Improvements in Type Writing Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Writing Machines.
A communication from abroad by ADOLPH VON BRANDIS, New York, United States
of America.
I, GEORGE CECIL DYMOND M. Inst. M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The chief objects of this invention are to provide a type writing machine which shall
he compact, portable, and inexpensive to manufacture, and which shall at the same
time be thoroughly efficient. An important advantage secured by the use of this
machine is that the index and pointers hereinafter referred to are smaller and more
compact than those heretofore used and thus the eye of the operator need not be strained
by wandering over a large surface.
The machine consists of a long bed plate having a suitable vertical standard at or
near each end. Journalled in these standards at a short distance from the surface of
the bed plate, is a horizontal spindle to which an intermittent rotary motion can be
imparted by a hand wheel arranged preferably at the left side as is presumed in the
following description outside the supporting standard.
The
About one half of the spindle is preferabiy square in cross section, and mounted
upon the same is a hollow paper roller or platen. The remainder of the spindle is
round and passes through and turns within a second cylinder of smaller diameter than
the platen, the end of said cylinder projecting into the interior of the platen in such
manner that on sliding the platen from left to right along the spindle; the cylinder
will be telescoped into the platen. An internal collar in the left hand end of the
platen serves to support it on the spindle and causes it to turn with the same.
smaller roller is rigidly supported at its right end by an intermediate standard through
which the end of the spindle projects into its journal. The cylinder is circum-
ferentially grooved with parallel grooves. These grooves are for the greater part of
the circumference (about 300 degrees) at right angles to the axis of the platen. For
the remainder of the circumference the grooves are oblique, that is, each oblique groove
joins a straight groove to the one next and in advance of it. A retractable nose or
pawl on the end of the platen normally takes in these grooves. It will be seen that
if the nose on the platen follows the course of the groove on the cylinder by turning
the hand wheel, the platen will have a circumferential motion for the most part
alternated at intervals (once every revolution) with a screwing advance motion. The
circumferential movement is for providing space between the letters, the advancing
motion to provide the space between the lines. The paper is fixed upon the platen by
means of a strip or plate of suitable material, which firmly holds the edges of paper
against a flattened portion of the platen, the whole being held in place by an elastic
band at each end or other suitable device.
The arrangement is such that when the platen is being advanced longitudinally
the inoperative portion of the platen is opposite the printing point. At the right-
and end of the spindle and between the two standards above mentioned, is mounted
large spur wheel which actuates the printing hammer. The hammer head is
mounted on a flexible strip preferably of spring steel and normally rests upon the
printing point. When the hand wheel is turned, one of the teeth on the spur wheel
bove mentioned raises the hammer, and then allows it to drop or spring against
one of the movable type hereafter described, and so effect an impression. The teeth
of the spur wheel serve to regulate the amount of letter spacing, and each tooth has.

page_text: preferably an auxiliary tooth or projection which causes the hammer to click and
indicate to the operator that the type disc may be turned without friction against the
hammer. The hammer head and the upper portion of the types or type holders are
made of a corresponding shape to ensure correct alignment, which is still further
assisted by the types on either side guiding the one depressed.
Mounted in a suitable bracket above the platen is a vertical spindle, on the lower
end of which is fastened the horizontal type disc having a number of flexible radial
arms, carrying depending types and spacing blanks at their outer ends. This spindle,
and with it the type disc may be turned by hand by means of a handle or otherwise,
and suitable pointers indicate what type is in printing position on the fixed index
plate, through the centre of which the spindle projects.
The arrangement and number of pointers which project radially from the spindle
above the index plate are such that the letters of the index are grouped in concentric
arcs of circles upon a small portion of the index plate and not as heretofore all
round it.
One very long tooth or projection on the above mentioned spur wheel serves to keep
the hammer raised from the type disc when the platen is being fed forward for line
spacing.
The mode of action is as follows.
The platen holding the paper is slid along to the extreme left of the spindle, and its
nose or pawl is then dropped into the groove on the cylinder. One of the index
pointers is now turned by the right hand (through the agency of the spindle) till it
rests over the desired letter. The type disc is thus turned till the corresponding type
comes under the hammer. The left hand now turns the hand wheel which turns the
platen one letter space and operates the hammer, and thus effects an impression.
These operations are repeated till the long tooth of the spur wheel comes into position
under the hammer and raises and holds the same out of action. On continuing to
turn the hand wheel (and with it the spindle, platen and spur wheel) the platen is
advanced the space of one line as described. The next line is commenced exactly
underneath the first one. A warning bell whose striker or strikers may be actuated
from the hand wheel may be added to the apparatus, also, if desired, a slight helical
spring which on being wound up by turning the spindle, tends to return same; as
in practice it is found desirable to impart to the index pointers a tendency to revolve
in one direction.
Carbon or similar transfer paper is the medium preferred for making an impression.
Though a hand wheel has been spoken of it is obvious that other similar device
such as radial arms might be used instead.
Any desired inclination may be given to the whole machine or parts thereof.
Dated this 23rd day of November 1889
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type Writing Machines.
A communication from abroad by ADOLPH VON BRANDIS, New York,
United States of America.
I, GEORGE CECIL DYMOND M. Inst. M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors 6 Lord Street, Liverpool and 6 Bank Street Manchester both in the
County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent 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 invention relates to typewriters which may be used by an unskilled person
without any previous practice. This is impossible in typewriters of the usual known
construction, as these machines, owing to the peculiar arrangement of the keys on

page_text: the key-board, require long study and practice by the operator before he is able to
use the machine to the best advantage.
Furthermore the arrangement of the keys on the key-board is not the same in
machines of different makers. It also requires great attention on the part of the
operator in order that at the end of the line when the alarm is struck there shall
be sufficient space at his disposal to complete the word he is writing, and not to
forget, in the hurry of the moment, to operate the mechanism for beginning another
line, etcetera.
The object of this invention is to provide a typewriting machine which shall be
compact, portable, and inexpensive to manufacture, and which shall at the same time
be thoroughly efficient for every day use. An important advantage secured by the
use of this machine is that the index and pointers hereinafter referred to are smaller
and more compact than those heretofore used, and thus the eye of the operator need not
be strained by wandering over a large surface. Certain operations, such as that for
beginning another line and the like, are done automatically by the machine and not by
the operator, so that during the writing of a page his hands remain in their usual.
position.
In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of a typewriter constructed
according to this invention, Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal section of the same,
Figure 3 an elevation of the rear end of the machine, Figure 4 a vertical transverse
section taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2, Figures 5 and 6 detail views of a cylinder.
and clamp that form parts of the device, Figure 7 a plan view of a type-nest employed
in this machine, Figures 8 to 11 inclusive detail views of the type-nest, Figure 12
a detail section taken on line 12, 12, Figure 2, and Figure 13 a similar view taken on
line 13, 13, same Figure.
Referring by letter to the drawings, A, represents the base of the device, and
secured to this base are vertical rear and front standards B, C, having their upper
ends connected by X and V shaped bracer D, E, with the corresponding ends of
posts F that project upward from opposite sides of said base. A horizontal shaft G
has one of its bearings in the standard B and another bearing in a sleeve H that is
spirally grooved upon its exterior and supported by said shaft, said sleeve being also
socketted in the standard C, where it is held against possible rotation by set screws b
(Figure 4) or by other suitable means. Between the standard B and spirally grooved
sleeve H, the horizontal shaft G is provided with radial wings c (Figures 2 and 12).
These may be in the form of a plate to partially encircle said shaft and extend equally
in opposite directions, as best illustrated by Figure 12, said plate being secured in
place by means of rivets, screws or other suitable means. The shaft G and its radial
wings e pass through the rear head d of a cylinder I, and thus the latter is caused to
revolve with said shaft without being restricted as to longitudinal movement. The
front head e of said cylinder encircles the sleeve H, and is provided with a casing f
for a spring-dog J which is designed to engage the spiral groove on said sleeve,
whereby the rotation of the shaft G will cause an automatic longitudinal movement of
said cylinder at predetermined intervals. By withdrawing the dog J from the spiral
groove on the sleeve H, the cylinder I can readily be moved endways at the pleasure
of the operator. When the dog J is in engagement with the spiral groove on the
sleeve H, the intermittent forward movement of the cylinder I arises from the fact that
certain parallel portions g of said groove are at right angles to the longitudinal axis of
said sleeve for the distance of 300°, more or less, while the remaining portions are at
obtuse angles to g for the distance of 60°, more or less, and parallel to each other. By
the above construction it will be seen that at each revolution of the cylinder I, the
dog J will be for a certain time rotated in a true circle on the same vertical plane and
then move obliquely into another vertical plane, this latter movement causing said
cylinder to advance the predetermined distance, the latter being equal to the obliquity
and length of the part of the spiral groove g. In place of the spiral groove a single
cam may be employed upon the cylinder I, said cam being arranged to operate upon a
rack bar, or the spiral groove may be upon the inside of the sleeve H. and a lug fixed
on the shaft G to engage said groove, either one of these latter constructions.

page_text: being the equivalent of that shown in the drawings and too obvious to require
illustration.
The cylinder I is preferably provided with a rubber or other elastic covering i
and a detachable plate K, the latter serving as a clamp for paper placed on said
cylinder. As best illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the clamping plate K is provided
at one end with a lug j that fits in the opening in the rear head d of the cylinder I,
and is held in place by a spring latch k secured to the forward head e of said cylinder
and arranged to overlap the adjacent end of said clamping plate.
Secured to the rear standard B and one of the posts F is a horizontal bar L on
which is arranged a sleeve M, bifurcated at its inner end to normally engage a pro-
jecting rim of the cylinder head d, whereby said sleeve is carried along on the bar by
the intermittent forward movement of the cylinder I, and, if found desirable, a suitable
alarm mechanism (not shown) may be arranged to be struck by the thumb piece at a
certain time prior to that at which said cylinder reaches the limit of its travel in a
forward direction. If found desirable the bar L may be scaled to correspond with the
intermittent movement of the cylinder.
Fast on the shaft G, near its rear end is a ratchet wheel O, and engaging this
ratchet, wheel is a pawl P pivoted to an arm m on a hand wheel Q, the latter being loose
on said shaft. The throw of the pawl P is regulated by set screws n that have their
bearings in lugs p on the standard B, and are arranged to oppose the arm m, on the
hand wheel Q as best illustrated in Figure 3.
The rotation of the ratchet wheel actuates the shaft G and the cylinder I, and to
prevent reverse movement of these parts, a detent q is pivoted to the standard B and
held in engagement with the ratchet wheel O by means of a spring secured to the foot
of said standard.
A ratchet wheel R is made fast on the forward end of the shaft G and is engaged
by a pawls depending from a lever S, the latter being fulcrumed to brackets that
project from the front standard of the machine, said lever being retained in its
normal position by means of spring t, the tension of this spring being regulated by a
set screw u that has its bearing in a lug v projecting forward from said standard. The
lever S extends back toward the rear of the machine and terminates in a head or
hammer W, and while this head or hammer may serve every purpose, it is preferred to
employ another hammer a arranged directly under the one w and having a spring exten-
sion y that is secured to the under side of said lever S near its forward end. The
spring extension y of the hammer is rigidly connected to a slotted weight T, and
through the slot in this weight T passes the lever S, as best illustrated in Figure 2.
When the wheel R is rotated, the pawls is lifted by the rise of the ratchet teeth on
said wheel thereby raising the lever S, the latter dropping again as it passes out of
contact with each tooth. The spring extension y of the hammer is carried up with
the lever S, and when the latter falls to its normal position, the momentum acquired
by this movement and the weight T will overcome the resistance of said spring exten-
sion and permit said hammer to have a further momentary downward movement for
the purpose to be hereinafter described. This movement having been accomplished,
the spring y returns the hammer x to its normal position and vibration ceases.
The
By reference to Figure 4, it will be seen that for a certain distance there are no
ratchet teeth on the wheel R, and for this distance the radius is approximately equal
to the distance from the centre of the wheel to the bottom of the ratchet teeth.
result of this construction is that for a certain time there is no elevation of the pawl s
and consequently no movement of the lever S; this cessation of movement on the
part of said lever is arranged to correspond with the forward propulsion of the
cylinder I, thereby preventing any stroke of the hammer or hammers wx while
the forward movement of the cylinder is taking place.
Depending from the X-shaped brace D are brackets that support a flanged
plate U, the latter being centrally provided with a step a¹ for a vertical shaft W, and
fast on this shaft is the hub b¹ of a wheel X, said hub having its bearing in the
✗-shaped brace D. The upper end of the shaft W is provided with a hand-nut c³, or
if found desirable a hand wheel may be substituted.

page_text: Fast on the lower portion of the shaft W is a flanged plate Y having a depending
annulus d provided with an annular channel e¹ and a series of vertical serrations f¹,
as best illustrated by the detail, Figures 8 and 9.
Clamped to annulus d', by means of screws g' or other suitable means, is another
annulus that is also provided with an annular channel i¹, the latter being in register
with channel e¹ and is best illustrated by Figure 8, that portion of the annulus h¹
that extends outwards from the channel is bevelled.
The flange on the plate h is provided with a series of radial serrations that register
with the serrations in the annulus d', that depends from said plate, while the
opposing flange on the stationary plate U is provided with a slot K¹, as best illustrated
in Figure 10.
Confined within the space formed by the channels e, i, in the annuli d', h¹, are the
circular inner ends m¹ of type bars Z, which extend outward through the serration j¹
in the annulus d¹ and flanged plate Y, as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 7. The
flange on the plate U and a spring N hold the type bars in their normal or raised
position, and by rotating the shaft any one of these bars may be brought into register
with the slot K¹ in the flange on said plate. When a type bar is in the position
just described, its outer end will be immediately under the hammer, and the blow of
the latter will drive said outer end of the type bar down against a ribbon pl which
is shown as arranged on horizontal fingers gl that project from the posts F, but any
suitable ribbon support may take the place of said fingers. The slot k¹ in the flange
on the plate U permits the descent of a type bar when struck by the hammer, and
thus an impression is made upon the paper on the cylinder I, the spring N¹ causing
the return of said type bar to its norinal position after being operated upon by said
hammer.
A circular block A¹ is secured to the X-shaped brace D and surrounds the wheel X,
the latter being provided with one or a series of pointers, as best illustrated in
Figure 1, and marked 1, 2, 3. Each of the pointers corresponds to a certain group
of type bars Z, and each of these bars has its corresponding character indicated on
the circular block A¹, but it is obvious that the number of characters and their
corresponding type bars may be indefinitely multiplied, there being a separate set of
said characters for each group of said type bars.
Between each group of type bars it is preferred to have a space equal to the
distance caused by the omission of at least one of such bars and every time the pointer
that corresponds with any particular group is brought to the starting or finishing
point of the corresponding set of characters, one of the spaces between the groups of⚫
type bars will be under the hammer, and consequently there will be nothing for the
latter to strike.
When the parts are in the position thus described, there will be no impression made
upon the paper while the cylinder I is being rotated, and thus any desirable length
of space may be obtained between characters, words, etcetera, printed upon the
paper.
The operation of the machine is as follows:-
A sheet of paper (or two or more if there are copies to be made at the same time)
are placed round the cylinder I and fastened thereto by the clamping device. The hand
nut C of the wheel X is operated by one hand so as to direct any one of the pointers
to a character on the block A¹ corresponding to a type bar bearing the same character,
and to which said pointer and a corresponding group of type bars belong, while, with
the other hand, the wheel G is operated to rotate the cylinder I and to cause the
hammer to strike the type bar that has been brought into register with the slot K¹
in the flange on the stationary plate U. The pointers and different sets or groups
of characters are respectively coloured in such a way that it will be easy for the
operator to direct the right pointer without loss of time to the desired type. The
surface of the block A¹ on which the letters are marked have (preferably) circular
or semi-circular rings of different colours (white, red, blue, one behind the other),
each coloured semi-circle corresponding to a group of type bars. The pointers show
respectively the same colours as conspicuously as possible.

page_text: The sliding motion of the type bars on the upper rim of plate U, on the rotation of
the whole crown of the type bars, does not require as much power as, at the first sight,
would appear to be the case, and this arrangement has been chosen partly for the
sake of cheapness. The use of a rod and finger button for operating each single
type bar (whereby the same result could be obtained) would be too expensive for a
cheap machine.
By the above description it will be seen that a typewriter is provided having very
few parts, none of which are delicate, or liable to break or get out of order, while at
the same time the machine can be readily operated without special training. Another
advantage of the machine lies in the fact that the spacing for lines is automatic,
and consequently the paper remains in a fixed position on the cylinder until a page
is finished.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A typewriting machine having a shaft G and means for intermittently rotating
the same, a fixed sleeve surrounding a portion of the said shaft and provided with
a series of concentric parallel grooves at right angles to the axis for a portion of
their circumference and oblique for the remainder, a paper carriage mounted upon
and revolved by said shaft, but capable of being moved longitudinally thereon, and
means for connecting the said carriage with the said grooves in such manner that
when the shaft is revolved the paper carriage will receive a circumferential motion
for the greater portion of its travel, adapted to effect the letter spacing and an oblique
motion during another portion of its travel, adapted to effect the line spacing,
substantially as described.
2. A typewriter having a rotatable type carrier consisting of a series of radial
type carrying arms Z pivotted at their inner ends in an annular space, c¹, ¹ between
two superimposed discs Y h¹, one or both of said discs having a flange provided
with a series of serrations which embrace a portion of and guide the said type
arms, a fixed type arm rest consisting of a rigid plate U, whose flange V normally
keeps the said type arms in their raised position but permits any one of them, when
in close proximity to a slot k¹ therein, to be depressed in opposition to spring pressure,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a typewriter having a cylindrical paper carriage and means such as described
for intermittently rotating the same and for advancing the same at stated intervals
along a supporting shaft G, the combination of a lever S carrying a printing hammer,
a pawls connected to the said lever S, and a wheel R carried by the said shaft G, and
having ratchet teeth on a portion of its circumference but plain for the remainder,
said teeth being engaged by the said pawl s so that when the shaft G is rotated, the
lever S is alternately raised by the said ratchet teeth and allowed to rebound on the
type key which is immediately beneath it, and effect an impression as described, but
when the said paper carrier is advanced longitudinally the hammer remains inopera-
tive, due to the relative positions of the plain untoothed portion of the wheel R and
the oblique grooves being approximately the same, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
4. In a typewriter, the combination of a shaft G, a stationary sleeve surrounding
the same and provided with a series of cam grooves, a cylindrical paper carriage
revolvable with the shaft, a dog J connecting the carriage with the cam grooves on
the sleeve, a ratchet wheel O fast on the shaft, a hand wheel Q loose on the said shaft
and provided with a pawl P to engage the ratchet wheel and a detent q for the latter,
substantially as set forth.
5. In a typewriter, a printing hammer having a supplementary weight T whose
longitudinal position is adjustable whereby the force of the hammer's blow may be
adjusted by varying the distance between the said weight T and the centre of
suspension of the hammer or of its supporting lever, substantially as described and
shown.

page_text: 6. In a typewriter the combination of a fixed plate having characters such as
letters, etcetera, marked thereon and arranged in sets in small parallel segments of a
circle, a rotary type carrier having rigid pivoted type arms which are arranged in
groups corresponding to the various descriptions of characters and a series of rotating
pointers each of which is so related to a set of characters and its corresponding
group of type arms that when any of said characters is indicated by its particular
pointer the type bar bearing a like character will be at the printing point, substantially
as set forth.
7. In a typewriter the combination with a cylindrical paper carriage of a clamping
plate provided at one end with a lug to engage an opening in the adjacent head of
the carriage and a latch secured to the carriage to overlap the free end of said clamping
plate, substantially as set forth.
8. The improved typewriting machine as a whole substantially as described.
ΟΙ
of August 1009.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.