US1124150A

US1124150A - Character-forming machine.

Info

Publication number: US1124150A
Application number: US68645912A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tideman M Lilleberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1912-03-26
Filing date: 1912-03-26
Publication date: 1915-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1932-01-05

Description

T. M. LILLEBBRG.

CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR..2G,1912.

TBHEETS-SHEET l.

0 Q1 1 QF WITNESSES r wfzm W 1 mm 'sY srsaam.

ATTORNEY T. M. .LILLEBBRG. CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

1 APPLICATION FILED MAE.26,1912. I 1,124,150. i Y

'1 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

y lgl r numnnmF-uuuumm gm H M Tl DEMAN M ULLJEBERG.

BY I I 77 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

T. M. LILLEB ERG.

GHARAGTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION'PILED MAR.26,191L

- Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

INVENTOR 5? m ,:T\DEHAN M- LiLLEEEF-QET.

I In BY ATTORNEV T. M. LILLBBBRG.

CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

'l SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES 3 Fla- 5 TIDEHAN ixt lf l iLEaERci- ATTORNEY T. M. LILLEBERG.

CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE.

APPLIGATIOIN FILED MAR.26,1912..

1,124,15Q PatentedJan.5,1915.

'! SHEETS-SHEET 6.

H lo

WITNESSES flflg 6 1 HDEMAN Pi T Z I LLEBERG BY v ATTORNEY .T. M. LILLEBERG.

GHARAGTER FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAB.26,1912.

1,1%, 1 5G, Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

INVENTOR T\DEHAN M- 1 \LL EBERE- M 1 lay/5% /6M77 ATTORN'EY T. M. LILLEBBRGi CHARACTER FORMING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26,1912.

Patented Jan. 5; 1915.

7 SEEETB-QBEET 7.

INVENTOR "HEEMAN M. t' \L.\..EBERC WITNESSES ATTORNEY warns Parana enrich.

TIDEMAN M. LILLEBERG, 0F WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS.

CHARACTER-FORMING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, TIDEMAN M. LILLE- BERG, citizen of the United States, residing at Woodstock, in the county of McHenry ace in connection with typewriting machines, so called, though the invention is not to be restricted to this adaptation thereof.

My invention has for one of its objects the provision of means whereby a plurality of characters may be formed before there is that readjustment of the machine which is employed for shifting 'the element receiving, the characters in order that such element ,may be repositioned for receiving further characters. This feature of my invention is of particular service in connection with typewriting machines as it enables the operator to cause the formation of a plurality of characters upon the paper before the platen roller. of the machine is shifted longitudinally of itself. By my mechanism the speed of the operator may be materially increased as compared with the speed of operation of the machine at present in existence whereby the operator is enabled to form but. one character for each spacing movement of the platen roller.

My invention has for another of its objects the provision of means whereby the op- 7 erator is enabled to set the character producin elements preparatory to the1r operation fbr the purpose of forming the characters, and without herself causing the formatlon of such characters as a consequence of further exertion, there being power. which are automatically Specification or Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 5, 1915.

Application filed March 26, 1912. Serial No. 686,459,

characteristics of the invention, as preferab lly embodied, will be carefully pointed out. he accompanying drawings show the preferred embodiment of the invention as employed in typewriting machines,in which drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of a typewriting machine constructed in accordance, with the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a detail illustrating a power device for shifting the carriage; Fig. 3' is an elevation, mainly in section, the view being taken generally on lme 3 3 of Fig. 5; Fig. 4 is a view of a part ofthe structure as seen on line 4.- 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an irregular sectional plan view taken on line 5' 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a .sectional plan view taken generally on line 6 6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of a part of the structure as viewed on line 7 7 of Fig.'6; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a part of the structure asgenerally viewed on line 8 80f Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation on line 9 9 of Fig. 6;,Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation generally taken on line 1 10 of Fig. 6; Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation generally taken on line 11 11 of Fig. 1; Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation on line 12 12 of Fig. 6 Fig. 13 is a sectional elevation on Fig. 5; and Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation generally taken on line 16 16 of Fig. 6.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

The drawings show enough of a typewriter structure readily to enable those skilled in the art tounderstand my invention. I have not illustrated all of the details of a typewriter structure that are in cluded in a complete machine, the details whose illustration is omitted being well known by those skilled in the art and forming no essential part of my invention. While the machine of my invention is shown as being embodied in a typewriter structure that is adapted to form inked impressions upon paper, I do not wish to be limited to such an embodiment of my invention as the invention is of service irrespective of the manner or means by which they are pre:

sented to view.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 623,517 filed April 26, 1911, I have shown a machine for producing characters which includes a plurality of character forming Wires whose ends directly form the charaeters and mechanism for selecting different groups from among these wires and for operating these groups to cause them to produce selected characters. In praCtisingJmy present invention I desirably employa number of sets of character forming wires, each set containing a plurality of character form-,

ing wireshaving ends which directly form the characters, mechanism being provided for selecting different groups from among the wires of each set'and operating these groups to cause them to produce selected characters, though it is to be strictly understood that Ijdo not wish to limit myself, in all embodiments of my invention, to the employment of the character forming wires for the purposev mentioned, the mechanism illustrated beingset forth to show a specific way of practising my'zinvention. Each set of character forming wires which I employ is preferably self-sufiicient for producing characters for the formation of which it is employed, and there are preferably a number of sets (two or more, preferably 3) which are capable of producing the same characters, as for example the small letters of, the alphabet, punctuation marks and the digits. When the machine is to be adapted to produce the small letters of the alphabet there is also added to the machine a set of wires that is adapted to produce the capital letters and some of the punctuation marks.

The sets of wires are located side by side and are separated by the usual spacing which obtains between the letters and other characters of an ordinary typewriter.

Fig. 4 of the drawing shows a set 1 of character forming wires for the formation of capital letters and some punctuation marks, and sets 2, 3 and 4 of character forming wires for the formatio of small'letters, punctuation marks, and di its; Otheg characters may be formed, if desired, according to the special design of the machine. These sets of character forming wires have their character forming endslocated within confining openings in a throat 5 which faces.

the platen roller 6, the set of wires 1 being at the left, when .one faces the roller 6, while the other set of

wires

2', 3 and 4 are successively upon the right of the set 1.v

The paper upon which the typewriting is to appear is inserted between the platen roller 6 and the paper guides 7. The platen con-- stitutes one form of support that operates j gitudinally of itself.

in conjunction with the character forming elements to enable the formation of characters upon material interposed between the support and the character forming elements. A suitably operated endless ink ribbon 8 is interposed between the character producing ends of the sets of

wires

1, 2, 3 and 4; and

nism which need not be described as such is well known by those familiar with theart. Each set of

wires

1, 2, 3 and l has its own set of operating keys as indicated in Fig. 1, the keys for the set 1 being upon the left of the dotted line a a in Fig. 1, the keys for the set 2 being between the dotted lines a a and b b, the keys for set number 3 being between the dotted lines I) Z) and 0 0 and the keys for set number 4: being upon the right of the line 0 0. Thus the typewriter structure is equipped with as many banks of keys as there are sets of character producing wires. Mechanism is provided whereby the letter spacing movement of the platen roller is prevented so long as any character forming key in any bank is depressed so that it is possible for the operator to form as many as four characters (which number may be varied according to the number of sets of wires employed) upon the paper before the platen roller is shifted. While the maximum number of characters is being produced, it is, as has in effect been stated, only necessary for the operator to maintain one of the keys depressed. The. operator is thus able to manipulate the keys in the different banks in succession, striking one key before releasing the precedingly struck key, or is able to strike all or any number of keys simultaneously whereby her speed of operation may be materially increased, as compared with the speed which she is now able to attain with present machines.

Mechanism is provided whereby the platen is moved, when the keys are re leased, a distance which Varies according to the bank of keys farthest to the right that includes-an operated key, and so far as the spacing movement of the platen roller is concerned the key banks for the sets of wires 1 and 2 are to be considered as one bank, so that if a key in either of these two banks is operated and released (with no other key at that time under depression) the platen roller will move longitudinally of itself but one step. 'If any of the keys for operating the wires of the set 3 is ac tuated and thereafter released (there being then no other key under depression) then the platen roller will move two spaces lon- H gitudinally of itself. If any of the keysthen no other key under. depression) then the platen rollerwill move three spaces 1on- If it is desired to haye the platen roller movedfour spaces longitudinally of itself the spacer bar or,

elongated spacer key 9, which is coupled with suitable mechanism for the purpose, may be operated and if it is desired to move the platen roller five spaces longitudinally of itself the spacer key 10, associated with suitable mechanism for the purpose, may be operated. If it is desired to space the platen roller one step the spacer key 11 (Fig. 1) which is common to all of the keys in the two banks to the left of the line b b, may be operated, whereby the platen roller may be shifted without the previous formation of the character. If it is desired to move the platen roller longitudinally of itself two spaces without forming a character, the spacing-key 12 may be operated, and if it is desired'to move the platen roller three spaces without forming a character the spacing key 13 may be operated. I have thus generally stated that the platen roller is held from longitudinal spacing movement when any of the keys is depressed; how such platen roller is spaced when the keys are released, the spacing movement varying in extent according to the bank of keys farthest to the right that includes a struck key; how the platen roller may be given longitudinal spacing movement by striking the-

spacing keys

11, 12 and 13 in the different banks; and how additional spacing movements ma be given to the platen roller by the

additional spacing keys

9 and 10.

As I have embodied my invention the three banks of keys to the right of the line a a in Fig. 1 are parts of structures which,

- generally speaking, are triplicated. Let it be assumed that a single character is to be produced by the operation of any of the keys in any of the banks to the right of the line a a. A key in one of these banks, say the first bank to the right of the line a a, is depressed and is 'released so'that the carriage is moved one step. The formed char acter is spaced from the neXt character to be formed by the depression of the spacing key 12 in the next bank. If a word of two small letters is to be formed the keys may be selected for operation from the first two banks to the right of the line a a, the space between this word and the next character.

to be formed being provided by the depression of the key 13 in the third bank to the right of the line a a. If a Word of three small letters is to be formed then a key in each of the three ban-ks to the right of the. line a a is'depressed whereafter thisword' is separated from the next word or character that is to be formed by the depression of the spacing *key 9. If a single capital letter is to be formed the key is selected for operation from thebank of keys to the left of the line a a and the space is provided between this single capital letter and the next character to be formed by pressing the key 12 in the second bank to the right of the line a a, the reason for this operation being apparent by reference to Fig. 4, when it.

is remembered that the manipulation of any of the keys in the composite group of keys in thebanks immediately to the right and left of the 'line a a results in the movement of the. platen roller but one step. If a word of two letters commencing with a capital letter is to be formed the keys are selected for operation from the two banks immediately upon the right and left of the line a a (Fig. 1) and the space between this word the bank upon the left of the line a a and the first two banks upon the right of such line, whereafter a I separating space is formed by the manipulation of the spacing key 13. If a wordoffour letters commencing with a capital is to be formed, a key is selected for operation from each of the four banks whereafter the desired spacing is effected by the manipulation of the spacing key 9.

When any character or word is to be followed by a capital letter or a Word .commencing with a capital letter, then the platen roller should be shifted two spaces.

-For example, if a character is formed as a consequence of the depression of a key in the bank of keys first to the right of'the line a a, which character is to be followed by a capital letter, then the spacing key 12 is skipped and the spacing key 13 is operated. If the character that is to be immediately followed by a capital letter is formed as a consequence of the depression ofa key in the second bank to the right of the line i a a, then key 13 is skipped and the key 9 is depressed. If "a character is formed as a I consequence of the depression of a key in the bank of keys farthermost to the right of the line a a, which character is to be followed by a capital letter, then the spacing key 9 is skipped and the spacing key 10 is operated. t is thought that the general plan of operation of my machine will be understood from the explanation and examples which have been given and that it will'be unnecessary to furnish any specific examples of word or sentence building to those skilled in the art. v a

The general. method of selecting. groups of wires from the

different sets

1, 2, 3 and 4t for the purpose. of producing characters by difiering selected groups of wires of these sets will be readily understood by an inspection of my aforesaid co-pen'ding application but in order that the specific embodiment of my present invention may be readily understood, I will describe the mechanism whereby the keys associated with the set of wires 4 may be employed for selecting groups of wires from among this set,

it being understood that the mechanism emproduced as a result of the manipulation of the keys in the bank of keys to the left of the line a a and associated with the set of wires 1. i

Referring now more particularly to the bank of keys to the right of the line 0 c in Fig. 1, the mechanism which is operated thereby is shown (more or less completely),

in Fig. 3, Fig; 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, certain mechanism which is common to all of the banks of keys being also operable by the keys in the bank to the left of the line a 0, though mention of this latter mechanismfwill not be made at the present time inasmuch as it is not individual to the bank of keys under discussion. The character producing wires, which are marked 14, ex-

7 cept where they appear in Fig. 4 where the groups, are desirably square in cross sec-'- reference characters are applied thereto as tion,' at least atthe free ends of the wires. There-are desirably more character forming wires than I have illustrated, the illustration of additional character forming wires having been omitted since the additional character forming wires would render the illustration of the invention too complicated. The hollow throat 5 is entirely dust proof, the whole length of the movement of the character forming elements, this portion of the hollow throat thus constituting a closed continuous guide from the position of rest to the printing position of the character forming elements. In practice I desirably employ one'hundred wires arranged in ten rows, ten wires to a row'of each of the

sets

2, 3, 4, the group 1 not requiring so many. The wires are attached at their front ends to the upper end of operating levers 15 intermediately pivoted at 16, each lever being connected with but one wire. The levers 15 are adapted to have their lower ends engaged by operating bars 17 which are brought into selective association therewith by means of the character keys 18. The bars 17 are provided with teeth projecting to ward the levers 15 and normally out of alinement therewith, the bars 17, that are selected by the keys, being shifted so as to bring their teeth into alinement with the levers 15 whereby movement of the bars toward the lowerends of the levers will cause the levers to swing about their fulcra 16, only those levers 15 being operated that are 'dividual thereto.

engaged by the bar teeth whereby a group of wires corresponding to the actuated character key 18 is projected forwardly through the throat 5 and is pressed upon the ribbon 8 thereby to cause a printed character upon the paper interposed between said ribbon and the platen roller 6. Each .bar 17 includes two parallel branches, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, the number of teeth of the different bars and their distribution varying according to the wire groupings to which they are individual. In the case of periods, the number of Wires selected for operation may vary from one to four, or so, according to the size of the period that is desired.

Each key 18 has one double branched bar 17 individual thereto and the base uniting the branches of each pair has pin and slot connection 19 with a lever 20 individual to I such base and the character key 18 individual to the bar of which the base forms a part. The levers 20 are divided into groups of two and carry trunnions 21 that are received within stationary sockets 22 formed in a fixed casing portion 23 of the machine, the wires 21 being held within their seats 22 by means of the plates 23 whereby the links 20 have fixed fulcra at 21. The front end of each lever 20 is connected with a link 24- individual thereto, each character forming key having but one link 24 in- Each character forming key has but one cam 25 that takes part in the production of characters and which cooperates with the links 24 individual to the key having the character forming cam 25. When any character forming key is depressed the cam 25 with which it is provided causes the engaged end of the link 24 to be moved laterally whereby the lever 20 individual to the depressed key is turned upon its fulcrum to cause the actuation of the bar 17 individual to the lever 20 through the intermediation of the pin. and slot connection 19 wherebyfthe tooth or teeth ofthe selected lever operating bar 17 is placed in alinement with a lever or levers 15 that it is to operate.

As I preferably embody my invention, the operator does not herself apply the force which is necessary to swing thelevers 15,

this power being preferably applied by en- A ergy. stored in a spring or fiotherwise mechanically furnished. I will not at this time describe the mechanism by which the levers 15 are moved after aselected bar 17 has been placed in cooperative relation therewith, it being preferable to defer description of this mechanism until after other mechanism has been described. I do not wish to be limited,

' however, to a construction in which the operator does not directly cause the operation of the levers 15. I have filed another application which discloses apparatus for the production of characters having features in common with the features of my aforesaid oo-pending application and features shown in the present application, this second copending application bearing Serial No.

(365,931 and the filing date of December 15,-

from among the set 3, though it should be said that the links 24 are here omitted, the

levers 20 in this set being directly engaged by the cams 25 as appears clearly in Fig.

11. The next group of'bars 17 upon the left and the mechanism connected therewith take part in the selection of groups of wires fromamong the set The bars 17 upon the extreme left in Fig. 5 and the mechanism connected therewith take part "in the selection of groups of wires from among the set 1. The parts of the mechanism employed for selecting groups of wires from the set 1 that have functions which are similar to parts of the mechanism for selecting groups of wires from each of the

sets

2, 3 and 4 are given similar characters of reference.

The character keys 26 in the left hand bank (Fig. 1) include bell crank levers 27 in their formation as illustrated clearly in Fig. 11, one end of each bell crank lever 27 projecting above the key board to constitute such lever a character key while the lower end of each bell crank lever is in sliding engagement with'a lever member 28, each bell crank leverhaving a lever member 28 individual thereto. The left hand end of each lever member 28 has pin and slot connection 29 with the frame 30 of the machine,- the pin and slot connections 29 being independent of each other. Each element 28 has link connection at its right hand end with a lever 31 provided with a fixed fulcrum 32 at its lower end. Each character key 26' thus has an individual bell crank lever 27 which is individually cooperatively related with the elements 28 and 31. Each lever 31 is flexibly connected at 32' witha linger 33 that-presses at its outer or free end upon a lever 20 individual thereto, each time an associate character key 26 is manipulated, the levers 20 associated with the character keys 26 having functions similar to the functions of the levers 20 previously described, the levers 20 presently being discussed taking part in the projection of characters corresponding to characters presented to view by the character keys 26.

I will now describe mechanism in immediate association with the carriage that carries the platen roller and will thereafter de-' scribe the manner in which this mechanism is made common to the banks of keys and the mechanism actuated by the banks of keys.

rotatable step by step, by means of mechanism, which need not be described, for the purpose of causing'the paper tomove step a by step lengthwise of the paper in front of the throat 5, all as will be well understood. The carriage 34 is provided with wheels -or travelers35 which roll upon tracks 36 that are parallel" withthe platen roller 6 and which guide the platen roller inits step .byv step movement longitudinally of the platen roller. The carriage 34 is provided.

with a rack37 which is in mesh with a pinion 38. The pinion 38 is provided with an elongated hub 39 '(a section being broken out ofthis hub in Fig. 6 to reveal parts that would otherwise be hidden) the rear of the hub carrying a ratchet wheel 40 that is in engagement with the holding pawl or dog 41. The usual tension device'42 tends to pull the carriage to the left, the ratchet wheel 40 and pawl 41 holding the carriage against the force of thedevice 42 and only permitting the device 42- to pull the car riage toward the left when other mechanism is brought'into play. The pawl41 is mounted upon 'a wheel 43 and is disposed within a recess- 44 in said wheel. The ratchet wheel 40 is rotatable with respect to the wheel 43, it being possible to move the carriage to the right against the force of the tension device 42, the teeth of the ratchet wheel 40 then riding under the pawl 41,

which pawl is spring pressed. Mechanism,

is provided, to be described, for turning the wheel 43 step by step in a counterclockwise direction whenever the platen roller 6 is to be moved longitudinally of itself for I The platen roller 6 is'rotatably mounted upon a carriage 34, this platenroller being the purpose of afiording distinguishing spaces between adjacent characters upon the paper receiving the printed characters. The wheel. 43 ismoved one step whenever any key, including the spacing key 11, in the composite bank of keys to the left of the line I) b (F ig.,1) is the only key operated.

'This wheel 43 moves two steps when any key in the bank between the lines b I) and 0 0, including the spacing key 12, is the furthermost key to the right which is operated,

it being assumed that no other key is then under depression. The wheel 43 is moved three steps when any key in the bank between the line 0 0 and the key 9,- includingthe spacing key 13, is the furthermost key to the right which is operated, it being assumed that no other key is then under depression. The wheel 43 is turned four steps when the key 9 is operated, it being assumed that no other key is then under depression. The wheel 43 is moved five steps when the key 10 is operated, it being assumed that no" other key is then under depression. The power which causes the wheel to turn each time it is permitted to turn resides in the tension device 42 whose action is preferably supplemented by the spring 45 that exerts torque upon the wheel 43 in the same direction that the tension device 42 exerts torque upon the wheel 43. The spring 45 operates directly upon a reduced hub portion 46, while the tension device 42 operates upon the wheel 43 through the intermediation of the pinion 38, the hub extension 39 of the pinion 38, the ratchet wheel 40 and the pawl 41 which is mounted, as has been stated, upon the wheel 43. The wheel 43 is held from rotation by a lug 47 that engages one of the sliding detents 48 at a time, these sliding detents being received within slots out into the peripheral portion of the wheel 43 and extending parallel with the axis of such wheel. When any key to the left of the line 6, including the spacing key 11, is operated, it being assumed'that no other key is then depressed, the sliding detent 48 in engagement with the lug 47 is'moved forwardly toward the operator, by mechanism to be described, none of the other detents 48-being then operated. Movement of the wheel 43 by the

elements

42 and 45 is then permitted, the lug 47 engaging the detent 48 immediately succeeding the withdrawn detent 48. Thus the wheel 43 is permitted to rotate one step. Under the circumstances which have been set forth when the wheel 43is to be rotated two steps, two of the detents 48 are withdrawn from the path of the lug 47 so that the wheel 43 is permitted to turn until it engages the third and non-withdrawn detent. When the wheel 43 is to be turned three steps, three of the detents are withdrawn. When the wheel 43 is to be turned foursteps, four of the detents 48 are withdrawn and when the wheel 43 is to be turned five steps, five of the detents are withdrawn. I have hitherto described the manner or'order in which the keys shown in Fig. 1 are manipulated for the purpose of causing the spacing, each movement of the wheel 43 causin a spacing movement of the carriage 34 an thereby spacin movement of the platen roller carried by .t 1e carriage. It will be unnecessaryto repeat a description of the, operation of the keys for the purpose of causing the spacing movement of the platen roller and the carriage that supports it.

The sliding detents. 48 are frictionally held in vpositions'by means of springs 49 ,(Figs. 5 and .12), the stationary cam 50 (Fig. 6) engaging the forward ends of the sliding detents 48 to restore their rear ends into the plane of the lug 47 so that as these roller to plungers wardly when fouridetents 48-are to be with detents again approach the lug 47 they will be in a position to engage said lug in a manner which has generally been described.

I The detents 48 are withdrawn from the path of the lug 47 upon the depression of keys.

Just as soon as the detent in engagement one or more steps according to the key fur- I thermost toward the right in Fig. 1 that has been operated.

Plungers

52, 5 3, 54, 55 and 56 are mounted to reciprocate backwardly and forwardly in fixed horizontal lines of travel, these plungers not rotating bodily with the wheels 43. These plungers are provided with heads 57 that engage the rear edges of the inturned front ends of the sliding detents 48. The plunger 52 is drawn forwardly when but one detent 48 is to be withdrawn out of the plane of the lug 47, to permit the' wheel 43 to be turned one step to permit the carriage and' platen roller to be moved one step by the carriage tension device 42 and the spring 45'. The

plungers

52 and 53 are drawn forwardly when two detents 48 are to be withdrawn out of the plane of the lug 47 to permit the wheel 43 to be turned two steps to permit the carriage' and platen roller to be moved two spaces. The Y drawn forwar ly when three detents 48 are to be withdrawn out of the plane of the lug 47,to permit the wheel 43 to be turned three spaces to ermit' the carriage and platen lie moved three spaces. The 52, 53, 54 and 55 are drawn fordrawn out of the plane of the lug 47 to permit' the wheel 43 to be turned four spaces to permit the carriage and platen roller to be moved four. spaces. The

plungers

52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 are drawn forwardly when five detents 48 are to be withdrawn out of

lungers

52, 53 and 54 are the plane of thelug 47, to permit the wheel 1 43 to be turned five spaces to permit the carriage and platen roller to be moved five spaces. By mechanismto be described the plunger 52 is operable by any key located to the left of the line.b. including the spacing key there provided, Fig. 1. T e plunger 53 is operable by any key in the: bank located between the lines I) b and 0 0, including the spacing. key there provided; The plunger 54 is operable by any key in the bank at the extreme right hand, including the spacing key there provided, Fig. 1. The plunger 55 the other plungers.

is operable by the spacing key 9 and the plunger 56 is operable by the spacing key 10. Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, the plungers are provided with peripheral shoulders 58 that are fixed with respect thereto and which are in such engagement that the forward movement of the plunger ing the forward movement of the plunger 52; and the plunger 52,-when it is alone moved, not forcing the movement of any of Thus when key 10 is the only key depressed and released the wheel 43 is forced to move fi esteps. If the key 9 is the only key depressed and released the wheel is forcedto move four steps. If a key in the right hand bank to the right of the liner 0 is the only key depressed and released the wheel 43 is forced to move three steps. If a key in the bank between the lines I) Z) and 0 c is the only key depressed and released the wheel 43 is forced to move two steps. If any key to the left of the line b b is the only key depressed then the wheel 43 is forced to move one step.

That is, the wheel 43 is'forced to move thenumber of steps corresponding to the righthandmost .key depressed and released whether other 'keys in the banks to the left of such depressed and released key are operated or not.

Having described the nature of the mech anism by which the longitudinal movement of the carriage and the platen roller carried thereby is directly. effected, I will now describe the mechanism that intervenes between the aforesaid mechanism and the keys upon the keyboard. 7

The spacing keys 9 and 19 are generally similar in construction, these; keys having a common fixed fulcrum axis at 59. The key 9 has two laterally extending branches (Fig. 6) the rear branch carrying adownwardly extending stem 60 (Fig. 11). The key 10 is disposed between the laterally extending branches of the key 9 and carries a downwardly extending stem 61. The stems 60 and 61 are provided with links 62 that are individual thereto, these links 62 being connected with the crank arms63 that are indi- -vidual thereto, the cranks 63 that are individual to the

keys

9 and 10 being independently operable though they are adapted 'to turn about acommon axis, the crank 63 belonging to the key 10 being carried by a rod 64 and the remaining crank 63 being carried by the sleeve 65 that surrounds the rod 64 and which may turn with respect thereto. The solid and

hollow rods

64 and 65 are proment at their outer ends, respectively, with sliding

bars

68 and 69. By this mechanism the key 10 is mechanically connected with the sliding bar 68 and the key 9 is mechanically connected with the sliding bar 69 (see Figs. 8 and .11).

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 8, the

bars

68 and 69 are provided each with a .cam'70, the depression of the key 9 orthe key l0 causing its associate cam 70 to be moved toward the left upon the consequent movement in a similar direction of the sliding bar carrying the same. The

plungers

52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 have flexible connec tion with the upper ends of thele 'ers 71 that are pivoted between their ends, the two right hand levers 71 being adapted to be engaged by the cams 7 0 when these cams are moved to the left whereby the levers are rockedto withdrawthe plungers connected therewith forwardly to remove the sliding detents 48 that happen to be in cotiperative' relation therewith from the plane of the lugfl7.

Each off'the keys, including the spacing key, in the right hand bank of keys is provided with'a cam 72 that is in engagement with'a bar 73 common to the cams 72, this bar having angular branches that are fixed 'with respect to a journaled rod 7 4. The rod 7-l is journaled at its forward end in the frame of the machine and at its rear in a sleeve '75 (Fig. 6), the sleeve and rod thus being rotatable with respect to each other. The rod 74 is connected with a slide bar 76 which is provided with a cam 70 adapted for engagement with the lever 71 that is connected with the plunger 54, the connection of the slide bar and rod 74 being by way of a crankarm 77 *fixeduponthe rod-7lland in pin and slot connection with the slide bar The hollow "rod or sleeve is connected with a slide bar 78-that has cam 70 in engagement with the lever 71 articulated with the plunger 53, the connection of the sleeve-75 with the slide bar 78 being efi'ected by means ofthe crank arm 79 in connection with the sleeve 75 and in pin and slotconnectionwith the slide bar 78. The sleeve 75 is connected by means of a link 80 and cranks 80 with a rod 7% individual to the bank of keys next to'therigh't hand bank of keys, a bar 73 individual to this, secvond mentioned bank of keys being in fixed connection with the rod 74 that is journaled in the frame of the machine and a bracket 81' carried by the frame of the machine. \Vhen any key in the bank next to the right hand bank of keys is depressed the associate bar 73 is turned to cause the sleeve 75 to be turned through the intermediation of the link 80 whereby the associate slide bar 78 is actuated. The lever 71 articulated with the '70 carried by a slide bar 82.

plunger 52 is adapted to be swung by a cam The slide bar 82 is in pin and slot connection 83 with a swinging bar 81. The swinging bar 84: is loosely journaled upon a rod 85. A crank 86 is fixed upon the rod 85 and a crank 87 is fixed upon a sleeve 88 surrounding the rod 85 and movable with respect thereto. The

cranks

86 and 87 are in loose motion connection with the levers 81 and 89.. The sleeve 88 is in rigid connection with a crank 90 whose lower end is connected by a link 91 with the lower end of a crank 80 in fixed connection with a rod 74 of the bank just to the right of the line a a, Fig. 1. The rod 85 is in fixed connection with a crank 92 whose upper end is provided with a bar 93- common to the keys 20. When any of the keys of the bank to the left of the line a a is depressed, the rod 85 is turned again to cause the slide bar 82 to move. Thus the first two banks of keys, the one upon the left and the other immediately upon the right of the line a a,- are common to the plunger 52.

When any

plunger

52, 53, 5 1, and 56 is moved forwardly, the movable stop 51 is moved rearwardly to engage the sliding detent 48 that has been moved out of engagement with the lug 17. For this purpose each of the plungers is provided with an arm 91 rigid with respect thereto, the free ends of the arms 91 engaging a stirrup 95 pivoted at 96, this stirrup having a continuation 97 that is articulated with the plunger stop 51, see Fig. 7. Whenany plunger is operated the stop 51 is pushed to the rear in position to engage the slide #18 that is being released from engagement with the stop 47. When no-key is depressed, no arm 9-1 is in operating engagement with the stirrup 95 so that the spring 98 (Figs. 6 and 3) is at liberty to withdraw the plunger stop 51 to permit the wheel 13 to turn when it is timely. I

Under the assumption that the operator is not directly to supply the power needed to turn the levers 15 I prefer to employ the mechanism for accomplishing this result vwhich I will now describe.

- All of the bars 17 belonging to each bank 7 of keys are desirably moved each time the printing is to be eii'ected, these bars which have their teeth brought into alinement with certain of the levers 15 being effective to operate such levers while the tbeth of the remaining bars 17 enter spaces between the levers 15. Pins 99 are provided upon a re ciprocating carriage 100 and serve, when the carriage 100 is reciprocated, to move the bars 17 positively toward the front of the machine and positively toward the rear of the machine. the bars 17 to'be moved positi'vely toward the front of the machine when printing is to occur and being retracted when the printing operation has been com pleted. Each carriage 100 is moved forwardly by means of a suitably driven power shaft 101 stationarily journaled in brackets 102 and carrying an eccentric that rotates within an arm 103 flexibly carried by the carriage 100. The shaft 101'is preferably adapted to be turned by a coiled spring 101, one end of which is attached to the shaft 101 and the other end of which is attached to a ratchet wheel 105. The ratchet wheel 105 is engaged by a pawl 106 that is pivotally mounted upon the upper end of a plunger 107 that is pressed upwardly by a spring 108. A shaft 109 carrying cranks 110 is driven by any suitable power device as an electric motor. The rotating crank 110 presses upwardly upon the spring 108 and through this spring exerts the power that enables the pawl 106 to turn the wheel 105 to wind the spring 101 to replace any spent power. If the spring 104 has been wound sufficiently tight, the spring 108 will yield so as to prevent breakage of parts. Power is also transferred from the crank shaft 109 through the lever. 111 for the purpose of similarly replenishing power in the spring 15. There are four crank connections 110, one for each of the four banks of character keys and there are four shafts 101, one corresponding to such banks of keys. Each shaft 101 carries a finger 112 rigid withrespect thereto and normally held from rotation by a leaf spring 113. When a printing operation is to be effected the spring 113 (if a character corresponding to one bank of keys is alone to be printed) is released or the springs 113 corresponding to the different banks of keys when characters are to be produced by the operation of keys in such different banks. are released so that the finger or fingers 112 arrested by such spring or springs 113 will be free to turn one revolution, said springs 113, being repositioned before the fingers 112 complete their revolutions so as to limit the shafts 101 each to one revolution each time the printing operation is to be efiected. The forward ends of the springs 113 are anchored upon the carriage 100, each spring having its aneh0rage fixed with respect to each carriage. The free end of each spring is normally held underneath the top bar 11 1. of'the T-member 115. This T-membe'r115 is pressed upon in a forward direction by a leaf spring 116 so that it tends, at its free end, to descend from the T-member 115, the springtension being ins'ufiicient to prevent the. finger 112 from flexing the spring upwardly when the free or unanchored end of the spring is disengaged. After-the dog 117 has been moved toward the left to disengage theunanchored end of the spring 113, the spring 119 serves to restore the dog 117 to its initial position, thedog 118 tripping on the return movement of the dog 117 toward the left.

It remains now to describe the manner in which the dog 117 is moved to the right in opposition to the spring 119, the remaining functions having been described. In this connection reference may be had mainly to Figs. 6, 10 and 16. Each dog 117, there being one for each bank of keys, four in all, is in connection with the outer end of a crank. Crank 120 is carried by the right hand rod 74 shown in Fig, 6 and has its outer end. connected with one dog 117; the crank 121 is connected with the right hand sleeve 75 shown in Fig. 6 and is connected with another dog 117; the crank 122 is connected with the shaft 85 and has its outer end connected with another dog 117; while the remaining crank 123 is connected with the sleeve 88 and has its outer end connected with the remaining dog 117. It has been described how these

elements

74, 75, 85 and 88 are turned when keys are depressed and if the keys depressed are not spacing keys then a printing operation will result as a consequence of the actuation of the dogs 117. If spacing keys have alone been depressed no. printing will resultas a consequence of their operation since they have adjusted none of the bars for selecting the character producin wires.

The rod 124 is housed in the pinion sleeve 39 (Figs. 2, 6 and 9). The rear end of the rod 124 is pressed forward by a spring 125.

- The rod 124 rotates with the wheel 43 through the agency of a crank 126 fastened upon the rod, rotation with the wheel 43 being caused by a pin. 127 fastened in the wheel. The crank 126 can slide backward and forward upon the pin 127, when the swinging bar 128 (carried by the carriage and which extends the length of the carriage) is caused to rotate rearwardly by means of handles 129 (Fig. 1) at either end of the carria e. The rod 124 is pushed backward against the spring 125 carrying with it crank 126 whose outer. end engages with pawl 41 and releases said pawl from the ratchet wheel 40 by means of a small cam portion on pawl 41 (Fig. 6). Since pawl 41 and pin 127 are mounted on wheel 43 it will be readily understood that crank 126 is in fixed relation with pawl 41. By rotating either handle 129 upwardly ratchet wheel 40 will be released and the carriage can be moved by the operator in either direction -not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown nor to the embodiment of all features of my invention in the same organization as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following w 1. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; and a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement .of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and detent withdrawing devices individual to the detents and for removing the same from cooperative relation with'said stop, the withdrawing device vice, while the second withdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby both detents are withdrawn when the second Withdrawing device'is operated.

2. A character producing machine includingelements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a rotated adjustable detent, a stop for engaging said detent to prevent movement of the'spacing device, and means for withdrawing the detent to permit said spacing device to operate; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detent; and means for placing the second stop in and out of the detent path.

3. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and means for withdrawing the stop engaging detent or both the stop engaging detent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment of the support may be varied; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; and means for placing the second stop in of the path of the detents.

4. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a pluralityof spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement ofthe spacing device, and for removing the same from cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing device that is individual to the detent which is in engagement with the stop being operable independently of the second withdrawing device, while the second withdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby both detents are withdrawn when the second withdrawing device is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; and means for placing the second stop in and out of the path of the I detents.

5. A character producing machine ir cluding elements for producinga plurality of characters; a support operating in con unction with said elements for the formation of characters; means. for efiecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for'permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includesa plurality of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and detent withdrawing devices individual to the detents and for removing the same from cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing device that is individual to the detent which is in engagement with the stop being operable independently of the second withdrawing device, while the second withdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby both detents are withdrawn when the second withdrawing device is operated; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position for engagement with the stop.

6. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a rotated adjustable detent, a stop and out,

for engaging said detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and means for withdrawing the detent to permit said spacing device to operate; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detent; means for placing the second stop in and out of the detent path; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position for engagement with the first stop.

7. A character producing machine includingelements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart rotated adj ustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the; spacing device, and means for withdrawing the stop engaging detent or both the stop engaging detent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment of the support may bevaried: a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; means for placing the second step in and out of thepath of the detents; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position for engagement witlrthe first stop.

8. Acharacter producing machine includ ing elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality, of spaced apart rotated adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and for removing the same from cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing device that is individual to the detent which is in engagement with the stop being operable independently of the second withdrawing device, while the second withdrawing device is in engagement with the first whereby both detents are withdrawn when the second withdrawing device .is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; means for placing the second step in and out of the characters; a support operating in conjunc- 'path of the detents; and-a cam structuretion with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; and a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop for 'engag-- ing a detent to prevent movement of the' ing elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of" characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes abodily moved adjustable detent, a stop for engaging said detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and means for withdrawing the detent to permit said spacing device to operate; a second stop for limiting the bed ily movement of the detent and means for placing the second stop in and out of the de+ tent path.

11. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elementsior the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and means for withdrawing the stop engaging detent or both the stop engaging detent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment of the support may be varied; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; and means :for placing the second stop in and out of the path of the detents.

12. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters;a support operating in conjunction with, said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart bodilv moved adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and for removing the same from cooperative relation with said stop,

the withdrawing device that is individual to 1 the detent which is in engagement with the stop being operable independently of the second withdrawingidevice, while the second withdrawin device is in engagement with the n'rst w ereby both detents are withdrawn when the second Withdrawing device is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; and means i for placing the second stop in and out of the path of the detents.

'13. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements'for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and detent withdrawing devices individual to the detents and for removing the same from cooperative relation with said stop, the withdrawing device that is individual to the detent wh1ch is in engagement with the stop being operable independently of the second withdrawing device, while the second withdrawing device is in engagement with the firstiwherehy both detents are withdrawn when-the second Withdrawing device is operated; and a camstructure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position for engagement With the stop. 7

ll. A character-producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation; of characters; means 'for efiecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a bodily moved adjustable detent,

a stop for engaging said detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and means for withdrawing the detent to permit said spacing device to operate; a; second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detent; means for placing the second stop in and out of the detent path; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position for engagement with the first stop.

15. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting longitudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent to prevent movement of the spacing device, and means for withdrawin the stop engaging detent or both the stop engaging detent and the detent adjacent thereto whereby the spacing adjustment of the support may be varied; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; means forplacing the second stop inand out of the path of the detents; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in position for engagement with the first stop.

16. A character producing machine including elements for producing a plurality of characters; a support operating in conjunction with said elements for the formation of characters; means for effecting longitudinal movement of said support; a spacing device for permitting lon itudinal movement of said support, which spacing device includes a plurality of spaced apart bodily moved adjustable detents, a stop for engaging a detent the spacing device, and for removing the same from cooperative relatiton with said stop, the withdrawing device that is individual to the detent which is in engagement with the stop being operable independently of the second withdrawing device, while the second Withdrawing device is in-engagement with the first whereby both detents are withto prevent movement of drawn when the second withdrawing device is operated; a second stop for limiting the bodily movement of the detents; means for placing the second stop in and out of the path of the detents; and a cam structure engaged by the detents to restore the same in.

riage; a cam cooperative with said teeth during the return movements of said carriage to enable them to clear said arresting means;

and means for controlling said teeth to permit step-by-step movement or several steps at a time movement of carriage.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 16th day of March A. 1);, 1912.

TIDEMAN LILLEBERG.

Witnesses:

IneRALn OLSEN, JOHN A. FREDRICKSON.