US1283198A - Shorthand-machine. - Google Patents

Description

W. S. IRELAND.

' SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, I916- 133,198,, Patented 00t.29,1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEET W. S. IRELAND. SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. 1916. v 1,283,198,. Patented Oct. 29, 1918 6 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

v/mff 42471165, R M if w. s. IRELAND.

SHORTHAND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18. 1916.

6 SH EETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Oct. 29, 1918..

W. S. IRELAND. SHORTHAND MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV-18.1916.

Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. S. iRELAND. SHOHTHAND MACHINE. APPLICATION m zn NOV. 1a. 1916.

SHEEI 6.

Patented Oct. 29

6 SHEETS W \M Y Tr as a n: c.

WARD S. IRELAND, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL SHOBTHAND MACHINE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION- 0F DELAWARE.

SHORTHAND-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented (lot. 29, 1918.

Application filed November 18, 1916. Serial No. 132,074.

citizen of the United States of America, a

resident of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shorthand-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming'a part of this specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in typewriting machines, and the novel features of the invention are particularly adapted for use in shorthand machines. One of the objects of the invention is to produce a shorthand machine having an identification device for printing a distinguishing mark, or marks, serving as means for identifying the stenographer or dictator, or both.

Prior to this invention, shorthand machines have been provided'with means for feeding a continuous strip of paper which usually unwinds from a roll and passes to a shorthand printing device whereby a continuous series of shorthand characters are printedon the paper. It is, of course, a decided advantage touse a very longstrip of paper, so that thewriting may be continued for a considerable period of time without frequent interruptions; however,- difficulty has been experienced in handling such paper after it passes from the machine. The paper is usually rewound on a rewinding roll, or torn from the machine in comparatively short lengths which are quite difficult to handle, and on account of their irregularity they cannot be readily filed for future reference; For obvious reasons, it would be very advantageous to file the shorthand notes in an orderly manner, so that any particular collection of notes could be found by referring to an index, and in this connection it would be highly desirable for all of the notes to be associated With an identification mark, designating the stenographer or dictator, or both. Many other advantages are to be gained by clearly identifying the dictator or stenographer, for instance, where a.

large concern employs a number of stenographers, each of which takes dictation from several different persons, it is quite c0nven ient for a stenographer having a large collection of notes to transcribe,'to be able to identify the dictator by merely glancing at i the notes. This is an aid in transcribing the notes, for it enables the stenographer to bear in mind the peculiarities or requirements of the particular dictator, and it also aids her in distributing the finished work to the different dictators. Moreover, by the use of means for printing identification marks in connection with the shorthand notes, an expert operator maybe employed for the purpose of taking dictation which is to be transcribed by several difl'erent typists. In this event, the typists, after transcribing the notes, can readily distribute the finished work among the different dictators, for the identification marks on the different collections of notes Will clearly identify the different dictators.

Therefore, the preferred form of my invention comprises, means for feeding a continuous strip of paper step by step; an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into comparatively small sheets all of which are uniform in length; means for printing consecutive numbers on the small uniform sheets so that they may be readily indexed and filed for future reference or otherwise retained in'the sequence indicated by the consecutive. numbers; and means for printing at least one identification mark on each sheet of paper. All of these devices preferably operate automatically in response to movements of the finger keys, with the result of cutting the "paper into uniform sheets, numbering the sheets consecutively, and printing an identification mark (or marks) on each sheet so as to clearly designate the dictator or stenographer, or both.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is to be understood that the invention comprehends changes, variations and modifications which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. 7

Figure I is a plan view, partly in section, illustrating a shorthand machine embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. I showing mechanism which lies below the top wall of the housing.

Fig. III is a longitudinal section.

Fig. IV is a vertical section taken approximately on the line rv-iv, Fig III, looking toward the front of the machlne.

Fig. V is a detailview illustrating the paper feeding device.

Fig. VI is a. section taken approximately on line VIVI, Fig. I, showing the ribbon feeding device.

Fig. VII is a horizontal section showing the universal bar. the key levers associated therewith, and the ribbon feeding device operable by said universal bar.

' Fig. VIII is a perspective view of the inking device for the numbering and identification wheels.

Fig. IX is an enlarged detail view showing the counting wheels having peripheral type characters, means for feeding said counting wheels, and the means for printing the consecutive characters.

Fig. X is a vertical section taken approximately through the center of the device shown in Fig. IX, showing the counting and identification wheels.-

Fi'g. XI is a detail view of the identification wheel.

Fig. XII is an inverted plan view of the wheel shOWn in Fig. XI.

To illustrate the preferred form of the invention I have shown a shorthand machine provided with a housing 1, a type holder 2 arranged in said housing, (Figs. II and III) a type bar 3 det-achably secured in said type holder, and a bi-color inking ribbon 4 adjacent t the line of type on said type bar 3. The paper passes from a supply roll A, over a roller 5 (Fig. III) under and partially around a roller 5, in front of and over an uncurling device 6, andthen to a paper feeding device whereby it is unwound from the roller and fed through an opening 7 at the rear of the machine. The key actuated devices preferably include a series of angular levers each having an upwardly extending arm 8 at its front end (Fig. III) and a character key 9 at the upper end of said arm. Any suitable shorthand code may be used. and the character keys 9 are preferably, but not essentially provided with characters corresponding to the line of type. characters on the type bar 3.

The keyboard I have shown (Figs. I and II) includes three groups of keys bearing alphabetical characters and a fourth group of keys provided with numerical characters. When one of the alphabetical keys is depressed, a corresponding alphabetical character is printed on the paper as will be hereinafter described. Each numeral key 1s associated with one of the alphabetical keys, and when a numeral key is depressed, it shifts the bi-color inking ribbon. at the same time operating one of the alphabetical keys to print an alphabetical character in a distinguishing color, which indicates that the alphabetical character is to be read as a numeral. Each numeral key is fixed to a key lever a, pivotally supported at b (Fig. III) and fitted to a ribbon-shifting bar 0, the latter being connected by means, of vertical arms at, to a frame 0 which supports a pair of guide spools 7. The frame 6 is an H shaped member pivotally supported at 9, see Fig. II. The bi-color inking ribbon passes around the guide spools 7', also around guide spools h, and it is fitted to a drive spool 72. It will now be understood that when a numeral key lever a is depressed, the ribbon-shifting bar 0 moves downwardly, thereby moving the frame 6 about the axis of its pivot or fulcrum 9, so as to lift the guide spools f. thus shifting the bi-color inking ribbon. The alphabetical keys G, F, I) and M are provided with extensions 8 which lie under the numeral keys 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively; the keys M, L, T and F are provided with extensions 8' which lie under the numeral keys 7, 8, 9 and 0 respectively; the B key has an extension 8 which underlies the 25 key; and the keys 0 and I near the middle of the keyboard, have extensions 8 (Figs. II and III) which lie under the 5 and 6 keys respectively. These key extensions 8 and 8 fitted to the numeral keys, are so arranged that one of the alphabetical keys will move downwardly to print an alphabetical character in response to a corresponding movement of a numeral key.

The space key is secured to lever arms S which extend over the ribbon-shifting bar a, said levers being pivotally supported by the pivot member 5 (Fig. III) and provided withextension S which engage a universal bar whereby the paper is fed step bystep as will be hereinafter described. The .error key (Figs. I'and II) is fixed to a lever E, having an extension E (Fig. III) which engages the ribbon shifting bar a, the object being to print the error character in a color which clearly distinguishes it from the ordinary shorthand characters.

. Each of the angular 'k'eydevers includes an arm 10 extending rearwardly from the arm 8 and an arm 11, extending upwardly from the rear port-ion of said arm 10. The series of key levers is pivotally supported by a pivot member 12 (Fig. III) located at the junctions of the lever arms 10' and 11. The upper end of each lever arm 11 is provided with a forwardly extending printing hammer 13 which lies adjacent to the type 3, as seen most clearly in Figs. II and III. Restoring springs 14. (Fig. III) tend to retain the key levers in engagement with an abutment 151- When one of the finger keys 9 is depressed, the key lever associated therewith turns about the axis of the pivot member 12 and the printing hammer'13 moves toward the type 3, thereby forcing Ill-5 the paper and inking ribbon toward the type and printing one of the type characters on thepaper. The key levers may be operated independently of each other, or anydesired number of key levers may be operated simultaneously.

16 designates a key lever guide near the upper ends of lever arms 11, and 17 designates a key lever guide located at the junctions of the lever arms 10 and 11.

The universal bar associated with the key levers includes a transverse abutment holder 18 (Figs. III and VII) arranged in front of the series of lever arms 11 and provided with a yieldable abutment 19 which engages all of said lever arms 11. The universal bar also includes a pair of arms 20 and 21 pivotally supported by the pivot member 12, arranged on opposite sides of the lever arms 11, and secured near their upper ends to the transverse abutment holder 18. 22 designates a connecting member uniting the arms 20 and 21 of the universal bar (Figs. III and VII), said connecting member be ing located at the rear of lever arms 11.

23 designates a restoring spring (Fig. III) tending to retain the universal bar in the position shown in thedrawings. The transverse abutment 19 forming part of the universal bar structure is so arranged that the universal bar will move in response to movements of any one of the key levers.

The paper feeding device comprises a rotatable shaft 25, a pair of toothed wheels 26 and 27 fixed to said shaft, a ratchet wheel 28 also fixed to the shaft (Figs. II and V), and

a pawl carrier 29 loosely secured to said shaft. 30 designates a pawl pivoted to the carrier 29 (Fig. V), and 32 designates a spring connecting said pawl to the pawl carrier. The spring 32 tends to force'the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel- 28, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. V. The arm 21 of the universal bar is provided with an extension 33 (Fig. V) which cooperates with an arm 35 on the pawl carrier 29, A spring 36, secured to the universal bar, tends to force the arm 35 into engagement with the universal bar extension 33, said arm 35 being so arranged between spring 36 and universal bar extension 33, that the pawl carrier will partake of the movements of the.

. drawings, and during this movement the paper feeding pawl 30 moves idly along the ratchet Wheel 28.

The margins of the strip of paper are preferably perforated as shown in Fig. I to receive the teeth which project from the periphery of the feed wheels 26 and 27. 38 designates a pressing device (Figs. I and III) pivotally secured to stationary arms 39 and adapted to engage the paper at points near the teeth of the feed wheels 26 and 27 to prevent the paper from becoming disengaged from said feed wheels during the paper feeding operations.

The inner end of the strip of paper is firmly secured to a tubular core 10 (Figs. II and III) provided at its ends with friction members 41 and 42 which turn with the roll of paper, said friction members being secured to the core in anysuitable manner. A non-yielding friction member 43, engaging the friction member 41, is rigidly secured to a stationary arm 44. 45 designates 'arm 46. A spring 17 forces the friction member 45 into engagement with the friction member 42 which turns with the supply-roll, at the same time forcing the friction member 41 into engagement with the stationary friction member 43.

The spring pressed friction elements tend to prevent the roll of paper from turning, and upon the operation of the paper feeding device, the paper is pulled along the uncurling device 6, (Fig. III) the latter being a very small rod fixed to the arms 39. In passing over the uncurling device, the strip of paper isturned abruptly in the direction opposed to the direction in which it was wound on the roll. By holding the paper under tension and pulling it over the uncurling device in the manner illustrated, the

paper is uncurled and fed from the machine in an absolutely stralght condition.

The automatic shearing device includes a stationary blade 51 and a movable blade 52 located near the rear of the machine and adapted to sever the paper after it passes from the prlnting, uncurling and feeding devices. This automatic device is preferably under the control of the character keys, and it is preferably constructed to automatically cut the paper into a series of short uniform strips, which may be easily handled by the operator and readil filed for future reference. The consecutive numbering device and the devices for printing identification become disarranged, they marks are preferably coiiperable with the automatic shearing device, all of said de vices being under the control of the character keys, and the operating means being preferably so constructed that the said shearing, and numbering and identification devlces operate simultaneously. The consecutive numbering device is adapted to print serial page numbers, one of which appears on each of the strips of paper. In this connection it may be noted that the combination of the uncurling device, the shearing device, the consecutive numbering device, and the identification device, produces a very desirable result, for if the paper was not straightened, the small sheets passing from the shearing device would, on account of their tendency to recurl, be quite diflicult to handle; and since each of the small straight sheets bears a serial number or page number, together with a mark identifying the stenographer or dictator, be readily bound together and indexed for future reference. If the sheets accidentally ma be easily replaced in their proper relative positions by arranging them in the sequence indicated by their page or serial numbers. If desired, all of the sheets bearing the same identification mark may be bound together, thus providing an individual collection of sheets for each dictator.

Briefly stated, the means for operating the automatic shearing, numbering and identification devices comprises an operating spring for moving the blade 52 and at the same time actuating certain. printing ele-. ments to print the. numbers and identification marks; means for transmitting energy from the finger keys to said operating spring so as to place the latter under tension, and a restoring spring for returning the blade 52. These automatic devices are under the control of a timing device which moves step by step in response to movements of the finger keys, and upon the completion of a predetermined number of paper feeding operations, the timing device reaches a position wherein it will permit the operating spring to actuate the shearing, numbering and identification devices.

The movable blade 52 (Fig. TV) is secured to a frame at the rear of the machine by means of a pivot member 53, and it is provided with an extension 54 adapted to be engaged by a trippable operating member 55,

the series of sheets may be hereinafter described, thereby lifting the lever 56 and placing the operating spring 60 under tension. When the shoulder 59, on cam 59, reaches the point of finger 58, the operating device is released and the spring 60 then pulls the trippable operating member 55 downwardly so as to force the f movable blade 52 into engagement with. blade 51. A restoring spring 61, connect-' nates a spring connecting the trippable member 55 to the lever 56 and tending to force the cam 62 into engagement with roller 63. The upper end of the trippable member 55 has an extension 55 adapted to hear u on the blade extension 54 and adapted to be dis enga ed therefrom by moving said trippable mem er downwardly from the position shown in Fig. IV. During this downward movement the cam face 62 moves along the roller 63 so as to release the trippable member 55 from blade 52, thus permitting the restoring spring 61 to return said blade. The operating spring 60 is of sufiicient strength to actuate the movable cutter and at the same time place the restoring spring 61 under tension.

When the-camlever 56 is thrown by the operating spring 60, it strikes a pad 67 which prevents the cam finger 58- from striking the cam 59, thus deadening the hammer blow near the free end of lever 56 and avoiding a noisy hammer blow at the cam.

59. As the cam 59 continues to advance, it

engages the cam finger 58 in a noiseless the inclined face 55, at the upper end of i said member 55, engages the blade extension 54:. The trippable member 55 then moves upwardly and away from roller 63, and its extension 55 finally passes over theblade extension 54, to the position shown in Fig. TV. The member 55 is pulled to the last mentioned position by the small spring 64, and instead of striking a hammer blow on the roller 63, said member 55 strikes a pad 68. Thereafter, the shoulder 59 on the timing cam 59 reaches the cam finger 58, and the operating spring 60' then actuates the movable blade as previously described.

The means for driving the timing cam 59 (Figs. 11 and TV) comprises a ratchet wheel 69 secured to said cam, and also se= cured to a sleeve 70, the latter being fixed to a shaft 71. 72 designates a rocker arm loosely supported by the sleeve 7 O and provided with a pawl 73 which engages the ratchet .ing device, at the same time operating link 77, bell crank lever 74, rocker arm 72' and pawl 73, so as to advance the ratchet wheel 69 and timing cam 59 one step. During the return movement of the universal bar, the pawl 73 moves idly along the toothed face of ratchet wheel 69, and the ratchet wheel is prevented from turning backwardly by a retaining pawl 78, shown in Fig. IV. The rocker arm 72 is preferably connected to bellcrank 74 by a spring79 (Fig. IV). which retains said parts in frictional engagement with each other.

The consecutive character printing device, shown. most clearly in Figs. IX and X, preferably comprises units, tens, and1hundreds wheels, designated U, T and H, re-

spectively, arranged within a small housing 81, and rotatably fitted to a tubular member 82, each of said wheels being preferably in the form of a ring having a series of uniform notches 83 anda comparatively deep notch 84, see Fig. IX. Each of these counting wheels is also preferably provided with peripheral type characters for printing the characters 0 to 9 as indicated in Fig. IX. The means for feeding the counting wheels comprises a roekable pawl carrier having a pair of arms 85 which lie within the housing, shaft members 86 and 87 extending from said arms, and a curved web 88 con necting said arms. The shaft members 86 and 87 are journaled to the side wallsof the housing 81. A combined feeding and carrying pawl 89, arranged within the counting wheels, is flexibly connected'to the arms 85 by means of a link 90.. 91 designates a spring for forcing the pawl 89 into engagement with the notched faces of the counting wheels. 92 designates spring pressed retaining pawls adapted to enter the notches of the counting wheels to prevent said wheels from moving beyond the lining point during the return movement of feed pawl 89.

The combined feeding and carrying pawl 89 is provided with a stepped 'operatin edge adapted to enter the notches of the di ferent counting wheels. The different steps of the pawl are uniform in depth, the shallow notches 83 of each wheel being uniform, and the enlarged or comparatively deep notch 84 being adapted to receive the stepped pawl during the carrying operations. 93 designates an operating arm for oscillating the pawl carrier and pawl 89, so as to feed the counting wheels step by step. When the parts occupy the positions shown in Figs. IX and X, all of the deep notches 84 are one step in advance of the combined feeding and carrying pawl 89, and the type characters 000 appear at the printing point. The pawl 89 engages the units wheel U, and it is disengaged from the remaining wheels as seen in Fig. X. At the beginning of the counting operations, the units wheel advances step by step in response to the oscillatory movements of operating arm 93, and

after the units Wheel has advanced nine.

steps, the pawl 89 enters the deep notch 84 of the units wheel, at the same time entering a shallow notch in the tens wheel. The movement of the pawl is limited by the tens wheel, so that its operating edge does not, at this time, enter the hundreds wheel. The tens wheel as well as the units wheel will then move one step with the pawl, and upon the completion of such movements the characters 10 will appear at the printing point. The tens wheel advances one step during each revolution of the units wheel, and after the tens wheel has advanced nine steps its deep notch 84 will register with the deep notch of the units wheel, thus permitting the stepped pawl to engage all of the counting wheels. At this time the characters 99 appear at the printing line, and a continued movement of the pawl carrier will result in moving all of the counting. wheels simultaneously to locate the characters 100 at the printing point. Obviously, the hundreds wheel will advance one step during each revolution of the tens wheel. While I have shown three counting wheels it is to be desired means for feeding the wheels may be substituted for the mechanism just described. i i

I designates an identification device, in the form of a ring located alongside of the counting Wheels, and provided with peripheral type characters.

The counting mechanism moves one step in response to a predetermined number of key operations, said counting mechanism being under the control of the timing cam 59 and cam lever 56, shown in Fig. IV. 94 designates a link connecting the operating arm 93 of the counting mechanism to a lever 95, the latter being pivotally mounted on a stationary rod 96.- A link 97 connects the lever arm 95 to the cam lever 56, see Fig. IV. During each revolution of the timing cam 59, the lever arm 56 rises to the position seen in Fig. 1V,"and is then pulled downprinting operations.

The means for printing the identification mark and the consecutive numbers comprises an inking web or ribbon 98 arranged above the strip of paper A, and a platen 99 arranged below the paper at a point immediately below the ribbon, and also below the identification device and counting wheels. Platen 99 is preferably a piece of rubber or other yieldable material fitted to a platen carrier 100, the latter being a lever arm supported by a pivot rod 101 and provided with a yieldable stop member adapted to engage a a stationary member 102, as shown in Fig.

IX. The means for operating the platen carrier 100 comprises a hammer 103 loosely supported by the pivot rod 96 and provided with a pad 104 adapted to engage the platen carrier as indicated by arrows in Fig. IX. A flexible link 105, preferably made of cloth, leather, or other fibrous material, connects the hammer 103 to the cam lever 56, see

Figs. IV and IX. When the cam lever 56 is thrown downwardly by the operating spring 60, the flexible link is jerked very quickly to throw the hammer 103 into engagement with the platen carrier 100, there by printing one of the consecutive numbers upon the paper. The hannner 103 is impelled by momentum when it strikes the platen carrier, the flexible link 105 being free to yield to permit such movement after the cam lever 56 has been stopped by the abutment 67 After striking the laten carrier 100, the hammer 103 drops y gravity to the position below said platen carrier, Where it will permit the latter to return to the position shown in the drawings. The downward movement of hammer 103 is limited by the flexible link 105, the latter being straightened during this movement.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the counting mechanism, the printing mechanism associated with the counting and identification devices, and the automatic shearing device, are all under the control of the timing cam 59, and upon the completion of a predetermined number of key operations, or paper feeding operations, the shearing device is actuated to sever the paper and the automatic printing device is actuated to print an identification mark and one of the consecutive numbers on the paper at a point in front of the shearing device. Each of the comparatively small sheets of paper passing from the machine bears a serial or page numher and an identification mark which are printed by the'automatic printing device.

The timing cam 59 is fixed to' a rotatable shaft 71, said shaft being exposed at the rear of the machine, as shown in Fig. II. The rear end of shaft 71- is adapted to receive a key or other operating member which may be turned to actuate a timing device independently of the finger keys. One of the objects of the invention is to cut the paper into uniform sheets each bearing a page number and an identifiaction mark, and it is therefore desirable to provide a convenient means for cutting the paper without operating he character keys and paper feeding device. When a'new roll of paper is applied to the machine, the strip is fed, by hand, between the shear blades and through the discharge opening at the rear end of the machine. The operator then turns the cam shaft 71, by hand, so as to actuate the shearing and printing devices, thereby severing the paper, printing an identification'mark and a serial number on the strip at a point in front of the shear; and at. the same time placing the timing device in its starting position so that the first sheetwill be equal in length to all of the other sheets.

The inking ribbon located between the consecutive numbering device and platen 99,

is preferably a small web of fabric 98 secured to a ribbon holder 107 (Fig. VIII), said ribbon holder beingprovided'with a slot for'the reception of a screw 108 which is exposed near the rear of the machine, as shown in Fig. I. Lever arm 109, shown by dotted lines in F ig. I, is arranged within the main housing and pivotally connected to the ribbon holder 107 through the medium of a screw 110 which passes through a slot formed in a top wall of the housing. The ribbon holder may be readily detached and removed from the machine by removing the screws 108 and 110. A lever arm-109. connected to the arm l09-(Figs. I and VI) engages an eccentric 111, the latter being fixed to a shaft 112 which turns step by step to feed the small ribbon 98, as will be presently described. The lever arm 109 is moved in one direction by the eccentric 111, and it may be restored by means of a spring shown by dotted lines in Fig. I

113 designates a ratchet wheel fixed to the shaft 112, and 114 designates an oscillatory pawl carrier loosely fitted to said shaft, the pawl carrier being provided with a pawl which engages the teeth of. said ratchet wheel. A yieldable link 115 connects the pawl carrier 114 to the arm 21 of a' universal bar, as shown in Figs. I and VII. The universal bar oscillates in response to movements of the key levers, so as to oscillate the pawl carrier 114, thereby feeding the ratchet wheel 113, step by step to actuate the ribbon feeding eccentric 111.

The inking ribbon at, which travels between the type bar 3 and printing hammers 13, ispreferably a continuous web of material fitted to the feed spool k, the latter being fixed to the vertical shaft 112 which is operated through the medium of the universal bar as previously described.

The identification ring or wheel I, located in the small housing '81, is supported by the tubular member 82, and it is provided with a series of notches 120 adapted to receive a spring pressed pawl or detent 92 (Fig. X). This identification member I (Fig. 'XI) is formed with peripheral type characters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J, any one of which is adapted to be positioned at the printing point so as to print a character designating the stenographer or dictator. The identification member is also provided with indicator characters at points between the type characters as shown in Fig. XI. and the small housing 81 is provided with a sight opening 121 at a point opposite the identification member. The indicator character appearing at the sight opening 121 corresponds with the type character at the pr nting point. The operator may readily HClJllSt the identification wheel to print any of the identification characters, by inserting a pencil, or other device, through the sight opening 121 and turning the identification wheel until the desired indicator character appears at the sight opening.

In carrying out the invention, I preferably use the identification wheel as the means for identifying the dictators. The stenographer may be identified by the color of the printing, and the inkin device 107 (Figs. I and VIII) is therefore so constructed that it may be very easily applied to or removed from the machine.- It is to be understood, however, that any suitable marks or characters may be used for the purpose of identifying the dictators and stenographers, and that the means for making such marks or characters on the paper may be located at. any suitable point near the path of the paper.

The printing hammersand the type holding elements associated therewith are claimed in an application for patent filed by me on Nov. 18, 1916, Serial No. 132,076. The key lever guide is claimed in an application filed by myself and W. E.- Lippert on Nov. 18,

1916, Serial No. 132,077. The universal bar is claimed in an application filed by myself and W. E. Lippert on Nov. 18, 1916, Serial No. 132,078. nism is claimed in an application filed by me on Nov. 18, 1916, Serial No. 132,075, and also in an application filed by myself and W. E. Lippert on Nov. 18, 1916, Serial No.

The ribbon feeding mecha 132,073. The automatic cutting device is clalmed in an application filed by me on Nov. 18, 1916, Serial No. 132,071. The automatic numbering device is claimed in an application filed by me on Nov. 18, 1916,

Serial No. 132,072. The paper straightening device is claimed in an application filed by me on May 19, 1917, Serial No. 169,620. The paper feeding device is claimed in an application filed by myself and WV. E. Lippert on Nov. 18, 1916, Serial No. 132,066.

Reference is also made to applications filed by me on Feb. 21, 1917, Serial Nos. 150,052,

150,053, 150,054 and 150,055, respectively,

printing device, and means for printing an identification mark on the paper at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys, said means including an adjustable type wheel under the control of the operator, said adjustable type wheel being provided with a series of identification characters.

2. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, keys for operating said shorthand printing device, a consecutive numbering device for printing consecutive numbers on said strip of paper at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys, and an identification member for printing an identification mark on the paper at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys, said identification member being adjustable independently of said consecutive numbering device.

3. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, keys for operating said shorthand printing device, a consecutive numbering device for printing consecutive numbers on the paper at regular intervals, said consecutive fication wheel being provided with a series of type characters for printing different identification marks, the said counting wheels being under the control of said keys and the identification wheel being adjustable independently of said counting wheels.

4. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, keys for operating said shorthand printing device, and an identification device for printing an identification mark on the paper, said identification device including a type \vheel provided with a series of type characters representing different identification marks and also provided with a series of indicator characters corresponding to said type characters.

5. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, printing elements in cluding finger keys, and means forprinting an identification markat regular intervals in response to movements of said keys.

6. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, printing elements including finger keys, and means for printing an identification mark and a serial number at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys.

7. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing device lncluding finger keys, a paper feeding device operable by said keys, and an identification device for printing an identification mark on thepaper, the printing elements of said identification device being operable by said keys.

' 8. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing 7 device including finger keys, a paper feeding device operable by said keys, and an identification devlce for printing an ldentification mark on the paper, the printing elements of said identification device'being operable automatically upon the completion of a predetermined number of key operations.

9. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing device including finger keys, a paper feeding device operable by said keys, and an identification device for printing .an identification mark on the paper, the printing elements of said identification device including an operating spring and means for transmitting energy from said keys to said operating spring.

10. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printing device including finger keys, a paper feeding device operable by said keys, and an identification device for printing an identification mark on the paper, the printing elements of said identification device including an operating spring and means for transmitting energy from said keys to said operat ng spring, said means including a transmisslon member movable step by step in response in to operations of said keys.

11. In ashorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a shorthand printingdevice including finger keys, a paper feeding device operable by said keys, and an identification device for printing an identification mark on the paper, the printing elements of said identification device including an operating spring, and means for transmitting for printing identification marks on the paper, said ldentlfication device including a' type member, a platen movable toward said type member, and means for operating said platen automatically upon the completion of I Y a predetermined number of key operations.

13. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a continuous strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, keys for operating said shorthand printing device, an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into substantially uniform sheets, said automatic shearing device being operable at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys, and an identification device for printing an identification character on the paper at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys.

1 1. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a continuous strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, keys for operating said shorthand printing device, an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into substantially uniform sheets, said auto matic shearing device being operable at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys and an identification. dev ice adapted to mark the paper.

15. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a continuous strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, keys for operating said shorthand printing device, an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into substantially uniform sheets, said automatic shearing device being operable at regular intervals in response to movements of said keys and an identification device adapted to mark the paper,,said identification device including printing means under the control of said keys.

16. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a continuous strip of paper, a shorthand printing device keys for operating said shorthand printing device, an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into substantnally uniform sheets, said audevice for cutting the paper into comparatively short sheets, an identification device including printing elements for printing identification characters on the paper, said identification device being so arranged thatan identification character will appear upon each of said comparatively short sheets of paper, and operating means common to all of said devices.

18. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a continuous strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into compara-o tively short sheets, an identification device including printing elements for printing identification characters on the paper, said identification device being so arranged that an identification character will appear upon each of said comparatively short sheets of paper, and-operating means common to all of said devices, said operating means including finger keys and means for transmitting energy from said finger keys to all of said devices.

19. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a continuous strip of paper, a shorthand printing device, an automatic shearing device for cutting the paper into comparatively short sheets, an identification device including printing elements for printing identification characters on the paper, said identification device being so arranged that an identification character will appear upon each of said comparatively short sheets of paper, and operating means common to all of said devices, said operating means including finger keys, a universal bar under the control of said finger keys, and means for transmitting movement from said universal bar to said shearing and identification devices.

20. In a shorthand machine adapted to receive a strip of paper, a printing device, finger keys for actuating said printing device, an identification device adapted to mark the paper so as to identify the operator of the machine, and actuating means for said identification device, said actuating means including said finger keys.

' WARD S. IRELAND.

a universal bar driven by

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