Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 17th May, 1590
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writers.
We JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE an JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE Junior both of the
Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly in the County of Middlesex, Gentlemen, do hereby declaro
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the improvement of type writing machines, with the view
to remedy many defects which are now apparent in the machines at present before
the public.
In carrying out this invention we have endeavoured especially to obtain a free and
easy action of the keys which actuate the printing mechanism, and which, in some
machines, work hard, and are a source of great fatigue to the operator. We have
also provided that the operator shall be able to see the lino he is in the act of writing.
We have also been able to dispense with the inking ribbon through which the printing
has usually been effected, substitating therefor a peculiar jumping movement of the
type which enables us to ink the type, which are preferably of india rubber, upon an
inking pad, whereon they rest until required to print.
The machine is provided also with escapement mechanism whereby the spacing of
the letters, in accordance with the width thereof, is effected.
Each type lever is preferably furnished with three characters or types, for instance,
a capital, a small letter, and a numeral, and to make these severally to operate as
required, the carriage whereon the paper is held, is either advanced or retired length-
wise of the machine.
Besides this backward and forward movement, the paper carriago has a travelling
movement in the direction of the line of writing, the travelling from right to left,
during the writing, being offected automatically by a spring drum controlled by the
spacing escapement, and tho travel in the other direction, for moving the paper
back to begin a new line, is effected by a hand lever operating pawl and ratchet
mechanism.
The machine consists of a base plate or table whereon the keys for operating the
type are pivotted. This base plate carries also another and smaller plate, upon which
is mounted the escapement and other mechanism connected with the spacing and the
travelling of the carriago; the guides for the travelling carriage are also arranged on
this plate.
Pivotted alongside the type keys, are levers, by means of which the change from
large to small letters, or vice versu, or to figures, is effected.
Pivotted also to brackets carried upon the main base plate, are frames, three in
number, by means of which automatic spacing between the letters (and other spacing,
which is from time to time requisite, and is effected by hand) is performed. These
frames are situated one within the other, the front bars of the inner and middle frames
lying below the keys, so as to come into contact therewith when the keys aro
depressed, one of these bars being notched here and there, where required, to escape
contact.
The outer frame is arranged to depress the other two, and by this means the full
spacing between the words, for instance, is effected.
The type keys, preferably 32 in number, are supported by springs, and rise and fall
between suitable guides. Each key is connected by link mechanism to one of a series
of rods which carry the type. These type rods are threaded through guides which
permit of a considerable tipping or rising movement at the end which carries the
type, followed by an advance movement, so as to lift the type from the inking pad,
and press it onto the paper to be printed, from whence it is returned by the spring below
the key. The type rods are set radially in a segment of a circle, in other that the

page_text: impress of all the types may be at a given spot, as in type-writers generally. This
will necessitate, in order to bring the writing uniform, setting the type one one side
of the machine, at varying inclinations to the line of the type rods, in one direction,
while, on the opposite side of the machine, the varying inclinations will be in the
opposite direction, the central type rods having their type with but little inclination
either way.
The paper to receive the printing lies upon a curved plate, and is passed beneath
and around a rubber coated roller, upon which it is held by a pair of metal strips,
between which strips the blow of the typo falls.
The levers for moving the paper carriage backward and forward, to receive the
proper character desired to be printed, are three in number, suitably pivotted on the
base plate, near the front of the machine. The tail of one of these levers is connected
with a bell crank lever, the rocking of which advances or retires the carriage as
required. The other two levers are in connection with the first, and are so arranged
that, by their depression or otherwise, the rocking of the first lever is controlled, so
as to limit the movement of the carriage. A spring is provided by means of which
any one of these levers can be held depressed, and the machine set to print in a
uniform character, to be varied only, when required, by shifting the spring, or by
depressing of the other levers by hand.
Dated this 16th day of July 1889.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writers.
We, JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE and JOHN NEVIL MASKELYNE. Junior, both of the
Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly in the County of Middlesex, Gentlemen, 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 the improvement of type writing machines, with the view
to remedy many defects which are now apparent in the machines at present before the
public.
In carrying out this invention, we have endeavoured especially to obtain a free and
easy action of the keys which actuate the printing mechanism, and which, in some
machines, work hard, and are a source of great fatigue to the operator. We have
also provided that the operator shall be able to see the line he is in the act of writing.
We have also been able to dispense with the inking ribbon through which the printing
has usually been effected, substituting therefor a peculiar jumping movement of the
type, which enables us to ink the type, which are preferably of india rubber, upon an
inking pal, whereon they rest until required to print.
The machine is provided also with escapement mechanism, whereby the spacing of
the letters, in accordance with the width thereof is effected.
Each type lever is preferably furnished with three characters or types; for instance,
a capital, a small letter, and a numeral, and to make these severally to operate as
required, the carriage whereon the paper is held is either advanced or retired length-
wise of the machine.
Besides this backward and forward movement, the paper carriage has a travelling
movement in the direction of the line of writing, the travelling from right to left
during the writing being effected automatically, by a spring drum controlled by the
spacing escapement and the travel in the other direction for moving the paper back to
begin a new line, is effected by a hand lever, operating pawl and ratchet mechanism.
The machine consists of a base plate or table, whereon the keys for operating the
type are pivotted. This base plate carries also another and smaller plate, upon which
is mounted the escapement and other mechanism connected with the spacing and the

page_text: travelling of the carriage; the guides for the travelling carriage aro also arranged
on this plate.
Pivotted alongside the type keys are levers by means of which the change from
large to small letters, or vice versa, or to figures, is effected. Pivotied also to brackets
carried upon the main base plate, are frames, four in number, by which automatic
spacing between the letters (and other spacing which is from time to time requisite,
and is effected by hand) is performed. These frames are situated one within the
other, the front bars of the inner frames lying below the keys, so as to come into
contact therewith when the keys are depressed, the bars being notched or the reverse,
here and there, where required, to escape or ensure contact. The outer frame is
arranged to depress the others, and by this means the full spacing between the words,
for instance, is effected.
The type keys, preferably 32 in number, are supported by springs, and rise and
fall between suitable guides Each key is connected by link mechanism to one of a
series of rods which carry the type. These type rods are threaded through guides
which permit of a considerable tipping or rising movement at the end which carries
the type, followed by an advance movement, so as to lift the type from the inking
pad, and press it onto the paper to be printed, from whence it is returned by a
suitably placed spring. The type rods are set radially in a segment of a circle in
order that the impress of all the types may be at a given spot, as in type-writers
generally. This will necessitate, in order to bring the writing uniform, setting the
type, on one side of the machine, at varying inclinations to the line of the type rods
in one direction, while on the opposite side of the machine, the varying inclination
will be in the opposite direction, the central type rods having their type with but
little inclination either way.
The paper to receive the printing lies upon a curved plate, and is passed beneath
and around a rubber coated roller, upon which it is held by a pair of metal strips,
between which strips the blow of the type falls.
The lovers for moving the paper carriage backward and forward to receive the
proper character desired to be printed, are threo in number, suitably pivotted on the
base plate, near the front of the machine. The tail of one of these levers is connected
with a bell crank lever, the rocking of which advances or retires the carriage, as
required. The other two levers are in connection with the first, and are so arranged,
that by their depression or otherwise, the rocking of the first lover is controlled, so
as to limit the movement of the carriage. A spring is provided by means of which
any one of these levers can be held depressed and the machine set to print in an
uniform character, to be varied only when required, by shifting the spring, or by
depressing one of the other levers by hand.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine, and
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section on the line x, x of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view, drawn on an enlarged scale, of the paper roller and its
mechanism, the paper shelf being removed the better to show the underlying parts.
Fig. 4 is a back elevation, and
Fig. 5 a section on the line y y of Fig. 3.
Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views, of the keys, type rods, and connecting links, shewn
detached and in two positions, Fig. 6 shewing the type in the normal position, and
Fig. 7 in the position taken when the key is depressed to print.
Figs. 6 and 7 are similar views, on a larger scale, of a somewhat modified
arrangement.
Fig. 8 is a cross section of the key levers, showing also the front bar of the inner
frame.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 shew, detached, and in three positions, the operating parts
connected with the advancing and retiring of the paper carriage.
Figs. 12 and 13 are back and side views of an alternative escapement mechanism
hereafter described.
1
T
C
Patient insila usts throughout

page_text: a (see Fig. 1) are the keys for operating the printing type, the depression of
which will cause the printing of one of the characters or symbols with which each is
provided.
The keys a are pivotted at a', as seen best at Figs. 6 and 7; and supporte: from
below by springs a², a³, are guide rods for the keys a. a are link rols pivotted to
the keys a, and forming part of the link mechanism between the keys
a and the
type rods b, by which mechanism the latter are operated. This mechanism, which is
best shewn in Figs. 6 and 7, consists of, besides the rod at, a lever pivotted, some-
where near the middle of its length, to the end of the link a. One end of the
lover is fulcrummed to a fixed point 2, while the other is pivotted to the link
piece 3, which is itself pivotted to the tail of the cranked lever is a counter-
weight forming part of the lever *, see figures 6 and 7, for facilitating the action of
the key.
The lever 6 has its fulcrum on the fixed bracket and is pivotted to the bracket Ze
on the type rod b. * is a slotted plate, and 61* are a series of rods forming guides
for the type rods b, the former being constructed to prevent an upward or rising
movement of the rod b. * is the ink pad, whereon the type b** (which are suitably
secured to their rods) normally rest. c is the rubber roller whereon the printing
takes place. This roller c is mounted in a carriage C, which forms part of the
carriage D, which is capable of a travelling movement across the machine upon a
guide rod d, and friction rolls D', suitably carried in brackets fixed upon the table A¹
imounted on the bed plate A,- see Fig. 3. The carriage C is also capable of an
advancing and retiring movement upon the guide rods d' d' of the carriage D. Eis
a spring drum which is always drawing, by means of the chain e, the carriage D in
the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3, that is to say, towards the left hand side of the
machine. is a rack bolted to the back part of the carriage D. In gear with the
rack is a pinion, loose on the shaft of the escapement wheel, mounted in
the standard brackets F. 2 is a disc loose upon the same shaft, but fast with the
pinion fare pawls carried by the disc f, and engaging with the teeth of the
ratchet wheel, carried by the escapement wheel 1; thus, the escapement wheel fi
& the pinion are locked together as regards their rotation in one direction, which,
in this case, is against the direction of the travel of the carriage D, pulled by the
chain e, and so long as the escapeinent wheel is held, the movement of the carriage .D.
to the left of the machine is restrained.
The movement of the escapement wheel is, in the first instance, controlled by the
escapement device G (see Fig. 4), which consists of a pair of curved arms y. y',
carried on a rocking stem pivotted in the bracket F. The arms g. g¹ embrace the
escapement wheel, and are provided with pallets for taking into the teeth thereof.
The arm g of the escapement device is slotted to form a guide for part of the block
that carries the pallet, the pallet or its block being also connected with the com-
pression spring ², carried by the curved guide rod **. Normally, the pallet carried
by the aru gis in engagement with the escapement wheel, but on rocking the
escapement wheel by means of the lever G¹ fixed to the stem, the pallet on the.arm
is made to take into the escapement wheel, and the other pallot is disengaged, whereon
the latter is pressed upward along its guide by means of the compression spring g³,
until stopped, in a manner to be presently explained; it is then in a position to tako
into a tooth of the escapement wheel higher up, when the escapement device is rocked
back again. On the return movement of the escapement device being completed, the
spring drum E, acting through the rack upon the carriage, which it pulls, and the
pinion in gear therewith, tends to rotate the escapement wheel against the pressure
of the spring g, and being more powerful than the said spring g', the latter is forced
to give way, and the carriage D is allowed to travel until the pallet in engagement
with the wheel comes to the lower end of its guide in the arm g.
It will thus be seen that the travel of the carriage D, and with it the paper thereon,
is limited in accordance with the length of the guide in the army, and the number
of the teeth in the wheel which the pallet of the arm g' is allowed to pass, when the
rocking of the escapement permits the said pallet to move,

page_text: The guide in the arm g¹ is crossed by two stops ', which, when in position,
block the path of the rising pallet, but on their removal, the whole length of the guide
is open, and consequently, on the rocking of the escapement device, the pallet within
the arm g is free to rise to the full length of the guide, and thereby advance
some four teeth of the escapement wheel.
The stops, which are arranged to pass through holes transversely across
the guide in the arm g', are carried on the heads of a pair of levers h³ ³,
fulcrummed on a bracket piece of the stem of the escapement G, and retained in
action by springs at the back thereof.
J, J, K, and L, are four rectangular rocking frames arranged one within the
other (see Fig. 1), and supported by springs. By means of these frames, the
escapement or spacing mechanism just described is operated. The front bar of
the inner frames J, J and K, immediately underlie the operating keys a, so that
the depression of the latter depresses the former. The frame K is depressed with
every key that is pressed, except the end keys, which print symbols not requiring
spacing in this case, the key levers are thinned (see Fig. 8) to escape contact
with the frame. The depression of the frame K. causes its tail K to rise and strike
the lever G, which thereon rocks the escapement device, and permits the wheel f¹
to advance two teeth, and no more, the stops h. still remaining in position to
block the pallet in the arm g'. The front bar of the frame J is recessed in its
upper edge, (see Fig. 8).
The depression of the keys, except those overlying these recesses, causes also the.
depression of this frame J', the effect of which is to raise a tail, and cause the same
to bear on a cam face on the tail of the lever 12, thereby rocking it, and removing
the stop . from the blocking position in the guide of the arm g' (see Figure 4).
The removal of this stop permits the spring pallet of the escapement device to pass
a third tooth of the wheel and allows the slightly lengthened travel of the paper
carriage. This will give sufficient spacing for the small letters generally. Beneath
the keys of the wider lotters, however, such as m―and w,--there are projections J* on
the front bar of the frame J (see Fig. 8), which will give a depression to this frame,
and cause its tail j to come into contact with the cam face of the lever ³, and, by
rocking the latter, remove the stop, and render the whole of the guide open for
the pallet of the arm g' to rise, and pass a fourth tooth of the wheel, permitting
consequently a still greater travel of the paper carriage. The narrow letters, such as
i and e, which demand but little space, are actuated by the keys opposite the
recesses J* in the bar J, and, in this case, the depression of the frame Jis avoided.
The spacing at the end of each word is effected by the depression of the frame L by
hand, which causes, by the pen 1, the depression of all the other framos, and thereby
permits an advance of the escapement wheel four-teeth,-the full amount.
The modified or alternative escapement device illustrated at Figs. 12 and 13. of the
drawings, has the pinion f, escapement wheel 1, disc f, pawls f³, and ratchet
wheel, as has already been described. The rocking stem of the escapement G is
also the same as before, and the projecting arm G. The pallet of the arm g', is
however somewhat differently carried. This pallet is formed at the end of a
link, which is pivotted upon a frame y*, loosely mounted on the shaft of the
escapement wheel. This frame g*hus upon it a projecting lug, which is connected
by a link to the end of the spring g². The spring g is carried upon a rocking
arm r, pivotted to the framing F, and having a projecting pin overlying the
projecting arm G³. When the arm g' is lifted by the frame K, as already described,
the escapement G rocks as before, and releases the pallet of the arm g'. The arm r
is, at the same time, rocked, and the spring g², which forms a flexible connection
between the arm and the link g** of the frame g*, draws down the link 2*, and
rocks the frame thereby thru ting the pallet up the slot of the arm g', until arrested
by the upper part of the frame * coming into contact with the stop or ', or the
end of the slot, should the stops be removed in the manner previously described by
the depression of their respective frames J and J. The stops are, in this
arrangement, carried by the frame F, instead of by the rocking stem, as before described.
+

page_text: The differential spacing first described is used only when the small letters are being
employed. When capitals or figures are in use, the full spacing is adopted,
and in this case, the frames J J' take a depressed position in the manner presently
described.
On the left of the machine (see Fig. 1) are three lovers m: n. 0, by means of
which the machine is set to print either small letters, capitals, or figures, or perhaps
any other characters for which the machine may have been constructed.
The figure lever m rocks upon a pin m' (Fig. 1), and extends to the back of the
machine (see Figs. 9. 10. 11.), where its end takes onto a pin p, carried by the bell
crank lever P, fulerummed, at p¹, to a lug on the table or plate A'. The tail of the
bell crank lever P is forked to embrace a pendent rib or rail *, carried by the paper
carriage C, which may thus be caused, by the rocking of the lever P, to advance and
retire, as desired, to present the printing surface to one or other of the type arranged
one behind the other on the type rods.
As indicated in the drawings, the depression of the figure lever m shifts the carriage
to its most backward position, by means of the utmost rocking of which the bell crank
lever is capable (see Fig. 11).
The capital lever n is a shorter lever pivotted at ', and having its end underlying
the pin m² of the lever m; the main portion of the lever m overlies the pin m³ of the
same lever m. Thus, the depression of the lever n. causes or permits the depression
of the rear end of the lever m only to a limited extent, and raises or lowers it,
according to the position it has previously held, to the position shown in Fig. 10,
thereby bringing the carriage C into the middle position.
The lever o for small letters, which is shown depressed in Fig. 1 by the spring M,
is also pivotted at ', and has the effect, on depression, of tipping the rear end of the
lever m downward, whereby the bell crank lever is rocked to bring the carriage C.
into the position of Fig. 9.
The depression of the frames J and J' before alluded to, when the smaller letters
are not being employed, ensues immediately on the rear end of the lever m taking
cither of the positions shown in Figs. 16 and 11, for they are depressed by a strong
spring carried by the lever m. (see Figs. 9. 10. 11), bearing on the posts j*j**
attached to the frames. The other frames K and L. are permanently supported by
springs and l¹.
The action of the machine is as follows:-
:-
Supposing the operator to be using the small letters, he sets the machine as shown
in Fig. 1, with the spring M upon the lever o. He then proceeds to depress the keys
required the depression of a key causes the link a to pull downward the lever b',
and with it the link piece s, which topples over the cranked lever b, from the
position shown at Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7, and thereby raises and projects forward the
type rod, and finally presses the type down upon the paper between the strips c² c³,
covering the impression roll c. B is an adjustable damper to prevent too hard a
blow of the type. On releasing the key, it is raised again by the spring a²
beneath the key lever, and the type rod is thereby returned to its normal position,
with the type resting on the inking pad.
The depression of the key has also the effect of depressing the frame J J' or K,
or all, in the manner already described, for the purpose of giving the proper spaco
for the letter used.
If it be desired to introduce a capital letter or figure amongst the small letters,
this can be done by depressing either the lever m or n, the effect of which is to
change the position of the paper carriage C, and to raise the lever o against the
pressure of the spring M, which again depresses the lever o, as soon as the finger of
the operator releases the lever m or n. On changing the position of the spring M
onto one or other of the levers m or n, capital letters or figures only are printed, in
the manner that has been already described.
On the completion of a line, which the operator can watch as he writes, it becomes
necessary to return the paper carriage D, which has travelled stop by step across the
machine, to its former position, and to advance the paper one line. This is easily

page_text: effected by the handle I (see Fig. 4), by means of which the paper carriage D can
be run back, the pawls f3f passing readily over the teeth of the ratchet wheel ^,
and the paper may be advanced one line by the ratchet connection existing between
the handle I and the impression roll. A milled head is provided on the journal of the
impression roll at the opposite end, to more readily advance the paper when
required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. In a type-writer, the combination of operating keys, radially arranged type
bars, and connecting link mechanisms, for communicating movement to the latter,
such link mechanisms consisting of a toppling elbow or bell crank lever jointed to
the type bar, to a fixed point, and to a pendent link connected with a pull rod jointed
to the operating key, substantially as described and shewn.
2. The combination, in a type-writer, of clock escapement mechanism for giving
varying travel to the paper carriage, rocking frames with recesses, and projections
thereon underlying the operating keys, and operating keys, which, on their depression,
effect, through their contact with the underlying frames, the movement of the clock
escapement substantially as described, to permit the travel of the paper carriage
according to the spacing required for each letter.
3. In a type-writer, the combination of a rocking frame, as L, arranged to he
operated by hand, and rocking frames underlying the operating keys, and capable of
being depressed, on the depression of the frame L, for the purpose of effecting the
movement of the spacing mechanism to the full extent, without the intervention of
the operating keys.
4. In a type writer, the combination of a paper carriage constantly drawn in
one direction, a controlling pinion in gear with a rack upon the carriage, an
oscapement wheel in ratelict connection with the pinion, a pallet and spring pallet
carried by the arms of a rocking frame, cam faced levers for limiting the move-
ment of the spring pallet, and frames rocking beneath the operating keys, with
tails bearing upon the pallet frame, and cam faced levers, when rocked by the
depression of the keys or hand frame.
5. In a type-writer, the combination of a pinion, an escapement wheel f₁in
ratchet connection therewith, a rocking frame G G', with arms g g', having fixed
and moveable pallets theroon, the whole forming a clock escapement capable of
being automatically operated and controlled from the keys, substantially as shewn
and described.
6. In a type-writer, the combination of a rocking lever m, pivotally connected
with a bell crank, for giving to and fro movement to the paper carriage in the
direction of the length of the machine, and other levers n, o pivotted at the same
point, and arranged to strike stops on the lever m, for the purpose of operating
the latter, as described with reference to Figs. 9, 10, 11 of the drawings.
7. In a type writer, the combination of a series of keys a, actuating type rods
peculiarly linked therewith, a travelling carriage D, controlled by a clock escape-
ment device, and carrying the paper carriage C, capable of retiring and advancing
lengthwise of the machine, a series of levers m, n, o, and a bell crank lever for
advancing and retiring the carriage C, a set of frames J, J, K beneath the keys,
for automatically operating the escapement, and a frame L, for operating the
escapement by band, when required, all arranged and operating substantially as
herein shewn and described with reference to the drawings.
: 10 Jan of Al 1880
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.