Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writers.
[A communication from CHARLES SPIRS, of 146, Centro Street, New York,"
Manufacturer.]
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention has relation to type writers and it has for its object among others,
the provision of a type writer which shall print directly from the type presenting a
flat impression surface in connection with the usual platen and paper-feed mechanism,
possess serviceable type-bar brackets and bearings, a reduced number of parts
proportioned to the characters which can be imprinted, a simplified means of
attaching the keys to their respective levers, a simple feed escapement and other
improved features, elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the '
claims.
In the accompanying drawings
:-
Figure 1 is a substantially central vertical section of a type writing machine
embodying the present improvements.
Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation with parts in section of one of the type-
bars, its bracket and adjacent parts.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a type-bar bracket.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of Figure 2.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of a type-bar with one concave section of the inking
pads shown by dotted lines.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the platen and the improved impression pad
together with one of the feeding tapes.
Figure 4 is an elevation of part of the pin-arc with one of the type-bar
pinions in mesh with one of the series of pins, the type-bar being shown in
section.
Figure 5 is a plan of a portion of the platen and the improved bar.
Figure 6 is a rear elevation of part of the hanger-arc, pin-arc and adjuncts for
locking the pin-arc.
Figure 7 is a modification of device for locking the pin-arc.
Figure 8 is a vertical section with parts in elevation of the carriage-feed spring-
drum.
Figure 9 is an elevation of the carriage-feed escapement mechanism.
Figure 10 is a vertical section showing the manner of attachment of one of the
dogs with the universal bail.
Figure 11 is a plan of the spring-drum with the drum-holding pawl connected
therewith, and,
In Figure 12 are side and end elevations of the manner of fitting the keys to
the key-levers.
Like letters represent like parts in all the figures.
A represents the base or main frame, B the key-levers, C the universal bail
mounted on the shaft C, D the carriage, E the platen, F the hanger-arc, and F' the
hanger-arc supports.
From one riser D₁ of the carriage to the other there extends a crescent-shaped
bar D2 having arranged upon or imbedded therein a strip D³ of rubber or other
suitable material which is neither too hard nor too soft and which is flat upon its
upper face for giving a suitable surface upon which the paper rests at the time a
type makes its impression. One of the principal objects of this device is to present

page_text: a flat impression surface in contra-distinction to the circular surface of the ordinary
platen E, and another object is to employ such material in the strip D³ as will best
serve the production of a perfect clear impression of the type. The ends of the
strip D³ may be perforated and caused to embrace pins D Figs. 4 and 5 at the
ends of the carriage for simple connection, but it is apparent that any other
well known manner of connecting the strip with the bar or the carriage may be
employed.
By giving the bar D² a crescent form, its edges are thin and the feeding of the
paper X Figure 4 thereupon is facilitated, while the old form of platen E in
connection with the rubber or other bands E', serves the well known feeding
function.
The improvements in connection with the carriage-feed spring barrel or drum
have for their objects to facilitate access to the interior of the barrel for the purpose
of cleansing or repair. For this purpose the cap G, of the spring-drum G, is
removable upwardly after the withdrawal of the screws G²; any other well known
cap connecting construction can be substituted for the screws. The central slotted
standard G³, extends through the base A and is provided with the slotted or
notched disc G and together with the drum is depressed so as to disconnect the
disc G₁ from the pin G for the purpose of turning the standard to tighten or loosen
the spring; that is to increase or decrease the tension of the feed-spring within the
drum. The coil spring G or equivalent is for the purpose of maintaining the
drum in an elevated position in order that the central spindle shall be held by
the pin G and disc G in an adjusted position. The upper portion of the
standard G³ is screw threaded and a correspondingly interiorly threaded collar or
nut G¹ is mounted thereon. To the lug G' of collar G¹ is attached one end of the
feed-spring, the tendency of which is to turn the collar on the threaded spindle in
the direction which would bind it against the enlarged portion or collar G³ of the
spindle. The remaining end of the spring is attached to the inner wall of the drum
as is usual. Whenever it is desired to gain access to the interior of the spring-
drum and to secure the drum against rotating the dog G³ which is pivotted to the
base in proximity to the drum is turned upon its pivot so as to bring its tapered
and grooved end G10-sce dotted lines Figure 8-inwardly toward the drum which
is provided with a notch G", to receive said end; at the same time a lug G¹² is
introduced between the lower face of the drum and the base of the machine so
that in using a screwdriver for removing the screws G2, the drum and spindle are
prevented from being depressed and from turning as they would be in the absence
of the dog G. By simply turning the dog on its pivot, it is disconnected from the
drum so as to permit the adjustment of the tension of the feed-spring as before
described.
The carriage feed escapement comprises two dogs or pawls C2 C3 each of which
is pivotted to a standard C₁ mounted on the base A as shown at Figures 1 and 9.
This standard is slotted or forked vertically so that the dogs are in a common vertical
plane the pawl C³ projecting beyond the pawl C2 in both directions, while their
pivots C, C respectively are in substantially a common vertical line, although this
particular location is not essential. One end of the dog C³, is extended beyond the
standard and is pivotally connected to a link C7 which in turn is connected to
the universal bail C. The other dog C² near its free end is pivotally connected to
a link C, which is also in turn connected to the universal bail C, but with a con-
nection which permits slight independent movement with relation to the bail. In
this instance said independence of movement is provided for by the slot C⁹ through
which the connecting screw C10 passes and is seated in the bail. The connection
of the link C' with the bail may be rigid and of any suitable connection but it is
preferred to provide a means of connection which shall admit of adjustment,
whereby the effective length of the link may be adjusted, that is to say the link
may be adjusted in relation to the bail, so as to project for a greater or less distance
above it. This adjustable connection is, in this instance, found in the eccentric
screw C Figure 10 the body of which is sufficiently out of line with the screw

page_text: threaded portion thereof, to act as an eccentric to elevate or depress the link in
accordance with the position of the eccentric with relation to the centre of rotation
of the screw.
The object of this adjustment of the screw C" is to determine the
depth to which the free end of the pawl C³ shall take into the teeth of the carriage-
feed rack-bar C¹. The length from the pivot to the free end of the dog C³ is
preferably greater than from its pivot to the point of connection with the link C
so that the slightest variation in the effective length of the link C' will cause a
comparatively great elevation or depression of the free enl of the dog and there-
fore increase or decrease the depth of entrance into the feed rack. ¹ represents
the pivot rod of the universal bail, which is broken away in Figure 9 to more
clearly represent the parts in rear of the rod. A spring (12× is secured to the
dog C³ and bears upwardly against the shorter dog C² as shown.
The operation of the escapement is as follows:-
Upon the depression of a key-lever, the universal bail is depressed and draws
downwardly upon the link C', throwing the operative end of the dog C³ upwardly,
and in practice to a slight distance in advance of the contact face of a tooth of
the rack bar C12. By reason of the slot C' in the link C³ this is accomplished
before the downward movement of the bail is communicated to the shorter dog C²
to withdraw it from in front of and in contact with the working face of a tooth on
the rack bar which tooth is one or more teeth in distance from that in front of which
the longer dog has already been placed. As soon as the shorter dog is released
from the rack-bar, the carriage-feed spring draws said rack bar and carriage in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 4 so that the longer dog acts as an
abutment for the working face of the teeth to strike against. At this instant the
spring C¹* raises the shorter dog C² into the path of the next tooth of the rack bar
ready for the next forward movement of the same.
The improved manner of attaching the heads or keys to the key-levers is shown
in Figure 12. The middle of each lever B is spring-tempered and it is slotted at
the end as at B1 and the portions at each side are bent in opposite directions. The
key B2 has a simple recess B2* the vertical walls of which may be either tapered or
straight and adapted to fit the bifurcations on the end of the lever when they are
pressed together. In applying a key, the bifurcations are, by means of pliers or
other suitable device, brought to or near to a common vertical plane, and then the
key is simply set upon the bar, the pliers or other device removed and the resilience
of the bifurcations causes them to spread and take a retaining hold of the key and
also to provide a substantial and broad bearing surface for the key on the lever. In
this invention is provided a rotative type-bar H carrying two, or it may be more,
printing characters H1 H2 Figure 34 at one end and a pinion H³ at the other end.
The inking pad H* part of which is shown in dotted lines in Figure 3A is formed
with a series of concave recesses to accommodate the double type heads H' H' the
said pad being secured to machine framing in the usual manner. The type-bar
holder H is tubular and is provided with a comparatively large strong and service-
able pivot H and with ears H for the pivot connection of the ligament H' which
connects the holder with the key-bar B. A collar H8 may be rigidly connected
with the bar and bearing upon the end of the holder while the hub of the pinion H³
form a bearing at the opposite end of the holder. The type bar holder is supported
by its pivot H in the bracket I. This bracket as shown at Figure 2A consists of
a plate of metal bent to form two parallel sides I between which the bracket
attaching screw 12 Figure 2 passes into the arc F, for securing the bracket in
position. A rivet 13 rigidly connects the lower ends of the plate so that it is
practically a closed bracket and therefore more rigid and serviceable than it would
otherwise be. I represents the bearings of the type-bar pivot H³, 15 represents a
screw passing through both sides and serving the purpose to take up the wear of
the parts constituting the pivot bearing of the type-bar by drawing the sides
towards each other. By carrying two or more characters on each type-bar and
bringing a desired character to the printing point by a greater or less rotation of
the bar, the number of parts and bar-brackets required in a machine, is materially

page_text: reduced while the number of characters capable of being imprinted by the machine
may be all that can be practically desired, so that the brackets may be compara-
tively large and strong and therefore more serviceable without increasing the size
of the machine as a whole or diminishing the number of its characters. Adjacent.
to the bracket arc F, of the machine and for convenience movably connected
thereto and beneath-the-same, is what is denominated a pin-arc J, which is a
semicircular and transversely curved plate carrying pins J', in this instance in series
of three each, the series being so located that by a reciprocation of the arc, one or
other of the series may be caused to mesh with the pinion on the type-bar in
accordance with the direction it is desired to rotate the same, as is apparent by
reference to Figure 4A. If the right-hand series of pins Jare in gear with the
pinion H³ said pinion will rotate with its top moving to the left while if the pin-
arc J is reciprocated to the right, so as to bring the pins J' on the left of the pinion
in gear therewith said pinion will rotate with its top moving in the opposite
direction. By this principle of construction and mode of operation of these
parts, either of the characters H¹ or H2 may be brought to the printing point.
Practically one of said characters may be of the upper, while the other is of the
lower case.
An advantageous adjunct to the parts thus far described is provided in the locking
pins or teeth I which depend beneath the hanger-arc F, and in the path of the
pinion, so as to slightly project between two teeth of the pinion before it has left
the uppermost of the series of pius J. This secures a perfect alignment of the
printed work of this machine. A shifting key and proper connections for the pin
arc may be provided to move the pin arc in one direction while a spring K Figures 6
and 7 connected at one end with the pin-arc and at the other with the hanger-arc or
with a downwardly bent pin K¹ Figure 6 projecting therefrom may be the means for
moving the pin-arc in the opposite direction. A suitable stop-pin K2 or equivalent
may serve to limit the distance which the spring shall move the arc, or the sliding
connection of the pin-arc with the hanger-arc shown in Figure 2 such as the slots I
in which the screws 18 are located may determine the length of the movement of the
pin-arc. If desired, instead of the screws Is the pin-arc may be provided with a
dove-tailed or other rib I³-see dotted lines Figure 1-fitted in a groove formed in
the hanger-arc.
It is advantageous to employ, in connection with the pin-arc, some means for
locking it in position after it has been shifted to bring a new series of pins in gear
with the pinion of each type-bar so that the operator's hand or finger need not be
retained upon the shifting key while the impression of the printing character which
has been selected by the shifting of the arc has been made. In other words while
this invention is not limited in such a manner as to compel the inclusion of pin-arc
locking devices of any kind still to secure the advantage above indicated devices
are provided for locking the parts after being shifted to select a printing character
and also such devices of a character which permits of an automatic unlocking of
themselves in order to relieve the hand or finger of the operator during said
unlocking operation.
In Figure 6 one form of the pin-are locking device is illustrated. In this instance
there projects downward from the hanger-arc F an arm F¹ which serves as a pivotal
support of a lever L. From the rear of the pin-arc J extend two pins L' and from
the rear of a bail M extend two pins M. Between these pins the opposite ends of
the lever L rest so that when the pin-arc is moved in one direction the bail M is.
moved in the opposite direction. The bail is provided with a series of slots or
recesses M² each being from its neighbour a distance equal to that between the key-
bars B. A link M³ at each end of the bail supports it pivotally beneath the keys
and is connected pivotally with the base. Now it will be seen that when the pin-
arc is moved in one direction to shift the pins so as to bring a new series in
connection with the pinions of the series of type-bars in the machine that a slot M²
will be beneath each of the key-bars and the depression of a key of the series into one
of said slots holds the pin-arc in the shifted position during the depression of the

page_text: key-bar and until the latter returns to its normal position. At that time the
spring K returns the pin-arc to its normal position. This device as thus far
described, insures the retention of the type-bar pinion in mesh with a series of pins
which causes the rotation of the bar in such a direction as to bring a desired
character, for instance a capital letter, to the printing point. It is understood that
without shifting the pin-arc the character brought to the printing point would be
the lower case.
Another form of device for locking the shifting or pin-arc is shown in Figure 7
and involves an automatic unlocking somewhat different in construction but the
same in principle. In this form the pin-arc J carries with it a locking arm N having
at its free end a pivot-pawl N' and a spring N' connected with the pawl and arm so
as to permit of a yielding oscillation of the pawl. Another spring N³. serves to
throw the free end of the arm N upwardly and towards the hanger-arc F, which is
provided with a tooth F2. The free end of the catch or arm N is inclined to ride
over the tooth when the pin-arc is shifted and the spring N³ forces the arm upwards
to the back of the tooth so as to hold and lock the pin-arc in its shifted position.
Attached to an extension C₁* of the universal bail C is an upright O yieldingly by
reason of the spring N2. When one of the key-levers B is depressed, the bail C is
depressed at one side and at the side on which the upright O is located is elevated
so that the pawl N' is caused to take under the hooked end of the upright O as
shown by dotted lines in Figure 7.
Suitable catch mechanism may be provided so that the shift-keys may be held
down when it is desired to write or print with say capital letters only.
Remembering now, that the shifting of the pin-arc was for the purpose of
selecting a character, for instance a capital and that such shifting has been produced
by a shifting-key it will be seen that as the arm N abuts against the tooth F12 see
dotted lines Fig. 7, the pin-arc will remain shifted even if the operator's finger is
removed from the shifting-key. As the key-lever which has been depressed to
print the selected character is released from pressure and returns to its normal
position, the universal bail C, is elevated and this movement depresses the opposite
extension C₁* and upright O which in turn pulls down the locking-arm N by means
of the pawl N¹ permitting the spring K, to return the pin-arc to its normal position
by reason of the depression of the free end of the arm N as stated. Only one
locking arm and pawl and upright are required for the entire series of type-bars
and key-levers of the machine. In the construction shown in Fig. 6 there is contact
of the bail M with each of the key-levers of the machine, when used to bring the
desired character to the printing point and the connection is of such form as to
possibly produce more friction than is desired while in the form shown in Fig. 7 the
connection and leverage is at such point in the machine, the universal bail as to
affect the depression of the keys in the slightest manner and requiring a minimum
force to accomplish the automatic unlocking of the pin-arc.
Instead of tempering the bifurcations of the key-levers B Fig. 12 they need only
be capable of being bent after being introduced into the key B2 so that they are
spread to embrace the inclined walls of the recess B2* therein and thus serve the
purpose of retaining the key in position without depending upon the resilience of
the material.
The bracket I may be made of cast material or by being bent from plate material.
In either event the rivet I³ will render the same a solid frame-like structure in
which the action of the adjusting screw will be more positive than if it were open at
the end.
Many of the before described details of construction may be varied without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1 claim is ;-
1. In a type-writing machine the combination with the platen E of an impression

page_text: bar such as D2 with or without a separate strip D³ substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a type writing machine the combination with the platen E and risers D' of
an impression bar such as D2 strip D³ and pins D* substantially as described and
illustrated in-the-accompanying drawings.
3. In a type writing machine the combination with the spring drum G of a screw-
threaded spindle such as G3 nut G16 G' spring G and notched disc and pin G* G*
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
4. In a type writing machine the combination with a rotatable and depressible
spring drum such as G of a dog such as G' G10 G12 substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In a type writing machine the combination with the carriage feed rack C2 of
two pawls such as C2 C3 connected with the bail substantially as and for the purpose
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a type writing machine the combination with the carriage feed rack C12 and
bail C of a pawl such as C3 adapted to engage therewith a link C7 pivoted to the
pawl and an adjustable connection such as the eccentric screw C" for pivoting the
link C to the bail substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
7. In a type writing machine the combination with a bifurcated key lever such
as B B¹ of a recessed key such as B2 B2* fitting over the bifurcations substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
.
8. In a type-writing machine the combination with a type bar such as H of a
pinion H³ secured thereon and one or two sets of rack pins such as J' capable of
being moved into and out of gear therewith and so arranged that when the type-
bar is operated the pinion will be rotated by said pins substantially as and for the
purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. In a type writing machine the combination with a type-bar such as H
pinion H3 and rack pins J' of an inking pad H* the whole so arranged that while
the type is in its normal position its face will be in contact with the said pad and
when it is operated it will turn on its axis and present the type-face in another
direction substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. In a type writing machine the combination with a type bar such as H
pinion H3 and rack pins J' of a locking pin or tooth such as 16 substantially as and
for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
11. In a type writing machine a bracket such as I consisting of a plate forming
two parallel sides a rivet or fixed connection 13 and an adjusting screw
substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
12. In a type writing machine the combination with a key-lever B and pin-arc
such as J of a notched bail such as M M² and lever L connecting said bail with
the pin arc substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
13. In a type writing machine the combination with the pin arc J and bail C of
a spring-pressed catch such as N pivoted to J a spring controlled pawl such as N'
bail extension C₁* and upright O substantially as and for the purpose described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
14. In a type writing machine the combination with a rotatable type bar of
movable mechanism arranged to be projected into the path of the bar at one or
both sides thereof and mechanism operatively connected with the key levers of the
machine for locking the rotating mechanism.
Dated this 1st day of August 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.