Improvements in Type-writers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 1st Aug., 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
Improvements in Type-writers.
1, BYRON ALDEN BROOKS, Gentleman, a citizen of the United States, residing at
No. 37, Madison Street, in the City of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings in the
State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of my
said invention to be as follows:-
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures of the
drawing.
My present invention relates to Improvements in Type-writers of that class known
as one-hand machines.
The accompanying drawings illustrate one of the many forms of machines in which
my invention may be embodied. My invention is not, however, limited to the precise
devices, or combinations of devices, illustrated and described herein, but it includes
substantial equivalents, since many modifications in the machine may obviously be
made without departing from either the spirit of my invention or its scope. The said
devices may be used separately as well as conjointly. The machine herein illustrated
and described is only intended as an illustration of the several novel features of my
invention, such as will enable others, skilled in the art of manufacturing type-writers,
to comprehend and practise the same.
Referring to the annexed drawing,
Figure 1 illustrates a side-view of a machine embodying novel features of my
present invention, parts being broken away, and
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of said machine.
The following is a description of the drawings and of the machine illustrated
therein:-
Referring to Figure 1, A is a type-wheel, on which the type B B are carried. This
type-wheel is carried upon a shaft C, on which it is free to move longitudinally, being,
guided in said longitudinal movement by a tongue D upon said shaft, working into a
corresponding groove in the hub of the type-wheel. The shaft C is carried by a rod E,
to which it is attached by means of a collar, so as to be free to revolve about its own
axis, but without freedom to move longitudinally. The rod E is journalled in the
standards F. It also carries rigidly attached to it the arms G G, extending forward
and bearing the index-plate H. The shaft C, which carries the type-wheel, is journalled
at its front end on a projection from this index-plate. The rod E, arms GG, and
index-plate H, form a frame, free to vibrate, or to revolve around the axis of the
bar E, said frame being supported on the standard FF. 23 is a hook, held in position
by means of a thumb-screw 24. When said book is in the position illustrated by the
drawings, it furnishes a stop to limit the upward movement of the said vibrating
frame. When set in the position illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2, it furnishes
a rest for said vibrating frame, when it is raised and thrown back.
If desired, the type-wheel A may he rigidly attached to the shaft C, in which case
the rod E should be permitted to have à longitudinal, as well as a revolving, move-
ment in its collar on the rod E, and thus substantially the same motion of the type-
wheel, to print its several rows of type, be obtained.
The shaft C also carries rigidly attached to it a pinion-wheel J, which meshes into
a rack K, travelling in a track attached to said frame E, G, G, H. To this rack K,
a thumb-piece and index-pointer L, is attached. When the thumb-piece L is moved
toward the right-hand, or toward the left-hand, the said rack is caused to travel
longitudinally in its track, and thereby, through the agency of the pinion-wheel J,
causing the wheel A, carrying the printing types, to revolve and bring either one or
the other of said types to the printing-point. These parts are so proportioned and

page_text: arranged that when the pointer stands opposite a given letter or symbol on the index-
plate, the corresponding letter or symbol on the type-wheel is, brought opposite to, or
in line with, the printing-point.
The index-plate H bears a number of lines of letters and symbols, corresponding
with the rows of type on the type-wheel. The 'means by which said type-wheel is
shifted to present the type in either one of these rows to the printing-point, consists,
in the machine illustrated in the drawings, of a lever M, working at one end in a
groove cut in a collar N, attached to the type-wheel. As the knob attached to the
lever M'is drawn out, or pushed in, the type-wheel is caused to travel longitudinally
on the shaft C, thereby bringing one or the other of the said rows of type on line
with the printing-point. O is a spring-piece attached to said vibrating frame and
bearing against the side of the rod M in which notches are cut, to form a catch to
designate and determine the necessary position of the rod O. to bring each of the
several rows of type on the printing line and to hold it there while the type-wheel is
revolved to bring the required letter, on said line to the printing-point.
P indicates an arm carrying the inking-roller Q. Referring to the drawings, it
will be seen that this arm is pivoted to the standard R, and that the arm P is provided
with a toe, S, projecting under and in the path of a pin T, carried by said vibrating
frame a small distance above the toe S; and that, therefore, when the vibrating frame
is pressed down, the types first come in contact with the inking-roller Q, and then
the rod, T, striking the toe S, withdraws the inking-roller out of the path of the
descending type-wheel. U is a spring to return the inking-roller to its normal
position (that shown in Fig. 1) when the vibrating frame is raised again. V is a
distributing inking-surface against which, at each vibration, the roller bears.
The rack K carries a series of set-pins W. These pins travel over the end of a
lever X (see Fig. 2) and are preferably of different lengths so as to cause the lever X
to be depressed a greater or less distance, according to the width of the letter or
symbol being printed at the time when they severally come in contact with, and
actuate said lever X, for the purpose of giving a variable space between the letters or
symbols. The machine may, however, be made to give the same space between each
letter, by making all the pins W of the same length, or by any other suitable
mechanism. The lever X is pivoted on a standard Y and carries a pawl Z, meshing
in, the, ratchet-teeth of a bar 2, said bar travelling in a track 3, on the frame or bed-
plate of the machine. Said ratchet-bar 2 is attached to the carriage carrying the
platen 4, the pressure-rolls, 5 and the finger-guides 6. These pressure-rolls, and
finger-guides, may, be of the ordinary, well-known construction. -20 is a spring
constantly, tending to keep the lever-arm X', bearing the pawl Z, in the position
illustrated in Fig. 2. 21 is a fork which limits the are of vibration of said arm X
Instead of making the standard carrying the pawl Z stationary, and having the
ratchet-bar 2 attached to the carriage, and travelling, I may make the ratchet-bar
stationary (attached to the bed-plate of the machine) and have the standard carrying
the pawl Z attached to the platen-carriage. In that case connection between the
vibrating frame and said standard should be made (by ordinary levers, for instance,)
to raise the standard when the frame is pressed down, thus causing the pawl to advance
one or more teeth on the stationary rack, and to depress, the said standard when the
frame moves upward, to move, the platen carriage forward to make a letter-space.
To the axle 7 of the platen 4, a wheel 8, cut with a series of notches, is rigidly
attached, and into these notches a detent spring 9 takes. When said wheel 8 is
revolved; the platen is turned to space between lines of print, and said spring and
notches indicate the distance the platen, should be turned to give said line-space; and
they hold the platen in position while the printing is going on.
"Attached to the shaft C, is a wheel 10, having V-shaped notches cut on its periphery.
11 is a standard, or anvil, attached to the bed-plate and having its upper end bevelled
and V-shaped, fitting.in the corresponding notches cut on the wheel 10... The number
of these notches corresponds with the number of types carried on the wheel A, in each
row and the function of said wheel 10 is to ensure each type being brought squarely
face-down upon the paper carried on the platen, and to avoid the possibility of the

page_text: type-wheel being, when it reaches the paper, in such a position as to give an imperfect
impression. It also materially increases the rapidity with which the machine may be
operated, because it relieves the operator of the necessity of bringing the pointer L
very accurately over a letter before the frame is depressed to accomplish printing.
When it is desired to draw the platen carriage back to space between lines, the
arm 16, pivoted to the platen carriage at 17, is pressed forward, elevating the rod 16
which it carries, and which rests under a pin 19, attached to the pawl Z. Said pawl
is thereby raised out of engagement with its rack, thereby permitting the platen
carriage to be drawn back.
The operation of the machine may be thus described :
The pointer L is moved by the operator opposite to the letter, on the index-plate H,
which it is desired to sprint. The type-wheel is thereby, through the agency of the
rack K, attached to said pointer, and the pinion-wheel J, attached. to the shaft carrying
the type-wheel, turned to present the corresponding type to the platen. The finger-
piece and pointer L is then depressed and, being attached to the vibrating
frame E, G, G, H, carrying the type-wheel, said type-wheel is thereby depressed,
and one of the types is pressed against the paper carried on the platen.
The type-wheel, descending, first brings the type standing opposite the printing-
point against the inking-roller and then, as the vibrating, frame continues to descend,
the bar T strikes against the toe S and withdraws said roller out of the path of the
descending wheel. Just before the type-wheel reaches the paper, the wheel 10
attached to the type-wheel shaft takes on the anyil 11, and insures the face of the
type being brought squarely down upon the paper. At the same time one of the
pins W depresses the end of the lever X, thereby drawing the arm X' back, causing
the pawl Z, which it carries, to slip over the ratchet teeth on the ratchet-bar 2.
When the vibrating frame is released from the pressure of the finger, the spring 22
throws it up to its normal position against the stop 23, and the spring 20 throws the
arm X carrying the pawl Z, forward against the stop 21; and said pawl, thus moving
forward, causes the platen-carriage attached to the rack-bar 2, with which said pawl
engages, to advance a distance equal to one or more teeth on the ratchet-bar 2,
corresponding with the distance the lever X has been depressed, and thus space
between letters. It will be seen that the distance the platen moves is dependent upon
the distance the lever arm X has been just previously depressed, and this distance is
in turn dependent upon the adjustment of the pins W. Thus a variable spacing
between letters and symbols is accomplished.
Referring to the pointer L; it will be observed, that the power, by means of which
the type-wheel is revolved to bring the required type to the printing-point and to
impress the platen against the type, is applied by the operator to said pointer. This
pointer may, of course, be of the simplest construction, as long as it is fashioned to
be, either directly or indirectly, manipulated in the required manner by the operator.
Dated this 1st day of November 1889.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writers.
1, BYRON ALDEN BROOKS, Gentleman, a citizen of the United States, at No. 37
Madison Street residing in the City of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings in the State
of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures of the
drawings.
My present invention relates to Improvements in Type-writers of that class known
as one-hand machines.

page_text: The drawings left with my Provisional Specification illustrate one of the many
forms of machines in which my invention may be embodied. My invention is not,
however; limited to the precise devices, or combination of devices, illustrated and
described herein, but it includes substantial equivalents, since many modifications in
the machine may obviously be made without departing from either the spirit of my
invention or scope of the annexe claims. The said devices may be used separately as
well as conjointly. The machine herein illustrated and described is only intended as
an illustration of the several novel features of my invention, such as will enable others,
skilled in the art of manufacturing type-writers, to comprehend and practise the
same.
Referring to the drawings,
Figure illustrates a side-view of a machine embodying novel features of my
present invention, parts being broken away, and
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of said machine.
The following is a description of the drawings and of the machine illustrated
therein :-
Referring to Figure 1, A is a type-wheel, on which the type B B are carried. This
type-wheel is carried upon a shaft C, on which it is free to move longitudinally, being
guided in said longitudinal movement by a tongue D upon said shaft, working into a
corresponding groove in the hub of the type-wheel. This shaft Cis carried by a rod E,
to which it is attached by means of a collar, so as to be free to revolve about its own
axis, but without freedom to move longitudinally. The rod E is journalled in the
standards F. It also carries rigidly attached to it the arms CC, extending forward
and hearing the index-plate H. The shaft C, which carries the type-wheel, is
journalled at its front end on a projection from this index-plate. The rod E, arms GG
and index-plate H, form a frame, free to vibrate, or to revolve around the axis of the
bar E, said frame being supported on the standard F F. 23 is a hook, held in position
by means of a thumb-screw 24. When the said hook is in the position illustrated by
the drawings, it furnishes a stop to limit the upward movement of the said vibrating
frame.. When set in the position illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2, it
furnishes a rest. for said vibrating frame, when it is raised and thrown back.
If desired, the type-wheel A may be rigidly attached to the shaft C, in which case
the rod E should be permitted to have a longitudinal, as well as a revolving, movement
in its collar on the rod E, and thus substantially the same motion of the type-wheel,
to print its several rows of type, be obtained:
The shaft C also carries rigidly attached to it a pinion-wheel J, which meshes into a
rack K, travelling in a track attached to said frame E, G, G, H. To this rack K, a
thumb-piece and index-pointer L, is attached. When the thumb-piece L is moved
toward the right-hand, or toward the left-hand, the said rack is caused to travel
longitudinally in its track, and thereby through the agency of the pinion-wheel J,
causing the wheel A, carrying the printing types, to revolve and bring either one or
the other of said types to the printing-point. These parts are so proportioned and
arranged that when the pointer stands opposite a given letter or symbol on the index-
plate, the corresponding letter or symbol on the type-wheel is brought opposite to, or
in line with, the printing-point.
The index-plate H bears a number of lines of letters and symbols, corresponding with
the rows of type on the type-wheel. The means by which said type-wheel is shifted
to present the type in either one of these rows to the printing-point, consists, in the
machine illustrated in the drawings, of a lever M, working at one end in a groove cut
in a collar N, attached to the type-wheel. As the knob attached to the lever M is
drawn out, or pushed in, the type-wheel is caused to travel longitudinally on the
shaft, thereby bringing one or the other of the said rows of type on line with
the printing-point. O is a spring-piece attached to said vibrating frame and bearing
against the side of the rod M in which notches are cut, to form a catch to designate
and determine the necessary position of the rod O to bring each of the several rows of
type on the printing line and to hold it there while the type-wheel is revolved to bring
the required letter on said line to the printing-point.

page_text: P indicates an arm carrying the inking-roller Q. Referring to the drawings, it
will be seen that this arm is pivoted to the standard R, and that the arm P is provided
with a toe S, projecting under and in the path of a pin T, carried by said vibrating
frame a small distance above the toe S; and that, therefore, when the vibrating frame
is pressed down, the types first come in contact with the inking-roller Q, and then the
rod T, striking the toe S. withdraws the inking-roller out of the path of the descending
type-wheel. U is a spring to return the inking-roller to its normal position (that
shown in Fig. 1) when the vibrating frame is raised again. V is a distributing
inking-surface against which, at each vibration, the roller bears.
The rack K carries a series of set-pins W. These pins travel over the end of a
lever X (see Fig. 2) and are preferably of different lengths so as to cause the lever X
to be depressed a greater or less distance, according to the width of the letter or symbol
being printed at the time when they severally come in contact with, and actuate said
lever X, for the purpose of giving a variable space between the letters or symbols.
The machine may, however, be made to give the same space between each letter, by
making all the pins W of the same length, or by any other suitable mechanism. The
lever X is pivoted on a standard Y and carries a pawl Z, meshing in a ratchet-teeth
of a bar 2, said bar travelling in a track 3, on the frame of bed-plate of the machine,
Said ratchet-bar 2 is attached to the carriage carrying the platen 4, the pressure-rolls 5
and the finger-guides 6. These pressure-rolls, and finger-guides, may be of the
ordinary, well-known construction. 20 is a spring constantly tending to keep the
lever-arm X, bearing the pawl Z, in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. 21 is a fork
which limits the arc of vibration of said arm X¹.
Instead of making the standard carrying the pawl Z stationary, and having the
ratchet-bar 2 attached to the carriage, and travelling, I may make the ratchet-bar
stationary (attached to the bed-plate of the machine), and have the standard carrying
the paw Zattached to the platen-carriage. In that case connection between the
vibrating frame and said standard should be made (by ordinary levers, for instance,)
to raise the standard when the frame is pressed down, thus causing the pawl to advance
one or more teeth on the stationary rack, and to depress the said standard when the
frame moves upward, to move the platen carriage forward to make a letter-space.
To the axle 7 of the platen 4, a wheel 8, cut with a series of notches, is rigidly
attached, and into these notches a detent spring 9 takes. When said wheel S is
revolved, the platen is turned to space between lines of print, and said spring and
notches indicate the distance the platen should be turned to give said line-space, and
they hold the platen in position while the printing is going on.
Attached to the shaft C, is a wheel 10, having V-shaped notches cut on its periphery.
11 is a standard, or anvil, attached to the bed-plate and having its upper end bevelled
and V-shaped, fitting in the corresponding notches out on the wheel 10. The number
of these notches corresponds with the number of types carried on the wheel A, in each
row; and the function of said wheel 10 is to ensure each type being brought squarely
face-down upon the paper carried on the platen, and to avoid the possibility of the
type-wheel being, when it reaches the paper; in such a position as to give an imperfect
impression. It also materially increases the rapidity with which the machine may be
operated, because it relieves the operator of the necessity of bringing the pointer L
very accurately over a letter before the frame is depressed to accomplish printing.
When it is desired to draw the platen carriage back to space between lines, the
arm 16, pivoted to the platen carriage at 17, is pressed forward, elevating the rod 16
which it carries, and which rests under a pin 19, attached to the pawl Z. Said pawl
is thereby raised out of engagement with its rack, thereby permitting the platen
carriage to be drawn back.
The operation of the machine may be thus described.
The pointer L is moved by the operator opposite to the letter, on the index-plate H,
which it is desired to print. The type-wheel is thereby, through the agency of the
rack K, attached to said pointer, and the pinion-wheel, attached to the shaft carrying
the type-wheel turned to present the corresponding type to the platen. The finger-
piece and pointer L is then depressed and, being attached to the vibrating

page_text: frame E, G. G, H, carrying the. type-wheel, said type-wheel is thereby depressed,
and one of the types is pressed against the paper carried on the platen.
The type-wheel, de-ending, first brings the type standing. Opposite the printing-
point against the inking roiler and then, as the. vibrating frame continues to descend;
the bar T strikes against the toe S, and withdraws said roller out of the path of the
descending wheel. Just before the type-wheel reaches the paper, the wheel 10
attached to the type-wheel shaft takes on the anvil 11, and insures the face of the
type being brought squarely down upon the paper. At the same time one of the
pins W depresses the end of the lever X, thereby drawing the arm X' back, causing
the pawl Z, which it carries, to slip over the ratchet teeth on the ratchet-bar 2. When
the vibrating frame is released from the pressure of the finger, the spring 22 throws it
up to its normal position against the stop 23, and the spring 20 throws the
arm X carrying the pawl Z, forward against the stop 21 and said pawl,
thus moving forward, causes the platen-carriage attached to the rack-bar 2,
with which said pawl engages, to advance a distance equal to one or more teeth on
the ratchet-bar 2, corresponding with the distance the lever X has been depressed,
and thus space between letters. It will be seen that the distance the platen moves
is dependent upon the distance the lever arm X has been just previously depressed,
and this distance is in turn dependent upon the adjustment of the pins W. Thus
a variable spacing between letters and symbols is accomplished.
Referring to the pointer L; it will be observed, that the power, by means of
which the type-wheel is revolved to bring the required type to the printing-point
and to impress the platen against the type, is applied by the operator to said
pointer. This pointer. may, of course, be of the simplest construction, as long as
it is fashioned to be, either directly or indirectly, manipulated in the required
manner by the operator.
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-writing machine, the combination of a platen, a letter-plate parallel
with the axis of said platen, a pointer provided with a hand-piece, a vibrating
frame, a type-wheel carried by said frame, and a rack and pinion for operating
said type-wheel, substantially as described.
2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen, a letter-plate parallel
to the axis of said platen, a pointer provided with a hand-piece, whereby the hand
of the operator is shifted to different positions with relation to the axis of the
type-wheel to bring the several letters opposite the printing-point, a vibrating
frame, a type-wheel carried by said frame, a rack and pinion for operating said
type-wheel, a toothed wheel carried on the shaft of said type-wheel and a fixed
standard, substantially as described.
3. In a type-writing machine, a type-wheel, suitable spacing mechanism, a
vibrating frame, combined with a pinion and a sliding-plate carrying a rack, both
carried by said frame, said plate being provided with a series of projections of
varying lengths for operating the pawl and ratchet of said spacing mechanism,
substantially as described.
4. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a vibrating frame, a type-
wheel having a plurality of rows of type carried by said frame, and a toothed
wheel and standard, substantially as described.
5. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a travelling platen, a vibrating.
frame, a type-wheel carried thereby, and a toothed wheel and standard, substan-
tially as described.
6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a vibrating frame, a type-
wheel having a plurality of rows of type carried by said frame, and a toothed
wheel and standard, said toothed wheel and standard remaining stationary while
the type-wheel is shifted, to bring its several rows of type to the printing point,
substantially as described.
7. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a travelling platen, a vibrating.

page_text: frame, a type-wheel carried thereby, and an inking pad normally in position
between said type-wheel and its platen and moved out of the path of the type-
wheel by the vibrations of said frame, substantially as described.
8. In a type-writing machine, a platen, a vibrating frame carrying a letter-
plate parallel to the axis of said platen, and also carrying a type-wheel and a
rack and pinion, by means of which the type-wheel is revolved to bring the
required letter opposite the printing point, and a pawl and ratchet operated by
said frame, for spacing between letters, substantially as described.
9. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a type-wheel, a rack and
pinion for operating said type-wheel, a vibrating frame, an inking pad, a vibrating
lever carrying said pad, actuated by the vibrations of said frame, to bring the pad
intermittently against the face of the printing type, substantially as described.
10. In a type-writing machine, a travelling platen, a vibrating rod parallel to
the axis of said platen, combined with a spring, and a pawl and ratchet, operated by
said spring, to move said platen, said pawl being provided with a projection in
the path of the vibrations of said rol, substantially as described.
11. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a platen, a vibrating frame,
a type-wheel having a plurality of rows of types carried by said frame, its axis
at right angles to the axis of the platen, and an independent lever for shifting
said wheel to bring its different rows of type opposite the printing point, sub-
stantially as described.
12. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a vibrating frame, a travelling
platen and a pawl and ratchet, said pawl being operated by the vibrations of
said frame, to move the platen to space between letters, substantially as described.
13. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a vibrating frame, a type-
wheel having a plurality of rows of type carried by said frame, a letter-plate
provided with a plurality of rows of characters, an inlex-pointer provided with a
hand-piece, and independent means, (carried by said vibrating frame,) for shifting
the type-wheel, to bring its several rows of type to the printing point, substan-
tially as described.
Dated this 31st day of July 1890.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.