Electric Type-writers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 9th May, 1891
Electric Type-writers.
I, EDWARD JENNINGS SILKMAN, Stenographer, a citizen of the United
States, residing at No. 2001 North Calvert Street, Baltimore City, in the State
of Maryland, U.S.A., 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 :-
My invention more especially relates to type-writing machines of a class in which
the actuating of a key throws into operation mechanism driven by electro-
magnetism, which automatically brings the proper letter into correct position,
prints it, and successively imparts the necessary feeding, spacing, and reverse
movements of the apparatus, so as to print the page.
The object of my invention is to secure a simple, efficient, and easily manipulated
machine, together with other advantages hereinafter set forth.
To carry out the objects of my invention, I preferably arrange the characters,
figures, letters, and other symbols employed, upon the perimeter of a type-wheel,
proper sequence, with the small letters interspaced between the capitals.
In
type-wheel turns with, and slides freely endwise upon a shaft having its
bearings in a frame traversing a short distance in bearings on the main frame, so
as to cause the type-wheel to reciprocate relatively to the paper-carrying roller.
Gears on the type-wheel shaft mesh with racks on another frame having a greater
range of reciprocation in bearings on the main frame.
When a key is depressed, it closes the circuit through actuating mechanism,
which draws a reciprocating frame forward, at the same time rotating the wheel
to bring the corresponding letter into proper position for printing, and automatically
locking it in that position by suitable mechanism. The frame having the greatest
reciprocation carries, at its forward end, a bar or stop-plate, oblique or inclined to
its line of movement, and provided with notches corresponding with stops connected
with the finger-keys which stops are arranged transversely across the machine, so
that the range of reciprocation of the frame varies with the key actuated, thus
causing the type-wheel to rotate a greater or less distance correspondingly, bringing
the desired letter into correct position for printing.
The abutting of the stop-plate against the stop thus thrown athwart its line of
movement shoves it against a yielding-bar connected with a swinging stop which
interlocks with the type-wheel and holds it securely while the printing is taking
place. When the frame retracts, the stop resumes its normal position, and, after
printing, the type-wheel is released by automatic mechanism so as to be free to
turn to bring the next character into its proper position. The type-wheel and its
automatic stop are connected with a frame movable laterally by means of an inter-
mittently-movable screw-shaft, which turns during the forward movement of the
type-wheel so as to feed it the proper distance to form the next letter.
The subject-matter claimed is hereinafter specified.
The accompanying drawings represent so much of a machine embodying all my
improvements as is necessary to illustrate this subject-matter.
The key-board end of the machine, I call the front; the printing end, the back.
That portion of the machine on the right side of a person facing the key-board-
the usual operating position-I call the right; the opposite, the left.
The short, unfeathered darts on the section lines indicate the direction in which
the spectator is supposed to be looking; the corresponding darts on the machine
indicate the direction of movement of the corresponding parts.
The solid, unfeathered arrows indicate the electric circuit through the rear type-
wheel carriage actuating-magnets or solenoids; the similar dotted arrows indicate

page_text: the circuit through the corresponding front solenoids. The solid, feathered arrows
indicate the circuit through the front printing-magnets; the dotted ones, that
through the rear printing-magnets.
The broken lines in Fig. 1, indiente circuit-connections hidden by other
mechanism.
Fig. 1 represents a plan or top view of the entire apparatus, in its normal.
position; that is, just after having printed a character;
Fig. 2 shows a vertical, longitudinal section therethrough, on the line 2-2 of
Fig. 1, looking to the right;
Fig. 3 shows a similar section through the upper part of the machine, on the
line 3-3 of Fig. 1, also looking to the right;
Fig. 4 shows a vertical, transverse section, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking
backward;
Fig. 5 is a plan or top view of the type-wheel and its carrying-frame
detached; and
Fig. 6, a side elevation thereof, omitting the wheel ;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the type-wheel operating-frame and key-stop bar
detached ;
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic side view, illustrating the electrical and mechanical
connections of the key-levers, type-wheel, and locking-devices;
Fig. 9 shows a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section of one of
the type-wheel or key-stops in its forward position, Fig. 8 showing the corre-
sponding parts in their normal or backward position;
Fig. 10 shows a detail plan view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the type-wheel locking-clutch or dog; and
Fig. 12, a detail, sectional view, transverse to this dog and a portion of the
type-wheel;
"
Fig. 13 represents diagrammatically a vertical, longitudinal section, illustrating
the details of the mechanism for changing the throw of the type-wheel, to change
from capitals to small letters; and
Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of the electrical circuits.
All the mechanism is shown as mounted in or upon a main frame 1, having
suitable bearings, brackets, and guides therefor.
The characters, figures, letters, or symbols are arranged on the periphery of a
type-wheel 7, with the capitals and small letters preferably alternating, for a reason
hereinafter explained.
A series of notches 50, in the side of the type-wheel, receives a locking-dog 155,
hereinafter described.
The type-wheel is carried by a collar or sleeve 156, turning with, but capable of
sliding freely endwise on a shaft 8, mounted in bearing-screws 12, in a carriage or
frame 9, reciprocating longitudinally on guides 10, 11, on the main frame. The
bearing-screws admit of the ready removal of the type-wheel and its shaft.
Gears 13, on the type-wheel shaft, engage with racks 17, on a type-wheel actuating-
frame 15, provided with guides 18, traversing the type-wheel carriage, and having
a greater range of reciprocation than that carriage. Laterally-projecting arms 19,
on the rear end of this carriage, carry rods 25, on which the armature-cores of the
type-wheel actuating-magnets or solenoids 21, 22, 23, 24, are mounted.
、
These solenoids are shown as arranged parallel with each other, and with the
line of reciprocation of the type-wheel, on opposite sides of the machine, near its
upper part, so as to secure direct connection with the type-wheel actuating-frame
reciprocated by them. They are also shown as arranged in pairs, end to end, so
that one armature-core serves for each pair of solenoids; and the cores are attracted
by, the solenoids so as to move the frame with which they are connected, in alter-
nately opposite directions, as the current is shifted from one set of solenoids to the
other. In the normal position, shown in the drawings, the circuit is through the
rear solenoids 21, 22. When it is shifted through the front solenoids 23, 24,
the type-wheel actuating-frame 15 moves forward, while the type-wheel carriage 9,

page_text: remains stationary. The racks 17 consequently rotate the gears 13, on the type-
wheel shaft, and turn the type-wheel.
In order, however, to adapt the machine to print any characters desired, a stop-
plate 16, is mounted on the front end of the type-wheel actuating-frame 15, obliquely
to its line of movement, and is provided, on its front edge, with notches 20-one for
each character on the type-wheel.
The usual finger-keys are arranged in any desired order, at the front of the
machine; a preferred arrangement, for a special purpose, being hereinafter indi-
cated. A key-lever 26-on the left-hand of the key-board-controls the printing
of capitals. A corresponding key-lever 27-on the opposite or right-hand side of
the key-board-controls the mechanism for releasing the type-wheel, and retracting
it to begin a new line, and simultaneously feeding the paper correspondingly. The
ordinary key-levers 28, 29, &c., for printing the characters, are shown as arranged
horizontally and parallel with each other, and as rocking on a common axis 30.
In order to print several letters or short words rapidly, by simultaneously
depressing the necessary key-levers, the letters are arranged on the key-board from
left to right, for a reason hereafter apparent. For instance, Fig. 1 shows a key-
board so arranged that the letters "WAS" run from left to right; also, the
letters "IN," while those "A N D," and "THE" run from rear to front,
though their levers run from left to right. The key-levers corresponding with any
of these words can consequently be depressed simultaneously, and be successively
rapidly printed on the machine, as will be hereinafter explained.
Each key-lever carries a stop-arm 31, rocking vertically on a pivot 34, in a
plane parallel with the key-lever, and movable end wise, vertically, in a transverse
guide-way 33, on the main frame, wide enough to admit of a rocking or yielding
motion of the stop-arm. Each stop-arm has steps 35, 36, on its head 32, the lower
one 36, of which, when the stop is elevated, normally resting on the rear edge of
the guide-way 33, while the upper one, 35, at the proper time, engages with the
corresponding notch on the stop-plate 16. Springs 37, connected with the lower
end of the stop-arm 31, tend to hold their upper ends in their extreme backward
positions, and to hold the key-levers in their usual horizontal position.
As a consequence of this organization, when a key is struck, the rear end of its
lever is lifted, and its corresponding stop-arm elevated into the position shown by
the dotted lines in Fig. 8; that is to say, with the second step 36, resting on the
upper rear bar of the guide-way. The type-wheel operating-frame now advances
until the proper notch 20, of the oblique bar 16, abuts against this stop, at which
moment the relation of the parts is such that the character corresponding with the
key pressed is presented by the wheel to the impression-cylinder. As the stops all
lie in the same vertical plane across the machine, while the corresponding steps of
the stop-arm are at gradually increasing distances therefrom, in a horizontal plane,
it follows that the range of movement of the type-wheel actuating-carriage varies
correspondingly with each letter. When the stop-plate 16 abuts against the stop-
arm 31, its projecting edge underlies the upper step 35, and forces the arm forward
from the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 9. As
the stop-arm moves forward, it abuts against a cross-bar 42, which I call a shifter-
bar, uniting two levers 39, pendant from and swinging on another cross-bar 43,
near the upper end of the frame. Each of these levers 39 in turn is connected by a
pivoted link 40, with a corresponding arm 41, rocking on a pivot 44, on the frame,
and normally held in a backward position by a spring 45. The arms 41 are united
at top by a cross-bar 46; this cross-bar is embraced by the forks 48, of an elbow-
lever 47, rocking horizontally on a vertical pivot 49, on the frame, and carrying a
rearwardly-projecting arm 155, which, at proper intervals, enters the recesses 50,
in the side of the type-wheel, thus constituting a dog or clutch for steadying the
type-wheel or locking it in position, while the character is being printed. The
arm 155 is tapered or beveled as shown, so that at first it readily finds its way into
the notches, and afterwards, as the wheel is moved towards the impression-roller,
the wider part of the arm completely fills a notch, and holds the wheel steady.

page_text: Set-screws 38, serve to adjust the width of the guide-way 33, and thus control the
extent of rotation of the type-wheel by limiting the rearward movement of the
shifter-bar 42.
When the forward movement of the type-wheel operating-frame 15 is thus
stopped, and the type-wheel locked, the circuits through all the solenoids and the
front printing-magnets are broken, and the circuit is closed through the rear
printing-magnets 53, 54. The armature 56, of these magnets, is mounted on an
upright lever 55, rocking vertically on a pivot 57, in a longitudinal plane parallel
to the line of movement of the type-wheel.
The upper end of this lever enters a loop 157, on a radius-bar 59, rocking hori-
zontally on a pivot 158, on the left-hand side of the machine, and connected by a
link-rod 60, pivoted to its free end, with the rocking-pawl 63, of the ratchet 64, on
a spur-wheel 61, meshing with a spur-gear 62, on a screw-shaft 65, which controls
the lateral feed of the type-wheel, as hereinafter described.
Before doing this, however, I will recur to the means for reciprocating the type-
wheel to print a character.
The rocking armature-arm 55, above-mentioned, is connected by a loop 58, with
the type-wheel carriage 9, so that, when this armature-lever moves backward, it
shoves this carriage before it, and prints the character. As soon as this is
done, the circuit is restored through the front magnets 51, 52, and the carriage
drawn forward.
An
I will now describe the means for moving the type-wheel laterally, to space the
characters. A block 67 slides freely end wise on the screw-shaft 65, above-mentioned.
A forked, rearwardly-extending arm 71, fits in a groove in the collar 156, of the
type-wheel, thus connecting it with this block. A forward extension or plate 68,
connects this block 67 with a slide 69, movable endwise on a rock-shaft 74.
arm 75, capable of sliding freely on the rock-shaft, and movable around its bearings
in the slide 69, is provided with a tail-piece traversing a longitudinal groove in the
rock-shaft, so that the arm 75, can both turn with, and move laterally on the rock-
shaft, correspondingly with the type-wheel and traversing-block 67. That portion
of the arm 75, which overlaps the screw-shaft 65, is correspondingly screw-threaded
and normally held in contact therewith by a spring 76; so as to cause the type-
wheel and block 67 to traverse, step by step, to space the printing, as hereinafter
described. In thus traversing from left to right, the block winds up a coiled
spring 70, connected therewith by a cord or chain 72. When this block reaches
the end of its traverse, the arm 75 is released from the screw-shaft 65, and the
block 67 and type-wheel are retracted to the other side of the frame, to commence
a new line.
A gauge-stop 66, on the left end of the screw-shaft, regulates the
point at which the line of print begins. A warning-bell or alarm-not shown-
indicates the approach of the type-wheel to the end of the line. Finger-levers 73-
Fig. 4 pivoted on the plate 68, and acting on the arm 75, serve to detach the
latter from the screw-shaft, to move the type-wheel to the right or left by hand,
for ordinary adjustment. Regularly it is preferred to re-set the type-wheel to
begin a new line automatically. This I do as follows: At any moment when it
is desired to re-set the type-wheel, the operator depresses a key 27, on the right-
hand side of the key-board; this closes a circuit through a magnet 79, actuating
an armature-lever 80, rocking vertically and longitudinally on a pivot 83, at the
back of the machine. The forward end of a link-rod 81, pivoted to the upper
or free end of this armature-lever, is in turn pivoted to an elbow-lever 82, rocking
on a pivot 84, on the main frame. The short arm 85, of this lever, constitutes a
dog which acts on a crank-arm 77, on the rock-shaft 74, and rocks it so as to
release the screw-arm 75, from the screw-shaft 65. A spring-pawl 78, rocking
horizontally on a pivot on the slide-block 67, inserts itself between this block and
arm and holds the arm up. The spring 70, then retracts the block to the left
until the gauge-stop 66, abuts against the tail of the spring-pawl, and withdraws
it from under the screw-arm, the spring of which immediately causes it to re-engage
with the screw-shaft, when the parts are ready to begin a new line. In rapid

page_text: work, the type-wheel might acquire an impetus which would carry it too far
proper registry, or the screw-shaft might feed it too far for proper spacing.
obviate these difficulties, and ensure proper spacing by providing a positive stop
which controls the screw-shaft and type-wheel accurately. This I do by mounting
acam-stop 88, on the screw-shaft 65, against which stop a detent 87, on the type-
wheel carrying-frame 9, abuts, as the type-wheel inoves away from the paper, after
printing a character.
In order to prevent the type-wheel from striking too hard against the printing-
roller, a buffer is used, shown as consisting of a screw-rod 98, passing through a
bracket 100, on the main frame, and through a lug 101, on a standard 99, on the
type-wheel carrying-frame 9, a spring 159 being interposed between the bracket
and lug. A roller 160, on the arm, traverses a guide-rail 10, on the frame. These
parts are duplicated on each side of the frame. These rollers and guide-rails also
support the rear end of the type-wheel carrying-frame, the front end of which is
similarly guided and supported by rollers 5, 6, embracing guide-rails 11, on the
main frame.
The paper is fed downward over an inclined table 102, between a feed-roll 103,
and an impression-roller or printing-cylinder 104, advanced step by step, at the
proper time, to print a new line, by means of a spring-feed pawl 106, pivoted on
an arm 105, rocking on an axis concentric with the roller, and pivoted to the link-
rod 81, which releases the screw-shaft 65, when the type-wheel retracts to begin a
new line.
The inking-ribbon 109, preferably used, is a narrow one, held in proper position
between the printing-roller and type-wheel by an arm or frame 110, forming an
extension of the type-wheel hub-controlling arm 71. The ribbon is carried on
reels 107, 108, turning on vertical shafts on the main frame. The actuating-
pawls 111, of their feed-ratchets 112, are so mounted on the type-wheel carrying-
frame, 9, as to traverse the ribbon slightly across the line of movement of the type-
wheel at each reciprocation thereof. The pawls are provided with thumb-levers 113,
for releasing them, or reversing the traverse of the ribbon, and the reels may be
provided with the usual hand-winding devices, which, however, are not shown in
the drawings.
I will now describe the electrical part of the apparatus, and its circuit-connec-
tions; starting with the parts in their normal position shown in the drawings.
A switch 114, serves to connect or disconnect the battery, generator, or motor of
the apparatus.
I will first trace the solenoid circuits: The current flows from
the generator through a wire 115, to a binding-post 117, as shown by the full-
feathered arrow-Fig. 14; thence as shown by the unfeathered, full-line arrows, it
flows through the wires 123, 124, to the contacts 118, of the key-levers 28. Thence
it flows through the wire 125, to the contact 119, automatically controlled by the
shifter-bar 42. From the contact 119, the current flows through the wire 126,
through the left-hand, rear solenoid 21. Thence by the wire 127, through the right-
hand, rear solenoid 22.. Thence through the wire 128 to the binding-post 122.
Thence through the wire 116 to the generator. The current always flows through
this circuit as long as the machine continues in its normal condition; that is, with
the type-wheel carriage in its forward position. To throw this wheel forward, to
bring the proper letter into position, and to lock the type-wheel, preparatory to
printing, the circuit is thrown through the front solenoids, in the following manner,
by depressing one of the key-levers 28. The course of the current is shown by
the dotted, unfeathered arrows in Fig. 14. Beginning at the binding-post 117, it
first branches from the wire 123, above described, by a wire 129, from which a
branch 132 leads to a contact 130, controlled by the key-lever 28; thence it passes,
by a wire 134, through the front, left-hand solenoid 23; thence, by a wire 135, to
a contact 131, controlled, like its corresponding contact 119, by the shifter-bar 42.
From the contact 131, wire 136, leads through the right-hand, front solenoid 24,
by a wire 137, to the main return-wire 128, and binding-post 122, as the other
branch of the current did.

page_text: I will now describe the circuits through the printing magnets, the one through
the front set being shown by the full-feathered arrows, while that through the
rear set is shown by the corresponding dotted arrows.
Beginning with the front set; a wire 140, branching from the binding-post 117,
passes through a contact. 138, wire 142, left-hand, front printing-magnet 51, the
corresponding right-hand magnet 52, and wire 143, to out-going binding-post 122.
An intermediate contact 139, is also interposed in this circuit, for purposes
hereinafter explained.
The rear magnets' circuit branches from the wire 140, at 162, through a
contact 149, and wire 163, to a contact 150, on the lever 41, controlled by the
shifter-bar 42, the same one controlling the solenoids' contacts 119, 131, as above
described. From contact 150, the circuit passes through the wire 164, left-hand,
rear printing-magnet 53, corresponding right-hand magnet 54, and wire 165, to
binding-post 122.
I will now describe the circuit-connections by which the type-wheel is released
from the screw, so as to enable it to run back to commence a new line, and, at the
same time, to feed the paper to commence a new line. A key-lever 27, on the right-
hand side of the key-board, when depressed, closes a contact 151-Fig. 14-the
circuit through which is as follows: A wire 152, branching from the in-coming
binding-post 117, passes through the contact 151, wire 153, magnet 79, wire 154, and
return-wire 128, to the out-going binding-post 122.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the entire apparatus is actuated
by electricity, thrown into operation either automatically or simply by depressing
the keys.
The apparatus operates as follows: starting from the normal position shown in
the drawings that is, with the type-wheel actuating-carriage in its extreme rear-
ward position, with the type-wheel in its forward position and clear of the printing-
roller, unlocked and free to turn; its actuating gear-wheel 13, engaging with the
forward part of the rack 17, of the actuating-carriage 15. In this position,
the contact 119 is closed, and the rear solenoids 21, 22, are consequently in
circuit. The contact 138 is also closed, and the circuit flows through the front
set of printing-magnets 51, 52. If a key-lever 28 now be depressed, the circuit
is thrown through the front solenoids 23, 24, and draws forward the type-wheel
actuating-frame 15; while the type-wheel carriage 9 is held stationary by
abutting against suitable stops on the frame. Meanwhile, the depression of the
key-lever has thrown up its corresponding stop-arm 31, in its guide-way 33, so
that its lower step 36, rests on the upper, rear edge thereof, directly in the
path of the notched stop-plate 16. As this plate moves forward with the type-
wheel actuating-frame, one of its notches 20, corresponding with the stop which
has been elevated, slides under the upper step 35, of the stop-arm 31, and shoves
it forward from the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 8, to the position
shown in Fig. 9, the stop-arm now abutting against the front side of its guide-
way 33.
A bar 95, which I term a contact-bar, rests upon the top of the key-levers,
and is connected by radius-bars 94, with the axis 30, on which the key-levers rock;
in such manner that the contact-bar 95, while resting upon the key-levers, is free
to rise and fall therewith. As a consequence of this organization, when a key is
depressed, and the rear end of its lever is thrown up, it lifts the contact-bar 95,
and a pendant arm 96, connected therewith. This opens the spring-contact 118,
which this pendant arm normally holds closed, and thus breaks the circuit through
the rear solenoids. At the same time, a corresponding pendant arm 97, likewise
connected with this contact-bar, closes the spring-contact 130, normally held open,
and thus throws the circuit through the front solenoids.
As the stop-arm 31 is shoved forward by the stop-plate 16, it carries with it the
shifter-bar 42, which in turn, through the swinging levers 39, and pivoted links 40,
throws forward the arms 41, carrying the cross-bar 46, which actuates the dog 47,
and interlocks it with the type-wheel. Previously to this being done, however, the

page_text: type-wheel has revolved, during the forward movement of its actuating-carriage, to
bring the letter corresponding to that of the key depressed, into proper position for
printing, and the dog locks it securely in this position.
This forward movement of the shifter-bar 42, actuates the links and levers 39,
40, 41, &c., and simultaneously opens the contacts 119, 131, of both solenoid
circuits. This movement, at the same time, opens the contact 138, by allowing
hook 90 to drop over pin 91, when spring 93 draws lever 86 backward. This same
forward movement of the shifter-bar 42, and lever 41 closes contact 150, and sends
current through the rear printing-magnets, which attracts the armature 56, on
lever 55, connected with type-wheel carriage 9, and with radius-bar 59, by which
the screw-shaft 65 is actuated. This attraction of the armature 56, also carries
the type-wheel carriage with it and prints a letter. This backward movement of the
type-wheel carriage, at the moment the type-wheel strikes the paper, opens the
contact 149, of the rear printing-magnets' circuit, and simultaneously closes
the one 139, through the front printing-magnets, by means of a pin 146, acting on
arm 144, pendant from slide-bar 147, thus drawing the type-wheel carriage forward,
and away from the paper, by which forward motion the pin 146, acting on arm 145,
pendant from slide-bar 147, reverses the position of the contacts 139, 149, and puts
them in their normal position, viz., 149 closed and 139 open. Simultaneously with
this movement, the radius-bar 59, through its link 60, and pawl 63, turns the screw-
shaft 65. The cam 166, on this shaft, acts on the upper end of the three-armed
lever 86, rocking on pivot 89, and releases hook 90, on said lever, from pin 91, on
the arm 41, with which it is held in engagement by spring 93. As soon as lever 86
is released, as above described, the spring 45 retracts the arm 41, thus releasing
dog 155, from contact with the type-wheel. In its forward movement the arm 41
strikes against the downwardly-projecting arm 92, of the lever 86, and causes the
hook 90 to positively engage with the pin 91, should the spring not act efficiently;
this arm 92 also forces 41 backward, in case the spring 45 does not act efficiently
when pin 91 is released by action of cam 166, against lever 86, and raising hook 90,
thus positively disengaging dog 155, from contact with the type-wheel.
This forward movement of lever 86, closes the contact 138, of the front printing-
magnets' circuit, before the circuit is broken at 139, by the movement of the type-
wheel carriage 9, actuating slide-bar 147, by a pin 146, against the pendant
arm 145, as above described, thus holding the type-wheel carriage forward in its
normal position.
When the backward movement of lever 39 closes the contacts 131 and 119, the
circuit through the rear solenoids is closed, in case no key is depressed, thus
drawing the type-wheel actuating-frame 15, to the rear, in its normal position; but
if one or more keys are depressed then the circuit through the front solenoids 23, 24,
is closed, and the type-wheel actuating-frame is drawn forward until stopped by a
stop-arm 31, when the operation of printing is repeated until the last stop-arm is
down. When the type-wheel actuating-frame 15 is drawn forward by the action
of the front solenoids 23, 24, and strikes a stop-arm 31, it is locked with the type-
wheel carriage 9, by means of the action of dog 155, and intervening mechanism,
and both frames 15 and 9, are drawn backward to print, by the action of printing-
magnets 53, 54. As the type-wheel actuating-frame 15, moves backward, in the
act of printing, carrying with it the stop-plate 16, the latter releases the stop-arm
previously held up by it, and allows it to drop to its normal position. The backward
movement of the arm 41, also carries the shifter-bar 42 back to its normal position.
Striking the same key in succession, or holding it down, would, of course, cause
that character to be reprinted.
The angular or oblique arrangement of the stop-plate, relatively to the line of
stops, enables me to save the time consumed in traversing the type-wheel actuating-
carriage its full distance, and also enables me to strike a number of keys simul-
taneously; say, for instance, the word "and."
When the stops corresponding with these characters are elevated, the stop-plate
comes in contact with the first one, the type-wheel is locked, which also locks

page_text: together the type-wheel carriage 9, and the type-wheel actuating-frame 15, the
circuits are automatically completed through the rear printing-magnets, thus
drawing both frames backward, which releases the stop corresponding with the first
letter of the word. This backward movement closes the contacts of the front
printing-magnets, and breaks those of the rear printing-magnets at the moment of
printing, which moves both frames forward. This forward movement closes the
contacts through the front solenoids, as soon as the type-wheel and frames are
unlocked by the revolution of the screw-shaft 65, and runs the type-wheel
actuating-frame forward again until it meets the next stop, without the necessity of
its returning to its normal position after each letter printed. This operation is
continued automatically as long as one or more stops remain elevated; when the
last stop drops, the parts resume their normal position, viz., the type-wheel
actuating-frame to the rear, the type-wheel carrying-frame to the front.
Under the organization shown, the capitals alternate with their corresponding
small letters, on the type-wheel. When working full-stroke, the type-wheel
carriage prints small letters only. In order to print capitals, I provide a separate
key 26, marked "upper case," on the left side of the key-board. This key carries
a stop 167, which stands normally out of the way of the type-wheel carriage 9, but
which, when the key is depressed, abuts against said carriage, and stops it when it
has made say one half of its forward movement; this brings the capital letter on
the type-wheel in proper position for printing. To retract the type-wheel to begin
a new line, and, at the same time, feed the paper forward, a key 27, on the right
side of the key-board, is depressed; this closes the contact 151, through the
printing-magnet 79, drawing its armature 80 forward, and, through the link-rod 81,
and elbow-lever 82, depresses the dog 85, bearing on the crank-arm 77, and rocks
it, thus rocking the screw-arm 75, and releasing it from the screw-shaft 65, when
the spring 70 retracts the type-wheel to the proper position to begin a new line.
The paper is simultaneously fed forward on the roller 104, by the pawl 106,
connected with the link-rod 81.
The type-wheel is formed with one or more spaces 14, between some of the types,
and, by corresponding keys, the operator may advance the type-wheel across the
page, the desired number of spaces without printing, also to form space after a word,
by striking space-key simultaneously with last letter of a word.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a main frame; a
type-wheel carriage traversing longitudinally guides therein; a type-wheel movable
endwise on, but turning with a shaft mounted in bearings in said carriage; a type-
wheel actuating-frame traversing longitudinally guides on the carriage parallel
therewith; racks on this actuating-frame engaging with gears on the type-wheel
shaft and electro-magnetic apparatus for reciprocating the actuating-frame, and
thereby turning the type-wheel.
2. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage traversing longitudinally guides therein; a type-wheel carried by a shaft
mounted in said carriage; a type-wheel actuating-frame traversing longitudinally
guides on this carriage; racks on this frame engaging gears on the type-wheel
shaft; a dog engaging the type-wheel, at suitable intervals, to lock the carriage
and actuating-frame together; and electro-magnetic apparatus for reciprocating
them, when thus interlocked.
3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage traversing longitudinally in guides therein; a type-wheel carried by a
shaft mounted in said carriage; a type-wheel actuating-frame traversing longi-
tudinally guides in this carriage and parallel therewith; racks on this frame
engaging gears on the type-wheel shaft; a dog engaging the type-wheel at suitable
intervals to lock the carriage and actuating-frame together; electro-magnetic

page_text: apparatus for reciprocating both the carriage and frame together, when thus inter-
locked; and means for automatically unlocking them to allow the type-wheel to
turn by the forward movement of the actuating-frame.
4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame;
a carriage traversing guides therein; a type-wheel carried by a shaft mounted in said
carriage; a type-wheel actuating-frame sliding longitudinally parallel with said
carriage on guides therein; racks on this frame engaging gears on the type-wheel
shaft; solenoids mounted on the main frame; armature-cores therefor connected
directly with the actuating-frame; a stop-plate also carried by this frame; a key-
lever; a stop thrown thereby across the path of the stop-plate; a locking-dog
engaging with the type-wheel; and mechanism for releasing it.
5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage traversing longitudinally guides therein; a type-wheel mounted therein;
an actuating-frame traversing longitudinally guides in said carriage; a stop-plate
on this frame; a key-lever; a stop thrown across the path of this stop-plate
thereby a dog engaging with the type-wheel; and mechanism to unlock
the dog.
6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage traversing guides therein; a type-wheel mounted therein; an actuating-
frame traversing guides therein; means for rotating the type-wheel by the
differential movements of its carriage and actuating-frame; a stop-plate on this
frame; a key-lever; a stop thrown across the path of this stop-plate thereby; a
locking-dog engaging with the type-wheel; a shifter-bar actuated by the stop;
link-connections between this bar and the locking-dog; a spring-latch or locking-
lever which holds the dog in position; and a cam which releases the latch at the
proper moment.
7. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage traversing therein; a type-wheel mounted in the carriage; an actuating-
frame traversing guides in the carriage; gearing for rotating the type-wheel by
the differential movement of this carriage and frame; a locking-dog engaging with
the type-wheel; a spring-latch which holds this dog in its locked position; a
releasing-cam actuating the spring-latch; and an arm on said latch positively
actuated by the mechanism which locks the dog to insure the fastening of the
spring-latch.
8. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage traversing guides therein; a type-wheel mounted therein; an actuating-
frame traversing guides therein; a stop-plate carried by this frame oblique to its
line of movement; a series of key-levers; a series of stops arranged transversely
across the machine in the same vertical plane, each actuated by its respective key-
lever; and means for reciprocating the stop-plate and for varying its range of
movement according to the stop interposed.
9. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel; a
stop-plate; gearing connecting the stop-plate with the type-wheel; a series of
levers; and stops traversed thereby, athwart the line of movement of the stop-
plate.
10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a reciprocating
carriage; a type-wheel mounted therein; an actuating-frame traversing said
carriage; a stop-plate on this frame, oblique to its line of movement; a series of
key-levers; stops traversable thereby athwart the line of movement of the stop-
plate; a shifter-bar actuated by the stops; link-connections actuated by this bar;
a locking-dog actuated thereby, and electro-magnetic devices also actuated by said
link-connections, regulating the movement of the type-wheel carriage and actuating-
frame.
11. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a reciprocating
type-wheel carriage or actuating-frame; a stop-plate carried thereby; a series of
key-levers; stops traversed thereby athwart the line of movement of the stop-plate;
B

page_text: electro-magnetic devices for reciprocating said actuating-frame, and circuit-con-
trolling devices actuated by the key-levers controlling said mechanism.
12. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a guide-way;
stops movable therein; a notch or step on each stop; a spring tending to engage
the notch with the guide-way, when the stop is elevated; a stop-piece which
releases the step from engagement with the guide-way, and a type-wheel rotated by
the stop-plate.
13. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel
movable laterally on its shaft; a feed-screw shaft; a slide-block thereon movable
with the type-wheel; a rock-shaft; a screw-arm thereon interlocking with the
slide-block and screw-shaft; a crank-arm on the rock-shaft; a dog acting thereon
to release the screw-arm; electro-magnetic devices controlling link-connections
actuating the dog; and a spring to retract the type-wheel when released from the
screw-shaft.
14. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its reciprocating carriage; its separate reciprocating actuating-frame; type-wheel
locking mechanism carried by an independent frame, and means for actuating the
locking mechanism from the actuating-frame.
15. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a reciprocating
stop-plate; stops traversing its path; a shifter-bar actuated by the pressure of the
stop-plate on the stops; a type-wheel; a dog interlocking therewith; and link-
connections between said shifter-bar and dog.
16. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its carriage; its actuating-frame; a stop-plate carried thereby; yielding spring-
stops intercepting the path of the stop-plate; a shifter-bar actuated by the stop-
plate and stops; a dog interlocking with the type-wheel; link-connections between
the shifter-bar and dog to lock the type-wheel, and means for automatically releasing
said dog.
17. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel; a
feed-screw shaft; mechanism connecting the wheel and shaft to feed the latter
laterally a laterally moving locking-dog; link-connections actuating it, and a cam
on the feed-screw shaft to release the dog.
;
18. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel; a
rocking locking-dog engaging therewith; a vibrating-arm actuating said dog; a
pin or stop carried by the arm; a spring-actuated notched locking-lever engaging
therewith to hold the dog in the proper position, and a cam on the feed-screw shaft
to release the dog.
19. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a reciprocating
type-wheel carriage; a type-wheel mounted therein; a feed-screw shaft for moving
the type-wheel laterally; connections between the type-wheel and screw-shaft; a
stop on the latter, and a detent on the carriage, abutting against the stop to lock the
type-wheel positively at the proper moment.
20. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
carriage reciprocating in guides therein; a type-wheel in this carriage; a type-
wheel actuating-frame reciprocating in guides on the carriage; gearing connecting
the carriage and frame; means for reciprocating the actuating-frame, and thereby
rotating the type-wheel; separate means for actuating the carriage; and means for
locking the type-wheel and actuating-frame so as to print a letter by actuating the
type-wheel carriage.
21. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its carriage; its actuating-frame; a feed-screw shaft; connections between it and
the type-wheel; ratchet-gearing for rotating said shaft intermittently, and links
connecting such gearing and carriage so as to feed the type-wheel laterally after
each reciprocation of the type-wheel.
22. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel
having capital and small letters arranged alternately on its periphery; a recipro-

page_text: cating, type-wheel carriage; a key-lever, and a stop connected therewith, to limit
the range of movement of the type-wheel, when capitals are to be printed.
23. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its carriage; a feed-screw shaft; a ratchet-feed, and link-connections between the
feed-screw shaft and carriage; a rock-shatt; a laterally-sliding frame connecting
the type-wheel, screw shaft, and rock-shaft; a pivoted spring-arm carried by the
rock-shaft, and carrying a screw engaging with the screw-shaft; a crank-arm on
the rock-shaft; a dog acting thereon, and link-connections for rocking the shaft to
release the actuating-arm from the screw-shaft, when the type-wheel is to be retracted
to commence a new line.
24. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its carriage; a feed-screw shaft; a ratchet-feed, and link-connections between said
screw-shaft and carriage; a rock shaft; a laterally-sliding frame connecting the type-
wheel, screw-shaft and rock-shaft; a pivoted spring-arm carried by the rock-shaft,
and carrying a screw engaging with the screw-shaft; a crank-arm on the rock-shaft;
an impression-cylinder; its paper-feeding pawl, and link-connections for simul-
taneously actuating the pawl and turning the rock-shaft so as simultaneously to
release the actuating-arm from the screw-shaft, when the type-wheel is to be
retracted, and simultaneously to feed the paper by actuating the pawl.
25. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a type-wheel;
its reciprocating carriage; a type-wheel actuating-frame; mechanism carried thereby
for feeding the type-wheel laterally therein; a generator of electric currents;
circuit-connections; key-levers controlling them to reciprocate the type-wheel
actuating-frame; a stop-plate on said frame, and stops actuated by the key-levers
which control other circuit-connections, and mechanism actuated by said circuit-
connections which prints a character and actuates the type-wheel feeding-
mechanism.
26. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its reciprocating-carriage; a reciprocating type-wheel actuating-frame; gearing
for reciprocating the type-wheel from the actuating-frame; a source of electric
energy; mechanism actuated therefrom to reciprocate the actuating-frame, and
automatic circuit-shifting devices operated by the actuating-frame to reverse its
movements at the proper time.
27. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a main frame; a
type-wheel; its carriage reciprocating in guides in the main frame; a type-wheel
actuating-fraine reciprocating in guides on the carriage; solenoids arranged end to
end in pairs, on opposite sides of the main frame, (the solenoids of each pair being
oppositely wound) their armature-cores connected directly with the actuating-frame;
and circuit-connections by which the current is alternately shifted from one set of
solenoids to the other, to rotate the type-wheel.
28. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a type-wheel;
its carriage reciprocating in guides on the main frame; a vibrating armature
connected directly with this carriage; electro-magnets on opposite sides of said
armature; and circuit-connections automatically controlled by the reciprocation of
the frame; alternately to shift the current through the magnets to print a character,
and to retract the type-wheel from the impression-cylinder.
29. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a main frame; a
type-wheel its carriage; a type-wheel actuating-frame reciprocating in guides
therein; solenoids arranged end to end in pairs on the main frame, (the solenoids of
each pair being oppositely wound) their armature-cores connected with the actuating-
frame; key-levers; a contact-bar or rocking-frame resting thereon, and circuit-
controlling devices carried by the contact-bar so as to shift the current from one set
of solenoids to the other, on the depression of a key.
30. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a type-wheel;
its reciprocating carriage; electro-magnetic devices actuating the latter; a
reciprocating type-wheel actuating-frame; electro-magnetic devices operating it;

page_text: a stop-plate carried by this frame; a yielding stop intersecting the path of the
stop-plate; a shifter-bar or frame actuated by the stop-plate and interposed stop;
circuit-connections, and circuit-controlling devices actuated by the reciprocation of
the type-wheel carriage and actuating-frame and of the shifter-bar to shift the
current through both sets of actuating-magnets.
Dated this 6th day of February 1891.
EDWARD JENNINGS SILKMAN.