Year: 1895

page_text: I, MARSHALL ARTHUR WIER of Elin Bank Place, Kingston-on-Thames in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates more especially to improvements in pneumatic type.
writers for which a Patent was granted to me bearing date the 7th day of
September 1891 No. 15107 but parts of such improvements are also applicable to
other type writing machines.
One part of the improvements relates to the letter spacing devices and consists
of arrangements of the following character:-A spindle or axis is placed in a
suitable position parallel to the paper carriage, and arranged to rotate in suitable
bearings, or on centre pivots. On this spindle or axis are fixed two toothed
wheels and a ratchet wheel. The toothed wheels are preferably bevilled on one
side, and are so fixed on the spindle or axis that the teeth of one wheel stand
opposite the spaces of the other; and the ratchet wheel has double the number of
teeth contained in each of the toothed wheels. The sliding rack has half the
usual number of teeth, that is to say there is only one tooth for each two characters
in a line of writing, instead of a tooth for each character as heretofore. The
toothed wheels are caused to rotate by means of a pawl acting upon the teeth of
the ratchet wheel, the movements of the said pawl being effected by the action of
the finger upon the pneumatic push or other key, or by a separate spacing lever.
The movement of the ratchet wheel to the extent of one tooth causes the toothed
wheels to rotate to the extent of half the pitch of their teeth. The plane of
rotation of the said wheels is at right angles to the motion of the rack, and the
teeth of the latter are adapted to interlock with the teeth of the wheel, the rack
being normally pressed towards the latter by means of a spring or otherwise. As
the teeth of one wheel come opposite the spaces of the other the wheels form an
escapement to the rack, a tooth of which is first stopped by a tooth of the first
wheel, then suffered to escape through a space in the latter and another tooth of
the rack is stopped by the corresponding tooth of the second wheel; then this
other tooth is suffered to escape through a space in the latter, and the first
named tooth on the rack comes against the next tooth of the second wheel, and
80 on.
In some cases the above mentioned spindle or axis may be fixed, and the toothed
wheels and ratchet wheel be fixed together and arranged to turn loosely on such
fixed spindle or axis.
In the above described escapament devices when the carriage has been
returned to commence a fresh line of writing the fresh line is liable to be
commenced either at the proper margin or one space to the right or left thereof
according as the tooth of the rack, at the moment of commeucing the line, rests.
against a tooth of the first or second escapement wheel. To obviate this incon-
venience a pawl may be arranged so that it can be operated by the putting of the
feed rack out of gear with the escapement wheels. When the position of the
escapement wheels is such that the tooth of the feed rack would not rest against a
tooth of the escapement wheel, which would cause the fresh line to be commenced.
at the proper margin, the movements of the said pawl by the rack turns the
escapement wheels into the proper position, but when the latter are already in

page_text: that position when the rack is thrown out of gear the pawl does not operate on
them.
Another part of the improvements relates to the devices for carrying and
feeding the ink ribbon, for this purpose an upright, or otherwise suitably disposed
spindle, is provided having a worn wheel fixed to it which gears with a worm
mounted on the rotating spindle or axis carrying the escapement wheels above
described in connection with the letter spacing device, or with a worm operated in
any other suitable way. On the aforesaid upright or other spindle are mounted
two bobbins on to which the inking ribbon is wound. The ribbon passes from one
bobbin round a suitably placed frame so shaped as to change the direction of the
ribbon in such manner that it can be passed back and wound on to the other
bobbin Between the two bobbins on the upright spindle are placed two discs or
other clutch-like device so operated by sliding inclined planes, or otherwise, as to
bring the two bobbins alternately into gear with the said spindle so as to be turned
thereby as the latter is rotated by its worm and worm-wheel. When it is desired
to change the ribbon from one bobbin to the other as they become respectively full
or empty, it is only necessary to throw the full bobbin out of gear or connection
with the spindle, and the empty one into gear or connection therewith by moving
the beforementioned inclined planes or clutch gear in the required direction.
When it is desired to make the above mentioned change of the ribbon from one
bobbin to the other automatically it may be effected by arrangements of the
following character:-
Two arms radiating from a common axis, on which they are free to turn, are
caused to bear, the one against the roll of ribbon on one of the bobbins mounted
on the spindle last above mentioned, and the other against the roll of ribbon on
the other of the said bobbins. A third arm is also pivotted on the same axis as
the aforesaid two arms in such manner that while it is caused, to follow the move-
ments of the said arms round their axis it is free to pivot to a certain extent in a
plane parallel to the said axis. The said third arm is provided with a suitably.
shaped part adapted to take into a groove in a disc or sleeve placed on the bobbin
spindle between the two bobbins, and adapted to turn with, but to slide longi-
tudinally on the said spindle. As the ribbon is wound on to one of the bobbins the
arm corresponding to that bobbin is gradually pressed outwards by the increasing
diameter of the roll of ribbon, away from the centre of the bobbin, the third arm
above mentioned is moved at the same time in the same direction, and when the
roll of ribbon has reached a prearranged diameter the said third arm is caused to
tilt upwards or downwards as the case may be on its pivot, by means of a double.
inclined plane, fixed stop and springs or other suitable devices so that it acts upon
the abovementioned disc or sleeve and effects the disconnection from the bobbin
spindle of the bobbin that has been winding on the ribbon, and the connection
therewith of the other bobbin from which the ribbon has been unwound, so that
the latter bobbin now begins to wind the ribbon again on to itself and off the
other, the operation of disconnection of the full bobbin from the spindle and
connection of the empty one being repeated in respect of each bobbin alternately
as it becomes filled with ribbon.
Another part of the improvements relates to the stops for arresting the motion
of the carriage in either direction so as to preserve the requisite margins at the
beginning or end of a line; and for this purpose there may be placed on the
spindle or axis carrying the letter spacing escapement wheels above described, a
stop or latch capable of sliding longitudinally on the said spindle or axis and of
being turned thereon so that it can be made to engage with, or to be disengaged
from any one of a series of notches made in the frame of the machine or in a part
connected thereto, according to the width of margin required.
Another part of the improvements relates to means for supporting the carriage
on rollers or balls during its movements from side to side of the machine and for
this purpose two channels are formed in that part of the frame of the machine
where the carriage is placed, and at or about the middle of the bottom of these

page_text: channels and lengthwise thereof are secured blade springs which lend to press the
rollers or balls upwards into contact with the carriage above them so as to keep
the said rollers or balls in proper positions with relation to the carriage, which
latter may be guided in the frame by any suitable means.
Another part of the improvements relates to the line spacing devices, and for
this purpose a suitably shaped lever is arranged to turn on a fulcrum fixed at one
side of the frame of the carriage, one end of this lever is provided with a suitable
handle or finger piece by which it can be operated when required; the other end
of the lever has pivotted to it a movable stop adapted to support at various
positions one end of a second lever pivotted on the same fulcrum as the first. The
other end of this second lever has pivotted to it a pawl adapted to take into the
teeth of a ratchet wheel fixed to the paper roller. This pawl stands normally
clear of, and out of gear with the said ratchet wheel. By shifting the position of
the aforesaid movable stop the end of the second lever, and the pawl on it, may be
brought nearer to or further from the ratchet wheel on the paper roller. When
the pawl is normally at its greatest distance from the ratchet which a movement of
the actuating lever will cause the ratchet wheel on the paper roller to be turned
to the extent of one tooth only; when placed nearer the ratchet wheel it will turn
it two teeth for example; and when placed nearer still it will turn it three teeth
for example, and so on, and the paper roller to a proportionate extent. The
actuating lever may be provided with a stop adapted to take into the teeth of the
ratchet wheel as the said lever is operated so as to prevent more than the proper
number of rateliet teeth being passed at each movement, and to prevent the said
lever from being moved beyond a certain distance. Or the actuating lever may be
provided with a pivotted projection which is kept normally pressed by a spring or
weight against a notched wheel fixed to the paper roller alongside the ratchet
wheel. The same spring or weight may be used to return the actuating lever to
its normal position, thereby dispensing with a separate spring for that purpose.
In
this arrangement the actuating lever is depressed to the same extent whatever the
width of space produced by its movement.
If desired the actuating lever of the line spacing devices may be connected by
any suitable means, such as cranks, links, and so forth with the letter spacing rack,
so as to put the latter out of gear with the escapement simultaneously with the
forward movement of the paper roller. If preferred, however, the letter spacing
rack may be put out of gear independently of the line spacing lever by means of a
finger piece connected with the rack or by other suitable means.
Another part of the improvements relates to means for ensuring the valve plate
of the type holders, in pneumatic type writers, being kept correctly in its normal
position when not purposely moved from that position for the purpose of bringing
upper or lower case type into action, and it consists in the employment in
conjunction with a spring which keeps the valve plate pressed against the rear face
of the type block, of a bell-crauk lever having two different fulcra towards both of
which it is pressed by a spring or weight. This bell crank lever is so arranged
and connected with the valve plate that when the latter is moved away from its
central or normal position in one direction the bell crank lever turns on one
fulcrum against the action of its spring or weight; but when the valve is released
the spring or weight acting on the bell crank lever restores the valve plate to its
central or normal position; and when the valve is moved away from its central or
normal position in the opposite direction the bell crank lever turns on the other
fulcrum against the action of the same spring or weight, and when the valve is
released the said spring or weight restores the valve again to its central or normal
position. Stops may be suitably placed to limit the movement of the valve plate
in either direction, and the arrangement may be conveniently placed in the middle
of the type block.
Another part of the improvements relates to the apparatus for giving motion
to the letter spacing gear and this consist of a corrugated plate on the top of which
are arranged the pneumatic cups and pushes. Each cup has attached to it an oval

page_text: shaped tube which passes through a similarly shaped guide tube attached to a
second and fixed corrugated plate placed below the first. The rubber tube leading
to the corresponding type tube is attached to the lower end of the said oval tube.
The upper corrugated plate has at each side two downwardly projecting lugs or
brackets which are connected to two short levers fixed on rocking shafts or
turning on studs. The pairs of levers are so connected together that all the levers
move in unison with each other, so that wherever the upper corrugated plate is
depressed by the act of operating one of the pneumatic pushes the whole of the
said plate is equally depressed by the lugs, levers, and rocking shafts. One of the
rocking shafts may carry a short arm connected by any suitable means with
the actuating part of the letter spacing device. The said connecting means may
be made adjustable in relation to the arm on the rocking shaft so that the width of
the spacing may be varied as desired. The spacing may be effected direct from
the upper corrugated plate if preferred by mounting the same on one end of an
oscillating frame or lever, the other end of which carries a pawl which acts on the
teeth of the escapement ratchet wheel.
Another part of the improvements relates to means for marking the characters
on the pneumatic pushes. For this purpose discs are employed made of a soft
glazed or polished material such as enamelled leather, for example, on which discs
the characters are marked by any suitable means. These discs are preferably
formed with stems so as to resemble studs used for fastening wearing apparel, the
end opposite to that on which the character is marked may be forced through a
hole in the top of the push, and the disc or stud thereby held in place, but it can
readily be taken out and changed when required.
Another part of the improvements relates to the tubes in the type blocks of
pneumatic type-writers, and consists in making such tubes of oval, elliptic, double
convex or other similar shape in cross section, instead of square as heretofore,
whereby greater regularity and uniformity of shape can be obtained than with
square sections.
Dated this 10th day of April 100%.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, MARSHALL ARTHUR WIER, of Elm Bank Place, Kingston-on-Thames, in
the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates more especially to improvements in pneumatic type writers
for which a Patent was granted to me bearing date the 7th day of September 1891
No. 15107; but parts of such improvements are also applicable to other type writing
machines.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional plan, Figure 2 a sectional elevation, taken on line X-X of
Figure 1, and Figure 3 a sectional elevation taken on the line Y-Y of Figure 1 of so
much of a pneumatic type-writing machine as is necessary for the elucidation
of the parts of my improvements which are shown applied thereto in Figures 1
and 2. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of part of the same machine taken on
line Z-Z of Figure 1, but showing other improvements not shown in Figures 1, 2
and 3. Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 9 and 10 are detached views of certain parts.

page_text: 1 is the base plate of the machine, 2 the type holder shown only in outline, 3 the
paper roller supported on the paper carriage 4 by the brackets 5.
One part of the improvements relates to the letter-spacing devices and consists
of the following arrangements: A spindle or axis 6 (see Figures 1 and 2) is.
placed in a suitable position parallel to the paper carriage 4, and arranged to rotate
in suitable bearings, or on centre pivots 7. On this spindle or axis 6 are fixed two-
toothed wheels 8, 9 and a ratchet wheel 10. The toothed wheels 8, 9 are preferably
bevilled on one side as shown in Figure 1, and are so fixed on the spindle or axis 6-
that the teeth of one wheel stand opposite the spaces of the other; and the ratchet.
wheel 10 has double the number of teeth contained in each of the toothed
wheels 8, 9. The sliding rack 11, carried by the paper carriage 4, has half the
usual number of teeth; that is to say there is only one tooth for each two characters:
in a line of writing instead of a tooth for each character as heretofore. The toothed
wheels 8, 9 are caused to rotate by means of a pawl 12 acting upon the teeth of the
ratchet wheel 10, the movements of the said pawl being effected by the action of
the finger upon the pneumatic push or other key, or by a separate spacing key
which pushes back a sliding bar 13, to an arm 14 of which the pawl 12 is pivotted..
The sliding bar 13 is returned to its normal position by means of a spring 15, and
another spring 16 keeps the pawl 12 in contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel.
The movement of the ratchet wheel 10 to the extent of one tooth causes the toothed
wheels 8, 9 to rotate to the extent of half the pitch of their teeth. The plane of
rotation of the said wheels is at right angles to the motion of the paper carriage
and of the rack 11 mounted thereon, and the teeth of the rack, are alapted to
interlock with the teeth of the wheels 8, 9, the rack 11 being normally pressed
towards the sides of the latter by a spring in the usual manner or otherwise. As.
the teeth of one wheel come opposite the spaces of the other the wheels form an
escapement to the rack, a tooth of which is stopped by a tooth of the wheel 9 for
example, then suffered to escape through a space between two adjacent teetli in
such wheel when the game is turned to the extent of one tooth of the ratchet.
wheel 10, and another tooth of the rack is then stopped by the corresponding
tooth of the wheel 8; then this other tooth is suffered to escape through a space
between two adjacent teeth of the wheel 8 when that wheel is turned to the extent.
of one tooth of the ratchet wheel 10, and a fresh tooth is thereby brought to bear
against a fresh tooth of the wheel 9; then when this tooth is released another tooth
of the rack comes against the next tooth of the wheel 8, and so on.
In some cases the spindle or axis 6 may be fixed, and the toothed wheels 8, 9.
and ratchet wheel 10 may be fixed together and arranged to turn loosely on such
fixed spindle or axis.
In the above described escapement devices, if the rack 11 has one tooth for each.
two characters in a line of writing, when the paper carriage 4 has been returned to
commence a fresh line of writing, the fresh line is liable to be commenced either at
the proper margin or one space to the right or left thereof, according as the tooth
of the rack 11, at the moment of commencing the line rests against a tooth of the
wheel 8 or against a tooth of the wheel 9. To obviate this inconvenience a pawl 17
may be arranged so that it can be operated by the movement backward of the feed.
rack 11 by which the latter is put out of gear with the escapement wheels 8, 9.
The said pawl 17 is adapted to act on the teeth of one of the wheels, that marked 8.
for example, and is pivotted to one end of a bell-crank lever 18 mounted so as to
turn loosely on the spindle or axis 6. To the other end of the bell crank lever 18.
is pivotted a hook 19 which takes over the back of the rack 11, so that when the
latter is moved backward out of gear with the wheels 8, 9 the pawl 17 is drawn
back also. When the position of the escapement wheels 8, 9 is such that the tooth.
of the feed rack 11 would not rest against a tooth of the escapement wheel which
would cause the fresh line to be commenced at the proper margin, the movement of
the pawl 17, caused by the movement backward of the rack, brings in contact.
with a tooth of the wheel 8 and the escapement wheels are thereby turned into the
proper position; but when the latter are already in that position when the rack is.

page_text: thrown out of gear, the pawl 17 in its backward movement does not meet
with a tooth of the wheel 8 and therefore has no action on the escapement
wheels.
If preferred however the rack 11 may have two teeth for each separate
character, the ratchet wheel 10 having in that case the same number of teeth as the
wheels 8, 9. In that arrangement the inconvenience above referred to does not
occur, as the paper carriage always stops at the proper margin and the pawl 17,
bell-crank lever 18, and hook 19 may be dispensed with.
The rack 11 may be drawn back out of gear with the escapement wheels 8, 9 by
turning a rock shaft 20 by means of a lever handle 21. This rock shaft is connected
to the rack by links 22 pin-jointed at one end to the rack, and at the other end to
crank arms 23 fixed on the said shaft 20. A spring 24 tends constantly to turn the
shaft 20 so as to press the rack 11 forwards into gear with the escapement wheels 8, 9.
Another part of the improvements relates to the devices for carrying the ink
ribbon for this purpose a spindle 25 (see Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6), arranged to
turn in a suitable bearing in the base plate 1, and has a worm wheel 26 fixed to it,
which gears with a worm 27 mounted on the rotating spindle or axis 6 carrying the
escapement wheels above described in connection with the letter-spacing device, or
with a worm operated in any other suitable way. On the spindle 25 are mounted'
two bobbins 28, 29 on to which the inking ribbon 80 is wound. The ribbon passes
from the bobbin 28 and is folded round the edge 31 of a suitably placed frame or
plate 32 (see Figure 5) being thereby turned at right angles; it is then folded
round the edge 33 of the plate, is thereby turned again at right angles, and is then
passed back to and wound on to the other bobbin 29. Between the two bobbins 28
and 29 are placed on the spindle 25, so as to rotate therewith but free to slide
longitudinally thereon, two discs 34, 35, or other eluteh-like device, so operated by
sliding juclined planes 36 and 37, (see Figures 5 and 6) or otherwise, as to bring
the two bobbins 28 and 29 alternately into gear with the spindle 25 so as to be
turned thereby as the latter is rotated by its worm 27 and worm-wheel 26. When
it is desired to change the ribbon 30 from one bobbin to the other as they become
respectively full or empty, it is only necessary to throw the full bobbin out of gear
or connection with the spindle 25, and the empty one into gear or connection
therewith by moving the inclined planes 36 and 37, or other clutch gear, in the
required direction. Each of the discs 34, 35 is furnished with a pin 38 and 39
respectively which takes into a corresponding hole in one of the bobbins when the
discs are moved towards that bobbin.
Each of the bobbins 28, 29 is furnished with a number of holes drilled in a circle
round the centre, in the path of its pin 38 or 39 as the case may be, so that the
said pin will not have far to travel, after one bobbin has been disconnected,
before it comes opposite a hole in the other bobbin in order to set the latter in
motion.
When it is desired to make the above mentioned change of the ribbon from one
bobbin to the other automatically it may be effected by arrangements of the
following character illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
Two arms 40 and 41 radiating from a common axis 42, on which they are free to
turn, are caused to bear, the one against the roll of ribbon on one of the bobbins
mounted on the spindle 25, and the other against the roll of ribbon on the other
of the bobbins. A third arm 43, preferably made somewhat flexible in a vertical
direction, is also pivotted on the same axis 42 as the arms 40 and 41, in such
manner that while it is caused to follow the lateral movements of the said arms
round their axis it is free to pivot, to a certain extent, in a plane parallel to the
said axis on a fulcrum 44 fixed to the sleeve 45 carrying the two arms 40 and 41.
The said arm 43 is provided with a fork 46 the inner sides of which are shaped to
the arcs of circles struck from the centre 42 and which fork is adapted to take into
a groove 47 in a disq or sleeve 48 placed on the spindle 25 between the two bobbins,
and adapted to turn with, but to slide longitudinally on the said spindle, so that the
pins 38, 39 on the disc 48 can be alternately brought into gear with their

page_text: corresponding holes in the bobbins 28 and 29. As the ribbon is wound on to one
bobbin the arm 40 or 41 corresponding to that bobbin is gradually pressed
outwards by the increasing diameter of the roll of ribbon, away from the centre of
the bobbin; the third arm 43 is moved at the same time in the same direction ;
and when the roll of ribbon has reached a prearranged diameter the said arm 43 is
caused to tilt upwards or downwards, as the case may be, on its pivot 44 by means
of a double inclined plane 50 (see more clearly in Figure 8) fixed to the standard 52
on the base plate, and acting on the rear end of the arm or lever 43, the spring 53
pressing the said rear end of the arm or lever 43 upwards when it reaches the end
of the inclined plane 50 in one direction, and the spring 54 pressing it downward
when it reaches the end of the inclined plane 50 in the other direction. The
forked end of the arm 43 is thus made to act on the disc or sleeve 48, sliding it on
the spindle 25 so as to effect the disconnection from the ribbon spindle of the bobbin
that has been winding-on the ribbon, and the connection therewith of the other
bobbin from which the ribbon has been unwound, so that the latter bobbin now
hegins to wind the ribbon again on to itself, and off the other. The operation of
disconnecting the full bobbin from the spindle, and connecting the empty
one is repeated in respect of each bobbin alternately as it becomes filled with
ribbon.
It will be understood that it is the part of the ribbon marked 30* in Figure 5
against which the type strike in printing on the paper, and that the object of the
segmental shape of the fork 46 is to enable the latter to remain in gear with the
clutch disc 48 whatever may be the position of the arms 40, 41 and 43.
Another part of the improvements relates to the stops for arresting the motion
of the paper carriage 4 in either direction in order to preserve the requisite margins
at the beginning or end of a line; and for this purpose there may be placed on the
spindle or axis 6 carrying the letter-spacing escapement wheels 8, 9, a stop or
latch 55 adapted to slide longitudinally on the said spindle or axis, and to be turned
thereon, so that it can be made to engage with, or to be disengaged from, any one
of a number of notches 56 made in the frame of the machine, or in a part connected
thereto, according to the width of margin required. It will be understood that any
suitable part of the sliding carriage, or of some part attached thereto, may he
adapted to come in contact with the stop 55 and thereby to arrest the motion of
the carriage and paper. Another part of the improvements relates to means for
supporting the paper carriage on rollers or balls during its movements from side to
side of the machine; and for this purpose two channels 57 are formed in that part
of the frame of the machine where the paper carriage 4 is placed, see Figures 12,
and 3; and at the bottom of these channels, and lengthwise thereof, are secured
springs 58 which tend to press the rollers or balls 59 upwards into contact with the
underside of the carriage 4 in order to keep the said rollers or balls in propér
positions with relation to the carriage, which latter may be guided in guide grooves
in the frame as shown in Figure 2, or by any other suitable guiding means.
Another part of the improvements relates to the line-spacing devices; and for
this purpose a suitable shaped lever 21 is placed on the rock-shaft 20 so as to turn
freely thereon, see Figures 1, 3 and 7. One end of this lever 21 is provided with
a handle or finger-piece 60 by which it can be operated when required. The other
end of the lever has pivotted to it a movable stop 61 adapted to support in various
positions the lower end of the second lever 62 turning freely on the shaft 20. The
other end of this second lever 62 has pivotted to it a pawl 63 adapted to take into
the teeth of a ratchet wheel 64 fixed to the paper roller 3. This pawl 63 stands
normally clear of and out of gear with the said ratchet wheel 64, its weighted or
spring-urged tail end resting on a stop 65 fixed to the lever 62. By shifting the
position of the aforesaid movable stop 61 so that it takes into one of the notches 66
or 67 on the lower end of the lever 62 nearer to or further from the fulcrum 20,
the
upper end of the second lever 62, and the pawl 63 on it, may be brought nearer
to or further from the ratchet-wheel 64 on the paper roller 3. When the pawl 63

page_text: is normally at it's greatest distance from the ratchet wheel (as shown in Figure 7)
a movement of the actuating lever 21 will cause the pawl 63 to turn the ratchet
wheel to the extent of one tooth only; when the pawl is placed nearer the
ratchet-wheel by placing the stop 61 in the notch 67 of the lever 62 it will turn
the ratchet wheel two teeth for example; and when placed nearer still by placing
the stop 61 in the notch 66 of the lever 62 it will turn the ratchet wheel three'
teeth for example, and consequently the paper roller will be turned to a pro-
portionate extent. The actuating lever 21 may be provided with a stop 68
adapted to take into the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 64 as the said lever is operated,
in order to prevent more than the proper number of ratchet teeth being passed_at
each movement, and also to prevent the said lever from being moved beyond a
certain distance. A spring 70 secured at one end to the carriage 4 and at the
other end to the lever 21, or if preferred a suitably placed weight, returns the said
lever 21 to its normal position against a stop 71 after each action; and a spring 72
tends constantly to press the upper end of the pawl lever 62 backwards against a
stop 73 on the lever 21, which stop defines the most backward position of the
pawl 63, or to press the lower end of the said pawl lever against the movable
stop 61 (when the latter is turned into its upright position) by which the more
forward positions of the said pawl are defined, as before explained. By the above
described arrangement the actuating lever 21 is always depressed to the same
extent whatever the width of space produced by its movement.
If desired the actuating lever 21 of the line-spacing devices may be caused to
put the letter-spacing rack 11 out of gear with the escapement wheels 8, 9 simul-
taneously with the forward movement of the paper roller. For this purpose an
arm 74 formed on or fixed to the lever 21 comes against a pin 75 projecting from
the back of one of the crank arms 23 and turns the rock-shaft 20 so as to draw
back the rack 11 whenever the lever 21 is depressed. When necessary however
the letter-spacing rack 11 may be put out of gear independently of the line-spacing
lever 21 by means of a finger-piece 76 (see Figure 3) connected direct to the said
rack.
Another part of the improvements relates to means for ensuring that the valve
plate 77 of the type-bolders 2 (see Figure 4) in pneumatic type-writers shall be
kept correctly in its normal position when not purposely moved from that position
for the purpose of bringing upper or lower case type into action. These means
consist in the employment, in conjunction with a spring 78, which keeps the valve
plate 77 pressed against the rear face of the block of type-holders 2, of a three-
armed bell-crank lever 79 having two different fulcra 80 and 81 towards both of
which it is pressed by a spring 82, or by a suitably disposed weight. This bell-
rank lever 79 is so connected with the valve-plate 77, by means of a slot 83
taking over the pin 84 to which one end of the spring 78 is attached, or otherwise,
that when the said valve-plate is moved away from the central or normal position
(shown in Figure 4) in one direction, upwards for example, the bell-crank lever 79
turns on the fulcrum 80 against the action of the spring 82; but when the valve-is
released the said spring 82 acting on the bell-crank lever restores the valve
plate 77 to its central or normal position; and when the valve is moved away from
its central or normal position in the opposite direction, downwards for example,
the bell-crank lever 79 turns on the other fulcrum 81 against the action of the
spring 82; and when the valve is released the said spring 82 restores the valve
again to its central or normal position. Stops may be suitably placed to limit
the movement of the valve plate 77 in either direction, and a single bell-crank
lever 79 may be placed in the middle of the type-block 2 or two such levers may
be employed, one at each side of the type block.
"
Another part of the improvements relates to the apparatus for giving motion to
the letter-spacing gear, and this consists of a corrugated plate 85 (see Figure 4) on
the top of which are arranged the pneumatic pushes 86. Each of these pushes has
attached to its cup 86* an oval-shaped tube 87 which passes through a similarly

page_text: shaped guide-tube 88 attached to a second and fixed corrugated plate 85* placed below
the first, and is pressed upwards by a spring 88* bearing in the said fixed plate 85*.
The rubber tube 89, leading to the corresponding type-tube, is attached to the
lower end of the said oval tube 87, and its end may be made to act as a stop to
prevent the pushes and their cups from being raised too high by the springs 88*.
Other suitable stops may however be arranged for preventing the pushes from
being raised beyond a certain height. The upper corrugated plate 85 has at each
side two downwardly projecting lugs or brackets 90 which are connected to two
short levers 91, 92 one fixed on a rocking shaft 93, and the other turning on..
studs 93* fixed to the frame of the machine. The pairs of levers 91, 92, are
jointed together in such manner that all the levers move in unison with each other,
so that whenever the upper corrugated plate 85 is depressed by the act of operating
one of the pneumatic pushes 86 the whole of the said plate 85 is equally depressed
parallel to itself by the lugs or brackets 91, levers 91, 92 and rocking-shaft 93.
The rocking shaft 93 has fixed on it an arm 94 which is connected to the sliding
bar 13 carrying the letter-spacing pawl 12. The connection of the arin 94 to the
bar 13 is preferably made adjustable so that its stroke may be varied in order to
vary the width of the letter-spacing as may be desired. For this purpose an
arm 9 is pivotted at 96 on the bar 13. This can be turned on its pivot by means
of a handle 97 so as to bring a pin 98 on the end of the arm 95 into either of two
or more notches made in the arın 94. When the pin 98 is in the notch nearest the
centre of the rocking-shaft '93 the depression of the corrugated plate 85 causes the
bar 13 to make its shortest stroke; and when the pin 98 is in the notch farthest
from the centre of the shaft 93 the depression of the corrugated plate 85 causes
the bar 13 to make its longest stroke.
'
The letter-spacing bar 13 can also be actuated when required independently of
the pneumatic pushes by pressing down the finger-piece 99 connected with a lever
arm 100 fixed on the shaft 93.
The letter-spacing may be effected direct from the corrugated plate 85 by
mounting the said plate on one end of an oscillating frame or lever, the otlier end
of which carries a pawl which acts on the teeth of the escapement ratchet 10.
Another part of the improvements relates to means for marking the characters
on the pneumatic cups or pushes. For this purpose discs are employed as
illustrated at 101 in Figure 9 which is a sectional elevation of a pneumatic push
suitable for use in a pneumatic type-writing machine. Such discs are made of a
soft glazed or polished material such as enamelled leather for example, on which
the characters are painted, printed or otherwise marked by any suitable means.
These discs are preferably formed with stems 102 so as to resemble studs used for
fastening wearing apparel, the end opposite to that on which the character is
marked may be provided with a smaller disc which can be forced through a hole in
the top of the indiarubber push 86 and the disc or stud thereby retained in place;
but it can readily be taken out and changed when required. The pressure applied
to the disc in using the push is sufficient to prevent escape of air through the hole
into which the stem 102 is passed.
Another part of the improvements relates to the tubes in the type-blocks of
pneumatic type-writers and the type-tubes moving therein and consists in making
such tubes of oval, elliptic, double convex, or other similar shape in cross section
as illustrated in Figure 10, instead of square as heretofore, whereby greater
regularity and uniformity of shape can be obtained in the process of manufacture
than with square sections.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In a type-writing machine the letter-spacing mechanism which consists of

page_text: wheels rotating in a plane at right angles to the motion of the said toothed rack
and paper carriage, and so placed that the teeth of one wheel stand opposite the
spaces of the other wheel, and a ratchet wheel and means for actuating the said
escapement wheels, combined and operating substantially as described.
Second. In letter-spacing mechanism consisting of a pair of toothed escapement
wheels as herein described, the device for securing that each successive line of
writing shall be commenced at the same marginal distance from the edge of the
paper, which consists of a pawl actuated by the backward movement of the letter-
spacing rack by which the latter is moved out of gear with the escapement wheels,
and arranged to act upon the teeth of one of the escapement wheels, substantially
as described.
Third. In type-writing machines the mechanism for carrying the inking ribbon
and for winding the same alternately on to and off each of two bobbins which
consists of a spindle driven by a worm and worm wheel, or other suitable gearing,
from some moving part of the machine, two ribbon bobbins mounted loosely on the
said spindle, clutch devices for connecting each of the bobbins alternately to the
spindle, means operated either by hand or automatically for operating the said
clutch devices, and a guide plate for conducting the ribbon from one bobbin to the
point where the type strike the paper and thence back to the other bobbin,
combined, arranged and operating substantially as described.
Fourth. In type-writing machines in which the paper carriage is supported on
rollers or balls the use of springs placed at the bottoms of the channels in which
the rollers or balls run, for the purpose of. keeping the said rollers or balls in
contact with the underside of the paper carriage, substantially as described.
Fifth. In type-writing machines the line-spacing mechanism which consists of a
lever mounted on a pivot on the paper carriage, a secondary lever so pivotted in
relation to the first that it can be adjusted into various positions with reference
thereto and is adapted to partake of the movements of the first lever, a pawl
mounted on the secondary lever and adapted to engage with the teeth of the
ratchet wheel on the paper roller and to rotate the same to the extent of one, two,
or more, teeth at each movement of the spacing lever according as the said pawl
is adjusted farther from or nearer to the said ratchet wheel when the levers are
in their normal position, the said levers being provided with springs and stops
to regulate their movements, combined, arranged and operating substantially as
described.
Sixth. In pneumatic type-writing machines, the mechanism for holding the
valve plate of the type-holders correctly in its normally central position, and for
returning the same to that position after having been moved therefrom in either
direction, which consists of a three-armed bell-crank lever having two different
fulcra and a spring or weight which constantly tends to keep the said bell-crank
lever pressed against the said fulcra, substantially as described.
Seventh. In pneumatic type-writing machines the mechanism for giving motion
to the letter-spacing gear from the key-board which consists of a movable
corrugated plate on which the pneumatic cups and pushes are mounted, a fixed
corrugated plate carrying the guides for the tubular stems of such cups or pushes,
and the springs for pressing-up the pneumatic cups and pushes, two or more pairs
of levers coupled together and to the movable corrugated plate so as to cause the
said plate to move parallel to itself when depressed, and means for transferring
the motion of the said levers to the letter-spacing devices, substantially as
described.
Eighth. In pneumatic type-writing machines the improved means for marking
the characters on the pneumatic pushes which consists in the employment of discs
of soft glazed or polished material on which the characters are painted, printed, or
otherwise marked, such discs being provided with stems and retaining discs which
pass through holes in the india rubber pushes, substantially as described.
Ninth. In pneumatic type-writing machines making the tubes in the type blocks,

page_text: and the type tubes moving therein of oval, elliptic, double convex, or other similar
shape instead of square, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of January 1896.
M. A. WIER,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.
M. A. WIER,
Per W. H. Beck,
115 Cannon Street, London, E.C., Agent.