Improvements in or relating to Type-writers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Type-writers.
I, JOSEPH HALL, of Marske, near Richmond, in the County of York, Inventor do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in type-writers such as are employed for
printing letters, words, figures, or other characters, upon paper, and its object is to
construct a simple, compact, effective, and inexpensive machine whereby, letters,
figures, and other characters may be printed direct from the type on to the paper.
According to my invention between suitable ends, or the projecting uprights of
framework are mounted in bearings the spacing roller, guide rod, and paper impres-
sion taking and feed roller which latter roller may or may not be covered with india
rubber or other flexible material.
The spacing roller is preferably placed at the rear of the machine at a suitable
distance from and below the guide roller. A spiral groove or screw thread is cut or
formed in and around the spacing roller into which a spring pawl is made to pass.
The pawl is carried by a suitable sleeve which is mounted and slides freely and
rotates upon the spacing roller. From the sleeve are arranged so as to project
beyond the guide bar two or more (preferably three) stays or supports. In the outer
ends of two of these stays is mounted a pin or tube which carries a type disc or
wheel, balanced sector, gearing for acting same, and fixing or bracket which supports
and guides a lever armed with a spur rack. On the periphery of the disc or wheel
are mounted or arranged one or more (preferably two) sets of letters stops, or
characters, one of which is employed for printing purposes, whilst the other acts as
an indicator to enable the operator to correctly print the required letter, character, or
stop. But when prefered the indicator may be set or-mounted-on-a-separate disc
ordial receiving motion from the type wheel, whilst on the periphery of the
balanced sector is arranged figures or other characters. Motion, first for bringing
the required letter, character, or figure, and afterwards for depressing the same for
printing purposes is obtained by means of a spur rack formed on a sliding lever
(attached by suitable bearings) to the herein before mentioned central stay which
carries on its outer end the guide or bracket in which the lever works said rack
being wider at its rear end than at its fore part, in order to engage with two spur
pinions, one of which is attached to the disc, or type-wheel, whilst the other is attached
to the balanced sector. By this means either the type-wheel or balanced sector can
be brought into operation rotated into position, and then depressed at pleasure. To
the sliding lever is also mounted so as to slide therewith, and pass through the
herein before-mentioned fixing or guide (pendant from the pin or tube) a rod on
which a pin attached to the balance sector rests for retaining the latter in its required
position when at rest.
To the guide rod is mounted (so as to slide freely thereon) a bent spring lever,
one end of which is slotted to allow of the herein-described pin or tube (carrying
the type-wheel and sector) to pass through it and also to permit of the type wheel
and sector being depressed for the printing operation, whilst to its opposite end is.
connected by means of a link to a bracket (pendant from the sleeve) carrying a
spring pawl which engages with a ratchet wheel mounted upon the sleeve.
At each depression of the type-wheel or sector the pawl is made to move the sleeve
the required distance of the space between the letters, or other characters.
But to traverse the printing apparatus the required distance between the words, I
preferably mount a second ratchet (though the first mentioned ratchet wheel may be
made to answer the purpose) on the sleeve, and arrange a spring pawl attached to a
suitable plate or disc, (connected to the sleeve) to engage therewith, said pawl being

page_text: actuated by a second bent spring lever (mounted upon the guide rod) and connecting
link.
Suitable friction device may also be employed for retaining the type-wheel and
sector in a stationary position during the printing operation. Handles or projections
may also be attached to the rack and spacing lever if desired.
The paper is held in position on the periphery of the impression roller by means
of two rods carried in a suitable frame or levers pivoted to the two ends.
•
· Dated this Second day of March 1889.
JOSEPH HALL.
By W. Fairburn-Hart, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Type-writers.
I, JOSEPH HALL of Marske, near Richmond, in the County of York, Inventor,
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
My invention relates to improvements in type-writers on which a vertical rotating
type wheel and sector provided with letters, figures, and other characters are moved
horizontally across a sheet in such a manner that any desired leiter or character may
be printed thereon; and the objects of my improvements are first, to provide a
rotative type wheel and sector or sectors that may be brought into operation
independently of each other when it is required to print, either a letter or figure;
second to afford facilities for spacing the letter and words; and third, to enable
the sector and type wheel to he readily returned to the commencement of its
traverse.
1 attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings
in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the entire machine, Figs. 2 and 3 are
elevations looking at opposite ends, of the machine. Fig. 4. a plan looking at top
of the entire machine. Figs. 5 and 6. are transverse sections on lines w. w. andra.
fig. 4. Figs. 7 and 8. are respectively an elevation and section type wheel. Figs. 9
and. 10 are respectively an elevation and section of sector, Figs. 11 to 21 are respectively
side and end elevations and sections of details.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
The end pieces A. A', their lugs or projections a. a', the guide rod B and the
impression bar C constitute the framework of the machine. In bearings a² a² at the
rear of the machine turns a spacing roller D armed at one end with a ratchet wheel d
engaging with a pawl to prevent it from rotating. In the roller D is cut or formed
a spiral.groove or thread d preferably (though not necessarily so) about one inch in
pitch for purposes to be hereafter described.
Below the guide rod B are mounted in suitable bearings a³ and a' the feed
rollers E. E, which may or may not be covered with india rubber or other flexible
material. The lower roller E is armed at one end with a milled headed projection **
for rotating the roller by hand and at the other end with a ratchet wheel e (see
Fig. 5) in which engages a pawl e pivoted to a lever or plate e² which in turn is
mounted upon the reduced end of roller E. (see Fig. 4) said lever or plate being
connected by a link e to a double ended V shaped lever et pivoted at e to the end
piece A. Pawl el may when required be disengaged from the ratchet wheel e by a
lever made to project through end piece A and working in a slot a. Springs e
ande (the latter attached to pin on plate e² or end piece A) being employed for
keeping the V lever and pawl respectively in position. A horizontal arm e is also
attached to the V lever and is so shaped that its upper portion forms a pawl for
engaging with the ratchet wheel d on the spacing roiler D. A continuous handle
extending across the machine is formed by rod e¹ which connects the two levers et
ande (the latter pivoted to end piece A together whereby the feed rollers may be

page_text: operated at any point between the two ends. A stop pin e¹³ is provided to prevent
the V shaped lever being drawn too far.
On the spacing roller D previously referred to is mounted a sleeve F provided
with a pin or set screw adapted to fit the spiral groove d¹. On the sleeve is
mounted a ratchet wheel in which a pawl 2 (retained in position by a spring)
pivoted to the swing bracket mounted on the sleeve (as shown at Figs. 2 and 4)
is made to engage therewith for traversing the printing mechanism across the
paper. Motion being conveyed to the swing bracket through levers hereafter
described.
Mounted loosely on opposite sides and projecting from the sliding sleeve Fare the
stays G G¹, in the outer ends of which are formed bearings g for receiving the
spindle on which the tube y'. Fig. 18, (upon which the disc or type wheel H is
fixed and one or more sections I is loosely mounted) revolves. On the sleeve F is
also mounted and rigidly secured the stays G², G³ between which may be interposed,
if required, a spacing sleeve, to which the stays G2 and G3 may be secured. These
stays are also provided with a long bearing sleeve 2 which slides on the guide
rod B and thus are kept in position (shown at Figs. 2. 3. 4 and 15) and steady
during the depression of the hereafter described type wheel and sector for printing
purposes.
A bolt g¹³ (Figs. 2. 3 and 4) connects the stays G and G¹ so that they are caused
to move together. The stays G, G' constitute the type wheel carrying frame, while
the stays G2, G3 constitute respectively the pad or roller carrying arm and the arm
for carrying the locking and-centering devices for the type wheel.
The stay G is formed as shown at Fig. 13. The upper projecting end 3 being
slotted as shown, whilst the end g is carried below the centre of the type wheel H
to form a bearing for a pivoted spring tappit piece or inking pad or roller holder J
provided with an end j in which is mounted the inking pad or roller composed of
leather, india rubber, or other suitable material. In its normal position the projecting
end of the holder, which conveys the inking pad, is under the disc and sector, but
when the latter are depressed the hub of the type wheel or sector in its descent comes
in contact with the tappet piece which projects laterally from the upper end of the
the
-holder near its pivot and thus Pad or roller clear of tlie type after inking
the same, but before the latter
paper.
Stay G³ is projected from the bearing to a little beyond the centre of the type
wheel and is armed with a vertical pin 75 at a right angle to the stay which is made
to pass into holes formed in the type wheel for retaining the latter (and the
sector) in a fixed position during the printing operation.
His the type wheel previously referred to having any desired number of holes /²
formed in its periphery as shown. On the periphery of the type wheel are mounted
and fixed or formed thereon in any suitable manner one or more sets of metal or
india rubber letters, stops, or printing characters; when two sets are mounted thereon,
one may be employed for printing purposes whilst the other set (which may be
enamelled or lacquered) acts as an indicator to enable the operator to correctly print
the required letter or other character.
These two sets of type may be arranged in opposite directions to each other that
is to say, when the letter "Ã¨ of the set employed for printing purposes is at the
bottom of the type wheel the same letter of the indicating set would be at the top.
But I prefer using one set of type only on the type wheel and mounting or marking
the second set on a thin metal or other plate forming a dial mounted and carried by
a bracket or support from stay Gabove and over the type wheel.
In the dial is cut, cast, or stamped a spiral groove, recess, or snail 5 around the
edges of which is fixed, stamped or engraved letters, figures or other characters
corresponding with those on the type wheel. In the drawings hereunto annexed the
dial is shown marked with capital letters, figures, and stops, but when preferred
small letters and any other required printing character may be marked or placed
thereon. In practice the letters, figures, or other characters, are so arranged around
the edge of the groove that when pointer A is indicating a given letter or character
•

page_text: on the dial whilst the corresponding letter or character on the type wheel is simul-
taneously brought into position for printing purposes. Immediately below the dial ³
is a lever or arin e provided with a slot hole in which a block slides freely.
The arm is mounted on a vertical shaft or spindle carried in bearing on the
bracket G. The block 18 is armed with a pin which is made to pass up into the
spiral groove and is then bent over to form a pointer, as well as aid in retaining
the block in position with the dial and arm. At the opposite end of the vertical
shaft to which the arm is mounted, is fixed a bevel wheel 4" which gears with
a second wheel cast with or fixed to the type wheel A. Above the bevel wheel
is mounted a milled headed boss 13 for enabling the operator to readily set or
adjust the pointer on the dial without the aid of the rack K.
To bring the desired letter on the type wheel A into position the latter is rotated
either by drawing out the rack K or by means of the milled headed boss 13 whereby
motion is conveyed from the type wheel A through gearing " to the shaft
(or faom shaft to the type wheel) thence to the lever when the arm will be
caused to rotate and the pin (which forms the pointer) carried round with it and
works (by means of its connection with the block which is free to slide inwards or
outwards in slot hole of lever according to the way in which the arm and
pin are rotated) in the spiral groove, or snail 5 until the desired letter character,
or other figure is reached on the dial when the corresponding letter or character on
the type wheel (or sector) will by means of the shaft and gearing have
been brought into position for printing purposes.
In practice capital and small, or capital letters alone, are only formed or mounted
upon the periphery of the type wheel, and figures, stops, and other characters may
be arranged on the perimeter of a sector I mounted on tube g'; a portion of the sector
may be made to cover the printing set of the type on the type wheel H.
The type wheel H and sector I are both mounted (the first a fixture, the latter
loosely) upon the same sleeve which revolves upon the spindle * fixed to the
stays G G and each are provided with a spur pinion and i (see Figs. 1 and 18) that
for the sector being on the inner side and a fixture therewith, whilst the outer
pinion is fixed to the spindle g* on which the type wheel is mounted and fixed.
Motion for first bringing the required letter, figure, or character on the type wheel
or sector into position and afterwards for depressing the same for printing purposes
is obtained by means of a sliding operating lever K mounted so as to slide freely on
rod G* fixed to stay G. The outer end of stay G forms a bearing for the outer
portion of the sliding operating bar K.
The upper portion of the bar K is armed with two spur racks or rows of teeth 2 k³
of varying lengths which are made to engage respectively with the pinions and i.
Rack 2 being the longest in order to rotate the type wheel H a single revolution prior
to the rack engaging with pinion for rotating the sector; after which both the
type wheel and sector are rotated together. To prevent the sector from rotating with
the type wheel H a pawl lever is pivoted at one end to the upper portion of the
guide bracket whilst its opposite or free end is made to pass into a slot hole k*
provided for its reception in the sliding operating bar K. On the lever is fixed a
tooth or projecting pin which when the lever K at rest is retained in the space
between two of the teeth in the rack pinion by a spring k thus preventing the
sector from rotating whilst the type wheel is being acted upon. But as soon as the
rack comes in contact with the pinion i to engage therewith, the pawl lever
raised by the continued outward movement of the lever K until the free end of the
former rests and slides in the groove or channel 48 (see Fig. 21) formed for its recep-
tion between the two racks, thus withdrawing the projection from between
the teeth of the pinion and allowing the sector to rotate.
is
By permitting the flange or periphery of the sector to project partially over that of
the type wheel, and allowing the latter to rotate with the former; not only are the
type on wheel H kept clear of the paper when the sector is brought into action, but
when the sliding lever K has been drawn out to the required length for bringing the
desired figure into position for printing, the figure on the sector is retained in that

page_text: position by means of one of the holes 2 engaging with the projecting pin g' on stay G³
as previously described.
The type wheel, sector and parts connected therewith are retained in the elevated
position shown at Figs. 1. 2. and 3. clear of the pin on G³ by a spring O shown at
Figs. 1. 2 and 4.
An intermittent horizontal traversing motion is imparted to the type wheel, sector,
and parts connected therewith for spacing purposes on the return of these parts just
mentioned to the elevated position, shown in drawings (at Figs. 1. 2 and 3) after
each depression for printing purposes has taken place. Motion for this purpose being
imparted to pawl and swing bracket (previously referred to) from curved
spacing lever L pivoted to the stay G by a pin 13 (moveable in the slot hole 1) and
working between the bent ends g³ of the stay G, said lever L being kept in contact
therewith by the pin (sliding in slot 2) and connecting link . A spring O shown
as connected with link and the stay G and extending over guide rod B is employed
for keeping lever L, and parts connected therewith in their normal position as shewn
at Figs. 1. 2 and 4; or when preferred a weaker spring O may be employed for
keeping the type wheel carrying frame clear of the paper, and a second spring O'
mounted on arin G' employed for keeping lever L and parts connected therewith in
their normal position.
Handles M and N may be provided respectively on sliding lever K and curved
lever L for manipulating purposes.
P is a reservoir containing ink and may be constructed on a similar principle to a
stylographic pen. It is so attached to stay G that whenever the inking roller j¹ is
forced backwards for printing purposes the roller comes in contact with the lower
portion of the reservoir and receives a fresh supply of ink.
When thick paper or cards are being printed upon and in order to prevent them
becoming curved by passing through the rollers E E a stationary guide piece c may
be mounted in slot holes (formed for their reception) in the end pieces A, A' in front
of the impression bar C, and under which guide piece the paper or card is made to
pass before being conducted over the bar to the feed rollers.
The action of the machine is as follows:-The paper to be operated upon is passed
under guide bar e and over the impression bar C to and between the feed rollers E E¹
and by means of the continuous handle e, levers e, and e", spring e', and es,
plate e, pawl, and ratchet wheel e is traversed away from the operator to the
required distance.
The type wheel and sector having been moved to the left-hand_or_other_part. of
the machine the sliding operating lever or rack K is then drawn outwards by means
of handle M sliding on stay rod G and in guide bracket for rotating the type
wheel (and sector if required) until the desired letter or character is brought into
position for printing purposes, as previously described; when the type wheel and
parts connected therewith are by means of lever K pressed down onto the paper
for impressing the letter or other character thereon; the type during this movement
being retained in the required position by projecting pin g on stay G³ as described.
During the descent of the type wheel the stays G, G work freely on sleeve F
without altering its position on the spacing bar D, and also during the same motion
the hub of the type wheel is made to come in contact with the tappet 2 (pivoted to
stay G) of the inking pad or roller supporting piece J after the type has been inked,
and by its continued descent moves the pad or roller clear of the type wheel. In like
manner the hub of the sector is also made to act upon the tappet piece when the sector
is brought into action. During the return of the type wheel and sector to their
normal position the spacing (between the letters) operation takes place, a slight rotary
motion for this purpose being imparted to the ratchet wheel on sleeve F from the
front bent end of stay G through slot hole, pin l, curved lever L, moveably pivoted
in slot hole 1 of stay G and connecting link to swing bracket and pawl which
causes the set screw f1 working in the spiral groove d¹ of spacing roller D (which
at this portion of the operation is prevented from rotating by means of pawl or tooth e
formed on the horizontal arm e engaging with the ratchet wheel d) to traverse the

page_text: sleeves, stays, type wheel and sector the required distance: i.e. a distance sufficient
to afford the desired space between the letters of a word. It will be noted that the
spacing roller D does not revolve at all during the printing operation, but the sleeve
is turned on the roller which is held rigid by pawl . The spacing roller is only
revolved when it is desired to return the Type wheel to the left hand side of the
machine. When this is the case, the sleeve F does not turn, but slides along on the
spacing roller.
But when it is required to obtain more space-i.e. space between the words,―
additional space to that already obtained on the return of the type wheel and sector
(after printing the lact character) may be obtained by depressing the handle N attached
to the bent lever L downwards, which causes the pawl to traverse the sleeve the
required distance across the bar without depressing the type wheel, sector and parts
connected therewith (the stays G, G¹ being loose on the sleeve F).
When the type wheel and sector have been traversed the required distance across
the paper and it is desired to commence a fresh line, the continuous handle e is
depressed and by means of levers e', and ell, and their connection with pawl el, and
ratchet wheel e, a rotary motion is imparted to feed rollers E E', which propel
the paper the required distance between the lines at each depression of the
handle e¹º
When the handle is depressed the pawl e is withdrawn from ratchet wheel d
which permits of the sleeve F and parts connecied therewith being moved to any
desired position on the spacing roller D which then acts as a quick threaded screw.
When the screw is thus operated to return the sleeve F, the sleeve. is prevented from
turning by means of the pawl engaging with the ratchet f¹ so that the sleeve
slides along the screw shaft and carries the printing apparatus without operating it,
but simply shifting it to the opposite side of the machine.
Although I have only described on sector I as being combined with a type wheel H,
yet I wish it to be distinctly understood that more than one sector may be mounted
upon the spindle g arranged to partially cover each other, as the sector I covers the
wheel in the drawing, when it is desired to reduce the diameter of the type wheel.
When this is the case the number of racks would require to be correspondingly
increased and the sectors would require to be finished level with each other as shown
at Figs. 2 and 3, to allow a space for inking the type wheel and allowing it to be
depressed onto the paper.
I would have it understood that tho herein described type writer may also be used
as a type matrix machine, that is to say, machines in which types or dies are caused
to indent, stamp, or emboss any suitable surface as paper, papier machie, celluloid,
copper, lead or other suitable yielding material so that this material may afterwards
be used as a matrix from which metal or other casts may be taken for the purpose
of printing from. When the machine is so used the feed rollers E, E are brought
more forward and arranged to operate upon the material prior to the stamping
operation taking place.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The manufacture of a type writer substantially such as herein described in which
a vertical type wheel such as H alone, or type wheel and sector or sectors such as I,
armed with type printing characters, is or are mounted upon a laterally moving frame
pivotally connected to a sleeve such as F mounted upon a screw threaded spacing
roller such as D together with the devices substantially as herein described for inking
the type and for preventing the rotation of the type wheel and spacing roller during
the printing operation, and means substantially as described for rotating when
required the sleeve on said roller, and the spirally grooved dial plate in which a
pointer actuated from the type wheel is employed for indicating purposes, all as set
forth.
2. In a type writer substantially such as herein described, the combination of a

page_text: type wheel such as H armed with printing characters mounted upon a laterally
moveable frame with a sleeve such as F (to which the carrying frame is pivotally
connected) mounted upon a screw threaded spacing roller such as D, and the means
substantially as described for preventing the rotation of the spacing roller during the
printing operation and for rotating the sleeve on the roller, as set forth.
3. In a
type writer substantially such as herein described, the combination with a
type wheel such as H (armed with printing characters) pivotally connected to a sleeve
such as F, mounted upon a screw threaded spacing roller such as D, and the means
substantially as described for preventing the rotating of the spacing roller during
the printing operation and also for rotating the sleeve when required on the roller,
of a sector, such as I, mounted on the same spindle as the type wheel so as to be
capable of being brought into operation after the type wheel has completed a revolu-
tion, and the means substantially as described for actuating the type wheel separately
and simultaneously with the sector, as set forth.
4. The combination substantially as berein set forth, of the type wheel armed with
printing characters, the type wheel carrying frame, the inking pad, or roller, its
supporting ara, a pivotal connection between the pad or roller, and its supporting arm,
and means substantially as described for moving the pad or roller out of the path of the
wheel as the wheel descends in the printing operation.
5. In a type writer, a means substantially as herein before described for actuating
the type wheel alone, or type wheel and sector simultaneously, consisting essentially
of the lever K, toothed racks 23, slot k, pawl k, spring, lug bearing
pinions h and i, spindle g*, spindle g', bar G fixed to type wheel carrying frame, as
set forth.
6. In a type writer, the combination with a rotating type wheel such as H, of a
dial having a spiral groove formed therein around which letters, figures or other
characters are arranged corresponding with the printing characters on the type
wheel, slotted lever, block 8 pointer h°, spindle, gearing 12, boss h¹³,
bracket, sleeve g' spindle g* and stays G Gall substantially as herein set forth.
7. In a type writer substantially as herein described the combination of type
wheel such as H, spindle such as g*, laterally moving frame pivotally connected to
sleeve such as F, screw threaded spacing roller such as D, pinions and i, sector
such as 1 toothed rack such as K, suspended inking pad or roller such as ', pin g
bracket such as ', dial with spiral groove formed therein, slotted arm ½,
block 4, pointer spindle gearing-hh, and boss h, all as set forth.
8. The general arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the type
writer, as a whole substantially as herein set forth and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this Twenty-eighth day of November 1989
JOSEPH HALL,
By W. Fairburn Hart, Agent.