Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 12th July, 1889-Accepted, 17th Aug.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, FREDERICK MYERS, of 56, Huskisson Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to a type writing machine in which the type are arranged
above the printing roller or platen upon the peripheries of one or more vertical discs,
the said disc or each disc (if there be more than one) being rotated into a given
position for each type thereon, the relative amounts of such rotation depending upon
the relative distances to which the type key levers, or mechanism connected therewith,
are or is depressed.
The object of the invention is to construct a strong and comparatively cheap
machine, and one which shall at the same time be easily and quickly worked by means
of the ordinary keys placed in front of the machine.
On one end of the main frame of the machine is mounted an upright frame or
pedestal, and on the other an overhanging standard. The main frame carrying the
aforesaid pedestal and standard and almost the whole of the mechanism, is pivoted at or
about its centre and in an approximately horizontal position, to a lower fixed machine
bed, being held in its normal or elevated position by a spring or springs, and being
retained in that position, against any attempt to depress its front edge, by a spring
locking catch or its equivalent. Suitable buffers or stops may be provided both above
and below the main frame, if desirable.
The type keys are preferably arranged in three parallel rows at the front of the
machine. The same keys which are used for printing the large characters are also
used for printing the small characters and the figures in the manner hereinafter
described. Each type key is attached to the front end of a type key lever, all the
type key levers being carried by and being capablo of turning freely upon a horizontal
key lever shaft, which passes through their rear ends, and is supported at each end in
bearings preferably on the main frame, and upright pedestal aforesaid.
Below the key levers, at some distance from, and parallel to, their axis, there is
placed a vertical slotted plate or comb forming the front side or portion of a comb
frame which is pivoted to the main frame at or above its rear edge. The levers are
guided by, and work within, the slots in the comb aforesaid, and each lever, when
depressed, strikes the bottom of its slot and turns the comb frame for a certain distance
about its axis. The movement of the lever is arrested, however, as soon as the comb
frame is depressed to the required amount, by coming in contact with the main frame
or with some projection thereon. No two of the aforesaid slots, corresponding to a
given row or rows of keys, have the same depth, so that with a constant key lever
travel there is obtained, for each key in the said row or rows, a different amount of
movement in the comb-frame aforesaid.
Both the levers and comb-frame may be provided with returning springs, and
suitable buffers or stops may also be provided for them if desirable.
The levers may be retained in their position longitudinally upon their shaft by
loose collars upon the shaft or by passing them through slots in a vertical rib, which
is mounted upon the main frame placed as near as practicable to the shaft.
The type are carried on the periphery of a type wheel which is mounted upon a
horizontal shaft above the printing platen, in such a manner as to be capable of
rotating in a vertical plane passing approximately through the axis of the said
platen. The type are arranged in one or more (preferably six) parallel circles
around or partly around the periphery of the type wheel. Instead of arranging two
or more groups of type upon one wheel, I may arrange them on separate wheels
of equal diameters mounted side by side upon the same shaft. One adjacent pair

page_text: of groups or circles of type contains the capitals, and the stops or signs most
frequently used therewith; a second adjacent pair of groups embraces the small
letters with their usual stops, etcetera, while the third pair of groups which is pre-
ferably the central one, includes the numerals, and those stops, signs, or characters,
which are seldom used.
By thus arranging the type in parallel rows, the diameter and weight of the type
wheel may be greatly reduced.
The type wheel shaft is mounted in suitable bearings upon the main frame,
preferably upon the overhanging standard aforesaid. The said shaft is capable of a
considerable amount of movement longitudinally, so that either of the groups in each
of said pairs of groups of type upon the type wheel may, as desired, be brought
into position above the printing platen by simply moving the shaft longitudinally in
either direction.
The type wheel shaft carries a toothed wheel which is connected by suitable
mechanism with the pivoted comb-frame aforesaid, in such a manner that the
varying movements of the said frame (due to the depression of various keys) are
communicated to the type wheel, which is thereby rotated to such an extent, as to
place the particular type, corresponding to a depressed key, directly over the platen.
A spring may be attached to a convenient point to return the type-wheel into its
normal position when the depressed key is released.
The printing platon, platen frame, hinged bed carrying the same, spacing rack and
pawl, line spacing mechanism and warning bell mechanism, are all substantially the
same as were described in my specification No. 1413087.
The rear edge of the platen frame bed is, however, supported upon the end of.a
lever, which is pivoted to the fixed machine bed, and is operated upon the depression
of the main frame in such a manner as to raise the platen into contact with the type.
Also, the platen frame bed, instead of being hinged upon fixed pivots carried by the
main frame, is hinged upon pivots carried at or near the corresponding ends of two
parallel arms, lying approximately in a vertical plane and pivoted at their opposite ends
upon any suitable part or parts of the machine, preferably upon the pivots or shaft
about which the main frame oscillates. The arms are placed one at each end of the
machine, and are preferably connected by a rigid cross bar, so that they can be
moved simultaneously by a hand lover attached to or connected with one arm.
means of this hand lever, the platen can be placed in position below the first group
By
of any required pair of groups of type on the type wheel, a spring catch or its
equivalent being provided for locking it in any of its three positions.
An arrangement such as the following is also provided for moving the type wheel
longitudinally in order to bring the second group of a pair into position above the
platen. A second comb or slotted plate is placed below the type key levers and
approximately parallel to their axis, being pivoted at its lower edge to the main
frame. The comb is inclined at an angle from the vertical (say from forty-five
degrees to sixty degrees) and the tips of its teeth just touch or are slightly below the
level of the under side of the type key levers. Those levers, whose corresponding
type are to be found in the said first group of a pair, do not (when depressed) actuate
the comb aforesaid, as they pass between the teeth thereof. Those levers, however,
whose corresponding type are embraced by the said second group of a pair, strike
(when depressed) against the tips of the teeth of said comb, and turn the latter, upon
its pivot in such a manner as to operate suitable mechanism connecting the comb with
the type wheel shaft, so that the latter is moved longitudinally and the said second
group of a pair brought into position for printing. The type wheel shaft and comb
are returned to their normal position when free to do so by a suitable spring or springs.
One end of the type wheel shaft carries a locking wheel or disc having on its
periphery a series of teeth, notches, or their equivalent, corresponding in number to,
and in the same relative angular position as their respective type on the type wheel.
A locking pin or pawl is arranged to engage with one of these notches or teeth each
time the main frame is depressed to print a character, so that the type wheel is always
held firmly in position during the moment of printing.

page_text: For spacing the letters the following arrangement may be adopted :
Below the type key levers and resting against their lower edges is a spacing bar
lying approximately parallel to the axis of the said levers. The said bar is carried
between the front ends of two rearwardly extending arms, which are preferably
connected by one or more cross bars so as to form one rigid spacing frame. The
spacing frame is pivoted at or near the rear edge of the main frame, so that it is
turned about its axis whenever a type key lever is depressed. The spacing rack
aforesaid is connected by suitable levers, or their equivalent, with the spacing frame,
in such a manner that the rack and platen are drawn along each time the said frame
is depressed. The rack and frame are each returned to their normal position, after
being operated, hy a spring or springs.
For spacing the words a separate spacing key is provided. It is preferably of a
considerable length and lies alongside the type keys, being carried by one or more
spacing key levers, placed between the type key levers and turning about their
supporting shaft. The spacing key lever operates the spacing frame in a precisely
similar manner to the type key levers, and it is also provided with a returning spring.
The spacing frame is provided with a rearward extension for operating the aforesaid
spring locking catch at the proper moment and thus leaving the main frame free to be
depressed. Or the said catch may be operated by other means.
The inking of the type may be accomplished by a strip, pad or roller of absorptive
material, saturated with ink and resting upon or against the periphery of the type
wheel.
The manner in which I prefer to form the type wheels is as follows:-
The type are set up in their proper relative positions upon a plane surface. An
electro-type copy is then obtained and this bent round a wheel or core, preferably of
wood and is suitably secured thereto. The core or wheel is then fixed upon the shaft
in any convenient manner.
A suitable guide is provided upon the platen frame which hugs the platen on its
front side, and serves to guide the edge of the paper below the platen when adjusting
the sheet, and to retain the latter in position while printing. A wire lying parallol
to the platen and hinged to the frame also assists in guiding and retaining the paper
in position. The said wire may lie close against the platen or stand at a little distance
therefrom, and it may, if desired, be provided with a bearing roller.
The mode of action is as follows:-
The paper being adjusted to the platen and the latter adjusted to the desired
longitudinal position (as described in my-specification No. 14130%), the hinged platen
frame bed is moved by its hand lever to bring the platen into position below one of
the two groups of type with which it is desired to print. In this position it is
retained by the spring catch aforesaid, until it is desired to change from capitals to
figures, or small letters or vice versa when the hand lever is quickly moved and the
position of the platen changed.
A type key being depressed, its lever first depresses the spacing frame, and then,
striking the bottom of its slot in the pivoted comb frame, it depresses the latter also
to a greater or less distance according to the depth of the slot and rotates the type
wheel into the proper position for printing. Some of the type key levers will also
depress the hinged comb aforesaid and move the type wheel longitudinally for the
reason before mentioned. By the time the lever has come in contact with the main
frame the corresponding type is in position for printing and the platen has been
moved the space of one letter. At this moment, the rearward extension of the spacing
frame unlocks the main frame and this is depressed by continuing the pressure on the
key. During the first portion of the movement of the main frame the type wheel is
locked by its locking wheel and pawl and during the latter portion, the platen bed is
raised by the lever aforesaid and the paper thereon pressed against the type. The
main frame now comes in contact with its buffer or buffers and any further pressure
on the paper is prevented. On releasing the type key all the parts, with the exception
of the platen and its frame and pawl, return to their normal positions by the springs
-aforesaid.

page_text: The spacing key operates the spacing frame and moves the platen longitudinally
without unlocking the main frame or raising the platen against the type.
The type are inked at each rotation of the type wheel.
It will be obvious that many of the above described mechanisms may be modified
considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention. Some of the more
important of the modifications are as follows:-
Instead of pivoting the type key levers loosely upon a shaft and causing their
constant travel to impart a varying movement to an oscillating comb-frame connected
with the type wheel, the levers may be so mounted upon or connected with their shaft
(which is geared with the type wheel) as to impart a varying movement to the said
wheel, and this may be accomplished either with a constant or with a varying move-
.ment in the levers."
When a varying lover movement is desirable, the type key levers may be connected
to the key lever shaft by a long key or feather, which passes through a suitable slot.
in the eye of each lever, so that the shaft is rotated for a certain distance whenever a
type key lever is depressed. Or the eye of each type key lever may be provided with
a feather, and a long slot may be formed in the type key shaft. The comb with slots
of varying depth is in this arrangement fixed directly upon the main frame below the
levers instead of being carried by a frame pivoted to the rear of the main frame as
afore-described.
To avoid depressing all the levers, each time a type key is moved, the slots in the
lever eyes are made wider than the width of the feather on the key lever shaft. One
edge of the feather is held normally (by a spring or counterweight) against the corre-
sponding edges of all the slots, so that the least downward movement of a type lever
will actuate the shaft. The greatest movement of which a typo key lever is capable
will not, however, cause the shaft to rotate so far as to bring the opposite edge of the
feather in contact with the corresponding sides of the slots of the other levers, and
the latter will consequently remain stationary. After a lever is released, the lever
shaft may be returned to its normal position by a spring or its equivalent. Or the
levers may be connected with their shaft by the following arrangement, which greatly
reduces the friction between the levers and shaft when the latter is rotated by any
given lever.
The levers are loosely pivoted upon a rod, carried in suitable brackets on the main
frame and lying parallel to and in the rear of the lever shaft. The feather in said
shaft is extended outwards for a short distance, and the levers are arched over the
shaft and are each provided with a projection which rests upon or remains at a given
distance above the feather. By this arrangement the friction is reduced to that of
the shaft bearings of the feather and lever projection and of one lever eye.
When a constant lever movement is desirable with a varying movement in the lever
shaft, the varying slots in the comb may be suppressed and the slots in the lever eyes
may be extended for a certain distance above or below the feather in the shaft, so
that during a certain definite portion of each lever's movement, the shaft remains
stationary. No two slots are extended to the same distance, and therefore the shaft
will be rotated by each lever into a different and definite position.
Instead of having six circles or groups of type upon the type wheel, three may be
employed, corresponding to the three pairs of groups aforesaid. In this case the
hinged platen frame bed is simply mounted upon a fixed axis on the main frame
instead of upon pivoted arms as aforesaid, and the type wheel may be moved
longitudinally by hand, into any of the three positions required. The type wheel and
its shaft may be held in any of the said three positions by means of a spring pawl or
its equivalent, which is adapted to engage any one of a series of parallel circum-
ferential grooves, carried by the shaft, and corresponding in number and distance
apart, to the groups of type on the type wheel. The grooves can be formed on a boss
on the type wheel or shaft, or upon the shaft itself, and the spring pawl is so con-
structed as to yield when a slight force is applied longitudinally to the shaft, while it
at the same time is stiff enough to hold the type wheel securely in position, without in
the least interfering with its rotation. Or the grooves may be replaced by a simple

page_text: collar having on a central groove the pawl in this case resting either within the
groove or against either end of the collar.
The rear side of the hinged platen bed, instead of resting upon an elevating lever
as aforesaid may be supported (by means of a curved or sloping projection on the
hinged bed), upon a curved or sloping abutment carried by the fixed machine bed.
The abutment or projection (or both) is of such a shape that the rear side of the bed,
(and therefore the printing platen) is raised slightly as the pivots of the hinged bed
are drawn slightly forwards and downwards by the depressing of the main frame in
the act of printing.
When the aforesaid spacing frame is not used, the spacing rack may be drawn
along by the following arrangement.
A spacing finger, having an inclined or wedge-shaped termination is mounted upon
the inner side of the upright frame or pedestal, so as to slide thereon in an approxi-
mately vertical direction. The inclined end projects upwards with its point in close
proximity, a pin projecting horizontally from the side of the rack. The lower end of
the finger is jointed to one end of a lever, which oscillates at or about its centre on
a pivot carried by the fixed machine bed, the other end of the lever being pivoted to
the main frame, at or near its front edge. As the main frame is depressed, the
inclined end of the spacing finger is forced upwards against the pin aforesaid and
causes the rack, and consequently the platen frame to be drawn along the distance
necessary to space a letter or other character. The rack having been drawn along the
required distance, the pin rests during any further movement of the main frame,
against the vertical side of the spacing finger without operating the rack. On the
upward movement of the main frame, the rack is returned to its original position by
a spring.
Other means, such as an upright finger projecting from the fixed machine bed, or a
rocking lever carried by the main frame or by the upright frame or pedestal afore-
said, might be employed to oporate the rack. With this arrangement of spacing
mechanism, the word spacing may be accomplished by simply depressing the main
frame, and a finger bar or key may be attached to the front of the frame for this
purpose. Or a separate word spacing lever may be employed instead of the finger
bar to actuate the rack when the spacing is performed during the depression of the
main frame, a gap is left in the groups of type on the type wheel in order that the
platen, when raised, in spacing a word may not come in contact with the wheel.
Instead of placing the type upon a type wheel, the former may be carried on the
outer end of a quadrant arm extending horizontally over the printing platen, and
mounted upon a vertical shaft, which could be worked by any suitable gearing from
the key lever shaft aforesaid. The type in this case, are arranged in an arc of a circle,
having its centre in the axis of the shaft carrying the quadrant arm. A convenient
way of arranging the three groups of type is to place each group on one side of a tri-
angular bar, which is pivoted on the arm, so as to be capable of being turned about
its longitudinal axis. One end of the bar is provided with a hand-wheel, by which it
may be turned, and a small wheel is also placed on the axis having three equidistant
nicks or holes in its periphery, with any of which a spring pawl may engage, so as to
hold the bar firmly in position with any desired side downwards.
In describing the foregoing machine and its modifications, it has been assumed
that the matter was printed from left to right. The machine could, however,
with slight modifications be adapted to print from right to left. Also the style of the
printed characters may be varied by having a series of similar type wheels, each
bearing characters of a particular style, any one of which wheels may be readily
changed for any other.
Dotad, thin 11th day of October 1888
3
2
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, FREDERICK MYERS of 56, Huskisson Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster,
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 a type writing machine in which the type are arranged
above the printing roller or platen upon the peripheries of one or more vertical discs,
the said disc or each disc (if there be more than one) being rotated into a given
position for each type thereon, the relative amounts of such rotation depending
upon the relative distances to which the type key levers, or mechanism connected
therewith, are or is depressed. Certain portions of the mechanism are, however,
applicable to type writing machines other than the above. The machine forming
the present invention is in some respects similar to the machines set forth in my
Patent Specifications Nos. 8413 of 1888, and 10410 of 1888.
The invention relates more particularly to the arrangement, adjustment, and
operation of the type wheel and platen, to the mounting of the type key levers, to
the locking of the type wheel, to the spacing of the words and characters, to the
construction of the type wheel, and to various other details.
The object of the invention is to construct a strong and comparatively cheap
machine, and one which shall, at the same time, be easily and quickly worked by
means of the ordinary keys placed in front of the machine.
The invention may be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which―
·
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine with the platen and platen frame
removed, and with parts broken away to show the internal mechanism.
Figure 2 is a plan of the machine with parts broken away, and the platen and its
frame removed.
Figure 3 is an elevation of the right hand end of the machine.
Figure 4 is a section on line xx, Figure 1.
-
Figure 5 is an elevation of the left hand end of the machine, the key levers and
plateň frame being removed.
Figure 6 is a rear view showing a portion of the spacing mechanism..
Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 3, showing a modified arrangement of the
machine.
Figures 8 to 10 are sectional elevations on a slightly enlarged scale, showing
various ways of mounting and arranging the type key levers and their connections.
On one end of the main frame A of the machine is mounted an upright frame or
pedestal B, and on the other an overhanging standard B'. The main frame carrying
the aforesaid pedestal and standard, and almost the whole of the mechanisin, is pivoted
in or about a vertical plane passing through its centre of gravity, as at A2, and in an
approximately horizontal position, to a lower fixed machine bed A¹, being held in its
normal or elevated position by a spring or springs A*, and being retained in that
position against any tendency to depress its front edge, by a spring locking catch A³
or its equivalent, which is released at the proper moment as hereinafter described.
Suitable buffered stops as may be provided below the main frame, and they may be adjust-
able if desirable. By pivoting the main frame A below its centre of gravity, as above
described, the power absorbed in depressing the frame, as hereinafter set forth is
reduced to a minimum.
The type keys C are preferably arranged in three parallel rows at the front of the
machine, as seen in Figure 2. The same keys which are used for printing the large
characters, are also used for printing the small characters and the figures in the manner
hereinafter described. Each type key C is attached to the front end of a type key
lever C, all the type key levers being carried by, and being capable of turning freely upon

page_text: a horizontal key lever shaft D, which passes through their rear ends and is supported
at, each end in bearings preferably on the overhanging frame B', and upright
pedestal B aforesaid.
Below the type key levers, at some distance from, and parallel to their axis, there
is placed a vertical slotted plate or comb C², forming the front side or portion of a
comb frame C, which is pivoted to the main frame A, at or about its rear edge, and
preferably upon an axle a, which is fixed in lugs a' on the main frame. The levers
are guided by and work within the slots c, in the comb aforesaid, and each lever,
when depressed, strikes the bottom of its slot, and turns the comb frame (for a
certain distance about its axis. The movement of the lever is arrested, however, as
soon as the comb frame is depressed to the required amount, by coming in contact
with the main frame or with some projection thereon, such as the vertical rib a³, the
upper edge of which is placed at an equal distance from 'the under sides of all the
levers No two of the aforesaid slots c, corresponding to a given row or rows of
keys, have the same depth, so that with a constant key lever travel, there is obtained
for each key in the said row or rows, a different amount of movement in the comb
frame aforesaid. It will thus be seen that the bottoms of the slots c form a series of
striking points for the levers C, while the sides of the slots serve as guides for the front
ends of the levers. It is obvious that a comb similar to the comb C could be fixed upon
the front of the inain frame A to serve as a guide for the levers.
Also the striking
points on the frame C could be formed by a series of pins or screws, or by a vertical
rib having a stepped, curved, or inclined upper edge.
Both the levers and comb frame are provided with returning springs c¹, cs,
respectively. The springs c¹ may be carried by a tube which is mounted loosely
upon the pivot shaft A2, and is prevented from turning thereon by a projection (³,
Figure 4. A buffer or stop rod c is also provided for the levers to strike against
in their upward movement, while the upward movement of the comb frame may be
controlled by contact with the shaft D, or with a collar d' thereon, as may be seen
in dotted lines in Figure 3.
The levers may be retained in their position longitudinally upon their shaft D by
loose collars d upon the shaft, or by passing them through slots c³, in a vertical
rib C3, as in Figures 9 and 10, which rib is mounted upon the main frame, and placed
as near as practicable to the shaft.
The type are carried on the periphery of a type wheel H, which is mounted upon a
horizontal shaft h, above the printing platen R, in such a manner as to be capable of
rotating in a vertical plane parallel to the axis of the said platen. The type are
arranged in one or more, preferably six, parallel circles, (X1, X, Y¹, Y, Z, Z³)
Figure 2, around, or partly around, the periphery of the type wheel. Instead of
arranging two or more groups of type upon one wheel, I may arrange them on
separate wheels of equal diameters, mounted side by side upon the same shaft.
One adjacent pair of groups or circles of type, say X1, X3, contains the capitals and
the stops or signs most frequently used therewith, a second adjacent pair of groups,
say Z, Z, embraces the small letters with their usual stops, etcetera, while the third
pair of groups Y, Y2, which is preferably the central one, includes the numerals, and
those stops, signs, or characters which are seldom used. By thus arranging the type
in parallel rows, the diameter and weight of the type wheel may be greatly
reduced.
The type wheel shaft h is mounted in suitable bearings upon the main frame A,
preferably upon the overhanging standard B' aforesaid. The shaft is held in position
by a removable cap band is capable of a considerable amount of movement
longitudinally, so that either of the groups 1 or 2 in each of said pairs of groups X Y Z
upon the type wheel may, as desired, be brought into position above the printing
platen R by simply moving the shaft longitudinally in either direction.
The type wheel shaft, h, carries a toothed wheel K which is connected by suitable
mechanism with the pivoted comb frame C aforesaid, in such a manner that the
varying movements of the said frame (due to the depression of various keys) are

page_text: communicated to the type wheel, which is thereby rotated to such an extent as to
place the particular type, corresponding to a depressed key directly over the platen.
The connecting mechanism shown in the drawings (Figures 1, 2 and 3) is as
follows:
A vertical toothed quadrant F which is mounted loosely upon the fixed shaft F,
gears with the wheel K aforesaid. Upon the same shaft and attached to the toothed
quadrant is a toothed segment F1, Figure 1, which gears with rack F³ upon the
comb frame, so that the quadrant F' is oscillated at each movement of the said frame. The
spring of the comb frame returns it and the type wheel into their normal position
when the depressed key is released.
The printing platen R, platen frame Ri, hinged bed S carrying the same, spacing
rack and pawl T2 and line spacing mechanism are all substantially the same as were
.described in my specification No. 8143 of 1888 aforesaid.
The rear edge of the platen frame bed S, is, however, supported upon the end of a
lever S, which is pivoted at S2 to the fixed machine bed A¹ and is operated upon the
depression of the main frame by means of a projection a³, thereon, in such a manner
as to raise the platen R into contact with the type. The greater part of the weight of
the bed S is supported by the spring S, Figure 5. Also, the platen frame bed, instead
of being hinged upon fixed pivots carried by the main frame, is hinged upon pivots s,
carried at or near the corresponding ends of two parallel arms S³, Figures 3 and 5,
lying approximately in a vertical plane and pivoted at their opposite ends upon any
suitable part or parts of the machine, preferably upon the pivots or shaft A², about
which the main frame A oscillates. The arms S³ are placed one at each end of the
machine, and are preferably connected by a rigid cross bar, which forms the pivots s,
so that the said arms can be moved simultaneously by a hand lever S', attached to or
connected with one of the arms S³. By means of this hand lever the platen can be
placed in position below the first group of type X, Y, or 7, of any required pair of
groups X, Y, or Z, on the type wheel. A spring catch s¹, s2, (Figures 1 and 2) or
its equivalent is carried by one of the arms S³, and is adapted to enter any of threo
holes or indentations s', Figure 3, on the standard B', so as to lock the platen frame
bed in any of its three positions.
An arrangement such as the following is also provided for moving the type wheel
longitudinally in order to bring the second group X2, Y2 or Z of any pair of groups
into position above the platen. A second comb or slotted plate E is placed below the
type key levers C₁ and approximately parallel to their axis, being pivoted at its lower
edge to the main frame as at e. The comb is inclined at an angle from the vertical
(say from forty-five degrees to sixty degrees) and the tips of its teeth e' just touch or
are a little below the level of the under side of the type key levers. These levers
whose corresponding type are to be found in the said first group X', Y¹ or Z¹, of a
pair, do not (when depressed) actuate the comb E aforesaid, as they pass between the
teeth e¹ thereof. Those levers, however, whose corresponding type are embraced by
the said second group X, Y or Z of a pair, strike, (when depressed) against the tips
of the teeth e of said comb, and turn the latter upon its pivot e in such a manner as
to operate suitable mechanisin connecting the comb with the type wheel shaft, so that
the latter is moved longitudinally and the said second group X2 Y2 or 22 of a pair
brought into position for printing. The comb E and type wheel shaft may be
connected as follows:-
An arm E' is fixed to the pivot e of the comb, and is provided at its upper end with
a fork, which engages a groove fi in the elongated boss of the toothed quadrant F2,
in such a manner that the latter is drawn along its shaft F when the comb is depressed.
The quadrant is held in gear with its pinion K by means of flanges on the latter, or
on the quadrant. The shaft F is also preferably provided with a collar f³, which
limits the longitudinal movement of the quadrant, and the rack F³ or its toothed
segment F is made broad enough to permit of the said movement. The type wheel
shaft and comb E are returned to their normal position when free to do so, by a
suitable spring f.

page_text: One end of the type wheel shaft carries a locking wheel or disc H, having on its
periphery a series of teeth, notches, or their equivalent, corresponding in number to,
and in the same relative angular position as, their respective type on the type wheel.
A locking pin or pawl L, Figure 1, is arranged to engage with one of these notches
or teeth each time the main frame A is depressed to print a character, so that the
typo wheel is always held firmly in position during the moment of printing.
In Figure 1, the locking pawl L is shown attached to a flexible arm 1, which is
pivoted to the standard B at 1, and to a connecting link L³ at . The lower end of
the connecting link is jointed to a rocking lever L, Figures 3 and 4, which is pivoted
to the bed of the machine at 2, and is engaged at its outer end by a projection a¹ on
the front of the main frame A'. Each depression of the main frame causes the pawl L
to be raised into engagement with the teeth of the locking wheel, and should the main
frame be depressed further, after the wheel is locked, the flexible pawl arm L' is bent
slightly upwards. Instead of the above arrangement, the pawl L could be attached
to a vertical flexible finger L', supported by the machine bed A', as in Figure 7, and
as fully described in my patent specification No. 10410 of 1888 before cited.
For spacing the letters, the following arrangement may be adopted :-
Below the type key levers C¹ and resting preferably against their lower edges, is a
spacing bar P, lying approximately parallel to the axis of the said levers. The said
bar is carried between the front ends of two rearwardly extending arms P', which are
preferably connected by two cross bars P³, P³, so as to form one rigid spacing frame.
The spacing frame is pivoted at or near the rear edge of the main frame (preferably
upon the axle a of the comb frame) so that it is turned about its axis whenever a type
key lever is depressed. The spacing rack T aforesaid is connected by suitable levers
or their equivalent, with the spacing frame P, P1, P2, P3, in such a manner that the
rack and platen R are drawn along each time the said frame is depressed.
The following is a convenient way of connecting the spacing frame to the rack :-
An upright arm p, Figures 5 and 6, is attached to the lower cross bar P³ of the
frame, and engages at its upper end with an angle lever p¹, which is pivoted at p² to
the main frame. The upper end of the angle lever pl engages with a projecting pin t
on the rack, in such a manner that the latter is drawn along the required distance
each time the bar P³ of the spacing frame is depressed. The rack and spacing frame
are each returned to their normal position, after being operated by a spring *,
Figure 2, connected at one end to a pin t on the rack, or by other means.
For spacing the words, a separate spacing key G is provided. It is preferably of
a considerable length, and lies alongside the type keys C, being carried by one or
more spacing key levers G₁, placed between the type key levers, and turning about
their supporting shaft D. The spacing key lever (or levers) operates the spacing
frame aforesaid, in a precisely similar manner to the type key levers, and it (or they)
is also provided with a returning spring exactly similar to the springs c¹ of the type
key levers.
The spacing frame P, P1, P2, P3, is provided with a rearward extension P*, Figures
4 and 5, which operates, that is, pushes outwards the aforesaid spring locking catch A"
at the proper moment, and thus leaves the main frame free to be depressed. Or the
said catch may be operated by other means, if desired.
The inking of the type may be accomplished by a strip pad, or roller M of absorp-
tive material, saturated with ink, and resting upon or against the periphery of the
type wheel. In Figures 2 and 3, the inking roller M is shown mounted upon a
removable axle m.
The manner in which I prefer to form the type wheels is as follows:-
The type are set up in their proper relative positions upon a plane surface. An
electro-type copy bearing the characters in relief, is then obtained, and this is bent
round a wheel or core, preferably of wood and is suitably secured thereto. The core
or wheel is then fixed upon the shaft in any convenient manner, preferably in such a
manner as to be readily detached therefrom when desirable.
A suitable guide t³, Figure 3, is provided upon the platen frame, which hugs the
platen R, on its front side, and serves to guide the edge of the paper Q, below the
B

page_text: platen when adjusting the sheet, and to retain the latter in position while printing.
A wire, lying parallel to the platen and hinged to the frame at 7 also assists in
guiding and retaining the paper in position. The said wire may lie close against
the platen or stand at a little distance therefrom, as shown, and it may, if desired, be
provided with a bearing roller.
The mode of action is as follows :-
The paper being adjusted to the platen, and the latter adjusted to the desired longi-
tudinal position (as described in my patent specification No. 14130 of 1887) the
hinged platen frame bed S is moved by its hand lever S to bring the platen into
position below the group 7 of the pair of groups X, Y, or Z, with which it is desired
to print. In this position it is retained by the spring catch s¹, s2, aforesaid, until it is
desired to change from capitals to figures or small letters, or vice versa, when the hand
lever S is quickly moved and the position of the platen changed.
A type key being depressed, its lever first depresses the spacing frame P, P1, P2, P³,
and then, striking the bottom of its slot c in the pivoted comb frame C*, it depresses
the latter also to a greater or less distance, according to the depth of the slot, and
rotates the type wheel H into the proper position for printing. Some of the type key
levers will also depress the hinged comb E aforesaid, and move the type wheel longi-
tudinally, for the reason beforementioned. By the time the lever (has come in
contact with the rib a³ on the main frame, the corresponding type is in position for
printing, and the platen R has been also moved longitudinally the space of one letter.
At this moment, the rearward extension P4 of the spacing frame unlocks the main
frame A, and this is depressed by continuing the pressure on the key C. During
the first portion of the movement of the main frame, the type wheel is locked by its
locking wheel H5, and pawl L, and during the latter portion of the movement,
the platen bed S, being raised by the lever S¹ aforesaid, the paper Q thereon
is pressed against the type. The main frame now comes in contact with its front
buffer or buffers as, and any further pressure on the paper is prevented. On releasing
the type key, all the parts, with the exception of the platen and its frame R¹ and
pawl 2, return to their normal positions by the various springs aloresaid.
The spacing key G operates the spacing frame and moves the platen longitudinally
without unlocking the main frame or raising the platen against the type.
The type are inked at each rotation of the type wheel.
It will be obvious that many of the above described mechanisms may be modified
considerably without departing from the spirit of the invention. Some of the more
important of the modifications are as follows:-
Instead of pivoting the type key levers loosely upon their shaft D, and causing
their constant travel to impart a varying movement to an oscillating comb frame
connected with the type wheel, the levers may be so mounted upon or connected with
their shaft (which is geared with the type wheel) as to impart a varying movement to
the said wheel, and this may be accomplished either with a constant or with a varying
movement in the levers.
The way in which this object may be accomplished with a varying lever movement
is fully described and shown in my specifications Nos. 8143 of 1888 and 10410 of 1888
before cited.
The manner of producing a varying movement in the key lever shaft with a
constant lever movement, may be now described, reference being had to Figures 7
and 8. In this modified arrangement, the type key lever shaft D is capable of
revolving in its bearings on the pedestal B and standard B¹. The shaft D is con-
nected (as in my specification No. 10410 of 1888) by means of gearing D F,
with the quadrant shaft F, which is in this case capable of revolving in its bearings
on the standard B₁, the quadrant F2 being fixed rigidly to its shaft. The type key
levers C¹ are connected to the key lever shaft by a long key or feather d, Figure 8,
which passes through a suitable slot d¹ in the eye of each lever, so that the shaft is
rotated for a certain definite distance whenever a type key lever is depressed. Or
the eye of each type key lever may be provided with a feather, and a long slot may
be formed in the type key shaft. The slotted comb C, instead of being carried by

page_text: a. frame C, pivoted to the rear of the main frame as aforedescribed, is, in this
arrangement, fixed directly upon the main frame A below the levers, as in my specifi
cation No. 10410 of 1888 aforesaid, and the slots c in the comb have all their lower
ends located at the same distance from the undersides of the levers C³, instead of at
various distances therefrom.
+
The slots in the lever eyes are extended for a certain distance above (that is, away
from) the working edge of the feather in the shaft (or below the working edge, if
the feather be on the rear side of the shaft) so that during a certain definite initial
portion of each lever's movement, the shaft remains stationary. No two slots
have their working edges at the same distance from the corresponding edge of
the feather, and therefore, the shaft D (and consequently the type wheel) will be
rotated by the constant travel of each lever into a different and definite position.
The working edge of the feather d may be held normally by the action of the
spring against the corresponding edge of the narrowest slot d', so that the least
downward movement of the corresponding lever will actuate the shaft. Or the
shaft may be held in its normal position by other equivalent means.
To avoid depressing all the levers each time a type key is moved, the slots d' in the
lever eyes are extended for a certain distance below (that is, away from the back
edge of) the feather d on the key lever shaft, so that the greatest movement of the
shaft in the lever eyes, will not cause the back edge of the feather to come in
contact with the corresponding edges of the slots d, and cause the levers to be.
moved.
After a lever is released, the shaft D is returned to its normal position by the
spring faforesaid.
In Figure 9 there is shown an arrangement for connecting the levers with, the
shaft D in such a manner as to greatly reduce the friction between the levers and
shaft when the latter is rotated by any given lever. The levers are loosely pivoted
upon a rod D³, carried in suitable brackets on the main frame A, and lying parallel
to and in the rear of the lever shaft. D. The feather din said shaft is extended
outwards for a short distance, and the levers are arched over the shaft and aro each
provided with a projection or shoulder d², which is located at a given distance above
the feather, the amount of such distance depending on the amount of movement
required on the shaft by any given lever. By this arrangement the friction is reduced
to that of the shaft bearings, of the feather d, and lever projection da, and of one lever
eye.
Or the projections d³ may all rest normally upon the feather d as in Figure 10
and the varying movement of the shaft D may be obtained by extending the rib a³,
upwards to various heights according to the amount of movement to be imparted to
the shaft by the various levers previous to their striking upon the rib. In this latter
arrangement the levers have a varying movement and not a constant one.
The arrangement of type wheel H, hinged bed S and spring catch device K² K³
shown in Figure 7, are fully described in the accompanying provisional specifica-
tion and in my patent specification No. 10410 of 1888 and need here no further
explanation.
Besides the various arrangements and mechanisms above enumerated, there are set
forth in the latter part of the accompanying provisional specification, an arrangement
of sloping surfaces for supporting and raising the hinged bed S, various arrangements
for spacing the words and characters during the depression of the main frame, and a
modified arrangement of type carrier, all of which are fully described in my patent
specifications Nos. 8143 of 1888, and 10410 of 1888 aforesaid.
In describing the foregoing machine and its modifications, it has been assumed that
the matter was printed from left to right. The machine could, however, with slight
modifications be adapted to print from right to left. Also the style of the printed
characters may be varied by having a series of similar type wheels, each bearing
characters of a particular style, any of which wheels may be readily changed for any
other by removing the cap 61, and disconnecting the wheel from its shaft.

page_text: .
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. In a type writer having a depressible main frame such as A carrying the bulk of
the mechanism, the pivoting of said frame upon an axis lying approximately in a
vertical plane passing through the centre of gravity of the frame and mechanism
supported thereby, substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. In a type writer, a type wheel H having the type arranged upon its periphery in two
or more pairs of parallel circular groups such as X Y Z, the said wheel being mounted
with its axis transversely above a platen R which is capable of being moved bodily
in a transverse direction so as to bring its axis below one group of each pair the other
group of each pair being adjusted above the axis of the platen through the sliding of the
type wheel longitudinally by means of the depression of any type key lever corresponding
to a type in such group, and each individual type in any group being adjusted above the
printing point by turning the type wheel through the required angle by means of the
depression of the corresponding type key lever, substantially as described.
3. In a type writer, a depressible type wheel operating frame, such as C, pivoted at
one edge to the main frame and provided at its opposite edge with a series of striking
points arranged below, and adapted to be struck by, a corresponding series of
depressible type key levers U, each capable of the same amount of travel, the said
frame being connected by suitable gearing with the type wheel H so as to rotate the
same when depressed by one of the levers C, and the said striking points being located
at various distances below the said levers, so that each lever of a series corresponding
to a given group or circle of type on the type wheel shall, when fully depressed, turn
the said frame and type wheel through a different and definite angle for each type in
such group, substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In a type writer, a pivoted comb, such as E, mounted below the type key
levers Cand connected by suitable mechanism with the sliding type wheel H, the teeth
of said comb being so located with respect to the said levers that a certain number of
them, corresponding to a given type group or groups upon the type wheel, will, when
fully depressed, engage the teeth in said comb in such a manner as to actuate the
same and slide the type wheel the required distance, while the remaining levers will
pass between the said teeth without operating the comb or sliding the type wheel,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
5. In a type writer, having a platen bed such as S hinged upon a depressible main
frame and adapted to be raised towards the type wheel to effect the printing operation,
a rocking lever S¹ pivoted upon the fixed machine bed or its equivalent and support-
ing the free side of said hinged bed with its rear end, while its front end is adapted to
be engaged by a piece a on the front of the main frame, so that the hinged bed is
raised towards the type wheel each time the front of said main frame is depressed,
substantially as described.
6. In a type writer having a type wheel such as H mounted upon a pivoted main
frame A adapted to be depressed at its front edge as described, a type wheel locking
arrangement consisting of a notched locking wheel K movable synchronously with the
type wheel and having its teeth arranged in the same relative angular position as the
type, and a locking pawl L located in proximity to said wheel K upon a flexible arm L³,
which is connected with a piece a¹0 on the front of the main frame, through the medium
of a link L³ and a rocking lever L' or equivalent mechanism, in such a manner that,
on the depression of the main frame, the pawl L is brought into engagement with the
wheel K and locks the type wheel after the latter has been rotated into position for
printing, substantially as described.
7. In a type writer, the combination with a series of depressible key levers C (or C¹¹
and G¹) and a reciprocatory spacing rack T connected as described with the sliding
platen R, of a spacing frame such as P P1 P2 P3 hinged at one edge to the main
frame of the machine and having its opposite edge Plying transversely below and

page_text: adapted to be depressed by any one of said levers, and suitable mechanism such
as p p t connecting the said spacing frame with the spacing rack T in such a manner
that the latter (with the platen) is drawn along the required distance at each depression
of the frame by a lever ( or G₁, substantially as described.
8. In a type writer, a pivoted main frame A adapted to be struck at its front edge
(as at a) by a depressed type key lever, and a spacing frame hinged as at a to the
main frame and adapted to be depressed by a type key lever prior to its contact with
the part a³, in combination with a spring catch A retaining said frame normally in its.
elevated position, and a projecting arm P on said spacing frame and so located that
it engages and releases said catch A as soon as a depressed lever has come in contact
with the said part a³, substantially as and for the purpose.described.
9. In a type writer, a light and durable type wheel formed by bending a strip of
electrotype, bearing the characters in relief, round a core of wood or other light
material, and firmly securing it to the said core.
10. In a type writer having a rotatable shaft such as D connected by suitable
gearing with the type wheel H, a series of depressible type key levers C, having all
the same amount of travel and arranged upon or in proximity to the said shaft, each of
said levers being provided with a slot d¹ or projection d², and the working edges of said
slots or projections being located normally at various distances from, and adapted to
engage, the corresponding edge of a projecting feather d in the shaft, so that each
lever, or each of a given number of levers, shall, when fully depressed, turn the shaft,
and type wheel through a different and definite angle, substantially as described.
11. In a type writer having a rotatable shaft such as D connected by suitable
gearing with the type wheel H, a series of depressible type key levers C¹ capable of
different amounts of travel and mounted upon an auxiliary shaft D' in the rear of
said shaft D, each of said levers having a projection d' or its equivalent bearing
normally against a projecting feather d in the shaft D, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
Dated this 11th day of July 1889
WM. P.. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.