Year: 1887

page_text: I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E. 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 has relation to type-writing machines and among the objects in view
are to reduce the number of parts; to simplify the connection between the several
operative parts; to provide a simple, variable spacing mechanism; a compact
assemblage of the type-bars, and an inking mechanism which permits of printing
directly from the type; and means for a simultaneous line feeding of the platen, and
of the carriage.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the
novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a central vertical section, the carriage and inking devices being shown in
side clovation, of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention.
Fig. 2 is a half plan.
Fig. 3 is a bottom view, illustrating the feed mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a detail of the inking mechanism.
Fig. 5 is a botton: plan of the inking mechanism.
Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of the type-bar hangers.
Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the type-bar hangers, detached, and,
Fig. 8 is a perspective of one of the type-bars.
Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawing.
A, represents any suitable base or table, from the rear supports, A', of which extends
key lever supporting rod, B. From intermediate supports or depending brackets, A',
a rod, B, extends from side to side of the base. The function of said rod is to limit
the downward movement of the key levers. Screw-pins, B", are inserted between the
key levers, and seated in the under surface of the table, to act as guides for the key
evers. At the sides and near the back edge of the table are standards, C, which
Support the ways, C, for the carriage, D, in which is mounted the platen, D¹.
E, is a pawl lever, pivoted as at E¹, to the riser, D2, at the end of the carriage, the
aid lever being arranged between the end of the platen and the riser. The riser, D²,
s provided with a rigid standard. D³, in which is an adjusting screw, D', arranged in

page_text: the path of the lever, E. D³, represents the journal of the platen, and F, a ratchet,
rigidly secured thereto. E2, represents a pawl, pivoted in the bifurcated end of the
lever, E, and pressed at its rear flat end by a spring, E³. A spring, E', projects from
the riser, D2, and bears against the lever, E, below its pivot, and serves to retain the
pawl carrying end of the lever and the pawl out of contact with the ratchet, F. The
lever and ratchet are mounted on different centres, so that when the free end of
the lever, E, is moved towards the standard, D³, the pawl comes into contact with the
ratchet, and rotates the platen for a greater or less distance, in accordance with the
predetermined adjustment of the screw, D. The operative motion of the free end of
the lever being towards the standard, it will be seen that after a line movement of the
platen, the lever and standard are brought together, so that at such times as a line-
movement of the platen is made, the carriage, can, without additional preparation, be
drawn to a position to commence the next line of the work.
A pressure roller, G, extends along the platen, and is yieldingly supported at each
end by a spring G¹.
A guide H is provided to direct the paper between the platen F and the roller G.
The variable spacing feed mechanism will be understood by reference to Figs. 1
and 3. The carriage D is provided with the usual rack I, and opposite the rack there
is pivottally secured a pawl carrying lever I the pawl J pivotted at one end of said
lever being a double ended pawl and a spring serving by contact with one end
thereof to keep said-end of the pawl in mesh with the rack I when not otherwise
acted upon. A bracket J" extends over and down in front of the rack I and in the
path of the spring depressed end of the pawl so as to act as a stop to the pawl at the
end of its operative stroke. Said bracket also acts somewhat in the nature of a lock
in that it by reason of the bevelled end of the pawl directs the same in a wedge-like
manner into contact with the rack. The opposite end or tail of the paw! J is curved
or cam shaped, so that when brought into contact with the adjacent bracket J³ the
tail is depressed and the working end of the pawl lifted out of gear with the rack so
that the carriage can be drawn back for a new line. The automatic variation in the
backward movement of the pawl over the rack is accomplished primarily, by notching
the key levers K each lever being notched in accordance with the character as to width
of the type which it brings to the printing point. In connection with the notched
levers, a double bail, L is provided which extends along under the entire system of
key levers K, the bail being supported on a shaft L, mounted in depending brackets, L
at each side of the machine. An arm. 13, extends from the bail, and is connected
by a rod, L', with a link or shorter rod, L which is rigidly connected to the end of
the pawl carrying lever I'. L' and I forming in fact a bell-crank lever.
The connections of the arm, rod, and pawl lever, are all pivotal, so that when the
bail. L, is oscillated on its shaft, the pawl lever, 1', is oscillated on its pivot, I* so that
the pawl is caused to take the movements hereinbefore described.
Now, by notching each of the key levers, as at K', K, and varying the notches as
to depth, different throws, as to distance, of the arm, 13, will be produced. As the
key, K³, of the lever is depressed, the lever will assume the position indicated by
dotted lines, Fig. 1, and the bail will be brought parallel with the lever, as indicated
by dotted lines, and here produce a further locking of the parts, in that a further
depression of the key lever is impossible, and any vibration of the arm, L³, after its
throw, is prevented, and the positive movement thus produced is accurately com-
municated to the feed pawl, so that the pawl is caused to travel a greater or shorter
distance along the rack I (and take in a greater or smaller number of teeth in the rack
and thereby to move the carriage a greater or shorter distance upon the return of the
pawl) according to the variation in the depth of the notches in the key levers. The
bracket J is placed at the extreme end of the pawl's backward stroke usually about
five teeth as representing the widest letter.
The key board, in this instance, consists of six transverse rows of keys, the outer
three making up one set of characters, for example, the lower case letters, and the
inner three rows of keys, the Capitals, and other characters. Of course, a single set
key board could be employed with the other novel features of this invention

page_text: co-operating therewith, if desired, by providing two type upon each bar, and any suitable
platen shifting mechanism. Type bar rods, M, connect each of the key levers, K with
the type-bars, N, N'. A standard, O, at each side of the table, A, supports a super-
imposed table or foundation-plate, P, which has a series of two or more concentric
grooves, P¹, each and all of which are curved; as from a common centre, which centre
is the printing point on the platen, F. The type-bars, N, which are arranged in the
inner circular groove, are therefore shorter than the type-bars, N!, arranged in' the
grooves further from the platen, or outside of said first groove, Pl. The longest
type-bars, N¹, are substantially of the same length of type-bars in well known
machines of this class, while the bars in the inner series are proportionately
shorter.
By reference to figure 2, it will be seen that the plate, P, is provided with a series
of apertures, P³, in the ridges, P2, and another series, P, in the grooves, the apertures
being properly spaced, the former for the reception and passage of the connecting
rods, M, and the latter for the reception of the screws, RX, employed for securing
the brackets in position in the grooves. Notches, P³, on the inner edge of the plate,
serve the same function as do the apertures, P³. A spring U (Fig. 5) bears upon
the pawl, U, pivoted as at U2×, on the arm, U, so as to press said pawl constantly
upward towards the under surface of the disc`
One of the type-bars is shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, depressed, as in the act of -
printing. A shield, P2, is secured to the front edge of the plate, P, and acts as a stop
or cushion for the type-bars when returning from a printing stroke. This shield is of
such a height as not to prevent an easy inspection of the matter printed, in that, the
operator, when seated at the machine, has an unobstructed view along the line, X,
Fig. 1, of the platen. Each of the type levers has at one end lateral pivots, N³, which
may be either plain or conical at their bar portions.
Q, represents this type-bar bracket, and it consists of a base. Q', which is upwardly
curved, and in this instance, perforated as at Q2, for the passage of an attaching
screw R*.
From each end of the curved or convex base there projects an arin or
standard, Q3, which is perforated as at Q, for the reception of the pivots, N.
Now, when not otherwise influenced, the arms, or standards, Q³, are formed to slant
or incline outwardly from each other, so that the pivots, N2, of the type-bar, N, or, N¹,
may be entered into the apertures, Q. Now, by running the screw, R, into the
foundation, P, after the bracket is inserted in a groove, P, thereof, the arms, Q³,
are brought into substantial paralelism, and into a firm true bearing with the pivots,
of the type-bar, by reason of a depression of the conical base. This construction also
permits of an easy and perfect take-up or wear at the pivots of the type-bar.
The width from front to rear of the base of the bracket, and, it may be, the outline
of the front and rear edges thereof, is similar to that of the circular groove P¹, into
which the bracket is to be inserted. These grooves, P', are provided with screw-
holes, P, while the ridges of the plate or foundation, P, occurring between the grooves,
are provided with apertures, P³, through which pass the type-bar rods, M. Notches, P',
serve the same purpose as apertures, P³. Now, it will be observed that the mere
placing of a bracket, Q, at any point within one of the curved grooves, P¹, aligns the
type-bar, so that it will strike at the printing point on the platen. This results from
cutting the grooves on the plate in circles concentric to the printing point. Each of
the type-bars, N', are notched as at N³, in order that they may clear the brackets or
pivots of the type-bars in front: thereof.
By this construction, the bars of the entire system may be arranged very closely
side by side, and therefore the entire system will be exceedingly compact, while, at
the-same time, no type-bars will conflict with each other, in any part of the movements
given to the same in a proper operation of the machine.
It now remains to describe the inking mechanism.
:
The inking mechanism is supported by a bracket, R, secured to and projecting
above the table, and terminating at a point above, and at one side of, the platen, D
The bracket terminates in the form of a cylindrical rod, on which there is mounted a
sleeve, R', in this instance, retained against longitudinal movement by pins, R³, the

page_text: latter of which also serves, by reason of a projecting shoulder, R³, on the sleevo, to
limit the rotation of the sleeve upon the bracket. A coiled spring, R, by being
-attached at one end to the bracket, and at the other end to the sleeve, serves the
function of keeping said sleeve, when not otherwise acted upon, in a position to
support the inking disc, S, in such a position that it will project into the path of the
type-bars.
The inking device, S, is mounted on a stud, R, projecting from the sleeve, and is
removably secured by a thumb-nut, R®.
Upon the inking disc is a layer or layers, T, of cloth or other ink holding fabric.
A pawl lever, U, (Fig. 5) is pivoted to the sleeve, and projects-therefrom towards
the periphery of the inking disc, and is provided at its free end with a-pawl, U₁,
adapted to take into apertures, U2, formed in the disc, and extending in a circular
series, all equa-distant from the pivot, U³, of the pawl lover. An arm, U*, projects
from the lever near its pivot, to a point beneath the sleeve, R', and between two-
pins, U, Us, projecting from the bracket. A spring, Ux, bears upon the paw], U¹, which
is pivoted as at U², on the arm, U, so as to press said pawl constantly upward toward
the under surface of the disc.
Now, when by any means the disc, S, is tilted, dipped, or partially rotated from the
position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, to that shown in dotted lines Y in said Fig.
the arm, U, comes into contact with the pin, -U³, and consequently carries its
pawl, U from one to another of the apertures, U2, in the disc, so that when the disc
returns to the position shown in full lines, it is caused by the pawl and-lever-to-rotate-
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig 5, until the free end of the arm, U,
comes into contact with the pin, U, projecting from the bracket. In this manner, a
constant change of the point of contact of the type with the ink disc is secured.-- -
In Fig. 2, have shown in section on the standard, V, which supports a screen, V
the object of which is to so cover the inking disc, as to prevent contact of the hands
of the operator therewith, and, in a measure, prevent the accumulation of dust upon
the disc.
In Fig. 4, I have illustrated a preferred form of inking disc, in that the extent of
movement of the same is reduced to a minimum in its operation. The preferred form
involves the construction of a flange, S', projecting at other than a right angle from
the main body of the disc. In this construction, the flange would be preferably at
such an angle from the body-portion of the disc, as to be presented squarely against
the face of the type, on a bar, when said type comes into contact with the flange.
Now, it will be readily seen, by a comparison of Figs. 1 and 4, that the distance
which the free edge of the inking disc is required to travel with the type, and along
the path thereof, is materially reduced by providing the flange, S', upon the disc.
The travel of the disc across the path of the type in this instance is limited
substantially to the width of the flange, but this is sufficient in view of the
intermittent rotation of the disc, to deposit the required quantity of ink upon the
-face of the type..
There is a compound movement of this inking disc, in that it not only moves with
the type, that is, along the path of the type, but it also moves in a direction across
said path, whereby during the movement of the type from its position of rest to the
printing point, it is joined and accompanied by the transversely moving inking device,
whereby the advancement of the type is not interfered with to increase the depression
or force required to depress the key of the machine, nor is the contact of the type
with the inking disc accompanied with excessive force, so that smoothness of
operation of both devices is a resultant advantage of the construction herein disclosed.
The inclination of the disc or of its flange may be varied by changing the position of
the pivotal support of the disc nearer to, or further from, a point directly over the
printing point of the platen. It is also evident that the bracket, R, may be secured
at another portion of the base than that herein shown, but, by reason of non-
interference with the paper being printed upon which naturally projects rearwardly
from the carriage, I have illustrated the bracket as supported in front of the carriage,
and at one side of the printing point of the platen.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim, is :-
1. A bracket for a type-bar, comprising a yielding convex base, provided with
upwardly projecting sides, substantially as specified.
2. The combination with the type-bar having lateral pivots or bearings, of a
support consisting of a yielding convex base, provided with projecting sides,
perforated for the reception of the pivots, and an attaching device passing through
the base into a suitable base or foundation, substantially as specified.
3. The combination of a suitable foundation, having a groove, the front and rear
walls of which are parallel, and curved on circles having a common centre, with a
type-bar having lateral pivots, and with a type-bar supporting bracket, having a
convex base of a width agreeing with that of the groove in the foundation, and having
projecting sides adapted to receive the type-bar pivots, and a fastening dovico passing
through the convex base of the bracket, and into the foundation, substantially as specified.
4. The combination with the platen of a type-writing machine, of an inking device
pivotally supported above said platen within the path of the type, and movable out of
said path by contact of the type therewith, substantially as specified.
5. In combination with the platen and type-bars of a type-writing machine, an
inking device pivotally mounted and arranged to project into the path of the type,
and a pawl and lever mechanism for giving the inking device a rotary movement,
substantially as specified.
6. In a type-writing machine, a platen mounted on a carriage provided with a rigid
standard, in combination with a pawl and ratchet mechanism for rotating the platen
the operating lever of said mechanism being arranged adjacent to the standard of the
carriage, whereby the platen and the carriage may, by said standard and lever, be
simultaneously moved, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
7. The combination with the pawl and rack of the feed mechanism of the carriage,
of a pawl carrying lover, a double bail, a series of key levers suitably notched, and
arranged above the bail, and suitable devices for directly connecting the double bail
with the pawl carrying lever, substantially as specified.
8. In a type-writing machine, a series of type-bars pivotally mounted on brackets,
arranged in concentric grooves the bars in the outer grooves being curved or cut
away for the clearance of brackets in front of said curved or cut away bars, whereby
a closer arrangement of the type-bars with each other is permissible, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
9. An inking device provided with a flange, and centrally pivoted at a point to
present the flange in a plane substantially agreeing with that of the face of the type to
be inked thereby, substantially as specified.
10. The combination of the bracket, R, a sleeve mounted thereon, an inking disc
mounted on the sleeve, and projecting into the path of the type, and an inking disc
returning device for bringing the disc to its normal position after having been
depressed by a type, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. The combination with the bracket, the sleeve pivotally mounted thereon, and
the disc pivotally mounted on the sleeve, of disc rotating mechanism mounted on the
sleeve, substantially as specified.
12. The combination of the bracket, the sleeve mounted thereon, the inking disc
mounted on the sleeve, and a pawl carrying lever mounted on the sleeve, and having
a projecting arm and stops arranged on the bracket in the path of the arm,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 30th day of April 1887.