substantially as set forth.
7. In a continuous writing typewriter, an endwise moving carriage, a cylinder
journaled therein, and which is adapted to revolve continuously in the same
direction as the type-bars are operated, a spur or projection upon the cylinder, a
partially rotating shaft, provided with an arm which is operated at each revolu-
tion of the cylinder so as to partially revolve said shaft, an escapement also secured
to the shaft, a second shaft provided with a ratchet and a toothed wheel; and a
rack with which the toothed wheel engages, combined with a spring for drawing
the carriage endwise, at each revolution of the cylinder, substantially as specified.
8. In a continuous writing typewriter, an endwise moving carriage, a platen
cylinder journaled therein, a spring placed inside of said cylinder to cause it to
revolve continuously in the same direction as the type-bars are operated, a ratchet
wheel upon the cylinder, having a portion from which the teeth are removed, and
an escapement which engages with said ratchet wheel, combined with a suitable
mechanism connected with the type-bars by means of which the escapement is
operated, when the end of the line is reached, substantially as shown.
9. In a continuous writing typewriter, the key levers, a frame that is operated
vertically, a shaft, and a lever journaled upon the shaft and which is connected
at its lower end to the frame so as to be operated thereby, combined with an escape-
ment pawl which is secured to the same shaft as the lever, a carriage, a partially
rotating lever journaled upon the carriage to which both the lever and escapement
pawl are secured, and a type cylinder having a spring which continuously revolves
the cylinder in the same direction when the type-bars are operated; a ratchet
wheel formed on the end of the cylinder and with which the escapement pawls
engage, and mechanism for moving the carriage endwise at the end of each line,
so as to form the space between the lines, substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of February 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.