Improvements in Typewriters and Supports therefor.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1899-Accepted, 5th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Typewriters and Supports therefor.
I, MANUEL SÁNCHEZ CARMONA, Civil Engineer, of 1442, Donato Guerra, in the
City of Mexico, in the Republic of Mexico, do hereby declare the nature of my
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 typewriters and supports therefor, and has particular
reference to that class of typewriters in which only a small number of keys
(for instance five) are employed, which are operated either singly or in various
combinations to enable a comparatively large number of characters or signs to
be written (for instance thirty-one or thirty-two with five keys, or a multiple
of thirty-one or thirty-two if two or more series of type are provided). The
object of my invention is to provide a compact and light machine of the above-
indicated class, in which provision is made for a ready substitution of various
types, and for an automatic spacing of the characters according to their width.
Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and convenient support
for the paper or writing surface, to be used in connection with any typewriter
in which the writing surface remains stationary while the type travels with the
carriage.
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now describe it
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of
reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved maclrine;
Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof with parts broken away;
Figure 3 is a plan view partly in section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional elevations on the line aa of Figure 3, looking
respectively in the direction of the arrows 4-4 and 5-5;
Figure is a perspective view of the key-board frame and parts connected
therewith.
Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the type bands and the parts con-
nected therewith;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of the case containing the type bands;
Figures 9 and 10 are details of two forms of carriage for the ends of the type
bands;
Figure 10 is a detail of the mechanism for throwing the type into the print-
ing position;
Figures 11 to 16 are cross sections taken on the corresponding lines of
Figure 2;
Figures 17 and 18, 19 and 20 are details of the carriage feed mechanism and
line spacer respectively;
Figure 21 is a diagrammatic end view of the principal parts of the machine;
Figure 22 is a perspective view of a typewriter support constructed according
to my invention;
Figure 23 is a like view thereof on a smaller scale and showing a pad in
position upon the support;

page_text: Figure 24 is a like view of a somewhat modified construction adapted for use
when writing in books.
Figure 25 is a perspective view of various parts of the mechanism of the sup-
port shown in Figure 24, the framework of the support being indicated in dotted
lines;
Figure 26 is a detail showing the means of guiding the book support;
Figures 27 and 28 are perspective views from the outside and inside respec-
tively of the line spacer employed in connection with my improved support;
Figure 29 is a plan view of the said line spacer;
Figure 30 is a side elevation thereof; and
Figure 31 is an end elevation with parts in section.
The improved typewriter is constructed to travel bodily, the paper or other
writing surface remaining stationary; the reverse arrangement, however, might
be employed, with a very slight and obvious change of construction.
The machine comprises the following main parts, viz.: (see the diagram
Figure 21) the stationary base or guide having a line spacer for feeding the
paper after a line has been written; a carriage arranged to travel on said guide
and provided with a feed device; a keyboard frame movable vertically, that is,
toward and from the writing surface, and supported on the carriage, said frame
operating the carriage feed mechanism; an impression frame mounted on the
keyboard frame so as to partake of its vertical movement, but capable besides
of an independent transverse movement; a type box containing type bands and
carried by the impression frame; and keys carried by the keyboard frame and
controlling the position of the type. I will now specifically describe these
several parts in the order named."
THE BASE OR GUIDE.
The base plate 25 (Figure 1) is adapted to support the paper 26 and from the
ends of said plate rise standards 27 which carry the hollow inverted U-shaped
guide bar 28. To the standards 27 is also secured so as to extend at a distance
in front of the guide 28 and parallel therewith, a plate 29 having perforations 30
adapted to be engaged by pins 31 at the ends of springs 32 secured to slides 33
which may be moved longitudinally of the plate 29 and carry projections 34 to
operate a bell to indicate where the writing should begin and end, as will be
described presently. To one end of the guide bar 28 is hinged near the upper
end, as indicated at 35, an extension 36 having guide grooves 37 and adapted
to be folded over one-half of the guide bar 28, or that part of it which is not
occupied by the carriage when the latter is at the opposite end of the guide 28
to the hinge 35. The guide bar 28 has a recess on its upper face, in which is
cut a screw thread or rack 38. To enable the carriage to be located exactly,
the guide bar 28 may be provided at one edge with a graduation 39 as indicated
in Figures 17 and 19.
THE LINE SPACER.
To feed the paper 26 after the impression of a line, I journal within the hollow
of the guide bar 28, a shaft 40 having a rubber cover 41 adapted to engage the
paper (see Figures 11 to 17). The shaft projects through one of the standards 27
at the opposite end to that at which the hinge 35 is arranged, and on said pro-
jecting end is secured a milled head 42 and a ratchet wheel 43 (see Figures 19
& 20). Said wheel is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 44, fulcrumed at 45
upon an arm 46, whose fulcrum is at 47 upon the said standard 27, the arm
and pawl being held in their normal position by springs 48 and 49 respectively.
The pawl 44 is normally out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 43, so as to
allow the roller 40, 41 to be turned freely. A stop 50 limits the upward move-
ment of the arm 46, which has a handle 51 for manually depressing it. To
regulate the throw of the arm 46, I employ a stop adjustable forwardly and
rearwardly on the base 25, and consisting of a spring arm 52 sliding in

page_text: guides 53 and having a pin 54 to engage a series of perforations 55 on the
base 25.
THE CARRIAGE.
The carriage consists of a slide 56 U-shaped to fit on the guide bar 28 and
having inturned flanges 57 at its bottom to take under said guide bar, or into
the grooves 37 of the extension 36 when the carriage travels to the right beyond
the end of the guide bar 28. At one end of the slide 56 is a vertical plate 58
(Figure 16). On the carriage is secured the bell 59 adapted to be struck by the
hammer 60 (see Figures 17 and 18) pivoted at 61 to a lever 62 which is ful-
crumed at 63 upon the slide 56. A stop 65 limits the movement of the lever 62.
At the end of the lever is a wedge-shaped projection 66 adapted to engage the
projections 34 (Figure 19) of the stationary slides 33. In passing over either
of the projections 34, that arm of lever 62 which carries projection 66 is raised
against the pressure of spring 64, the arm which carries the hammer 60 being
correspondingly depressed, and when projection 66 by the continued movement
of the carriage 56, is released from projection 34, the spring 64 pulls down
lever 62. suddenly against stop 65, and causes hammer 60 by its acquired momen-
tum to strike the bell a single blow. The projection 66 by engagement with one
of the slides 33 also limits the movement of the carriage to the left, but allows
it to pass further if the spring 32 is bent outward.
THE CARRIAGE FEED MECHANISM.
At one end of the carriage are located hinges 67 (Figure 17) to connect with
the carriage a plate 68 carrying a box 69 in which is journalled a shaft 70 on
which mounted a worm 71 arranged to project through an opening 72 of the
slide 56 (see Figures 12 and 13) and to engage the screw thread 38 of the guide
bar 28. It will be obvious that a rotation of the worm 71 will cause the car-
riage to travel longitudinally of the guide 28. The pitch of the screw thread is
so selected as to lock the carriage against accidental lengthwise movement. To
enable the carriage to be shifted freely along the guide bar 28, the worm 71 may
be lifted out of engagement with the screw thread or rack 38, a handle 73 being
for this purpose attached to the box 69. This handle corresponds in location to
the guide plate 58 at the other end of the carriage so that the operator may rest
the little finger against the plate 58 and the thumb against the handle 73 when
it is desired to lift the worm 71. To rotate the worm 71 intermittently, I pro-
vide the following mechanism: Rigid with the worm is a ratchet wheel 74
adapted to be engaged and turned (in one direction only) by a pawl 75 secured to
a sector 76 mounted on the shaft 70 loosely in relation to the worm 71 and.
ratchet wheel 74 (Figures 13 and 17). The sector carries two pins 77 and 78
respectively, for turning it alternately in opposite directions, as will be described
presently. A pawl 79 secured to the box 69, prevents movement of the ratchet
wheel 74 in one direction. It will be understood that when the sector 76 turns'
in one direction, the worm 71 remains stationary, the pawl 75 slipping over the
teeth of the ratchet wheel 74. When the sector 76 turns in the opposite direc-
tion, the pawl 75 causes the ratchet wheel 74 and the worm 71 to turn, thus
feeding the carriage along the rack 38 or guide 28.
THE KEYBOARD FRAME.
On the carriage slide 56 are located brackets or bearings 80 in which are
journalled bell crank levers 81 connected by a longitudinal rod 82 so as to move
in unison, and a spring 83 (Figures 2 and 18) engaging the top of the slide 56
and a plate 84 which is rigid with one of the levers 81, keeps the levers normally
in an elevated position. To regulate this normal position, an adjusting screw 85
is passed through an extension 86 on one of the levers 81 to engage the top of
the slide 56. The levers 81 are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as
indicated at 87, with lugs 88 secured to the keyboard frame proper. This frame
has an approximately horizontal top 89 which extends over the rear part of the

page_text: machine (Figures 13 and 14) and a vertical portion 90 which moves along the
vertical rear wall of the slide 56. At one end of said vertical portion 90
(Figure 17) is located a guide 91 in which is adapted to slide an arm 92 having
a forked end 93 which fits over the pin 78 of the sector 76. The arm 92 is
pivotally connected with a lever 94 fulcrumed at 95 and constantly pressed in
one direction by a spring 96 which also engages an arm 97 rigid with the por-
tion 90 of the keyboard frame. At its free end, the lever 94 carries a pin 98
for limiting the movement of the arm 92 by coming in engagement with a stop,
as will be fully described hereinafter. The lug 88 of the keyboard frame has a
projection 99 (Figure 18) which takes under the pin 77 of the sector 76, and
therefore has a tendency to turn said sector against the tension of the spring 96.
The spring 83 is made strong enough to overcome the spring 96 and the weight
of the keyboard frame and of the parts carried thereby. A horizontal
member 100 forming part of the keyboard frame carries at intervals lugs 101
and pins 102 which may be in the nature of screws to allow them to be readily
adjusted (Figures 2, 4 and 18). The pins 102 project to different heights, as
shown, for a purpose that will be stated in the detailed description of the key-
board. The keyboard frame has end plates 103, one of which carries a rounded
projection 104, see Figures 5, 6 and 11.
THE IMPRESSION FRAME.
Between the end walls 103 of the keyboard frame are adapted to slide the
parallel end walls 105 of the impression frame, (Figure 3) connected by a longi-
tudinal wall 106 in which is an aperture 107 (Figure 13) through which certain
parts of the mechanism may be observed. The impression frame is guided on
the keyboard frame, first by lugs 108 (Figure 11) which clasp a reduced por-
tion 109 of the ends 103; second, at one end, by a pin 110 (Figure 16) secured
to one of the end walls 103 and engaging a horizontal slot 111 in one of the
walls 105 third, at the other end, by resting on the top of an inward exten-
sion 112 (Figure 5) of the projection 104; fourth, by passing through slots 113
(Figure 3) formed at the ends of the rear wall 114 depending from the top 89 of
the keyboard frame; fifth, by pins 115 projecting from each end 105 of the
impression frame through slots 116 (Figure 11) of the end walls 103. These
pins engage the slotted ends of links 117 fulcrumed at 118 on the end walls 103
of the keyboard frame. The links are connected by a shaft 119 (Figure 4) on
which is coiled a spring 120 having a tendency to press the impression frame in
the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 16. To cause the frame to
return only to its central position under the influence of the spring 120, when
it is desired to so limit its movement, I provide a lever 121 fulcrumed at 122
on one of the walls 103 and made of elastic material, with its end 123 adapted
to be sprung into one of two apertures 124, the lever in one position limiting
the movement of the frame as above indicated, while in the other position the
lever is out of action.
THE MECHANISM FOR MOVING THE IMPRESSION FRAME (AGAINST THE SPRING 120).
It will be understood that the spring 120 returns the impression frame to the
extreme position shown in Figures 1 and 11, or when the lever 121 is in the
position shown in Figure 16, to the central position shown in said figure. In
order to move the impression frame into the extreme position opposite to that
shown in Figures I and 11, I provide a key 125 (Figure 2) having an arm 126
movable laterally (that is parallel with the guide 28) in a guide 127 secured to
the underside of the top plate 89 of the keyboard frame. At its inner end,
said arm 126 carries a projection 128 engaged by one end of a bell crank
lever 129 (Figure 3) fulcrumed at 130 below the top 89. The other arm of the
lever 129 engages a projection 131 on the inside of one of the end walls 105 of
the impression frame. It will be obvious that by pressing the key 125 laterally
outward, the operator will move the impression frame rearward until the pins 115
reach the end of the slots 116. At the other end of the keyboard frame is

page_text: located another outwardly movable key 132 having an arm 133 sliding in a
guide 134, and a projection 135 engaged by one end of a lever 136 fulcrumed
at 137 on the underside of the top 89. The lever engages a projection 138 on
the other end wall 105 of the impression frame, and is constructed substantially
like the other lever 129, except that the fulcrum is located differently, so that
an outward movement of the key 132 will move the impression frame only hali
way, that is, to its central position.
THE TYPE Box.
The impression frame has longitudinal ledges or guides 139 (Figures 12 to 16)
on which is adapted to slide the type box 140 having angular Hanges 141 for
engaging said guides (see also Figures 7 and 8). The movement of the type
box is limited at one end by the extension 112 of the projection 104 (Figure 5).
At the other end, the type box has a spring catch 142 adapted to spring behind
one of the end walls 105 of the impression frame, and a handle 143 for mani-
pulating the type box, the handle having a crank portion 144 for throwing the
spring catch 142 out of engagement with the impression frame so as to allow
the type box to be withdrawn. At the opposite end the type box has a pro-
jection or stop 145 the edge of which may be straight or stepped as shown, for a
purpose stated hereinafter.
This stop is in the path of travel of the pin 98
(Figure 17). The type box is open at the top and at one end, where the type
is in the printing position
THE TYPE BANDS.
The type bands 146 (Figures 5 and 7) are three in number, being arranged
side by side in the type box 140. One end of each type band is secured to an
independent roller or barrel 147 journalled in said box 140 and controlled by a
coiled spring 148 so as to keep the type bands under tension. The bands 146
carry type 149 at regular intervals, on their underside. In the example shown,
each band carries 31 types. From the spring barrels 147 the bands extend
longitudinally of the type box 140 to pass over guide rollers 150 and an inking
pad 151. Then the bands pass out through the open end of the box 140 and
under shoes 152 secured to the lower end of bars 153 (Figure 10) which are
movable vertically on transverse guides 154 and 155 connecting the longitudinal
walls of the type box 140. These bars 153 are normally held in their upper
position by the tension of the respective type bands 146, but one of these bars
is held down by the engagement of its horizontal top 156 with the projection 104
of the keyboard frame, causing the corresponding type band to project down-
wardly beyond its neighbors and beyond the bottom of the box 140, as indicated
in dotted lines in Figure 5. This is the printing position of the type band.
Each type band from its shoe 152 passes upward adjacent to another inking
pad 157 secured to the type box and over a roller 158 journalled in the type
box 140 to a roller 159 journalled in a carriage 160 (Figures 5 and 9) which
travels on longitudinal guides 161 at the top of the type box. After passing
around the roller 159, the type bands are led to a roller 162 journalled in the type
box 140, and finally the ends of the type bands are fastened to a rod 163 on the
carriage 160 (see Figures 5 and 9). It will be obvious that with this con-
struction every movement of the carriage will produce a movement of the type
bands of three fold extent. In many cases a two fold amplification would be
sufficient, and for this purpose I may simply suppress the bar 163 (sec
Figure 10) and secure the ends of the type bands 146 to a rod 163ª secured to
the type box 140, as shown in Figure 7.
THE PRINTING KEYS AND THE MECHANISM OPERATED BY THEM DIRECTLY.
The printing keys 164 are five in number and comprise a horizontal portion
and a vertical member 165. The top 89 of the keyboard frame is rounded at
its central portion (Figure 1) so that the operator may hold the hand in a natural
and convenient position with three fingers stretched in advance of the thumb
and little finger. The vertical members 165 of the keys slide up and down in

page_text: guideways 166 of the keyboard frame (Figures 13, 14 and 15), and carry
pins 167 (Figure 5) on which are journalled rollers 168. Between these rollers
or pulleys are journalled on pins 169 secured to the keyboard frame, another
series of pulleys 170. All of these pulleys 168 and 170 are engaged by a flexible
band, chain or cord 171 which passes under the (movable) key pulleys 168 and
over the (relatively stationary frame pulleys 170 (Figure 4). One end of said
cord 171 is secured to one of the keys as at 172, and on the same key is pivoted
at 173 an eccentric pulley 174, for the purpose of adjusting the initial position
of the cord. The downward movement of the keys is limited by the stop pins 102
herein before referred to. These pins project to the same height for the key to
which the cord 171 is fastened and for the key adjacent to it; for the next key
the distance from the stop to the key when in its normal position is twice as
great, and for the last two keys, four times as great as for the first two. The
last key as shown at 165 has a forked vertical portion, each member of the fork
extending at one side of one of the stationary pulleys 170 and carrying a
movable pulley 168. Since one end of the cord is secured to the first key, the
movement of this key, although equal in extent to that of the second key, will
produce a longitudinal movement of the cord equal to only one-half of the move-
ment produced by the depression of the second key, the pulley 168 of which
engages the cord between the fixed pulleys 170. The depression of the third
and fourth keys will move the cord longitudinally twice and four times as far
respectively as the depression of the second key, and although the fourth and
fifth keys have the same range of movement, the action of the fifth key on the
cord is doubled by the provision of two pulleys on said key with a fixed pulley
between them. It follows that the keys when depressed singly, will produce
longitudinal movement of the cord the extent of which will be for the several
keys, in the ratio of 1:2:4:8:16. By separating only one key, or two, three,
four or all five in unison, it is possible to obtain a longitudinal movement of
the cord equal to any entire multiple up to 31 (the sum of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16)
of the movement produced by the depression of the first key. This longitudinal
movement is transmitted to the type bands as follows: From the last pulley 168
the cord 171 passes up to a pulley 175 journalled in the keyboard frame near
the top thereof, and then horizontally back to a pulley 176 journalled on the
keyboard frame about a vertical axis (Figures 3 and 5). The cord then passes
longitudinally of the machine to a carriage 177 sliding in guides 178 and drawn
toward one end thereof by a spring 179. The carriage 177 has a depending
member 180 (Figures 5 and 15) which engages a plate 181 at the top of the
type band carriage 160 in such a manner as to allow the member 180 to slide
on said plate 181 when the impression frame and with it the carriage 160 are
moved transversely of the keyboard frame. The springs 148 keep the
member 180 and the plate 181 in engagement with each other, while the
spring 179 keeps the cord 171 taut and returns the keys to their normal or
elevated position when released, shoulders 165 limiting the upward movement
of the keys (Figure 4).
OPERATION.
The operation of the line space and of the bell being similar to that of
analogous devices now in use, will require no further explanation.
As above described, a depression of one of the keys 164, or of a number of
them causes a longitudinal movement of the cord 171 and of the type bands 146.
This movement is different in extent for each key and for each combination of
them, the various movements possible forming an arithmetic
with the constant difference of one unit, that is, 1, 2, 3, .
series
up to 31. If therefore each type band has 31 characters at regular
intervals, any one of these characters can be brought into a predetermined posi-
tion (the printing position) by the actuation of an appropriate key (or number
of keys). A table which the operator would soon commit to memory, would
indicate the keys and combinations corresponding to each character. Supposing

page_text: the first key only is depressed, this would bring into the printing position at
the end of the type box 140, a predetermined character on each of the three
type bands 146. One of these three characters, however, would project down-
wardly beyond those on the adjacent bands and beyond the bottom of the type
box, owing to the engagement of the projection 104 on the keyboard frame, with
the top plate 156 of one of the bars or type band depressors 153. This move-
ment of the type bands 146 would take place while the key is moved alone,
that is until it comes in contact with its stop 102. From then on, further
depression of the key (or keys) will cause no longitudinal movement of the typo
bands, but will depress the keyboard frame relatively to the carriage.
This
movement of the keyboard frame has two functions, viz. first to effect the print-
ing as soon as the protruding character comes in contact with the writing sur-
face, and second, to prepare the carriage-feed mechanism for action. This is
accomplished as follows: It will be remembered that the spring 96 presses on
the arm 92 (Figure 17) in such a manner as to hold the pin 77 of the sector 70
in engagement with the projection 99 of the keyboard frame. As this lug moves
downward during the depression of the keyboard frame, the spring 96 causes
the pin 77 to remain in contact with the lug 99, so that the sector 76 turns in
the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 13. The pawl 79 prevents the
worm 71 and ratchet 74 from following this movement, and thus the pawl 75
glides over the teeth of the ratchet without turning it. The extent of the
sector's 76 movement is determined by the position and shape of the stop 145,
since said stop arrests the movement of the lever 94 when the pin 98 engages
the stop, the further downward movement of the projection 99 being then of no
effect upon the arm 92. It will be obvious that if the stop 145 is quite close to
the initial position of the pin 98, the movement of the latter and of the sector 76
will be comparatively slight. This movement, as will be explained presently,
is proportionate to the feed of the main carriage after each impression. It often
is desirable that the feed should be greater for a certain class of characters than
for another, say greater for capitals than for small letters. This can readily be
obtained by making the stop 145 stepped as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 17. The
central cut out portion of the stop would correspond in location to the type
band 146 on which the capital types are carried, while the end portions, nearer
to the pin 98, would correspond to the type bands carrying small letters, figures,
punctuation and other signs. The printed type can thus be properly spaced.
Inasmuch as the type box 140 is removable and exchangeable, the same machine
can be readily used for type of different sizes or arrangement, and for various
languages. When the keyboard frame rises again upon being released, the
projection 99 comes in contact with the pin 77 and turns the sector 76 against
the tension of the spring 96 a distance equal to the previous rotary movement of
the sector. The pawl 75 during this return movement turns the ratchet wheel 74
and the worm 71, causing the main carriage to be fed along the guide 28 an
appropriate distance as described.
When it is desired to shift the carriage quickly it may be released from the
rack 38 by swinging the worm box 69 upward as described. An accidental
upward movement of the said box is prevented by the downward pressure of the
spring 83 on the bottom plate of the box.
The opening or window 107 in the impression frame (Figure 6) enables the
operator to ascertain if the carriage 160 is in its proper position, for which
purpose the guides 161 may be provided with a suitable mark or gauge. Should
the carriage 160 require adjustment, this is done by turning the eccentric
pulley 174 (Figure 4) on its axis 173; this shifts the carriage 177, and also the
carriage 160 since the springs 148 keep both carriages in contact with each other.
When the type box 140 is removed, the spring 179 still keeps the keys 164 up
and the cord 171 taut.
The change from one type band 146 to another is readily made by operating
one or the other of the lateral shifting keys 125 and 132. The lever 121 when
in its central position (Figure 16) causes the impression frame to normally

page_text: remain in the central position, in which the type band carrying the capitals is
in its operative position.
The spacing between words is effected by depressing the whole keyboard
frame without touching any one of the keys; it may also be effected by a partial
depression of the said frame while leaving the fingers on the keys so as to
depress some of them. In this case each type band might carry 32 characters,
one of them being adapted to be printed by the complete depression of the key-
board frame without touching the keys.
The provision of two inking pads 151 and 157 at each side of the impression
point enables me to keep the type well inked without requiring a return of the
type bands to their normal position after each impression.
As the impression point is at the left hand corner of the main carriage of the
machine, which after each impression is fed toward the right, it follows that
the writing is plainly in sight.
The improved machine is very compact, capable of neat and relatively quick
work, allows for a ready exchange of characters, and in brief, possesses many
features which make it particularly adapted for the use of travellers, although
of course it is capable of a much more general application.
It will be obvious that many modifications may be made without departing
from the nature of my invention. Thus I have already referred to a modifica-
tion of the carriage 160 for the purpose of amplifying the movement of the
type bands 146 two fold instead of three fold; it will be obvious that slight
changes of construction will enable the manufacturer to increase the movement
four fold or more, if desired, or by securing the ends of the type bands to the
carriage 160 directly, the amplification of the movement may be dispensed with.
The object of the amplification is to enable the type 149 to be better spaced and
better secured on the type bands without increasing the movement of the
keys 164. It will further be obvious that in very simple machines one or two
type bands would do, while in exceptional cases more than three might be
required. Accordingly, I would either omit the type band shifting keys 125
and 132 entirely (when only one type band is employed) or provide only one of
them (for two type bands), or a greater number than two if necessary. Other
changes of an analogous nature may be made.
While I have described the types 149 as carried upon bands 146, I might
secure them upon wheels, for instance directly upon the spring barrels 147,
which would then be located at the opposite end of the type box 140, adjacent
to the inking pads. The shoes 152 would then have for their function to throw
any one of the type wheels beyond its neighbours. The type wheels would be
connected with the carriage 160 by band, cords or other flexible connections. I
desire it to be understood that where in the claims I refer to a cord I intend to
include as its equivalent a chain, band or other flexible connection; also, where
I refer to a type carrier, I include a type wheel as well as a type band, or any
other type carrier (such as a type bar) in which a series of characters or signs
are located in a longitudinal series.
I will now describe, with reference to Figures 22 to 31, the typewriter sup-
port forming part of my invention.
A indicates the carriage or typewriter proper which, as above stated, is of the
class in which the entire machine with the type, travels along a stationary guide
or rack. Said rack is indicated by the letter B and is supported upon brackets C,
adapted to slide in the direction from the top to the bottom of the paper upon
guides D, forming a part of the frame E of the typewriter support.
As will be seen best in Figure 22, the frame E is substantially rectangular in
shape with the rear end thereof higher than the front end and open at its central
portion for the reception of the pad or book or other writing surface. The
guides D carry racks F which are engaged by pinions G upon each side of the
frame E, said pinions being connected by a shaft H, see Figure 27. One of the
pinions, preferably the pinion at the left-hand side of the frame, is locked

page_text: against rotation in one direction by a pawl I which a spring J normally keeps
in engagement with the pinion. The pawl may be thrown out of engagement
so as to allow the rack B to be moved freely up and down the racks F, by the
action of a cam lever K upon a presser bar L, which is vertically movable to
throw the pawl I out of action, as will be described presently. The lever K is
secured upon a shaft M pressed upon by a spring N.
The pawl I is carried by a shaft O which also carries another pawl I' at a
distance from the first-named pawl less than the width of the pinion G. The
shaft is journalled in bearings B, and has an upward extension in the nature
of a fork between the members of which passes a pin Q secured upon a lever R,
fulcrumed at R¹ upon the bracket or slide C. The rear end of the fork 0¹ is
engaged by the spring J and by the presser bar L, herein before mentioned. The
shaft is movable longitudinally in its bearings P under the influence of the
lever R. This lever at the opposite end to the pin Q carries a fork R2 which
embraces a cam extension S, secured to a lever S¹ (Figure 28) fulcrumed at S³
and carrying an actuating plate S3, formed with a projection $4. The pinion G
is adapted to be engaged by a third pawl T (Figure 27) secured to a sleeve T¹,
provided with a groove T which is engaged by a pin R upon the lever R. The
sleeve T is connected with an arm U which a spring V tends to draw against a
stop U. The movement of the arm U in the opposite direction is limited by a
stop W secured to the end of a bar W₁, movable forward and rearward in guides X
and adapted to be secured in either one of a series of apertures W2. The actu-
ating plate S is normally held in its upper position by a spring S, see Figure 28.
In the position shown in the drawings only the pawl I is in engagement with the
pinion G and locks it against movement in both directions.
If the actuating plate S3 is depressed, the cam member S will cause the lever R
to swing on its pivot in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 29, and
this will throw the pawls I and T into engagement with the pinion G while the
pawl I will be thrown out of engagement with said pinion. The pawl I allows
the pinion to turn in one direction (the direction of the feed), but locks it against
rotation in the opposite direction. The pawl T is so formed that when in engage-
ment with the pinion G, neither can turn relatively to the other. When, there-
fore, the projection $4 of the actuating plate S3 comes in engagement with the
pawl T and depresses the same, the pinion G and shaft H will be rotated until
such movement is stopped by the engagement of the arm H with the stop W.
Such rotation will, of course, feed the rack B, slides C, and the typewriter
proper A toward the bottom of the support E. When the operator releases the
actuating plate S³, the upward movement of the said plate under the influence
of the spring $5 will cause the lever R to return to its original position, throwing
the pawl Tout of engagement with the pinion and locking the pinion against
movement in both directions by again engaging it with the pawl I. The pawl T
as soon as disengaged from the pinion will be restored to its original position by
the spring V. It will be understood that the amount of feed can be readily
adjusted by shifting the stop W.
The support for the pad shown in Figure 22 comprises the following parts:
two cross rods or shafts Y, Y', located respectively at the top and bottom of the
frame E and carrying bell crank levers Z, those on the same side of the frame
being connected by rods a. These bell crank levers are engaged at their free
ends by pins 6 with slots c', in presser bars c, secured to the base, table or board c²
(Figure 23) of a size corresponding to the opening of the frame and adapted to
engage the pad d from below. These presser bars c are forced upward by a
spring e secured to a shaft f, which may be turned by means of a worm wheel g
and a worm h and a shaft i carrying a handle j so that the tension of the spring
may be adjusted. The upper end of the pad is adapted to fit under a holder or
flange which is mounted to swing in the frame E upon a shaft 7 and is pressed
forward by a spring m. One of the levers Z is extended rearwardly, as shown
at and is connected with an arm n, secured upon a shaft o, which has a

page_text: handle in the path of one of the slides C. The slide is also adapted to engage
a sliding ring q, connected by a rod or cord gl with the flanged holder k. When
using the machine, the pad is placed with its upper edge under the flange of the
holder and with the body or back resting upon the table to the under side of
which are secured the presser bars c. The base or table is pressed upwardly
by the spring m and slides in guides c³.
The machine A is operated in the usual manner, travelling from left to right
upon the guide B. After the impression of a line, the line spacer is operated by
depressing the actuating plate S3, causing the guide B to be fed toward the bottom
of the frame E. When a whole page has been written upon and the machine has
reached the bottom of the frame E, the handle K is operated to release the
guide B which is then slid toward the upper end of the frame E, which move-
ment, by the engagement of one of the slides C with the arm or handle p, and
with the ring q causes first the presser bars c to swing downward with the table 2,
and then the holder k to swing backward so as to release the pad to permit the
removal of the uppermost leaf.
When applying the principle of the above described construction to a support
adapted for use when writing in books as shown in Figures 24 and 25, the frame E
is the same as herein before described, except that it is wider, also the line spacer
is the same as in the construction above indicated. The support for the book,
however, is somewhat different, being made in two sections which are to a certain
extent independent of each other said sections being adapted to support one-half
of the book each. The book is held in position at the top by a support k¹ pivoted
at and having forwardly extending Hanges to engage the respective halves
of the book. The spring m' draws the holder forward. The covers of the book
are adapted to rest upon bases or boards r having lugs (Figure 26) adapted
to slide in vertical grooves st of the frame bars s and cross bars t, forming stops
for the bottom of the book, see Figure 24. The bases or boards are pressed
upward by presser bars * similar to those illustrated in Figure 1, except that
there are separate presser bars for each board r. These bars are carried by
levers connected by rods a¹ and under the influence of springs el which are
operated in exactly the same manner as herein before described. Each half of
the support, however, has its independent spring and crank. Those levers
at the top of the frame E which are adjacent to each other are extended rear-
wardly and take over a transverse arm which may be lifted by a crank arm v,
upon a shaft w, provided with a handle in the path of one of the slides C.
The slide C is also adapted to engage the sliding ring 72 connected with the
holder by a cord or rod q³.
It will be understood that the supports shown in Figures 22 to 31 and described
with reference thereto may be employed in connection with a typewriter such as
described with reference to Figures 1 to 21, or with any typewriter possessing
the same characteristic of feeding itself along a rack such as B at each impres-
sion of a character or sign.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. The keys when arranged to produce either singly or in combination, longi-
tudinal movements of the cord or other flexible connection operating the type
carrier in such a manner that the extent of the movements produced by the keys
singly will be in the proportions indicated by a geometric progression with the
ratio 2, substantially as described.
2. The arrangement of the stops (102) at different distances from the normal
positions of the respective keys, for the purpose of securing the result indicated
under head 1), substantially as described.
3. The arrangement of the types (149) in a longitudinal series upon a band (146),
substantially as described.

page_text: 4. The use of a plurality of type carriers any one of which may be caused to
project beyond the others so that only one type-carrier will be in the printing
position, substantially as described.
5. The arrangement of a plurality of type bands side by side, with devices for
moving the type bands longitudinally in unison, and with means for projecting
one of the type bands beyond the others, substantially as described.
6. The projection (104) stationary relatively to the box (140) which contains
the type bands (146) and arranged to project one of the type bands by means of
shoes (152), substantially as described.
7. The keys (125 and 132) for shifting the type bands laterally to bring any
one of them into operative relation to the projection (104), substantially as
described.
8. The keyboard frame mounted to move toward and from the writing surface
and carrying the keys as well as the types, substantially as described.
9. The keys when arranged to first effect a movement of the type carrier to
bring the desired type into the printing position, and then to cause a movement
of the frame which supports the type, toward the writing surface.
10. The keyboard frame carried by levers (81) fulcrumed upon the carriage (56),
substantially as described.
11. The adjusting screw (85) in conjunction with the spring (88), for regu-
lating the normal position of the keyboard frame, substantially as described.
12. The guide (28) having hinged thereto an extension (36) of a length equal
to substantially that of the guide (28) less that of the machine proper, substan-
tially as described.
13. The base (25) having standards (27) to carry the guides (28) so as to afford
a clearance for the passage of the paper or other writing surface, substantially
as described.
14. The plate (29) extending in front of the guide (28) and carrying projections
for operating the bell (59), substantially as described.
15. The slides (33) having springs (32) with pins (31) to engage apertures (30)
of the plate (29) and projections (34) to operate the bell (59) and to stop the
carriage at the beginning of the line, substantially as described.
16. The line-spacing pawl (44) adapted to turn the ratchet wheel (42), but
normally out of engagement therewith, so as to allow the ratchet wheel to be
turned freely, substantially as described.
17. The bell hammer (60) pivoted to the lever (62) which has a wedge-shaped
projection (66) to engage the projections (34) of the slides (33), substantially as
described.
18. The feed worm (71) carried by a box (69) hinged to the carriage (56) and
having a handle (73) for lifting the worm out of engagement with the rack (38),
substantially as described.
19. The plate (58) located at the opposite end of the carriage to the handle (73),
to facilitate the lifting of the worm body (69) by its handle (73), substantially
as described.
20. The sector (76) having a pawl (75) for turning the ratchet wheel (74) rigid
with the worm (71), said sector being further provided with two pins one of
which (78) engages means for turning the sector in one direction, without actua-
ting the worm, while the other pin (77) engages means for turning the sector and
worm together in the opposite direction, substantially as described.
21. The arm (92) engaging the pin (78) of the sector (76) and actuated by a
spring (96) to turn said sector relatively to the ratchet wheel (74), substantially
as described.
22. The lever (94) connected with the spring-pressed arm (92) which turns the
sector (76) relatively to the ratchet wheel (74), said lever carrying a pin (98)
co-operating with the stop (145) to regulate the amount of feed, substantially
as described.
23. The spring-pressed keyboard frame having a projection (99) for engaging

page_text: the pin
of the sector (10) to turn sard sector and the worm (11), substantially
as described.
24. The impression frame movable forward and rearward in the keyboard frame
by links (117), substantially as described.
25. The spring (120) coiled on the shaft (119) which connects the links (117),
for the purpose of carrying the impression frame back to its initial position,
substantially as described.
26. The lever (121) for limiting the return movement of the impression frame,
substantially as described.
27. The type box (140) arranged to slide into and out of the impression frame,
substantially as described.
28. The handle (143) having a crank portion (144) for throwing the spring
catch (142) back to release the type box (140) from the impression frame, substan-
tially as described.
29. The type bands (146) all connected with the same carriage (160), yet cach
secured to its individual spring barrel (147) to permit of an independent move-
ment of one type band relatively to the others, substantially as described.
30. The arrangement of inking pads (151 and 157) at each side of the impres-
sion point to enable the type to be inked without necessitating its return to
the initial position, substantially as described.
31. The amplification of the movement of the type bands (146) by passing them
loosely over a roller (159) journalled on the carriage (160) and securing the ends
of the type bands either to said carriage or to the type box (140), substantially
as described.
32. The keys (165) having vertical members (165) sliding in guideways (166)
of the keyboard frame and carrying pulleys (168) for operating the cord (171),
substantially as described.
33. The cord (171) passing over fixed pulleys (170) and under movable pul-
leys (168) carried by the sliding keys (165), substantially as described.
34. Securing one end of the cord (171) to one of the keys (165), substantially
as described.
35. The eccentric pulley (174) engaging the cord (171) to adjust its initial posi-
tion, substantially as described.
36. The forked key (165") engaging the cord (171) at each side of one of the
stationary pulleys (170), substantially as described.
37. The carriage (177) connected with the actuated end of the cord (171), and
having a depending member (180) engaging and operating the type band car-
riage (160), substantially as described.
38. Constructing the transversely movable stop (145) with a stepped edge, so
that the movement of the pin (98) on the lever (94), and consequently the feed
of the carriage will be different according to the position of the pin (98) rela-
tively to the edge of the stop (145), substantially as described.
39. The guide (B) for the typewriter (A), said guide being movable forwardly
and rearwardly on the supporting frame (E), substantially as described.
40. The pinion (G) journalled in one of the slides (C) connected with the
typewriter guide (B), said pinion engaging the rack (F) and being operated by
a pawl, substantially as described.
41. The connected pawls (I 1¹) movable transversely of the pinion (G) to alter-
nately lock it absolutely and release it for movement in one direction, substan-
tially as described.
42. The lever (R) having a pin (Q) which engages the fork (01) of the pawl
shaft (0) to move the pawls (I I¹) transversely, substantially as described.
43. The presser-bar (L) engaging the fork (0¹) to throw the pawls (I I¹) out
of engagement with the pinion (G), substantially as described.
44. The cam lever (K) operating the presser-bar (L), substantially as described.
45. The feed pawl (T) movable transversely by the pin (R³) on the lever (R),
substantially as described.

page_text: 46. The spring-pressed arm (U) connected with the feed pawl (T) and limited
in its movement on one side by a stationary stop (U) and on the other side by
an adjustable stop (W), substantially as described.
47. The lever (S1) having a projection (S) to actuate the feed pawl (T), and
a cam portion ($) for moving the lever (R) which shifts the pawls (I I¹ T) trans-
versely, substantially as described.
48. The use, in connection with the typewriter guide (B) movable over the
writing surface, of a support for said writing surface which consists of a base
pressed upward, and a holder arranged to engage the writing surface from above,
substantially as described.
49. The bell crank levers (Z or Z) carrying the presser bars (cor c4) secured to
the underside of the base (c2 or r) which slides in the open frame (E), substantially
as described.
50. Making the base (c² or r) removable from the bell crank levers (Z or Z¹)
by providing the presser-bars (c or ) with open end slots (c¹) engaged by
pins (b), substantially as described.
51. The holder (k or ¹) arranged to swing forward and rearward about a hori-
zontal axis and provided with a flange for engaging the writing surface from
above, substantially as described.
52. The handle ( or p¹) located in the path of one of the slides (C) and con-
nected with the base (or r) to lower the same, substantially as described.
53. The sliding ring (9 or q²) connected with the holder (k or k¹) and arranged
to be actuated by one of the slides (C), substantially as described.
54. The double holder (¹) having two flanges (3) extending forwardly to
engage the top leaves of each half of a book, substantially as described.
55. The use of independent spring pressed bases (7) for each half of the book,
in connection with a common double holder for the top leaves of each half of the
book, substantially as described.
56. The arm (u) extending over rearward extensions of the levers (Z) of each
half of the support, said arm being connected with a handle (p) in the path of
one of the slides (C) to lower the boards or bases ("), substantially as described.
This th d of T 1900
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.