Improvements in Typewriting Machines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Nov., 1898-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriting Machines.
A communication from abroad by the AMERICAN WRITING MACHINE COMPANY,
of No. 237, Broadway, New York City, New York, United States of America,
a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York.
I, JOHN CORRY FELL, of the Firm of Fell & James, of 1, Queen Victoria Street,
in the City of London, Chartered Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to variable line feeding devices for the cylindrical platens
of typewriting machines, and has for its main object to provide a simple and
efficient mechanism of this character, and one in which the platen and its regular
line spacing ratchet wheel are held normally in frictional engagement, but which
engagement may be broken at pleasure so as to rotate the platen independently
of the line spacing ratchet wheel; and my invention consists in the various features
of construction and combinations of devices hereinafter more fully described and
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings;
Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a part of a typewriting
machine embodying my improvements.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the right-hand end of the platen removed from the
machine, but with its right-hand knob detached from the operating shaft or
spindle.
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section taken at the line, x, of Figure 1, with the
parts in their normal condition.
Figure 4 is a similar view but with the parts in their abnormal condition, or in the
condition in which they are caused to assume when the platen is released from its
ratchet wheel.
Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the spring actuating-lever.
Figure 6 is a similar view of the friction spring.
Figure 7 is a similar view of the spring case, etc.
Figure 8 is a similar view of the sleeve for operating the spring-actuating lever.
Figure 9 is a similar view of the cover plate for the spring box.
In the several views the same part will be found designated by the same
numeral of reference.
1 designates the left-hand end bar, 2 the right-hand end bar, and 3 the back
bar of a platen frame or carrier which may be of substantially the construction
exhibited in my Application filed February 3rd, 1898, Serial No. 668,933. The
platen preferably comprises a hollow wooden cylinder 4, and a surrounding rubber
sheath or cover 5. At the left-hand end of the platen is secured by screws 6 a
circular platen head 7, provided with an elongated hub 8, which extends out to
the left-hand end bar 1. A shaft 9 passes through the said end bar, through the
hub and through the cylinder head 7, the hub being secured to said shaft by a set
D... 011

page_text: screw 10. Upon the extreme outer end of said shaft is preferably affixed by a set
screw 11 a knob 12 for turning the platen.
.
At the right-hand end of the platen is affixed by screws 13, 13, the device 14,
which comprises in one integral piece a cylindrical hub 15, which fits into the
bore of the cylinder 4, and a cylindrical box or case 16 having a bottom or
plate 17 at the junction of the parts 15 and 16. The device 14 besides performing
the offices hereinafter mentioned constitutes also the right-hand platen head. The
plate or bottom 17 is perforated centrally, as at 18, through which the shaft or
axle 9 passes freely. Within the box or case 16 is placed a C-shaped metallic
spring 20, whose ends are formed with eyes 21 and 22, the eye 21
being fitted upon a pin 23 fixed in the plate 17, and the eye 22
being loosely fitted on a pin 24 fixed in the short arm 25 of a lever 26,
which is pivoted upon a fixed hollow pin or socket 27 on said plate 17, the longer
arm 28 of said lever being hook shaped and extending inwardly substantially
concentric with the shaft 9.
Upon said shaft a hollow shaft or sleeve 29 is fitted, as shown more clearly at
Figure 1, and at the inner extremity of said sleeve are formed two lugs or projec-
tions 30 and 31 which serve as cams to actuate the lever 26. The sleeve 29 takes
a bearing in the end bar 2, and is provided at its outer end with a finger-wheel
or knob 19, which may be secured thereto by a set screw 46. The said sleeve thus
mounted in the end-bar 2 of the frame serves as a bearing for the right-hand end
of the platen shaft 9 which, passing through and beyond said sleeve is also pro-
vided at its outer end with a finger wheel or knob 33 secured to the shaft by a set
screw 34. The hub of the said knob 33 abuts the outer end of said sleeve to
prevent any outward motion of the latter.
35 designates a ratchet ring and formed integral therewith is a circular hub or
flange 36 which passes into the space between the outer side of the C-shaped
spring and the inner surface of the spring box or case which is concentric with
said flange and which takes a bearing thereon.
The tension of the C-shaped spring is such that the end having the eye 22 tends
to move away from the portion having the eye 21, and owing to this expansive
action of the spring it is caused to bear with great force against the interior sur-
face of the flange 36 and thus the ratchet wheel is frictionally connected with the
spring box or right-hand platen head, and this connection is so firmly established
that when the ratchet wheel is rotated under the force of the usual line spacing
pawl there is not the slightest slip between the parts and the motion of the ratchet
wheel is communicated perfectly to the platen. Any form of ratchet ring or wheel
and line spacing pawl and lever may of course be employed. For convenience
I have shown herein the construction illustrated in my aforesaid application, the
line spacing pawl being designated by the numeral 37 and the lever by the
numeral 38. In connection with the ratchet wheel or ring is employed a detent 39
as usual for holding the platen firmly during the time of writing.
The spring box or case is preferably provided with a cover plate 40 having a
central hole for the passage of the shaft 9 and small perforations 41 for the passage
of the fastening screws 42, whose points enter threaded holes in the sockets 43
and 27 attached to the plate 17.
Normally the friction spring, its lever, and the sleeve 29, etc., are in the position
shown at Figure 3, and there is a frictional engagement between the ratchet ring
and the platen, through the device 14, the spring, and the flange of the ratchet
wheel; and hence if the line space pawl be actuated and the ratchet wheel turned the
platen will turn in unison therewith equal or line space distances, according to
the distance apart of the notches or spaces between the teeth of the ratchet wheel
and the throw of the line spacing pawl. The platen will also be fed similar dis-
tances in line space direction if either of the hand knobs 12 or 33 be turned in the
proper direction therefor, and by turning the hand wheels 12 and 33 in the
reverse direction the platen may be turned backwardly step-by-step through
uniform distances corresponding to the spacing of the ratchet wheel; but if the

page_text: or straight face 45 on the inner side of the hook-shaped lever, and which lies nearer
the center of rotation than the operating end of the projection 30 or 31, and this
forms a stop or wall to the forward rotation of the shaft. Various changes in detail
construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the
spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line-space ratchet
wheel, means for turning the latter, a platen head, a spring carried thereby for
frictionally connecting said platen head with said line space ratchet wheel so that
when the ratchet wheel is turned the platen is turned therewith through the fric-
tion of said spring, and means for removing the friction of said spring to enable
the platen to be turned independently of the ratchet wheel.
2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
wheel, means for turning the latter, a platen head, a spring carried thereby and
frictionally engaging said ratchet wheel, and a shaft connected to said spring for
breaking such engagement.
3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
wheel, means for turning the latter, a platen head carrying a spring to engage with
said ratchet wheel, a lever for moving said spring, and means for actuating said
lever.
4. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
wheel, means for turning the latter, a platen head carrying a spring to engage with
said ratchet wheel, a lever for moving said spring and a sleeve for actuating said
lever.
5. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
wheel means for turning the latter, a platen head, a C-shaped spring secured at
one end to the platen head, a lever pivoted to said platen head and connected to
the free end of said spring, and means for actuating said lever.
6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
wheel, means for turning the latter, a platen head, a C-shaped spring secured at
one end to the platen head, a lever pivoted to said platen head and connected to
the free end of said spring, and a shaft for actuating said lever.
7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
wheel having a flange, a spring case attached to said platen, a spring within said
case and having normally a frictional engagement with said flange, and means for
breaking such engagement.
8. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case secured
at one end thereof, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange which is inserted
within said case, a spring within said case pressing normally against said flange,
a lever connected to said spring, and a shaft for actuating said lever.
9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case attached
at one end thereof, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange arranged within
said case, C-shaped spring attached at one end to said case, a lever pivoted to
said case and attached to the free end of said spring, and a shaft for actuating
said lever.
10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case
attached at one end thereof and provided with a shaft, a lever pivoted within said
case, a spring attached at one end to one arm of said lever and at its other end to
said case, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange adapted to the pressure of
said spring, and a sleeve seated on said shaft and adapted to actuate said lever and
remove the pressure of said spring from said flange.
11. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case attached
at one end thereof and having a shaft, a lever pivoted within said case, a C-shaped

page_text: knob 19 be turned in a backward direction or away from the operator, considering
the top of the knob, a different effect will be produced.
When the knob 19 is turned backwardly, the sleeve 29 is caused to turn on the
shaft 9 and either one of the projections 30 or 31, according to its position at the
time, will operate to vibrate or force back the longer arm of the lever 26 and cause
its inner arm to move in the direction of the fixed pin 23, thereby at the same time
causing a contraction or winding in of the spring 20, sufficient to take it out of
frictional contact with the flange 36, or at least to reduce its pressure thereupon
to such an extent as to destroy its operative engagement with the flange of the
ratchet ring, and thus leave the platen free to be turned independently thereof. In
practice I contract or wind up the spring sufficiently to remove it entirely from
contact with the surface of the flange, and I then preferably lock the said spring
in this condition so as to permit of the turning of the platen freely in either direc-
tion by the rotation of the shaft 9, and for any desired distance, either through a
minute arc or through a large arc, or if desired, one or more complete revolutions,
thus providing for variable line spacing to any desired extent, and facilitating
the work of correcting and of writing on ruled paper and printed forms with blank
spaces therein to be filled up with the typewriter. The locking or holding out
of engagement of the spring is effected simply by turning the shaft 29 backwardly
or to the right in Figure 3, far enough to cause the point or free end of the longer
arm of the lever to ride up on top of the cam or projection 30 or 31; the first part
of this turning movement effecting as before stated, the backward vibration of
the lever and the disengagement of the spring from the flange 36 and the last
part of said movement bringing the free end of the lever up on top of the cam or
projection 30 or 31, against which it presses under the full force of the spring,
thus establishing a firm frictional engagement between the device 14 and the
sleeve 29 and entirely removing the frictional engagement between said device 14
and the platen ring. It will be seen from the foregoing that the platen and shaft 9.
may now be rotated in either direction by means of the knobs or finger pieces,
and that the platen will turn therewith, while the ratchet wheel will remain at
rest. When it may be desired to restore the frictional engagement between the
platen and the ratchet wheel the sleeve may be turned in either direction, that is,
either backwardly or forwardly by the hand wheel 19, the platen or its knob 12
being held with the left-hand, and when the sleeve is thus turned the cam or pro-
jection is carried away from the point of the lever and allows it to slip off and fly
towards the center and into either of the spaces, notches or cut-aways 44 between
the cams or projections 30--31, thereby permitting the spring to expand and again
engage with the flange 36 of the ratchet wheel.
In order to throw the lever back to the position shown at Figure 4, and for the
purpose of releasing the spring the shaft must be turned in the direction of the
arrow at Figure 3; or in other words, turned backwardly and when turned in
this direction the edge of the projection 31 acting on the extremity of the hook
causes the lever to vibrate backwardly, and when said lever has been swung to
its full extent a further movement of the sleeve will cause the projection 31 to
run under the point of the hook as illustrated at Figure 4, and thus lock the hook
back as before explained. It will be understood from Figure 4 that when it may
be desired to release the hook the sleeve may be turned in either direction; if
turned towards the left the proiection 31 will be the operative projection again
the next time, but if turned towards the right, the projection 30 will operate on
the next occasion to actuate the lever and its spring.
By reason of the fact that the lever cannot be moved back excepting by a back-
ward rotation of the shaft in the direction of the arrow at Figure 3, it will be
seen that the right-hand knob 33 may be employed as usual to turn the platen in
line space direction equal distances without the employment of the line spacing
mechanism, and at the same time without disengaging the spring clutch mechanism.
It will also be seen that the reason why the sleeve cannot be turned in a direction
opposite to that of the arrow at Figure 3, is because of the presence of the square

page_text: spring attached at one end to a pin on said case and connected at its other end to
one arm of said lever, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange arranged between
said spring and said case and adapted to the pressure of said spring, and a sleeve
seated on said shaft for actuating said lever.
12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring connected
to one end thereof, a line space ratchet wheel connected to said platen through the
pressure of said spring, means for removing said pressure and for maintaining it
out of action so as to enable the platen to be rotated freely while the ratchet wheel
remains at rest.
13. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a platen head, a
spring carried thereby, a line space ratchet wheel connected to the platen through
said spring, and means for retracting said spring and for holding it out of operative
relation to said ratchet wheel so as to enable the platen to be rotated freely inde-
pendently thereof.
14. In a typewriting machine the combination of a platen, a platen head, a
spring carried thereby, a line space ratchet wheel connected to said platen by the
pressure of said spring, a lever connected to said spring, and a shaft provided
with a projection for actuating said lever to retract the spring.
15. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a platen head, a
spring carried thereby, a line space ratchet wheel connected to said platen by the
pressure of said spring, a lever pivoted to said spring, and a shaft provided with a
projection for first actuating said lever and retracting the spring and then locking
or holding the spring out of action:
16. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case attached
to one end thereof, a lever pivoted within said case, a C-shaped spring attached at
one end to said case, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange arranged within
said case and adapted to receive the pressure of said spring, a shaft passing through
said spring case, and a sleeve seated on said shaft and provided with a projection
for actuating said lever.
17. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case attached
to one end thereof, a lever pivoted within said case, a C-shaped spring attached at
one end to said case, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange arranged within
said case and adapted to receive the pressure of said spring, a shaft passing through
said spring case, and a sleeve seated on said shaft and provided with two oppositely-
disposed projections adapted each to actuate said lever.
18. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case attached
at one end thereof, a hook-shaped lever pivoted within said case and having a
straight face as 45, a C-shaped spring attached at one end to the shorter arm of
said lever and attached at its opposite end to said spring case, a line space ratchet
wheel having a flange within said case adapted to receive. the pressure of said
spring, a shaft passing through said case, and a sleeve seated on said shaft and
provided with one or more actuating projections for said lever and with one or
more notches, as 44.
19. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case, a spring
therein, a line space ratchet wheel connected to the platen through the pressure
of said spring, a shaft, and means intermediate said shaft and said spring for remov-
ing the pressure of said spring from the said ratchet wheel and for transferring
the pressure of said spring to said intermediate means whereby the shaft and platen
may be rotated independently of the ratchet wheel.
20. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a platen shaft, a
sleeve thereon, a spring case, a line space ratchet wheel having a flange, a spring
within said case for pressing upon said flange and thus connecting it with the
sleeve, the sleeve and spring being arranged so that when the sleeve is rotated in
one direction the platen and the ratchet wheel turn with it but when it is turned
in the opposite direction the pressure of the spring is removed from the ratchet
wheel and transferred to said sleeve whereby the shaft and platen may be turned
independently of said ratchet wheel.

page_text: 21. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a spring case attached
thereto, a lever pivoted within said case, a C-shaped spring attached at one end
to one arm of said lever and at its opposite end to said case, a line space ratchet
wheel having a flange adapted to said spring and a sleeve provided on its outer end
with a finger piece and seated at its inner end upon the platen shaft and provided
thereat with one or more projections for actuating said lever.
22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
ring having a flange, a C-shaped spring pressing normally around said flange and
frictionally connecting the ratchet ring to the platen, and means for releasing the
pressure of said spring and disconnecting the platen and ring, so that the former
may be turned independently of the latter.
23. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen, a line space ratchet
ring, a C-shaped spring pressing normally around said ring and frictionally
connecting the ratchet ring to the platen, and means for releasing the pressure of
said spring and disconnecting the platen and ring, so that the former may be
turned independently of the latter.
Dated this 21st day of November 1900
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.