Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDER, of Boston, in the
County of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, United States of America.]
Improvements in Type-writing Machines..
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to produce with increased economy of stock and
labour a rapid and durable many keyed type-writing machine which is quickly
assembled and adapted for first class work.
The main features of my invention is a type-writing machine in which are
combined together a series of key levers a series of radial type-levers carrying a
plurality of types each of which are, at all times, meshed at their inner ends with
the inner ends of the radial type-levers; a reciprocating plate; a rocker shaft
connected with said plate and connected with an end wise movable paper carriage;
a series of bars between said reciprocating plate and said key-levers an end-
wise movable paper carriage; and mechanism for bringing during the printing
of any line, the paper carriage and type levers into such relation with each
other that impression of any desired type on any of the type levers may be had;
the whole combination forming an entirety, that is, a complete type writing
machine.
My invention comprises other features hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan of one form of type-writer embodying my invention, the type-
levers being removed for greater clearness.
Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking to the right.
Figure 3 is an elevation showing a type and key lever meshed together at the
inner ends (and also showing a type and key lever meshed together at the inner
ends and also showing other parts described below) the type-lever being in its
rearward position ;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, except that the key lever is shown in
position to print ;
Figure 5 is a plan of what is shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a plan of what is shown in Figure 3;
Figure 7 shows type on the end of a type-lever;
Figure 8 is a view partly in section showing the ink-ribbon and mechanism for
actuating it;
Figure 9 is a plan of what is shown in Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a top plan of the key and type-lever support detached.
Figure 11 is a front elevation thereof;
Figure 12 is a transverse section thereof,
Figure 13 is a plan of the main frame or base of the machine, showing also in
plan, a rocker shaft carrying a detent for the paper-carriage feed, rods which
extend to the reciprocating plate, some members of independent spacing mechanism
and a push bar for actuating an ink-ribbon spool.
Figure 14 is a bottom plan of the key and type lever support showing the
connected ink-ribbon spool, a slide bar for shifting the paper carriage from and
towards the operator and keys for operating said bar.
Figure 15 is a front elevation of the bar and tune lever sunport showing a œvide

page_text: Figure 18 is a transverse section, and
Figure 19 an end view of the same;
Figure 20 shows type and key-levers detached, and
Figure 21 shows a perforated guide plate and reciprocating plate;
Figures 22 to 26 show modifications of the meshed key and type levers.
In the drawings, in which I show one form of type-writer embodying my
invention, and one which I deem the best of the several forms which I have
contemplated, A is the base and A' a support for the key-levers B and type
levers D.
The
This support A' is segmental in form, and is formed by milling or planing
a casting to form slots 6 to receive the key levers; corresponding slots d to receive
the type-levers cross-groove & to receive the fulcra of the type-levers B cross-
groove d¹ to receive the fulcra of the type-levers D; and a groove intermediate
the cross grooves b₁d to form a clear space in which the meshed ends of the key
and type-levers play. The intermediate groove is deeper than the key receiving
grooves and d₁ to make room for the inner ends of the key levers.
slots b and d are in line one with the other; a cross groove b¹ cuts slots b, and a
cross groove d¹ cuts slots d the plane of one cross groove being at an angle to the
plane of the other cross groove.
The object of this is to enable each key-lever
and its companion type lever to hold each other in place. Thus, in Figure 2 the
cross-groove b¹ is vertical and the cross-groove d' is horizontal. When assembled
the fulcrum of the key-lever is in the vertical groove b¹ and the fulcrum of the
corresponding type lever is in the horizontal slot d' and the inner ends of the key
and type levers are meshed directly together the two levers co-acting to retain each
other in place as will be plain from the drawings.
Base A and frame A¹ are ordinarily separate pieces, secured together, say
by posts a, thus forming a chamber or clear space under frame A₁ for other
mechanism.
The grooves d are extended towards the rear of the machine to form a guide 3
to prevent undue lateral vibration of the type-lever as it is moved to the printing
point thereby securing a clear impression of the type. The type lever supporting
frame 2 is integral with the frame A¹ as shown in the drawings, and the guide 3 is
also integral with the type lever supporting frame, being conveniently formed by
extending the sides 4 of the type lever receiving slots d' away from the fulcra of
the type-levers towards the platen. It will be readily understood that if the type-
levers which are made as light as possible, are not controlled on their sides as they
move to the printing point there is a danger of their vibrating laterally and
consequently of a blurred impression being produced. The fulcra 13 of the key-
levers and type levers rest in the fulcra receiving slots ¿¹ d¹. The frame AÅ¹
contains, as will now be plain, the key lever supporting frame and also the type
lever supporting frame, and this is a very important matter as it prevents one from
being moved in relation to the other frame in case of a fall of or blow to the
machine; and secures greater certainty and nicety of alignment by securing greater
steadiness and nicety of action of the said levers.
Each key-lever meshes with its type-lever, the levers being provided at their
inner ends with toothed segments 6 and d respectively, and consequently the type-
levers reply immediately to movement of the key-levers.
It is practically necessary in order to produce a type-writer capable of doing
rapid work, to construct the key-board in such wise that the keys shall have equal
motion, for if they do not have equal motion, the operator is unnecessarily hindered
and fatigued in his work.
By equal motion I mean that the key ends of the key levers should have the
same range of motion when moved on their fulcra. It is necessary therefore for
the best results to vary the radii of the segmental gears 3 to correspond to the
length of the free ends of the key-levers B. That is the key-levers in one row or
bank differ in length from the key-levers in another row or bank, and in order to

page_text: give them all equal motion, I construct the segmental gears of suitable radii and
with a proper number of teeth for accomplishing that purpose.
Type-levers D are mounted in supporting frame A' and each swings, to bring the
type which it carries into one and the same path or line which is across the
platen P and at an angle to the line to be type-written.
Each type-lever
ordinarily carries a plurality of types, though, of course, the number may
vary and it may be desirable, in some cases, to have a key-lever with but
one type.
In the machine shown, the paper carriage G G¹ hereinafter more fully described,
is shiftable in a path crosswise to its path in the direction of the type-written line
and in this form of machine, the lever supporting frame A' and parts connected
with it are stationary in respect of the carriage; and the carriage and type-lever
are therefore brought into relation to each other to obtain an impression of any
desired type on any of the type levers the carriage being shiftable from and
towards the operator to bring the platen into position for any impression; the
depressed key and its connected type-lever are returned to their positions of rest by
spring pressure, and this is conveniently accomplished by means of a spring b
mounted between the key-lever and an auxiliary frame a'.
This frame a¹ is a plate supported by posts m rising, in this case, from support A¹·
and extends from side to side of the machine. It has a series of holes f₁ through
it and bars 6 resting at their lower ends on the key-levers pass through these holes
so as to strike against the under surface of plate to which the stem f³ and link f
are attached. Plate F like frame a', extends from side to side of the machine, and
is directly over frame a¹. To it the stems fx and link fare permanently attached,
the stems extending downwardly through holes f¹ in frame a' to rocker arms f
on the rocker shaft F1 whereby the rocker shaft is rocked in one direction
whenever plate F is lifted and rocked in the opposite direction when plate moves
towards frame a¹. A link or bar is also permanently secured to plate F and
extends downwardly through frame a¹ to a link f* as hereinafter explained. The
stems are conveniently pinned to plate F by pins m¹ and link by a pin m³.
The rocker arms fy to which the steins f* are journalled at m³ are conveniently
secured to the rocker shaft F' by pins m*. When springs are helical as shown,
the bars keep them in place. The key-lever is depressed against the force of
spring and, when the finger is removed the key-lever and its connected type-
lever are automatically returned to their normal positions. When a key-lever is
depressed to cause its type-lever to move to the printing point, an arbor 6 is
carried through a guide hole f¹ against the plate F, which is thereby lifted and
rocks the rocker-shaft F1 through the stems and rocker arms f. Rocker
shaft F shown, carries a detent which engages rack g' on paper carriage G G'.
The paper-carriage is conveniently moved in the direction of the line to be type-
written by means of a spring and cord, or equivalent device, not shown, because
old and well known, the escapement operating, as explained below, to prevent the
carriage from moving so far as to prevent the impression coming at the proper point.
When the key-lever returns to its normal position the rocker-shaft F' is rocked in
the other direction. While various contrivances may be devised to connect the
keys and paper carriage, I prefer to provide carriage G G with a stationary
rack g parallel to which it is mounted the spring controlled sliding rack g'. When
a type-lever is moved for printing the detent g engages the stationary rack 93 and
holds the carriage stationary. When the type-lever returns the escapement is
rocked out of engagement with the stationary rack 93 and into engagement with
the sliding rack g' and the carriage is moved by its spring the proper distance for
another letter.
In order to move the carriage without using the key-levers, a spacing key S is
provided. This key is mounted like the others, but it is not connected to a type-
lever. A bar & is provided for it and lifts plate F and thereby lifts link fraising
link f' to which it is connected. Link is loosely pinned at f' to the frame of

page_text: the machine and is connected at its other end by a pin f* to rocker arm ƒ³ on the
rocker-shaft F' carrying the detent
9.
Frame A is formed with ways 9 and part G of carriage G G¹ having rack g³
fixed to it, slides endwise in these ways g. The part G of the paper-carriage
supports the platen P and feed rolls, of any suitable construction, and is shiftable
over part G of the carriage in a path crosswise to the type-written lines, that is,
towards and away from the front of the machine. Part Ġ has a groove z in which
rests the finger 2 of slide bar t. The shifting keys T T¹ engage sliding bar t,
which is movable inwardly against the force of spring t¹. Stops ³ ³ are provided
to limit the movements of the shifting keys. As the sliding bart has endwise
movement only, it is necessary to extend the groove z lengthwise carriage so that
the finger 2 (on bar t) though resting in the groove z, does not interfere with the
end wise movement of the paper-carriage. The preferred means of connecting
parts G and G¹ of the paper carriage and guiding part G' in its path when it is
shifted, are the bell crank levers 9 connected together by a rod go, fulcrummed to
part G at g' and connected to part G¹ at 9.
It is very desirable for reasons well known to operators on type-writing machines
that the printed characters should come into view as fast as printed and I
accordingly mount the ribbon R at right angles to the type-written lines, the
ribbon running from spool r to spool across the platen P. It is important to
pull the ribbon across the platen a short distance at each impression and I
accomplish this by connecting a ratchet on the spindle of spool r' to rocker-
shaft by a rod and rocker arm r. A pawl is pivoted to rod and engages
the ratchet Rocker shaft F¹ is a part of the spacing mechanism (as above
explained) and consequently the spool is turned whenever the rocker-shaft is
actuated.
One of the spindles of the spools, say that of spool r, is provided with a crank,
and the pawl for the other spool, in this case, r, is provided with an extension by
means of which the pawl is 'readily thrown out of engagement with the ratchet,
thereby allowing the operator to rewind the ribbon.
The levers B and D above referred to are preferably formed with segmental
gears 6 d³ respectively at their inner ends. Lever B is conveniently formed with
a fulcrum receiving slot & and lever D with a similar slot d' each of which is cut
from one edge of the lever towards the axis of the toothed part. By this con-
struction I am enabled to rapidly assemble the key and type-levers, first mounting
a type lever on its fulcrum and then meshing with its toothed end the toothed
end of the corresponding key-lover, and securing the fulcra of the key lever
in place.
Figures 22-26 show modifications of the meshed key and type-levers.
Figures 22 and 23 show the same construction the levers being in different
positions. Here, the type-lever is provided with two side-wise trunnions forming
its fulcrum d².
Figures 24 and 25 show the inner end of the key lever B provided with two
curved teeth between which projects a tooth on the inner end of the
type-lever.
8
Figure 26 shows a key-lever provided with a slot at its inner end, the side
walls of which slot are the equivalent of the teeth; while the type-lever has a
sidewise projecting pin & playing in the said slot, the pin being the equivalent of
the tooth s.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a type-writer, the combination of a key-lever a type-lever, suitable
supports therefor, a reciprocating plate and carriage feeding mechanism, the
reciprocating plate being moved in one direction when the key-lever is depressed

page_text: and then actuating the carriage feeding mechanism with which it is connected,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In a type-writer the combination of a paper carriage; a series of type-
levers D carrying a plurality of type each; a series of key-levers B meshed at all
times at their inner ends with the inner ends of the type-levers; a reciprocating
bart to bring the type levers and paper carriage into relation one with the other
to obtain a desired impression and a reciprocating plate F connected with the
carriage feeding mechanism and moved when a key-lever is moved, all substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. In a type-writer, support H' formed with slots band d in line one with
the other; slots b' and ' cutting slots b and d, and deeper than slots band d; to
permit the play of the meshing ends of type and key levers mounted to said
support, that part of support H formed with slots being in substantially the
same horizontal plane as that part formed with slots d d all substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. In a type-writer, support A' formed with slots b and d in line one with
the other and slots band d' cutting slots b and d respectively, the plane of slot /
being at an angle to the plane of slot d substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Fifth. In a type-writer, support A' formed with slots band d, in line with the
other, and slots and d¹ cutting slots 6 and d, respectively, the plane of slot bl
being at an angle to the plane of slots d, in combination with a series of type-
levers fulcrummed in slots d' the sides of the type-levers being between the side
walls of slots d and a series of key-levers fulcrummed in slots &, the sides of the
key levers being between the side walls of slots b, all substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Sixth. In a type writer a series of key-levers and their companion type-levers,
each carrying a plurality of types, in combination with supports for said levers,
the support for the key-levers having slots in which the key-levers lie and a cross
slot in which the fulcra of the key levers lie the support for the type-levers having
slots in which the type-levers lie, in combinations with a two-part paper carriage
both parts thereof travelling in the direction of the line to be written and one part
thereof being shiftable during the printing of any line from and towards the front
of the machine substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventh. In a type-writer, a series of key-levers a series of type-levers, carrying
a plurality of type each and a paper carriage, the key levers and type levers being
meshed together at their inner ends, all the type levers swinging into the same line,
combined with a two part paper carriage, a reciprocating plate actuated by the
key levers and actuating the endwise feed of the carriage, both parts of the
carriage, travelling in the direction of the line to be printed and one part thereof
being shiftable from and towards the front of the machine, all substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
Eighth. In a type-writer, a key lever and its companion type lever meshed
together at their ends in combination with a support to receive the fulcra and
portions of the bodies of the levers; the levers and their fulcra being held in place
by engagement of the levers at their inner ends, and by projection of walls of
the fulcra-receiving slots over the fulcra, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Ninth. In a type-writer, the combination of a key-lever its companion type-
lever and a slotted support for said levers, the walls of the type-lever slots being
extended from the type-lever fulcra towards the platen, to steady and guide the
type-lever when it is swung to the printing point, all substantially as and for the
purpose set forth,
Tenth. In a type-writer, the combination of a series of key-levers with a series
of type-levers, the key and type-levers being meshed together at their inner ends
the inner ends of each pair of meshed levers being so proportioned and so arranged
in relation to every other pair of meshed levers that the key levers move the same

page_text: distance when they are depressed to swing the type-levers to the printing point,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Eleventh. In a type-writer, a sectional paper carriage and means to move it
endwise, in combination with a reciprocating bar; a spring compressed by said bar
when the bar slid in one direction; and a key to slide the bar and compress the
spring, the bar engaging one section of the carriage and moving that section
sidewise, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Twelfth. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper-carriage having a groove z
extending lengthwise it and a reciprocating slide bar t having a finger 2¹ in groovez,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. In a type-writer, a paper-carriage, a track therefor and means to
move the paper carriage endwise on its track, in combination with reciprocating
slide bar t, the paper carriage being formed of two parts G G₁, the part G¹ having
a lengthwise groove ¹ to receive the finger z on slide bar t and being movable in a
path crosswise to the track, all substantially as described.
Fourteenth. In a type-writer, a paper carriage and means to move it endwise in
combination with a rocker-shaft F having rocker arms f, stems fx connected to
plate F, plate F stem connected to plate F fulcrumed link f³, rocker arm f³ on
the rocker shaft, a key lever and arbor all substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Fifteenth. In a type-writer, a type-lever having a segmental gear &³ at one end
and a slot d³ inclined from one edge of the lever inwardly towards the axis of the
segmental gear, in combination with a support having a slot to receive the body of
the type lever and a cross slot to receive the fulcrum of the type lever and a
key lever meshed with the type-lever, the key lever when fulcrumed holding
the fulcrum of the type lever in its slot substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Sixteenth. In a type-writer, the combination of a series of key levers and type
levers with a series of arbors, a perforated guide plate a', and a plate F common to
all the arbors, the arbors being integral between the key-levers and plate F, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Seventeenth. In a type-writer the combination of a sectional paper carriage, a
track therefor and means to move it endwise on its track with a reciprocating slide
bar t, spring t¹ therefore, and a key, the paper carriage having a lengthwise
groove to receive a finger z¹ on slide bar t, all substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Eighteenth. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper carriage with a series
radially mounted type-levers carrying a plurality of type each, and each swinging
to the same place; a series of key levers meshed at their inner ends to the inner
ends of the type-levers; type and type-lever supports with a space between the
fulcra of the levers in which space the meshed ends of the levers play, a slide
bar and key to operate it to bring the paper carriage and type levers into
proper relation to each other to secure an impression of any desired type on a
type-lever, and means to return the meshed levers to their position of rest after
impression, all combined and arranged substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Nineteenth. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper carriage with a series of
radially mounted type-levers carrying a plurality of type each and each swinging
to the same place; a series of key-levers; supports for the meshed type-levers
and key-levers, said supports being integral, to prevent displacement of one in
relation to the other, and grooved radially to receive the bodies of the levers
and cross grooved to receive the fulcra of the levers; a bar t to bring the
carriage and type-levers into several different relations to each other to secure
an impression of any desired type on any desired type-lever; and means to return
the meshed levers to their position of rest after printing all substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
Twentieth. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper-carriage, a curved key

page_text: and type-lever support, a curved perforated guide plate, a curved reciprocating
plate in proximity to said guide plate, a series of key and type-levers radially
mounted in said support, and a series of bars interposed between said levers and the
reciprocating plate and passing through the perforations in the guide-plate, all
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-first. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper carriage with a key
and type-lever supporting frame a series of key-levers, a series of type-levers, said
levers being meshed together at their inner ends; a perforated guide plate, a
reciprocating plate, a series of bars interposed between the levers and reciprocating
plate and passing through the perforations in the guide-plate, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-second. In a type-writer, the combination of key and type-levers and
supports therefor with a reciprocating plate, bars interposed between said plate and
the levers, and links connecting the plate with a rocker shaft, all substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-third. A type-writing machine in which there is a series of key and
type-levers, meshed together at all times at their inner ends and mounted in grooves
in a support, which has a recess between the fulcra of the meshed levers to
permit the play of the inner ends of the levers which swing to a common
printing point, in combination with a carriage and a reciprocating plate moved in
one direction when a key lever is depressed and then actuating carriage feeding
mechanism with which the reciprocating plate is connected, all substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-fourth. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper carriage with a key
and type lever supporting frame, a series of key and type levers meshed together
at their inner ends, said key and type levers being mounted in said frames, a
perforated guide plate, a series of bars and springs interposed between the meshed
keys and said guide-plate; a reciprocating plate engaged by said bars; the type-
levers being provided with a plurality of type, each, and the carriage and lever
carrying frame being adjustable in respect of each other to cause any desired type
on a type lever to print at the desired point, all arranged and operated substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Twenty-fifth. In a type-writer the combination of a paper carriage having
a fixed rack g' a sliding rack g' in combination with means to give the carriage
endwise motion, a rocker shaft F' carrying a detent g, stems f* connected to
Eaid rocker shaft plate F connected to said stem, a bar 6° movable towards
and away from plate F and a key to move said bar, all substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Twenty-sixth. In a type-writer, the combination of a paper carriage having a
fixed rack g and a sliding rack g¹ in combination with means to give the
carriage end wise movement, a rocker shaft F', a detent g, a rocker arm ƒ³ fulcrumed
link connected with rocker arm f' on rocker arm on rocker shaft F, link f,
plate bar and a key to move the bar, the detent being on the rocker shaft
which is rocked when plate F is raised by bar 6 and its key, to carry detent g
from the fixed rack to the movable rack, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Twenty-seventh. In a type-writer the combination of a series of key levers B
and type-levers D with supports therefor having slots b and d in line, one with
the other slots 6' and d'; slots b' and d¹ cutting slots band d respectively; and
having also a groove I intermediate slots b and d; the fulcra of the key-levers
being in slots b, the fulcra of the type-levers D being in slots d, and the inner ends
of the said levers meshing together, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Twenty-eighth. The improved type-writer herein described, made up of a
series of key and type-levers meshed together at their inner ends, some or all the
type levers carrying a plurality of type each; supports for said levers; a paper
carriage; means to move it endwise; a bar to bring the paper carriage and type-

page_text: levers into several relations with each other to obtain impression of any desired
type on a type-lever and a spring to return each pair of the meshed levers
to position after impression, all combined substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.