US1572385A

US1572385A - Finger guide for typewriters

Info

Publication number: US1572385A
Application number: US3208A
Authority: US
Inventors: Benjamin F Ellsworth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-01-17
Filing date: 1925-01-17
Publication date: 1926-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1943-02-09

Description

Feb. 9-.1926. 1,572,385

B. F. ELLSWORTH FINGER GUIDE FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Jan. 1''! 1925 [27 V6]? for Zi /yam in Ff/lwar/fi Patented t 9, 192%,

UNITED stars BENJAMIN F. ELLS'WGRTH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK,

FINGER GUIDE FOR TYEEWRITERS.

Application filed January To all 10720721, may concern) lie it known that l, BEN'I'AMLN F. ELL-S- wou'rir, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county 01" Kings and State of New York, 1 we invented a new and. Improved Finger Guide for Typewriters and Other Keyboard li l'achincs, of which the following is a specification.

This invent-ion relates to keyboard iingger guides for type writing and other manually operated keyboard machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive finger guide which can be immediately applied to the keys with out screws, clanilps, or other fastening means. Another object of the invention is to provide a device that will enable a learner to mastelmeasily the mai'iipulation of a typewriter or the like by the so-called touch system.

The invention consists in providing a tinger guide in th form of a plate of sheet metal or other suitable material adapted to be inserted between the keys operated by the right hand and the keys operated by the left hand, the upper edge of which plate following the downward slope of the key grouping, and the plate having feet or other supporting means which rest preferably on the table under the keyboard so that the guide is self-sustaining.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, there will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred construction of the linger guide in accordance with said invention.

In these figures:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the finger guide in position among the keys of a typewriter.

Fig. 53 is a perspective view of the linger guide.

Figure is a view of the guide when flat,

' before bending to the form shown in Figs. i and 2.

which it is inserted, this configuration being 17, 1925. Serial No. 3 208.

clearly shown in Fig. 1. The upper edge at of the guide follows the downward slope of the key-board, so that this edge 4 is at a uniform and convenient distance, say about oneeighth of an inch, above the keys 2 for. the purpose of guiding the lingers and preventing the fingers of either hand from straying into positions over the group assigned to the other hand. The lower portion of the guide is shown cut away to pro vide three feet 5, the bottom edges 6 of which simply rest on the table orother sur face 7 on which the machine is supported. The guide is thus entirely self-supporting and requires no screws, clamps, or fasteners of any kind to support it in the machine when in use. Vertical support of the guide is provided entirely by the feet 5 while the guide is steadied or supported laterally by the keys and key levers between which it passes.

In the illustrated example the vertical ton ward edge 8 of the guide has two notches or

shoulders

9 and 10, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper and smaller shoulder 9 being intended to engage the lower edge of the cover plate of the machine, and the lower and larger shoulder 10 being intended to pass over a cross-rod of the machine structure.

It will be understood that the form of the vertical forward edge of the guide may be varied as required to make the guide fit snugly and conveniently in whichever type of machine wherein it is to be used, but without-in any way interfering with the proper manipulation of the keys.

The finger guide of my invention is of great simplicity, is inexpensive to manufacture, can be quickly placed in position for use, and quickly removed when not required.

My finger guide is intended chiefly for use in the training of typists by the so called touch system and when used on a standard typewriter keyboard the uide is pref erably so located that the keys 5, '1', G, V, lie immediately to the left, and the keys 6, Y, H, B, immediately to the right, of the guide, this being the standard. line of division between the r'e ht and left. hand key groups.

It will. be seen that tl e objects of my invention as hereinbetore stated have been achieved.

The invention as licrcinbe'tore set forth is embodied in a .particularformofconstruction, but may be variously embodied with in the scope of the claims hereinafter made.

I claim:

1. A finger guide for keyboard machines consisting of a single piece of rigid sheet material adapted to be inserted between the keys and key levers operatedbythe. right.

consisting ofa single piece of rigid sheet material adapted to separate the keys into two groups for manipulation by the respective hands of the operator; said guid'ebeing steadied. laterally by. the several keys and their levers between which it freely passes, and having feet constituting its sole vertical supportwhen resting on anyconvenient stationary surface below the keyboard.

portion of said plate being formed with supporting feet for the guide when in use and adapted to rest on any convenient stationary surface below the keyboard.

4. A'finger guide for keyboard machines havingan upper portion forming the guide proper and adapted to stand between the keys to separate same into groups, and a lower sustaining portion extending downwards between'the key levers of the machineto the surface whereon the machine rests.

' BENJAMIN F. ELLSVORTH.