Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th May., 1897-Accepted, 7th Aug., 1897
Improvements in Type-writers.
I, THOMAS PLATT, of 8 George Street, Rose Hill, Bolton, Lancashire, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in type-writers and provides a power driven
type-writer, that is to say, a type-writer in which all the work of printing is done by
a motor or by a treadle or other driving mechanism, the operator being merely
required by his fingers to select the letters or signs that are to be printed.
Consequently the fatigue of operating the machine is very slight compared with that
produced by other machines where the type levers have to be moved by striking the
keys more or less powerfully.
My improved type-writer is of simple and cheap construction, easy of repair and not
readily liable to get out of order. It can be operated with extreme rapidity and
possesses the very great merit that jamming of two or more types is not possible and
two or more keys may be depressed at the same time without interfering the one with
the other. The writing is moreover fully exposed to the operator.
My improved machine comprises a rotary type wheel or cylinder arranged to be
rapidly rotated by a rotary driving shaft, a motor, or a treadle or other suitable means.
The types are formed by arms or blocks carried by a series of rods arranged in the
type wheel either radially or otherwise and with a capability of turning on their own
axes. I sometimes provide each type block with an upper case and lower case letter
or sign, and at other times I provide each block with one letter or sign only. In the
former instance the type rods are arranged to slide axially in their bearings from
their normal position to bring the upper case letter or sign into the printing position.
For moving the rods axially I may provide a movable cone or disc or inclined surface
against which the ends of the rods are adapted to bear. The rods may be pressed
against the cone or disc or incline by springs which may also be arranged to return
the rods to their initial position when released after they have been rotated for
printing purposes as hereinafter described. When the type rods carry only one letter
or sign the aforesaid adjusting device is dispensed with.
The types are brought into contact with the paper on the carriage by a rotary
movement of the type rod about its own axis combined with the movement due to the
rotation of the type wheel. The said rotary movement of the rod is initiated by an
abutment brought into the path of a projection or pin on the type rod by the
depression of the key appropriated to that type. In some instances an auxiliary
oscillatory lever is interposed between the type rod and the key. By these means the
selected type rod is caused to turn until a plain or toothed segment disc fixed thereon
is brought into contact wiih a corresponding plain or toothed straight or curved rail
upon which the segment then rolls as the type rod is carried round by the type wheel.
This rolling movement brings the type in contact with the paper on the carriage and
produces the necessary impression. The same movement also at the instant of
printing brings another segment disc or wheel or arm into gear with a rack connected

page_text: to the paper carriage and causes the carriage to travel simultaneously with the
production of the impression. If the carriage were very loosely poised it might be fed
by the type alone without positive feeding gear but the movement would be uncertain
and might result in blurred impressions, consequently I prefer to use the positive
feeding device just described. This feature of printing while the carriage is
travelling is as far as I am aware novel in type-writers and constitutes a characteristic
feature of my invention. I make the arm or segment that feeds the carriage of the
same length as t'e radius of the type block so that the rate of movement of the type
and of the carriage may be the same whereby a clear impression is produced. The
length of the said arm or segment is moreover greater than the radius of the segment
dise that causes the type to rotate so that a movement of the carriage is obtained
which would not be the case if the arms had the same length.
My invention permits of obtaining differential spacing without any additional
complexity as compared with uniform spacing since it is only necessary to make the
are of the arm or segment that effects the spacing of a length appropriate to the type
with which it is connected.
The inking of the type is effected by an inking roller suitably placed to touch the
face of the type as the latter turns to the printing position. Normally the types are
slightly inclined and when not printing they pass under the inking roller without
touching it. Another roller is provided to wipe the types as the latter return to their
normal position after printing..
The axle of the type wheel is adjustably mounted between screws whereby the
wheel can be slightly adjusted relatively to the paper carriage to accommodate two
or more sheets for inanifolding purposes and to vary the pressure of the types on
the paper.
The paper carriage travels on suitable roller guides and is returned to begin a
new line as follows, that is to say the shaft on which the spacing lever is secured is
furnished with an arm which when the spacing lever is slightly raised operates to
turn the spacing rack and to press it against the type wheel whereupon the latter
immediately returns the carriage to its initial position. The carriage is thus
returned without necessity for disengaging any catches or for removing the hands
from the key board, and without distracting the operator's attention from the matter
to be written.
The circle of contact of the type wheel and spacing rack may be toothed or
plain or be furnished with a rubber or like ring to increase the friction.
The spacing rack being turned away from the feeding arms during the return
movement of the carriage there is no possibility of damage being done by contact of
the same with the rack during such return movement. When the carriage
arrives at the end of the line it presses against an arm attached to the plain or
toothed rail before referred to that causes the segments on the type rods to roll and
so rotate the type rods and in so doing the carriage operates to depress the said rail
so that no other type rods can be rotated even if their corresponding keys are
depressed and hence there is no possibility of several letters becoming accidentally
superposed at the end of the line. A bell is provided as usual to give warning when
the end of the line is nearly reached.
The mechanism may be adjusted so that a very slight depression of a key is
Bufficient to cause the type to print. The keys are preferably arranged to be raised
by light springs after each depression. The stems of the keys may be passed through
bushed openings in the cover of the machine or be otherwise supported.
The interlineal spacing is effected by a pivoted blade inclined to the axis of the
carriage and pointed at the end to facilitate its entry between the teeth of a wheel
fixed on the carriage axle. The blade is supported on one side by a rigid support
and on the other side by a spring which keeps it pressed against the rigid support.
When the carriage moves back it is turned slightly by the sliding of its wheel along
the blade, and when it moves forward again the spring support of the blade yields to
allow the carriage to slide without turning, the backward turning of the paper
cylinder being prevented by pawls, two or more of different lengths being used to

page_text: allow of fine spacing without requiring a ratchet wheel of unduly fine pitch. The
rigid support of the blade is adjustable by a screw to allow of varying the
inclination and consequently the degree of interlineal spacing, which is indicated by
a suitable scale.
The spacing lever, and the lever for turning the spacing rack as above described
are made out of sheet metal the ends being suitably shaped and bent and then
curved to form an eye by which the levers can be secured to the rod for receiving
them.
My improved type writer is extremely rapid in action chiefly because the writing
and spacing are performed simultaneously but partly by reason of the ease with
which it can be manipulated and partly by reason of the speed not being limited
by the rapidity with which the types can recover their normal position after use.
Dated this 13th day of August 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Type-writers.
I, THOMAS PLATT, of 8 George Street, Rose Hill, Bolton, Lancashire, 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 to improvements in type-writers and provides a power driven
type-writer, that is to say, a type-writer in which the work of printing is done by a
motor or by a treadle or other driving mechanism, the operator being merely required
to select the letters or signs that are to be printed. Consequently the fatigue due to
operating the machine is very slight compared with that produced by other machines
where the type levers have to be moved by striking the keys more or less powerfully.
The type blocks are carried by a series of rods arranged with a capability of turning
on their axes in a continuously revolving type wheel which is driven at a suitable
speed by a treadle or by a rotary driving shaft, or a motor. To reduce the number of
type rods I prefer to provide each rod with two type blocks one for printing an upper
case and the other a lower case letter or sign, and I arrange the type rods to slide
axially in their bearings to bring either type block into the printing position as may
be required. For sliding the rods I provide a movable cone or disc or inclined
surface against which the ends of the rods are pressed by springs.
Each type is brought into contact with the paper on the platen by a rotary
movement of the type rod about its own axis combined with the inovement due to the
rotation of the type wheel. The rotary movement of the type rod on its axis is
initiated by a stop brought by the depression of the key appropriated to that type into
the path of an auxiliary lever interposed between the type rod and the key. The
selected type rod is thereby caused to turn about its axis until a plain or milled edged
segment disc fixed thereon is brought into contact with a corresponding rail or rack
upon which the seginent then rolls as the type rod is carried round by the type wheel.
This rolling movement brings the type in contact with the paper on the carriage and
produces the necessary impression, which is thus obtained by an action resembling
that of the type on a cylinder printing machine. At the instant of printing, an arm
connected to the aforesaid disc or to the type-rod is brought into contact with a rack
or rail connected to the paper carriage and the said carriage is thereby caused to
I make the arm that feeds the
travel while the impression is being obtained.

page_text: carriage of such length that the rate of movement of the type and of the carriage are
the same, a clear impression being thereby obtained,
The inking of the type is effected by an inking roller suitably placed to touch the
face of the type as the latter turns to the printing position. Normally the types are
slightly inclined and when not printing they pass under the inking roller without
touching it. Another roller is provided to wipe the types as the latter return to their
normal position after printing.
The invention includes various other novel features of construction as will be
hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a type-writer constructed according to my
invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same with parts of the machine removed.
Figure 3 illustrates the means by which the rotation of the type rods is initiated,
the parts being in the inoperative position.
Figure 4 is a view of the same parts in the operative position.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the end of the paper cylinder and shows the
mechanism for effecting the interlinear spacing.
Figure 6 is an end view, and
Figure 7 is an underside plan of the said spacing mechanism.
Figures 8 to 14 are views illustrating the mode of making the ends of the levers by
which the spacing bar is carried.
Figure 15 illustrates a modified construction of lever.
Figures 16 to 27 are views illustrating the mode of making the ends of the lovers.
used for controlling the cone by which the type rods are moved axially in their
bearings.
Figures 28 and 29 are side elevation and plan respectively of said levers fixed on
their shaft.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in the several figures.
A is the type wheel fixed upon an inclined shaft B which is supported by adjustable
pivot bearings b, & in the frame C. The adjustability of the shaft B allows of
regulating the height of the type wheel with reference to the paper cylinder to vary
the pressure of the types on the paper as may be required and to allow of the machine
being used for manifolding with several sheets. D is a pulley through which the
type wheel may be driven by a cord or belt from a suitable motor, treadle or driving
shaft. EE are the type rods arranged in the type wheel and inclined to the axis of
the shaft B, as indicated. The inclination of the shaft B is such that as the type
wheel revolves each type rod becomes momentarily horizontal when passing its lowest
position which corresponds to the printing position. This arrangement is however
not essential as the type rods may be made to print satisfactorily when more or less
inclined. Each type rod can turn on its own axis in its bearings in the type wheel
and can also slide axially through its bearings. Its inner end rests against a cone F
which is mounted with a capability of sliding up and down on the shaft B. The rod
is pressed against the cone by a spring f, one end of which is attached to the rod and
the other end is attached to the type wheel so that the spring also serves to resist the
rotation of the type rod and to return the rod to its normal position after it has been
rotated as hereinafter described. E, E are the type blocks upon the faces of which
the types are formed. G is the cylinder or platen, H is the carriage, the latter being
supported by balls H' which roll in parallel grooves & formed in the bed of the
machine, and in corresponding grooves formed in the carriage. The balls are in
contact with the corners only of the said grooves and consequently the distance
through which they travel for a given movement of the cylinder is determined by the
relative widths of the grooves. In order to reduce the amount of travel of the balls
and so avoid having to use a very long bed plate I make the lower grooves wide and
the upper grooves narrow. A carriage so mounted would move too freely which
would be undesirable and so to prevent a too easy movement, I load the carriage by
means of a spring plate J arranged to bear upon a ball or balls J' which rolls or roll

page_text: in a groovej in the carriage. J is a screw nut by adjusting which the pressure of
of the spring plate on the carriage can be regulated and the resistance to the
movement of the carriage can be varied as required.
In the normal position of the type rods the type blocks project upwardly and in
that position they pass over the paper cylinder without touching it. The printing is
effected by turning the type rods so as to cause the type blocks to point vertically
downward at the moment of passing the cylinder in which position their faces will
touch the paper and an impression will be obtained. The actuation of the type rods.
is effected as follows: that is to say, on each rod is fixed a disc or roller E2 the
periphery of which is plain or milled and is adapted to make contact with a stationary
rail K and to roll on said rail. The disc is formed with a flat e on one side by reason
of which it clears the rail K when the type rod is in its normal position. To bring
the disc in contact with the rail a slight initiatory rotation of the disc is required and
this is obtained by depressing the key appropriated to that type. L L are the keys,
and M M are levers connected to the keys so as to be depressed when the keys are
struck. Each lever M is furnished with a short stop or lug m Figs. 3 and 4 projecting
from its lower edge. Carried by the type wheel are a series of levers N one for each
type rod. Each lever is furnished with an arın N extending downward by the side
of a short arm or projection E³ connected to the disc E2, and with another arm N2
that extends upwards under the particular lever M appropriated thereto. When the
levers M are raised, the levers N revolve with the type wheel without coming in
contact with the levers M as indicated in Fig. 3, but when one of the keys is
struck so as to depress its lever M the upper end of the corresponding arm N of the
lever N strikes the stop or lug m of the lever M. and so the lever N becomes tilted as
shewn in Fig. 4. This movement causes the arm N' of the lever N to press against
the arm E3 and thus turn the disc E2 thereby bringing its periphery in contact with
the rail K, whereupon the dise rolls on the rail and in so doing brings the type
block into the vertical position at the moment that it is passing the paper cylinder
and so causes an impression to be obtained by rolling the type over the paper. The
rotation of the type rod has the further effect of bringing the end or face of the
arm E3 in contact with the face of a rail H2 attached to the paper carriage, and as
the radius or length of the arm E³ is less than the radius of the disc E2 it follows
that if slipping is prevented the rail H and consequently the carriage H will be
carried forward by the rotation of the type wheel. It is thus seen that the carriage
is moved while the printing is being effected and not, after the impression is
obtained as in other type-writers. The parts above described are so proportioned that
the carriage is moved forward precisely at the same rate as the type block so that
a perfectly clear and well defined impression of the type is obtained. This
construction admits of the attainment of differential spacing between the letters
without any additional complexity as compared with uniform spacing since it is
only necessary to make the length or radius of the arm E appropriate to the width
of the type which it controls. To prevent slipping of the arm Es on the rail H I
face the said rail with India-rubber. In some instances I use teeth on these parts
to ensure positive movement but I prefer to employ India-rubber for this purpose.
As soon as the disc E² leaves the rail K the type rod is turned back to its normal
position by the spring f.
The above described mechanism may be adjusted so that a very slight depression of
the keys is sufficient to bring the types into operation. Light springs are provided
to raise the keys after each depression thereof. The stems of the keys may be
passed through bushed openings in the frame of the machine or they may be
otherwise supported.
In the above arrangement of parts the rotation of the cylinder as viewed from the
top is clockwise and the movement of the carriage is in the same direction as the
rotation of the cylinder. If the type blocks and the arm E3 are constructed with a
longer radius than that of the disc E2, the action would be reversed and the type
wheel in such case would require to be driven counter-clockwise.
The inking of the types is effected by a small inking roller O so situated that

page_text: the type blocks as they begin to turn for printing touch the roller and receive the
required supply of ink. After printing, and as the type blocks turn back to the
normal position, the faces of the said blocks are wiped by contact with a wiping
roller O. Only those types to be actually used touch the inking roller. The others
by reason of the slight inclination of the type blocks when in their normal position
pass under the inking roller without touching it.
The rail K is pivoted at K' and when the end of the line is reached, a roller
K Fig. 2 adjustable on the carriage slides along an inclined part K' of the rail and
depresses the rail so that the discs E can no longer touch it and no more printing
can be done until the carriage is drawn back. By these means the superposition of
several letters at the end of a line is avoided. The rail K is raised by a spring or
otherwise when the carriage is drawn back. A bell is provided as usual to give
warning when the end of the line is nearly reached.
For effecting the spacing between the words, I employ a rod similar to one of the
type rods but having no type block on it, and I actuate the said rod by the spacing
bar P which is carried by arms or levers P¹ mounted on a shaft P. When the
spacing bar is depressed, a stop Ps is brought into such a position that it encounters
the arm N2 of the lever N appropriated to the spacing and so tilts the said lever N
which then operates, as above described with reference to the type rods, to turn the
spacing rod and so move the carriage without printing.
To print a higher case letter or sign the cone F is lowered so as to allow the type.
rods to close in under the action of their springs f, thus bringing the second type
block in the printing position. The cone is moved up and down as required by levers
F1 F2 fixed on a shaft F3 and controlled by a rod F. When the inner one of the
two types on a type rod is in use the outer type cannot foul the paper by reason of
its projecting beyond the centre of the cylinder, and when it is passing the highest
point of the cylinder it is raised above the cylinder by reason of its path being
inclined to the horizontal.
The interlinear spacing is effected by a pivoted blade Q Figs. 5, 6 and 7 inclined
to the axis of the cylinder and pointed at its end to facilitate its entry between the
teeth of a wheel I fixed on the cylinder axle. The said blade is supported at one
side by a rigid but adjustable support formed by a screw R and on the other side by
a spring R which keeps the blade pressed against the said screw. When the carriage
moves back, the cylinder is turned slightly by the sliding of a tooth of the wheel R
along the blade Q, and when the carriage moves forward again the spring R yields
to allow the cylinder to slide without turning, the backward turning of the cylinder
being prevented by pawls R³ which engage with a ratchet wheel R fixed on the
cylinder axle. Two or more pawls of different lengths are used to allow of fine spacing
without requiring a ratchet wheel of unduly fine pitch. The inclination of the
blade Q and consequently the amount of interlinear spacing effected at each move-
ment of the carriage can be varied by turning the screw R. R' is a scale over which
the end of the blade Q moves to denote the amount of spacing corresponding to the
various positions of the blade. The aforesaid spacing mechanism is carried by a bar Q
which is adjustably attached to the frame C.
The levers P which carry the spacing bar are formed from sheet metal. A blank is
stamped of the shape shown in Figure 8 and the narrow strip p at the end is turned
up at right angles to the rest of the blank as shown in Figure 9. The said strip is
then bent as indicated in Figure 11 an intermediate stage of the bending being shown
in Figure 10. The double end is then bent again and shaped as shewn in Figure 13
an intermediate stage of the shaping being shown in Figure 12. Figure 14 is a side
view of the end of the lever when finished. The end is then secured on the shaft p
as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 15 illustrates a modified method of constructing the end of the spacing
lever, in which the part p, instead of being formed from a comparatively long narrow
blank (as indicated in dotted lines) that is folded lengthwise upon itself, is formed
from a shorter and broader blank that is folded upon itself breadthwise along a longi-
tudinal dotted line p. The blank is also bent at right angles along the dotted

page_text: line px, in the same way as the blank above described, so that it forms a piece of
practically the same shape as that shown in Figure 11, which piece is afterwards
bent in the manner illustrated in Figures 12 and 13.
The levers F1 F2 for moving the cone I are also made from sheet metal their ends
being formed as indicated in Figures 16 to 27. A blank of the shape shown in face
and edge views in Figures 16 and 17 is taken and the metal forming the cross part
of the T is bent as indicated in Figure 19 an intermediate stage of the bending being
shown in Figure 18. The metal is then curved as shown in side view in Figure 20
and in plan, Figure 21, and then is still further bent and shaped as shown in
Figure 22 and finally brought to the shape shown in plan in Figure 23 and in side
elevation in Figure 24. The stem of the lever is next bent up as shown in Figure 25
and finally straight out as shown in Figure 26. Figure 27 is a face view of the end
of the lever when finished. These levers are secured on the shaft F3 by bolts as
indicated in Figures 1, 28 and 29. The end of the lever which bears against the base
of the cone and supports the cone is curved to surround the shaft B and is formed
with rounded projections F on which the cone rests.
My improved type-writer is extremely rapid in action chiefly because the writing
and spacing are performed simultaneously but partly by reason of the ease with
which it can be manipulated and partly by reason of the speed not being limited by
the rapidity with which the types can recover their normal position after use.
It is
of simple and cheap construction, easy of repair and not very liable to get out of
order, and possesses the merit that jambing of the types is not possible and two or
more keys may be depressed at the same time without interfering the one with the
other. The writing is moreover fully exposed to view during the operation of the
machine, and the touch is extremely light.
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. A tppe-writer having a continuously revolving type wheel carrying the types,
substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
2. The combination with such a type wheel of type rods constructed to rotate on
their axes when printing, substantially as described.
3. A type-writer constructed so that the paper carriage is moved for spacing
purposes simultaneously with the obtainment of the impression from the types.
4. The means for moving the paper carriage to effect the spacing, substantially as
described.
5. A type-writer constructed with a rotary type wheel and type rods mounted in
said wheel and having a spacing device appropriated to each type whereby the
spacing may be proportioned to the width of the type, substantially as described.
6. The means for preventing the superposition of letters at the end of a line,
substantially as described.
7. The mechanism for effecting the interlinear spacing, substantially as
described.
8. In the herein described type-writer, mounting the carriage on balls
running on the corners of grooves, substantially as described, and for the purposes
specified.
9. The construction of the lever ends substantially as described with reference to
Figures 8 to 14 or to Figure 15 or to Figures 16 to 27.
10. A type-writer constructed substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying drawings and operating as specified.
Dated this 13th day of May 1897
HASELTINE, LAKE & CO.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.