Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Feb., 1997-Accepted, 3rd Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Type-writing Machines.
I, BURNHAM Coos STICKNEY, of No. 151 Jefferson Avenno, in the City of Elizabeth,
County of Union and State of New Jersey, in the United States of America, Inventor,
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:-
My invention has for its main object the production of a practicable type-writing
machine, of the bar or lever class, in which the finger-koys are so connected to the
type-bars or levers as that the latter may be successively and arbitrarily moved from
their normal positions of rest to their printing positions without interfering one with
the other and then automatically returned to their normal positions, in the order of
actuation, independently of any releasing movement of the hand or fingers, or rise of
the finger-keys which had to be depressed to move the typc-bars or levers to their
printing positions.
In other words, the most important object I have in view is to provide a practicable
type-bar machino wherein the operator may strike or depress one key after another
without the necessity for first raising the finger or fingers from and permitting the
rise of the previously struck or depressed key or keys, and wherein the type-bar
connected with each key may when said key is struck or depressed, move to a position
where its type may strike a common printing-point, and after such type has loft its
impression return at once to its normal position of rest, independently and in advance
of the finger-key. By such a construction of machine, the art of type-writing may be
more readily learned, since the necessity of training a special set of nerves and
muscles in order to be able to raise one finger promptly before depressing another is
wholly avoided, and a more natural movement of the hands and fingers permitted or
provided for.
Again, such a construction of machine permits of writing with greater speed and
with less expenditure of muscular power, thus not only increasing the capacity of the
machine but rendering the work far easier and less laborious to the operator.
In carrying out this main object I have so organized the machine as that the paper-
carriage will feed a letter-space distance each time a key is struck, and whether or not
the previously operated key has been relieved of pressure and has returned to its
normal position. In other words, the carriage-feeding mechanism is arranged to be
actuated each time a finger-key and type-bar are actunted, and to be restored to its
initial portion, with the type-bar moved, independently and in advance of the
fluger-key of such type-bar.
Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the course of the
following description.
My invention cousists in certain features of construction and combinations of devices
and mechanisma, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed
out in the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a type-writing machine embodying my
improvements; and
Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken at the line ZZ of Figure 1, but omitting the
cross-bar against which the key-levers normally press.
The same part will be found designated by the same numeral of reference.

page_text: I designates the bed or base of the machine, from which rise posts or standards 2
that support at their upper ends a top-plate or type-ring 3, upon and around which
are mounted the type-bars or levers 4. Each type-bar is preferably pivoted at 5 in a
banger 6, which is secured to the type-ring adjustably by a set-screw 7; and pivoted.
at 8 to an inwardly-extending car 9 of the type-bar is a vertically-arranged connecting-
rod 10, whose lower end is pivoted at 11 to a sub-lever 12, which is pivoted at 18 on
a post 14 extending upwardly from a supporting-plate 15 secured at the bottoin of the
machine. The type-bar in its norinal position linings perpendicularly and parallel with
the connecting-rod 10 and bears against a rest or ring 16. The connecting-rod 10,
being arranged on the inside, must be attached to one side of the type-bar or arranged
to stand at one side of the plane of travel of the type-bar when moving from its
normal position of rest to its printing position.
17 designates the key-lovers of the machine, which are pivoted upon a cross-bar 18
at the back of the machine, and each key-lever is provided with a key 19, preferably
made integral with the lever, and said key is provided with a button-shaped cap_or
head, upon which the character of the type to which it is connected is inscribed. For
each key-lever there is provided a returning-spring 20, and over all of the key-levers
is arranged a fixed cross-bar 21, against which all of the lovers are pressed in their
normal condition.
Beneath the key-levers is arranged a fixed cross-bed or plate 22, which on its upper
side is provided with a soft or yielding pad or cushion 28. This bed or plate is
of a longth to extend entirely across the key-board, and of a width sufficient to
include the several banks or rows of keys, as the key-lovers are of different lengths.
Each key-lover is provided with a downwardly-extending lug 24, on one side of
which is pivoted at 25 a lever or piece 26, which I denominato a "trip," the lower
dopending end of which stands normally slightly abovo a depression 27 in the forward
end of the sub-lever 12. The upper end of the trip is T-shaped, one of the arms 28
thereof bearing against a pin 29 projecting Interally from the key-lever, and the other
arm 30 theroof receiving the pressure of the free end of a flat spring 81 secured to
said lever. 82.designates a stop preferably extending entirely across the machine to
serve as a common or universal stop for all of the trips 26, and which is also
preferably made integral with the bed or plate 22, though of course it may be made
separate therefrom.
The sub-levers 12 are of different lengths, according to the positions of the
connecting-rods which aro attached thereto, and the forward ends of all of the sub-
levers 12 are arranged in line transversely of the machine and over and upon
a universal-bar 33, which extends across the machine, and which at its ends is
connected to the forward ends of levers 34 arranged at the sides of the machine and
secured to a rocking-bar 35 at the rour end of the machine. The said universal-bar 83
and the said levers 34 may bo designated as a pivoted or vibratory universal-
frame, and, as heretofore, this contrivance forms part of the paper-carriage feeding
mechanism.
Near the middle of the rocker-bar 35 is secured an upwardly and forwardly
extending arm 36, to the free end of which is pivoted the lower end of a link 37,
whose upper end is pivotally connected to the front end of a rocker-arm 38 ou a
trunnion or rocker 39, whose pivot is represented at 40. From said trunnion or
rocker extend upwardly two feed dogs 41 and 42, the former being a rigid dog, and
the latter a yielding or vibratory one, having a pivot at 43. These dogs co-operate
with a vertically arranged feed-rack 44, depending from a vibratory frame 45, which
is connected to the paper-carriage 46 in about the usual manner. 47 designates the
paper-carriage and rack-frame hinge-and-guide-rail, and said rail is preferably
supported at each end by posts 48 extending upwardly from the top plate. The
forward end of the paper-carriage is provided with a roller 49, which rides upon a
track or way 50, supported by posts 51 also extending upwardly from the top plate.
The paper-carriage bears, as usual, a platen 52 and a foed-roller 58. The paper-
carriage and the rack-frame may be driven or propelled by any suitable power
mechanism, but I prefer the usual spring-drum, 54 and cord or strup 5. One end of

page_text: the latter is attached to the spring-drum, and the other to the carringe or the rack-
frame. The tendency of the spring-drum is, as customary, to pull the carriage and
rack-frame towards the left, the action being so governed by the feed-doge as that the
movement of the carriage takes place intermittently or step-by-step.
At Figure 2, the broken lines indicate the sub-levers 12, the large circles the
fulcrum-posts 14 of the sub-levers, and the small circles the positions of the type-bar
links or connecting-rods 10. From this view, it will be observed that the sub-levers
are of different lengths and that they extend from a common line transversely of the
machine, over the universal-bar 33, rearwardly in various directions or at different
angles to meet and be connected to their respective connecting-rods.10, the latter,
like the type-bars, being all arranged in a circle centrally of the machine. In order
that the sub-levers of varying lengths may all have the same leverage, it will be
observed that the fulcrum-posts 14 are so disposed upon or about the plate or
support 15 as that this desideratum may be obtained.
I shall now describe the operation of the machine, it being understood of course that
for the sake of clearness and to avoid complication of the drawings, I have omitted to
show all of the key-lovers, as well as the inking-ribbon and other devices necessary or
desirable in the complete machine.
When a finger-key 19 is depressed, the key-lever 17 is vibrated downwardly, and
after having descended a short distance the lower free end of the trip 26 engages the
forward free end of the sub-lever 12; and said sub-lever, in turn, by the descent of
its forward arm, is caused to depress the universal-bar frame, and by the ascent of
its rearward arm to lift or thrust upwardly the connecting-rod 10. The depression
of the universal-bar frame effects, through the arm 36, a downward movement of the
link 37 and an oscillation of the rocker or trunnion 39, to an extent sufficient to move
the pivoted dog 42 out of engagement with the rack and carry the rigid dog 41 into
engagement therewith. When this action takes place the pivoted dog 42 (which, as
usual, is actuated by a spring), is caused to move to the right, to subsequently, on its
return stroke, enter the next notch in the rack, and enable the driving power,
represented by the spring-drum, to feed the carringe a letter-space distance. During
the action of the driving power the pivoted spring-actuated dog 42 is vibrated towards
the left by said power, and against a fixed stop in advance of the dog, by which the
movement of the carriage is arrested. The rigid dog 41 sorves, as customary, to
resist the driving power and hold the carriage when the vibratory or feed dog is out
of engagement with the rack.
When the connecting-rod 10 is elevated, the type-bar 4 is swung thereby from its
normal position of rest upwardly in an arc of a circle, in order that its type 56 may
be carried to the common printing-center or impression-point of the machine, and
leave the imprint of its character upon the paper on the platen.
During the descent of the key-lever and at a pre-determined time, the arm 30 of
the trip meets and is arrested by the stop 32, which thereafter during the continued
depression of the key-lever forms an abutment for the trip and causes it to vibrate to
effect a separation between the lower end of the trip and the forward end of the sub-
lever, which at the same time is moving downwardly. By causing the arm 30 to
contact with the stop 32, the lower end of the trip is forced to swing forwardly and
release the sub-lever and its attachments, and the universal-bar and its connections
and the paper-carriage.
By dotted lines at Figure 1 I have shown the trip action described, from which it
will be observed that the key-lever has come to a rest against its cushion, the trip has
parted company with the sub-lover, the typo-bar has been released and its type
brought to strike the paper on the platen, and the feed-dog moved out of and tho
holding-dog 41 moved into engagement with the carriage-rack.
At this time, it will be observed that the type-bar and the carriage-feeding devices
have been released from the finger-key, and that they may return at once to their
normal positions independently of and before the finger-key or the key lever. If the
key-lever be held down to its dotted line position, the trip 26 must also occupy the
-position indicated by dotted lines. In this position it offers no obstruction to

page_text: the return of the sub-lever and universal-bar to their first positions, and hence the
type-bar and the escapement or feed mechanisms of the carriage may be restored to
their positions of rost immediately the type has made its impression. During tho
return of these devices the carriage is feeding for a letter-space distance. The type-
bar and its connecting-rod have a tendency to return by gravity, bat are assisted by
a spring or springs 57 employed to return the universal-bar and its connections to
their normal positions.
On releasing the finger-key, the key-lover 17 is onused to ascend by the reaction of
the spring 20, and during this ascent the trip 26 is vibrated about its pivot 25 by the
reaction of its spring. During the upward movement of the trip its inner edge rides
against the front end of the previously restored sub-lever, under the pressure of the
spring 31, and when the lowermost and of the trip has risen above the plane of the
sub-lover the said spring completes the vibratory movement of the trip and restores it
to normal position, with its lower operating end over the forward end of the sub-lover
and with its stop-arm 24 boaring against the pin or stop 29.
By reference to the dotted-line position of the lowermost end of the trip, and the
forward end of the sub-lever, it will be observed that these devices are separated or
arranged apart a distance greater than is necessary to effect the reloase of the various
sets of devices or mechanisms of which they form part, while at the same time it will
be observed that the type has struck and rests against the paper 58 on the platon.
This illustration is to indicate that the trip takes place just before the type mukos its
impression, approximately when the type-bar is about a quarter of nu inch from the
paper on the platen, or previous to the completion of the downward movement of the
key, which is limited by the stop or cushion 23.
In practice I have so organized my machine that the irip or release of the type-bar
and carriage-feeding mechanism occurs just previous to the impact of the type, and
this arrangement of the parts I have found in practice effects a decided improvement
in the machine, especially in the touch of the finger-keys. A soft blow or push, as in
the pinuo, is better suited to the operator where stondy work extending over a loug
period of time is necessary and by having the rolease or trip tako place when the
typo is near or close to the platen, practically no power is required to be stored up in
the type-bar to carry it the remainder of the distance after being released, and hence
the soft blow or push referred to may readily be obtained. Of course the trip may be
arranged to take place after the type-bar has made its impression, but in such a case
there would be a pressure between the releasing parts, which would cause unnecessary
friction and compel the operator to strike the keys harder than necessary to print, in
order to insure the release or trip taking place.. It is desirable to have the driven
parts (such as the type-bar mechanism and the carriage-feeding mechanism) continuo
in motion a short distance after having been released from the driving part (namely,
the trip) and before the type strikes the platon, so that the trip may operate without
friction, and I have also so organized my machine that this desideratum is secured.
From the foregoing description of the operation of the machine, it will be seen that
the type-bar mechanism and the carriage-spacing mechanism are simultaneously
released from the finger-key and simultaneously returned to normal position
independently of said key, and it will also bo seon that by reason of this construction
and arrangement the operator may strike any number of keys successively and as
rapidly as desired without releasing the key or keys proviously actuated, and that
each type-bar as actuated will move from its normal to its printing position and return
at once, and that simultaneously with such forth and back movement of each type-bar
the universal spacing mechanisin will also be reciprocated or moved from its normal
position and roturned. In consequence of this capacity of the machino, all of tho
main objects of my invention are achieved.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :

page_text: at its forward end, a trip pivoted upon the body of said lever, a typo-bar, and
means for swinging said type-bar, said means being arranged in the path of and
adapted to be actuated by and released from said trip, substantially as set forth.
2. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a lover having a key or head
at its forward end, a trip pivoted upon the body of said lever, a type-bar, a
universal-bar of the spacing mechanism, and means between said key-lever and said
type-bar for actuating both the type-bar and the universal-bar, said means being
arranged in the path of and adapted to be actuated by an 1 released from said trip,
substantially as set forth.
3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a typo-bar and a lever, as 12,
operatively connected thereto, of a key-lever and a trip vibrating in a plane
substantially parallel with said key-lever an extending from one said lover to the
other and arranged to act directly upon the type-bar actuating-lover when the key-
lover is depressed, substantially as set forth.
4. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of key-levers, a series
of type-bar-operating levers connected to a series of type-bars, and a series of trips
pivoted to the koy-lovers and extending therefrom directly to the type-bar operating
levers so as to actuate them upon depression of the key-levers, substantially as
set forth.
5. In a
type-writing machine, the combination, with a type-bar, of a type-bar
operating lever, and a key-lever having a part that extends directly to said type-
har operating lever and that bears and slides upon and off from the type-bar
operating lever, thereby actuating and releasing the same, substantially as set forth.
6. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a feeding-
mechanism therefor including a universal-bar, a series of typo-bars, a series of
operating levers connected to said type-bars and also operatively connected to said
universal-bar, a series of key-lovers, and a series of trips operatively connected to
said series of type-lar operating levers, whereby when any key-levor is depressed
its associated trip acts upon its associated type-bur operating-lever and upon the
universal-bar and then releases the said universal-bar, the said type-bar-operating
lever and its connected type-bar, substantially as set forth.
7. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of substantially parallel
key-actuated levers carrying each a pivoted trip, each said trip being arranged to vibrate
in a plane substantially parallel with the lever to which it is pivoted, a universal
stop-bar, as 32, extending transversely of the machine to act upon said trips, a
sories of type-bars, and connections between the type-bars and the trips, substantially
88 Bet forth.
8. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of key-actuated lovers
carrying each a pivoted trip, a universal stop-bar, as 32, extending transversely of
the machine to act upon said trips, a series of type-bars, a series of connecting-rods,
a series of type-bar operating or sub-levers, and a transverse universal-bar extending
under the forward ends of said type-bar-operating or sub-levers and connected to the
escapement mechanism, substantially as set forth."
9. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a series of circularly arranged
type-bars, of a set of levers for operating the same, a set of key-levers, both said sets
of lovers being arranged beneath the type-bars and lengthwise of the machine, one
set of the levers being arranged above the other set, and a series of trips arranged
between the two sots of levers, substantially as set forth.
10. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a circular series of type-bars, a
sorios of horizontally arranged levers of varying lengths, a series of rods connected
at their upper ends to the type-bars and at their lower onds to the rear ends of the
Baid horizontally arranged levers of varying longths, a series of key-lovors and
a series of trips attached thereto and adapted to act upon the forward ends of
the said horizontally arranged levers of varying lengths, substantially as set forth.
11. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a series of longitudinally
arranged key-levers, a series of type-bars arranged in a circle, a series of connecting-
rods also arranged in a circle, a series of typo-bar-operating levers of varying lengths

page_text: terminating at one set of their ends in a circle and pivotally connected thoreat
to the said connecting-rods, and terminating at the other set of their ends in
substantially a straight line transvorsely of the machine, and a serios of trips
arranged between the series of key-lovers and the series of type-bar operating-
levers and also arranged in substantially a straight line transversely of the machine
and coincident with the free ends of the type-bar-operating levers extending from
side to side of the machine, substantially as set forth.
12. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a sories of key-lovers, a
series of lovers connected to a series of type-bars to operate them, a series of
trips, and a straight transverse universal-bar adapted to be operated by all of the
said type-bar operating-levers, and connected to the spacing-mechanism of the paper-
carriage, substantially as set forth.
18. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a letter-
spacing mechanism, a series of koy-levers, a series of levers connected to a serios
of type-bars to operato thein and all extending in substantially the same direction and
terminating in substantially a straight lino transversely of the machino, a transverse
universal-bar of the spacing-mechanism, and a series of trips, each of said trips being
arrange to release both its associated type-bar and the universal-bar, substantially as
set forth.
14. In a type-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a letter-
spacing mechanism, a series of type-bars, a series of levers for operating the type-
bars, a series of key-levers, detachable connections between the key-levers and the
type-bar-operating levers, and a universal-bar of the spacing-mechanism coincident
with the series of detachable connections and with the type-bar-operating lovers,
substantially as set forth.
15. In a typo-writing machine, the combination of a paper-carriage, a letter-
spacing mechanism, a circular series of type-bars, a circular series of vertical
thrust-rods connecting them to tho ends o. a series of horizontal operating-lovers of
the first order, the free ends of said levers having a uniform motion, a series of
key-lovers, a series of trips, and a universal-bur of the spacing-mechanism, the trips
and universal-bar being arranged coincident with said free onds of the type-bar-
operating levers, substantially as set forth.
י
11
100
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.