A Type-writers' Practising Key Board.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 12th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 3rd Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Type-writers' Practising Key Board.
I, JOHN STEVENTON RHODES of 51 Durham Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The invention consists in the construction of a series of movable keys which
are so made that upon being depressed and then released the keys will return to
their original position. The keys are combined together in the same positions as
in a type writing machine, and the object of this is to form a key board to be used
for practising purposes and not for actual type writing.
There are several ways of doing this but the one generally preferred is as
follows
=
The key itself consists of 3 parts vis. :-
1. The pin is formed of a piece of metal about an inch or so in length and
having a head at one end similar to a nail.
2. A small coil spring the diameter of which is a little larger than the pin
so that when placed on the pin it will work easily.
3. The head of the key, on which the letters etc. which the key represents
is shown, is usually made of a round piece of wood a little larger in diameter
than the tip of ones finger and about of an inch in thickness.
The 3 parts are then combined as follows
A hole is made in say a in. thick board. The hole would be large enough
to allow of the pin working freely in it. The pin is then inserted in the hole
in the board with the head of the pin at the bottom, and the other portion
On the portion
after passing through the hole would stick out at the top.
of the pin sticking out, the coil spring is placed and the wood top securely
fastened to the point of the pin either by driving the pin into the wood or by
other means.
If the key thus completed be pushed down upon releasing it, it will return
to its original position.
To prevent the pin turning round in the hole an oval or fancy shaped pin
may be used. The hole in the wood of course corresponding to the shape of the
pin used.
The series of keys are then inserted in the board in similar positions to the
keys on the key board of a type writer.
To allow the pin to have free play when depressed, underneath the board, legs
may be put, or better still sides and ends may be attached to the board to
elevate it.
The board to which the keys are affixed may be covered with metal if desired to
strengthen it, or it may be entirely made of metal.
A simpler action for the keys may be obtained by affixing the key top on to a
narrow strip of metal at the one end, and securing the other end of the strip of
metal to the key board. Sufficient curve being made in the metal strip to allow of
the key standing say an inch from the board, and sufficient spring being in the
metal it will, upon being depressed and released return to its original position.
Instead of the coil spring as shown in the first instance a balance action may be
used to return the key to its proper position.
Dated this January the 11th 1892.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Type-writers' Practising Key Board.
I, JOHN STEVENTON RHODES of 51 Durham Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham,
England, Manufacturer.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 :-.
The invention consists in the construction of a series of movable keys which are
so made that upon being depressed and then released the keys will return to their
original position. The keys when fitted in the key board occupy the same relative
positions as in a typewriting machine so that they will form a key board that may
be used for practising purposes and not for actual typewriting.
There are several ways of doing this but the one generally preferred is as
follows:-
The key-board as the completed key-board is herein after called consists of sets
of keys, and the board into which the keys are fitted, hereinafter called the
board.
The key itself consists of 3 parts viz. :-
1. The pin which is formed of a piece of metal of an inch or so in length and
having a head at one end similar to a nail.
2. A small coil spring, the diameter of which is a little larger than that of the
pin so that when placed on the pin it will work easily.
3. The top of the key on which the letters and signs the key represents are shown
is usually made of a round piece of wood a little larger in diameter than the tip of
ones finger and about of an inch in thickness.
The three parts are then combined as follows:-
A hole is made in the board at the place where the key is to be fitted. The
board itself consists of a piece of wood of varying thickness but usually an inch
thick, and of the length and width of the key board required. The pin is then
inserted in the hole in the board from underneath, with the head of the pin at the
bottom, and the other portion of the nail or pin after passing through the board,
would stick out at the top. On to this portion of the pin sticking out, the coil
spring is placed, and the wood top is then secured on to the top of the pin either by
driving the pin into the wood or by other means. If the key thus completed be
pushed down, upon taking off the pressure it will return to its original position.
To prevent the pin turning round in the hole an oval or fancy shaped pin may be
used, the hole in the board being shaped similarly.
All the keys are inserted in a similar manner to the one described and in the
positions required.
The board itself must necessarily be somewhat raised, either by legs or by
forming the top of a box, so that sufficient room is left underneath for the proper
working of the keys.
The board into which the keys are affixed may be covered with metal if so
desired, or the top of the key board may be entirely made of metal.
The coil springs may be put on the pin underneath the key board if so desired,
and by pressing against a shoulder or projection on the pin, so return it to its proper
position after being depressed and released. The return of the key after being
depressed may also be accomplished by using an elastic or rubber spring instead of
a wire one and any suitable attachment for securing the elastic may be used.
elastic spring be used for returning the key to its proper position after depression it
will not be necessary to have the board made of wood as cardboard would do equally
well and may be used instead.
If an

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
The series of movable keys for a typewriters practising key-board substantially
as herein set forth.
Dated this the 11th day of October 1892.