Improvements in Type Writers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1891-Accepted. 1st Aug. 1891.
COBILLIN
Improvements in Type Writers.
I, BYRON ALDEN BROOKS, Gentleman, a Citizen of the United States, residing
at No. 314, McDonough Street, Brooklyn, County of Kings, State of New York,
in the said United States of America, 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 :-
In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated different mechanisms embodying
the several features of my invention in forms at present preferred by me and I will
now describe the devices illustrated in said drawings.
Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a platen-shifting mechanism.
Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the same, showing the platen in position.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show different forms of platen shifting mechanism, all involving
some of the broad features of my present invention.
Figure 6 is a front view of a part of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side-view of the machine containing, among other things, the
shifting mechanism shown in Figure 5.
Figure 8 shows a type-bar hanger and guide in perspective.
Referring to Figure 2, A A is the frame or bed of the machine. B. B' are key
levers for shifting the platen. The upper part of this figure illustrates substantially
the construction of the Remington platen and attendant parts. C is the platen to
which ratchet wheel D is attached. The pawl E, carried by curved bar F, engages
with said ratchet wheel. This curved bar is pivoted at G. By drawing the
handle F forward the pawl E revolves the platen to spaces between lines; and
when the handle F is released, the pawl E rides backward over the ratchet teeth
and falls into engagement with another tooth. The platen carriage I travels
longitudinally on the track J to present a new surface after each printing impulse.
Carried on the carriage 1 is a secondary frame K to which the platen is immediately
attached and this frame is mounted upon rollers K', running on tracks K". The
carriage or frame K is rigidly attached to an arm L, carrying a fork embracing the
rod M. As the rod M is caused to vibrate forward, it slides the frame K forward
on the carriage I, thus shifting the platen at right angles to its axis to a new
position, where the printing point on the paper is under another type carried on the
same type-bar. H is a lever for diminishing or increasing the throw of the pawl E,
to diminish or increase the space between lines, N is a roller for keeping the paper
against the face of the platen and O is a paper guide. P and P is a well-known
mechanism for spacing between letters. All these parts substantially are found in
the Remington type-writer. A further description of them here is therefore
deemed unnecessary.
One of the novel features of my invention consists of providing a platen with
means for shifting it from a normal position to two or more new positions, so as to
have three or more common printing points, to be employed in connection with type-
bars each bearing more than two types, said platen also being provided with means
for positively stopping it at cach printing position, for automatically returning it to
its normal position and for holding it there until shifting. In this way the printing
is all done in line from more than two type on a bar by the simple operation of key
levers. I will now describe the mechanism by which this feature of my invention is
embodied in the machine illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
Referring to Figure 2, Q is a bell crank lever, carrying at one end the shifting
bar M. This lever is attached rigidly to the rod R and is held in the position
shown in the drawing by means of a spring attached to its short end. To the bar R
is also attached two broken levers S and S¹, each provided at its lower end with a

page_text: slit through which the key levers respectively pass. The slit at the lower end of
the lever S quite accurately fits the key lever B', so that when said key lever is
depressed the broken lever S¹ turns the rod R which tilts the bell crank lever Q
and brings the platen forward to a new position. The lower end of the broken
lever S is provided with a slit deeper than the key lever B, so that there is a
certain amount of lost motion between the two, and when the key lever B is
depressed the rod S, through the agency above described, moves the platen forward
to a new position, which is different from that to which the platen is moved by the
depression of the key lever B. By providing the broken lever S with a slot
deeper than the key lever B, both of these levers B and B are depressed
substantially the same distance, although one moves the platen forward a greater
distance than the other. In the precise construction shown the lost motion between
the key lever B and the broken rod S is necessary to permit the key lever B₁ to
move the platen forward to the position nearest the operator, because if there
were not such lost motion and the downward movement of the lever B were limited,
both key levers could not be depressed an equal distance; and they must be so
depressed as both are rigidly attached to the rock shaft R. I have shown a
stop T under each of the key levers. These platen shifting devices are also shown
in Figure 1 (a front view of part of the same mechanism) where they are provided
with the same reference letters.
Different means of shifting the platen, also involved in some of the broad features
of my present invention, are shown in Figure 3. Here there is also a bell crank
lever Q and broken levers S and S'; but in this case the ends of the broken levers
are pivoted to the key levers and a different throw of said levers to shift the platen
from the normal to a plurality of new printing positions is obtained by connecting
the lever S nearer the fulcrum of its key lever and providing it with a longer arm
connected with rod R; and by connecting the lever S further from the fulcrum of
its key lever and providing it with a shorter arm connected with the rod R.
In Figure 2 the platen was held normally in the position furthest removed from the
operator and was caused to approach the operator, more or less, according to which
key lever was depressed. In Figure 3 the platen is held normally in the position
nearest the operator and is caused to recede from the operator more or less,
according to which key lever is depressed.
In Figure 4 I have shown the platen held normally in the central position, from
which it is moved forward or backward according to which shifting key lever is
depressed, also involving some of the broad features of my invention. In this
figure the bar M is held in its normal position by the agency of two springs UU
bearing on either side thereof. V is a stop against which both of said springs rest.
The broken levers S S' rock the arm Q forward or backward according to which
key lever is depressed. By the relation between the lengths of the arms of said
broken levers, and the distance they are removed from the fulcrum points of their
respective key levers, it will be seen that they will remove the platen substantially
the same distance forward or backward when depressed.
Still another means of shifting the platen involving my invention is shown in
Figures 5 and 6. This is the means which I at present prefer to employ. In these
figures a slightly modified form of carriage is shown. The platen carriage proper
is indicated by the letters I and travels on the tracks J J. To this carriage a
shifting frame K carrying the platen is attached. This shifting frame is supported
on rollers K K (running on tracks K" K") to reduce friction when the frame is
moved forward or backward on the carriage. To this frame a fork L L is
attached, embracing the shifting bar M, which shifts the frame and the carriage to
bring the printing point on the platen under the several type carried on the same
type-bars. Qis an arm carrying said rod M and rigidly attached to the bar R.
To this bar R are rigidly attached the broken levers S S', pivoted to the key
levers B B. Each of these shifting key levers is provided with a projection W
or W', both resting on the flat spring S attached to the frame of the machine. As
one or the other of these key levers is depressed, the platen is caused to move

page_text: forward or backward to a new position. I have shown on the United Cairage ene
stops T T for limiting the shifting motion of the platen and also, under the type-
bars, the stops T T for limiting the motion of the type-bars. The platen is held in
a central or normal position by the spring stop Xresting against both projections W W¼
As the key lever B, for instance, is depressed its projection W depresses the spring
stop S and at the same time the projection Wis raised. When pressure is removed
from the key lever B, the spring X returns it to its normal position while the
projection W descending meets the spring just as the platen reaches its normal
position and holds it there. A stop (Fig. 7) prevents the spring X vibrating
after it reaches its normal position and brings the platen promptly at rest. Thus
the projections W W work against each other on the spring X. The key levers
might be made disconnected instead of being connected as shown and still effect the
same result. The dotted lines show the position of the shifting key levers and their
projections when one is depressed.
In each of the figures of the accompanying drawings above described it will be
observed that there are at least three stops in combination with the shifting
mechanism, in order that the platen at its three printing positions may be stopped
and accurately held in each." In the mechanism of Figure 2 the platen is held
in the position furthest removed from the operator and the stop which determines
its normal position is on the platen carriage and is indicated by the letter T'.
The stop Tunder the shifting key lever B determines its second printing position
and another stop T under the key lever B', or the stop Til on the travelling
platen, determines its third printing position. In the mechanism illustrated in
Figure 3 the platen is in the position nearest the operator and a stop on the platen
determines this position, while the stop T under the key lever 13 determines its
second position and a similar stop under the key lever B', or a stop on the platen
carriage, determines its third printing position. In Figure 4 the platen is held in a
central position normally, determined by the stop V; while the stops T' T
determine its second and third position. In the mechanism shown in Figures 5
and 6 the platen is likewise held in the central position determined by the stop
spring X, while its second and third positions are determined by the stops T T
under the key lever, or stops T T on the platen carriage. In each case there
are, therefore, at least three stops in combination with the shifting mechanism.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through a type-writing machine containing,
among other things, the shifting mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6.
The type-bars are set in the are of a circle and .strike down upon the platen at a
common printing point, as shown by the type-bar E in dotted lines. A is the
frame of the machine to which said type-bars are attached. In order that the
required number of type-bars, each carrying a plurality of types, may have space
for the types to pass cach other they are arranged in two rows, those in the rear
row being longer than those in the front row, so that the types carried by the
As the platen has
longer bars may pass over the types carried by the shorter bars.
a vibratory movement at right angles to the line of print, it is obvious that some of
the types must be placed in a line forming an angle with the bar and that the types
so placed require more space than they would if they were all set in lines parallel
with the type-bars. The construction of these type-bars and of their carriers is
better shown in Figure 8. F is a carrier to which the type bar E is attached by
pivot b. The carrier is provided at one end with means for attaching it to the
frame, consisting of a slot or pin hole through which a screw p (Fig. 7) passes, the
slot being somewhat larger than the neck of the screw so as to admit of adjustment
in every direction. At the other end of the carrier is a guide a made to correspond
with the enlarged portion of the type-bar, which enters therein when the type-bar
is thrown down to print, to insure perfect alignment. Preferably the enlargement
of the type-bar is slightly bevelled on the line where contact is first made; or the
guide may be bevelled instead. By the use of such a guide it is possible to make
the connection between the carrier and type-bar much freer than would be
permissible without it and hence materially to diminish friction at that point. It

page_text: is not at all essential that the type-bar have an enlargement where it enters the
guide, as it is obvious that it might be of the same thickness; neither is it essential
that the guide consists of a turned up flange projecting from the bottom of the
carrier, as it is equally obvious that any other suitable arrangement may be made
as, for instance, the guide may consist of the end of the carrier bent out and back-
ward and slotted to receive the bar or of a fork. Each type-bar is provided with a
rod G attached to key lever B. A is the base of the machine and to it is attached
a fulcrum pieces provided with two or more fulcrumed projections, the longer key
levers being fulcrummed on one and the shorter key levers on the other, so that all
may work under substantially the same condition. 2 is a universal bar extending
-the-entire-width-of the machine attached to a bell crank levere which is pivoted to
the frame at 3. This universal bar extends in such relation to the printing key
levers that every time one of them is depressed it raises said universal bar,
operating the bell crank lever to which it is attached and communicating motion
through the rod to the rocking bar h. To this rocking bar the ribbon guide j
is attached, whereby the inking ribbon is caused to approach the platen as the
types approach it to print and is raised above the platen when the types return,
to expose to view the printing point. As the printing point is on the top of the
platen and the ribbon is raised at each printing impulse, the work being done is
always in plain sight of the operator. 4 is one of the ribbon spools attached to a
shaft 5 carried on the frame of the machine, to which shaft the ratchet wheel is
also keyed.
m is a pawl meshing in the ratchet teeth 7. This pawl by means of a
rod 6 is also connected to the rock shaft hand at each printing impulse the ribbon
is thereby fed forward to present a new portion under the descending type. n is a
spring bearing on the top of the bell crank levere by means of which it is returned
to its initial position after each printing impulse. The lever c and bar 2 constitute
the letter space frame. e is the letter space ratchet attached to the lever c and
operating the rack V attached to the platen carriage, by means of which the platen
is fed forward under the influence of the spring in the ordinary manner.
The platen carriage I, the platen C and the means for shifting it from a central
normal position to two new printing positions has already been described in
connection with Figures 5 and 6. His a spacing key lever pivoted to the frame
at 9 and provided with a bar 10 working longitudinally through a sleeve 11. One
end of the bell crank lever e stands in front of the end of the bar 10 but is not
attached to it. When the spacing lever is depressed, the bell crank lever is caused
to rock and the platen is moved. The platen provided with means for turning
it to space between lines, and means for drawing it back to begin a new line,
and with a coiled spring for causing it to move forward when the loose dog falls
in the teeth of the rack B, all as in ordinary machines of this class. o is a guide
for holding the paper away from the keys in front of the platen, between the platen
and the keys.
This extends across the machine and is attached to its frame.
P is a paper guide embracing a segment of the platen. is a frame provided
with a spring 14, at one end attached to said frame and at the other end attached
to the shifting frame carrying the platen. This frame is provided with friction
rollers oo which are constantly pressing upon the paper by the force of the
spring 14 to keep it against the platen. is a sheet of paper placed between the
rollers and the platen at the top thereof and which proceeds hence down under
the platen between it and the paper guide into the paper holder o. The frame
is fulcrumed at u'. It is raised when the paper is inserted. It will be observed
that the type-bars carry cach more than two types and that the platen is vibrated
by a plurality of shifting key levers from a normal position to more than one new
position, being stopped in each of its movements, automatically returning to its
normal position and held there until shifted, so that the printing is all done in line
from more than two types on a bar by the simple operation of key levers.
I have omitted from the accompanying drawings certain details of construction
which are now well known in the art and which can be supplied by any person
skilled therein and this for the purpose of making the description of my invention

page_text: more clear and specific. And for the same purpose I have avoided entering more
fully into the description of details which are well known and which do not directly
affect the invention covered by these Letters Patent.
In the foregoing Specification I have referred to a few of the modifications
which may be adopted in practising my invention, but I have not endeavoured to
specify all the modifications which may be employed, the object of this Specifi-
cation being to instruct persons skilled in the art to practise the several novel
features of my invention in forms at present preferred by me and to enable them
to understand their nature and I desire it to be distinctly understood that mention
by me of a few modifications is in no way intended to exclude others not mentioned,
but which are within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having thus described a machine embodying, in preferred forms, all the novel
features of my invention, what I separately claim and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is the following:
1. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a vibrating and longitudinally
travelling platen a plurality of shifting key levers by which the platen is vibrated
from its normal printing position to a plurality of new printing positions and
connecting mechanism between the key levers and the platen, substantially as
described.
2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which the platen is moved
from its normal printing position to a plurality of new printing positions, three or
more stops for determining its printing positions, and connecting mechanisın
between the key levers and the platen, substantially as described.
3. In a type-writing machine, the combination of type-bars holding more than
two types, a shifting and longitudinally travelling platen, a plurality of shifting
key levers by which it is caused to move from a normal printing position to a
plurality of new printing positions corresponding to the position of the several
types on the type-bars, so as to print all in line, three or more stops for deter-
mining its several printing positions and means for automatically returning it to
its normal position when said shifting key levers are released, substantially as
described.
4. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a shifting bar to which it is connected, a plurality of shifting key
ievers, rods connecting each of said levers to said shifting bar, one of said rods
being connected to its lever by a device permitting lost motion, substantially as
described.
5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of key levers attached to the same moving part,
by which the platen is caused to move from a normal position to a plurality of
new printing positions a shifting bar and mechanism for returning the platen to
its normal position, for arresting and for holding it there, substantially as
described.
6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which it is caused to move
from a normal printing position to a plurality of new printing positions so as to
print all the characters in line, a shifting bar and spring mechanism operating to
return the platen to its normal position, substantially as described.
7. In a type-writing machine, the combination of type-bars holding more than
two types, a shifting and longitudinally travelling platen, a plurality of shifting
key levers attached to the same moving part by which the platen is caused to
move from a normal printing position to a plurality of new printing positions in
the same direction, one in advance of the other corresponding with the positions
of the several types on the type-bars, so as to print all in line, a shifting bar and
mechanism for returning the platen to its normal position, for arresting and for
holding it there, substantially as described.

page_text: 8. In a type-writing machine, the combination of type-bars carrying more than
two types, a shifting and longitudinally travelling platen, a plurality of shifting
key levers by which it is caused to move from a normal printing position to a
plurality of new printing positions corresponding with the positions of the several
types on the type-bars, so as to print all in line, three or more stops for deter-
mining its several printing positions and means for automatically returning it to
its normal position when said key levers are released, substantially as described.
9. In a type-writing machine, the combination of key levers, a platen, type-
bars arranged behind the platen to strike down upon it, an inking ribbon carried
by a ribbon guide, by which it is vibrated towards the printing point when a
-type-bar-is-depressed-and-away-from-said-point-when-a-type-bar-rises,-a-universal
bar operated by the key levers and a connecting rod between said ribbon guide
and said bar whereby the guide is vibrated at each impression, substantially as
described.
10. In a type-writing machine, the combination of key levers, a platen, type-
bars arranged behind the platen to strike down upon it, an inking ribbon suspended
between the type-bars and platen, a vibrating ribbon holder whereby the ribbon
is vibrated at each impression, substantially as described.
11. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen, type-bars arranged
behind said platen to strike down upon it, an inking ribbon suspended between
the type-bars and platen, a key board arranged in front of the platen, paper
guides travelling with the platen, all combined and arranged so that the paper may
be inserted over the surface of the platen and returned under the platen into the
paper holder and be retained by said holder, substantially as described.
12. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, type-bars carrying a plurality of types arranged behind said
platen to strike down upon it, said type-bars being arranged in the arc of a circle
and the type set thereon at right angles to the axis of the platen and a vibrating
inking ribbon suspended between the type-bars and the platen, substantially as
described.
13. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of shifting key levers attached to the same moving
part by which the platen is caused to move in both directions from a central
normal position, a shifting bar and mechanism for returning the platen to its
normal position, for arresting it and for holding it there, substantially as
described.
14. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which it is caused to move
in both directions from a central normal position, a shifting bar and spring
mechanism operating to return the platen to its normal position and also operating
to arrest it and to hold it there, substantially as described.
15. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which it is caused to move
in both directions from a central and normal position, a shifting bar, a rock shaft
to which said bar is attached and spring mechanism for returning the platen to
its normal position and a fixed stop for limiting the vibrations of said spring
mechanism, substantially as described.
16. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
moving platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which it is caused to move
in both directions from a central and normal position and movable stop
mechanism for holding the platen in its normal position, substantially as
described.
17. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
moving platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which it is caused to move in
both directions from a central and normal position and spring stop mechanisın for
returning the platen to its normal position and for holding it there, substantially as
described.

page_text: 18. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a shifting and longitudinally
travelling platen, a plurality of shifting key levers by which it is caused to move
in both directions from a central and normal position and a spring acting against
both of said key levers for returning the platen to its normal position and for
holding it there, substantially as described.
19. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a universal bar operated by
the key levers, a rock shaft operated thereby, a connecting rod between said bar
and rock shaft, a vibrating ribbon holder attached to said rock shaft and ribbon
feed pawls operated by said shaft to feed the ribbon at each impulse, substantially
as described.
20. In a type-writing machine, a universal bar operated by the key lever, a
rock shaft operated by said bar, a connecting rod between said bar and said rock
shaft, feed pawls and a key lever for operating said bar by means of which the
ribbon is fed forward at each printing impulse, substantially as described.
21. In a type-writing machine, a universal bar operated by key levers, key
levers for operating said bar, a rocking frame operated by said bar, a spacing
pawl carried by said frame, a rack in which said pawl works attached to the platen
carriage, substantially as described.
22. A type-bar guide and hanger in one piece to which the type-bar is pivoted
and provided with a forked or slotted guide for guiding the type-bar as it is thrown
down to print, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of June 1891
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.