US1717527A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

n fl 2 'B. c. 'STICKNEY' TYPEWRITING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed {Jul 20, 1927 June 18, 1929. c, K I 1 ,717,527

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed July 20. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 J1me 1929- B. c. STICKNEY TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed July 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 In venrar':

June 18,1929; B. c. STICKNEY TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed,Ju1y 20, 1927 Sheets-Sheet 4 V Inventor: m

June 18, 1929- B. c. STICKNEY TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed July 20, 1927 5 Shets-Sheet 5 17 47 Inventor-.- 90 H Patented June is, 1929. I

UNITED STATES aunnnm c. srrcxnny, or

ELLIOTT rrsnaa COMPANY, warm.

ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELA- TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application filed July 20, 1927. Serial No. 207,170.

This invention relates to the type actions of typewriting machines, and its main object is to produce at moderate cost a system of compact,practical, staunch,'eflic1ent and dura- I) blc key-trains which will not be noisy, which will manifold acceptably, and which may be readily adapted to existing standard typewriting machines.

It is the standard practice to use long and w heavy type-bars, and to give the finger-keys great leveragethereon,-'so as to render the key touch easy. This leverage rapidly decreases, with consequent speeding up of the type-bar, which therefore proves efiicient.

However, the noise of operation has proven to be a great objection to standard typewriting machines for many oflioes, and this invention presents a solution of the problem.

The invention aims to eliminate as far as possible the noise of the typeepercussions, while preserving lightness of key-touch, and moderate depth of key-stroke. Since the types must strikeupon the front or visiblev side of he platen, and must clear one another, they must stand far from the printing point. The are occupied by the type-system is usually of greatangular extent, so that the. types at the sides of the system usually stand at sharp angles to their type-bars, as it is a disadvantage. It has been the practice in the Underwood typewriting machine to place the types about five inches from the printing point, and to make the type-bars corres ondingly long, and to reduce their vieig tzby thinning, and to increase their stiffness by corrugating them longitudinally. The type has been made to travel said five inches by depressing a key five-eighths of an inch. Shock to the operators finger has been avoided by connecting the key to the type-bar by means bf a pin-and-slot arrangement, which gave great leverage and consequent ease to the key at the start of the stroke, and which accelerated the type-bar throughout the stroke. with the effect of cushioning the operators finger at the end of the key-stroke. and at the same time accelerating the heavy type at the completing portion of the printing stroke.

The invention deals mainly with the means for easing the key-touch, conserving the merits while eliminating the demerits of such devices. The avoidance of jar to the operators hand at the conclusion of the stroke is, according to standard practice, due to the typelength and its jointed condition, it is capable accelerating device, the momentum of the hand being largely absorbed by thetype, the hand being gradually arrested while the type is correspondingly accelerated. According to the present invention, the touch-cushioning means performs the old ofiice of softening the initial resistance of the key to the touch, by

arranging for an initial great leverage of the key upon the type. Then the leverage rapidly decreases, avoiding excessive depth of key-stroke. The type moved rapidly the most of the distance to the platen, where a diversion from standard cushioning practice is made; that is, the standard rule is followed to. the extent of decreasing the leverage of the key upon the type-action (considered as a unit) throughout substantially the entire key-stroke, but during much of the last half of the key-stroke the leverage of the key upon the type itself is substantially increased,'contray to standard practice. The speed of the type (not of the entire type-action) is accordingly much reduced. It is found that all' the usual advantages of cushioning the keytouch at initial and final portions are socured, and that efiiciency of type-impression is also secured,;but that noise of type-percussions is almost eliminated.

A system of touch-cushioning type-actions is contrived, of suflicient dimensions to give room for the types when at rest, the types for i this purpose standing at a great distance from the platen, the type-linkage being of sufficient stifiness, so that, notwithstanding its extra.

of pressing the type eflieiently and clearly (but not too heavily) against the work-sheet, and the key-energy is so far conserved and utilized, without harshness at any point, that each type-linkage is capable of being easil set in motion even when the key is struc shar ly, and the linkage is sped up during the ey-stroke sufiiciently to cause a strong impression of the type upon the platen, notwithstanding that the type makes but negligible sound, due to its movin much more slowly when arrested than w en jumping from normal position nearly to striking position. The type-action is neither so weak and light as to make the impression depend upon high speed of the type, nor so strong and .heavy as to result in undue resistance to the key when sharply struck.

The type-travel is six inches or more. Its speed, after starting, rapidlyincreases to a.

very high point, the'type nearly completing its travel while the key has yet some distance to go. While the speed of the type-action as a unit is still accelerating, it is contrived that the type itself shall slow down until it is almost in contactwith the ink-ribbon, at which point its speed is but a small fraction of the speed of a standard Underwood type at the same point. The speed of the blow may be reduced to perhaps 1/36 of the blow of the standard Underwood type upon the platen. This Weakness of blow is due to deceleration, and it is so weak that it is nearly noiseless. The operation is found to be so quiet as to bring the machine practically within the field of quiet or noiseless typewriters.

The weakness of the type-percussion does not result in weakness of the inked im ression. There is no loss of momentum rom the deceleration of the type; and the momentum of the operators hand also may be fully utilized. Due to the acceleration of linkage, and deceleration of type alone, the manifolding result is also excellent, and beyond what has heretofore been considered practicable inmachines of the quiet or noiseless class.

The combined acceleration and deceleration devicevis distinguished from the usual noiseless type-actions, inasmuch as it is not self-arrestlng, that is, its various parts are not arrested by one another, but solely by the percussion of the type against the. platen. The speed of the type-action as a unit aecele'rates right up to the end, and is still accelerating when the type-action strikes its blow upon the platen, notwithstanding that the movement of the type itself is being rapidly decelerated just as it approaches close to the platen.

By causing the heavy double-case type to travel about six inches, the angular extent of the type-bar are is reduced, and the same is also true of the angular positions of the types on the type-bar's. The planes of move ment of the type-linkages are radial, intersecting at the printing point itself (abovethe type-guide), and each linkage lies within its working plane, the types striking perpendicularly to the platen to make firm impressions, without slurring. To secure the cushioning, the type is fixed upon a link forming part of a linkage which is normally folded. The unfolding causes the type to move very swiftly to a position near the platen, and the continued motion of the linkage carries the type, at relatively slow speed against the platen. The type-end of said floating link is moreover glven preferably an extra re tardation compared with the remainder of the linkage, the rearward movement of the type at this time being perhaps about onethird of the rearward speed of the free ends of the other two links. In other words, the

a decelerating speed, yet is sharply arrested,

and the arrest of the accelerating portion of the linkage is also sharp. Although the linkage is of such moderate weight as to comport with the requisite stiffness, still the requirement of stiffness does not demand such a degree of weight as to preclude soft initial resistance of the key. Alinkage of these dimensions and stiffness and ease of starting, is still eflicient, due to acceleration, to insure a strong and clear impression of the greatly retarded type.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

'In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional longitudinal elevation of an Underwood standard typewriting machine, showing the present invention applied thereto; the View taken about centrally of the machine.

Figure 2 is a diagram of the key-levers, the bell-cranks connected thereto, and the slotted arms'of the drive links seen at Figure 1.

F igure3 is a view, showing the type-actions similar to Figure 1, but showing them in full lines in printing positions and in dotted lines in normal positions, and also at various intervening points.

Figure 4 is a front sectional elevation of the system of type-actions, showing parallel key-levers and radiating type-linkages and sublevers. y

Figure 4 is a plan of the common lateral type-guide.

Figure 5 is a sectional plan of the machine.

Figure 6 is a sectional front elevation, showing the segments and other supports for the rear portions of the type-actions.

Figure 7 is a sectional front elevation, showing the segment-frame for the guidelinks used in the linkages.

Figure 8 is a development of the types in normal positions, showing them cleared from one another, and also showing that in each case where a linkage makes an angle with its type, the intersection of angle is practically coincident with the printing point of the type. i

The type-keys 10 are mounted upon. stems '11 which rise from the front ends of bars pivot-rod 14. These U-shaped key-leversoperate substantially as bell-cranks. and vibrate in substantially vertical parallel planes extending from front to rear.

Said pendent arms the key-strokes, and pull rearwardly a set swing rearwardly at of pull links which may be pivoted in a horizontal row at their rearends at 16 to the rearwardly-vibrating lower portions of the-pendent key-lever arms 13. Said pull links 15 run forwardly, and are pivoted at 17' to the short pendent arms 18 of a system of bell-cranks 19 which radiate from the printing point 20 and arepivoted upon a curved fixed transverse fulcrum-rod 21 and work in radial slots 23 in a transverse segment 24 forming part of the frameworkof the machin'e, These bell-cranks include relatively long rearwardly-extending arms 25 which extend rearward'ly from the pivots 21, and at their rear ends carry pins 26 which work in radial slots 27 cut in the short arms 28 of drive links 29 of a system of normally folded type-linkages, designated generally as 30. Said type-linkages '30 radiate from the printing point 20, and include the system of normally cumbent drive'links 29 and a front system of upstanding guide-links 31. The drive links 29 are fulcrumed at their rear ends upon a curved pivot-rod 32 mounted in a transverse segment 33'substantially concentric with the printing point, and hav-' ing radial guide-slots 34 for the links 29,

which, with their slotted arms 28, form bell guide links'respectively. The slotted arm 28 is formed upon the rear or drive link 29, and the type 39 normally rests at the rear of the linkage and at a point extremely remote from the platen, whereby clearance of the types from one another is seeured; a padded curved rest42 being. provided for-the linkages, preferably'under the type ends of the floating links 38.

As the key- lever 11, 12,- 13 is depressed, its arm 13 swings backward, and by means of link 15 pulls on the short arm 18 of the bellcrank, and the long arm 25 thereof is swung upwardly,-,thereby swinging the short arm 28 of the drive link 29 forwardly and the link itself upwardly'hnd rearwardly, thus rapidly unfolding the. normally cumbent floating type-bar link '38 and lifting it in a radial direction until, the floating link reaches the neighborhood or about thelevel of the printing point. whereupon the type-link is carried or floated rearwartlly upon the tops of, the rearwardly-vibrating links, until the type strikesthe shiftable platen 43 through a vibratory ink-ribbon 44:. Upon relief of the key 10- from pressure, the key-action returns with the aid of spring 45 connected with vthe lever-arms 13.

The slots 27 when at rest diverge but little from the paths of pins 26, thus giving great initial leverage ofthe keys and hellcranks 25 upon the type-linkages rendering the key-touch easy, and this leverage rapidly decreases until about the con'iplction of the key-stroke, so that. the movement of each type-linkage as aunit is constantly accelerating,especially when it is kept in mind that.

considerable of the momentum of the operators hand 1s absorbed by the linkage during the latter half or portion of the key-stroke.

It will be seen that the heavy type 39 has far to travel in the unfolding movement of the linkage, and must move at high speed accordingly, but this is accomplished without rendering the key-touch harsh, inasmuch as thekey has its maximum. leverage upon the heavy type atthe beginning, so that the type,

starts slowly, and then makes up fonlost time by making an extra spurt of speed during the remainder ofthe unfolding of the type-linkage. After unfolding, the movement of the type is relatively slow.

The acceleration of the linkage continues throughout the printing stroke, yet the type half of the key-stroke, since at this time the movement of the type-link,- which has been rapidly turned upon its two pivots at the unfolding of the linkage, begins to resemble a parallel motion, and, the type advances no faster than the free ends of the drive and end of the floating link decelerates in the last 1 guide links. This contrasts with the great speed of the type which prevailed during the unfolding movement. Acceleration of the linkage as a unit is secured, with resulting softness of the key-touch, and also with cushioning of the operators hand at the com.- pletion of the stroke, yet without speeding the free and heavy type against the platen and without the consequent noise of concussion heretofore usual. In changing from the unfolding to parallel movement, the speed of the heavy type greatly decelerates, while the motion of the linkage as a whole is always accelerating.

Since the type at the percussion against the platen has a speed no greater than that of the free ends of said drive and'gnide links, its

' momentum is so little that the noise of percussion is much reduced, as compared with standard typewriter practice. But notwithstanding the slow motion and quiet percussion of the type upon the platen. it will he understood that the entire key-action is also suddenly arrested with the type, and the shock of percussion is therefore sutlicicnt to make a clear impression upon the paper through the usual ink-ribbon 44.

Moreover, the type-link and the links which carry it are soproportioned, formed and mounted that during the final step of the comthese v point. The end of each type li-nkage has a pleting portion of the type-stroke, the type may mechanically be given extra retardat on until its speed'is reduced to say one-third of the speed of the free ends of the drive and guide links, thereby still further quieting the percussion of the heavy type against the platen and consequently reducing the noise thereof, while the type-impression upon the paper is clear and efficient, due to the shock of arrest of the entire type-action and of the operators hand. The pivot 41 is finally caused to swing downwardly as well as rearwardly, while the pivot 40; is swingin in abouta level path, whereby the advanclng type-link 38 is independently turned in anti-clockwise direction or reversed on pivot 40, thereby retarding or decelerating the type 39 as it is appreaching and closing against the platen, thus further conducing to quietness of percussion, while giving an excellent type-impression. The linkage as a unit moves sub- 7 stantially faster than the type at the closing stage. Momentum of all the linkage members is conserved and utilized, as the percussion of the decelerated type is thecause of the sudden arrest of all parts and of the opera ators hand, whereby great efliciency of printing is secured with quiet percussion. Y

To secure sufiicient rigidity of the linkage for insuring clear impressions of the types, the drive. and guide links are made of considerable strength from stiff metal, such as steel, and are accurately and strongly pivoted and mounted; and the guide-links 31 canalso be guided at their top or free ends in a guidecomb 46, which is radially slotted on its under surface to receive said free ends, and is fixed upon the framework of the machine.

Also to secure excellence of type-impressions, the. type-blocks 39 (each with an upper and lower case type thereon) are soldered rigidly upon the free ends of the type-links '38. These links have on their free endsheadsv 47 upon which the types 39 are soldered. The types at the middle of the system are parallel with their linkages, but lie at increased angles thereto from the middle to the sides of the system. The apex of each angle is at about the printing point 20 of the machine, so as to secure firmness of type-impression and avoid offsetting of types from the bars and consequent lateral stress and tendency to twist the linkage, which throughout is sub stantially within the plane of its vibration, planes intersecting at the. printing gooseneck formation at 48, the head 47"l)ein formedupon the end of this goosene'ek. The below the printing point or'down from the type, and forms a guiding nib 49. These guiding nibs enter a common vertically slotted type-guide 50 which is fixed upon the framework and is located just below the printing point, whereby the type-linkages are guided against lateral 38. The constituent sides 38 dis lacementa The. types 39 are rigid upon sai type-links 38. The types are free of upand-down guidance, but the pivots of .the linkage are made with such accuracy and'stability as to insure the up-and-down alignment of the fixed types, I

The drive and guide links may each be formed of a single punching of sheet-steel; and the type-link 38 may be formed of folded thinner metal, the fold being indicated at of the typelink may be alike, 38 needs to have the gooseneck 48.,type head 47 and guide-nib 49'; or'the sides 38 may be ident cal, and welded together at their tips afterfolding, to form thick heads and nibs.

It will also be observed thatthe advantages of cushioning of the touch, quiet operation, ease and efliciency are obtained by means of a mechanism which has the merit of compactness, and which, moreover, is so contrived as to be capable of fitting into The system of radially moving members ex-- tends a great distance from the printing but only one of said sides point, and room ismade for it by placing the forwardly and rearwardly extending and the key-stems 11 form the front; the

segments ofthe type-system being confined between the members 13'and. the members 11. The pivots 14 of the key-levers are preferably a little higher than the level of the type-keys, which gives a slightly rearward .direction to the movement of the key, and

also gives clearance of the depressed key relatively to surrounding keys. Moreover, by "forming the key-levers in a- U or bellcrank shape, and pivoting them at their rear upper ends, there is permitted the use of a compact system of'draw-links 15, which at their rear ends may move forwardly and backwardly in parallel vertical planes, while; 120 at their front ends they may move forwardly} arcs about the pivots21 and backwardly in p of the radiating system of bell-cranks 19. Thus the parallel key-levers are practically connected to thedrive links 29 of the typelinkages by means of bell-cranks or intermediate levers 25 which are accommodated bars 12 of the key-levers compactly below both to the parallel key-levers and to the radiating'links 29.

The preferred connection is that of the returning spring 45 placed at a suitable point in the action. The cumbentpositions of the arms 25 give a compactarrangement of 25 and 15 just under the type-linkages, and permit the draw-links' loto work 'in planes-about parallel with parallel arms'13,

and not at-harsh angles to radiating arms 18, while the lineof pivots 16 may be at about the average height. of pivots 17, and

the width of the system of'arms 13 mayabout equal that of the system. of arms 18.

The usual operation of a leverage-decreasing device is that the type starts slowly and easily, and that as the key descends the speed of the type increases, bringing the type up to topspeed at the percussion. This produces a hammer-blow which is desirable, especially for manifolding; but it is noisy. In the new organization, the parts to be started in the operation are long and heavy,.

but the mass is brought into movement easily, and it is contrived not to incur the usual consequence, namely, the type is not persistently speeded up as ;has heretofore been done. On the contrary, the type is slowed down as it approaches close tothe platen, notwithstanding that the mass of linkage is itself speeded up throughout the printing [stroke and is going fastest at the moment the type contacts with the paper. Thus it is rendered practicable and useful to, employ a long and heavy linkage (which would otherwise be prohibitive), and to use two type-faces on a bar, and to swing the type from a point far distant from the printing point, and to speed u the linkage throughout the printing stro e, and to utilize the momentum of the operators hand in delivering the final impact of the type, as well as themomentum of the speeded-up linkage, but with the use of a decreasing speed of the type as it approaches close to the platen; this being found to avoid noise, while at the same time securing a very fine type-impression.

The pendent arms 13 of the key-levers may *tance from the free end of the drive-link to cludes a bell-crank 65 connected by a link 66 i to a rock-frame 67, which carries vertical vibrator 68 for the bichrome ribbon 44. At ts upper end, the vibrator 68 maybe guided by a guideway 70 provided upon the rear .of the t pe-guide The type-guide 50 may be Xed on the up er ends of arms 71 which extend upwardly rom the middle of a.

cross-bar 72 secured at its ends upon the side framework. a

It will also be'noted that the distance between the free ends of the drive and guide links may be substantially less than the dis the type, giving the type end of the linkage an accelerated unfolding movement during the first portion of the key-stroke,"and thereafter translating the type-link bodily rearwardly at less than the s eed of the free ends of the drive and guide links. The linkages are normally folded with the types facing downwardly at the rear of the guide-link fulcrums.-.. The free end of the drive-link is near the fulcrum or fixed pivot of the guidelink. Near the printing point the movement of the free end of the guide-link is rearwardly and downwardly relatively to the free end of the drive-link, tending to rock the haveproject1ons53 to operate a universal bar .54, pivoted at and having a pin 56 to operate an -arm57 pendent from the rocking frame 58 which :is usually provided in the Underwood typewriting machine for'operating the"do'g-rocker 59. By. this means is controlled the escapement wheel 60, having a pinion 61 meshing with a rack 62 on the usual carriage, upon which is mounted the vertically-shiftable platen 43. From the rocker 59 extends forwardly a horizontal reciprocating-frame 63, upon which is mounted the slotted actuator 64 of the Underwood bichrome-ribbon mechanism, which also intype-link forwardly about the free end of the drive-link, thus decelerating the type relatively to the rearwardly swinging free ends.

of the drive and guide links. The leveragechanging connections to the drive-link has maximum leverage on the linkage at the beginning of the printing stroke, and minimum leverage on the linkage at the completion of the printing stroke.

It will be perceived that the linkage secures high speed of the type from normal position, and thereby makes up for loss of speedwhen the type is nearing the platen. The high speed of type is secured by the unfolding of the linkage, the speed of unfolding being very great. After unfolding, the type proceeds to float slowly back towards the platen upon the links.

The linkage controls the speed of the type at the moment of impression and preserves the advanta e of ink-ribbons. The typelinkage avoids a heavy blow with its objectionable noise. A very slow approach of the type is secured as it is in the immediate vicinity of the platen, so as to avoid the noise and to secure the type-impression bymeans of the impetus of the mam portions of the type-linkage as well as of the key-connections and the hand of the operator. The type reaches the pa er and. is then subjected to great pressure rom such momentum as contradistinguished from a hammer-blow which is common in typewriters.

The type finally moves through a path which is radialto the laten-axis, or at right angles to the type-1i ting movement. The type-linkage is for this purpose first "opened or extended to its fullest possible limit, at which time the type reaches the level of the printing point, and then the linkage is so proportioned and; formed and located as to carry the type straight back horizontally and squarely against the platen. At this time the type-motion is further substantially decelerated, while the motion of the drive-link and guide-link is accelerated, together with the short arm of the type-link, the deceleration of the type being the final step by which is reached the main object of the invention. The type is moved very rapidly from normal position to a point close to the platen, and then its speed is substantially decelerated while'other parts of the linkage continue at top speed; thus quietness of operation is secured without substantial reduction of speed of operation of the machine.

In cutting down the speed of the type as it is close to the platen, the speed of the type is multiplied throughout the rest of the printing stroke much more than is the case in standard typewriting machines. Suflicient initial leverage can be provided for the key to give it an easy touch, although starting the type rapidly into action. The great leverage can be rapidly reduced, so as to avoid undue depth'of stroke of the key, and yet the type can be brought up to the vicinity of the printing point with sufficlent celerity to avoid cutting down the speed of operation of the keyboard. During unfolding of the typelinkage, the speed of the type is maximum, and after the linkage is unfolded the typelink is floated back on the other links at a very slow speed, compared with its unfoldin speed; and this slow speed is further su stantially reduced by forming, proportioning and locating the links to cause the type-link toretard or turn backwardly about its pivotal connection to the drive-link, so

that the type is substantially retarded andslowed down. 7

The type lifts from normal position to the level of the printing point, and then moves rearwardly at about right angles to the direction of its lifting movement, the path of which is radial to the axis of the platen. This rearward path is the same for all the types in the system, and hence it is practicable to make a center guide which willbe eflicient and thereby render it practicable to use this type of linkage for a typewritin .machine having two types on each linkage. oreover, by moving 1n this path, which is perpendicular to the platen-surface at the printing point, the types are enabled to, clear the typeguide. They rise in front of the type-guide, and then move backwardly thereover and squarely against-the platen. This makes it practicable to use a guide below the printing point, where it will not obscure vision of the typing, andto use a (pendent nib on the type-linkage to enter sai guide.

tem and the system of drive'links.

the drive-link 29 are in line with the printing point on the platen. While in this completely unfolded condition, the type has floated back slowly to the platen, and this slow motion being further retarded by the turning back of thetype-link upon the drivelink, as already explained.

As understood, the double-case types 39 are set at gradually increasing angles to their links 38 from the middle to the sides of the system, and each link has a guiding nib 49 extending vertically down from the type when it is printing, and the fixed lateral common guide (Figure 4*) is entered by said nibs just below the printing point. A movement-accelerating train extends forwardly from arm 13 to the drive link 29, said train including a transmitting link 15 and a sub-lever 25 pivoted upon the machine-frame and having a movement-accelerating engagement with the drive link, each sub-lever including a rearwardly extending arm engaging'the slot 27, and a downwardly extendingshort arm 18. The width of the sub-lever system is approximately equal to the width of the key-lever sys- The line of articulations 16 of the drive links is above the middle sub-lever articulations 17 and below the sub-levers at the sides of the system, and the links incline forwardly up and down according to the positions of the sublevers, Figure 2.

F gure 4 shows the notched guide for the type-nibs, the notch having widely flaring sides to give clearance to the nibs at the sides of the system. Thetype moves slowingat this point, so that a shallow guide-notch is sufficient. The goose-necks on the type-links at the sides of the system enable the links to clear the guide, the links standing in front of the shallow guide as the type is against the platen. A

At Figure 3, the key-action is shown by full lines inprinting position, and. by dotand-dash lines in normal position. The printing movement of one of the keys is shown dividedinto five equal parts; and the type 39 is-shown at corresponding positions by dot-and-dash lines. It will be seen that the type starts slowly, due to the extraordinary leverage obtained by, the use of the pin 26 and slot 27 in bell-crank 29. This leverion age rapidly decreases; and by the time that the key has made two-fifths of its stroke, the speed of the type is much increased. From this point'during the next two-fifths of the key-lever stroke, the movement of the type is extremely rapid. By this time the unfolding movement of the type-linkage is comis about to strike.

pleted, and the type is facing rearwardly, and

wardly to the point'of percussion, the typespced rapidly decelerates,3while the linkage as a unit is continually gathering speeds At Figure 2, the line of the articulation 16 of thelinks to the lever-arms 13 is above their'points of articulation 17 to the middle bell-cranks 25, but below the articulation 17 of the links to the'bell-cranks at the sides of the system. The bell-crank arms 18 may be made of various lengths, giving the keys substantially uniform depth of stroke. The

line of articulation 16 may be far beneath the key-lever pivot-bar 14, so as to secure ample vibration, and avoid raising the articulation 17 to a point-too close to the pivot 21 of the. bell-crank. v 7

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the preferred manner of mounting the segments 24, 33, 36 thatsupport the type-action system. The

segment 33, in which the driving links 29.are

pivoted, is seen from the front at Figure 6.

It has projections 73, whereby it may beattached to the'side members of the Underwood typewriter-framework 51 by screws 74. The base 75 of the segment 33 may have a flange 76 to which may be secured a springanchor-bar 77. The key-lever-fulcrum-rod 14 runs through a slotted bar 78, the levers working in the slots 78. Said bar isattached to segment 33 by screws 79. The combined segments 24 and 36 may be organized as shown in Figure .7. This structure may also includethe segment 82 which has the guide-slots 46. Arms 84 are attached tothe v typewriter-framework 51 by. screws 86.

' Figure 8 illustrates the manner of constructing the "type-links so ,thatthe several type-guiding nibs 49 may not interfere with tholgoose-neck portions 48 of adjacent'typelin s.

As shown in Figure 8, the gooseneck-por-.

tion of each type-bar may be bent sidewise at 90 to bring the center of the lower-case type into the centrallor working plane of the typebar. Another bend in the neck portion at 91 (coincident with the printing point) gives the proper inclination to the type-head, to make the upper-case type register with the upper-case printing polnt. Figure 8 is a developed plan View, showing particularly how the inclination of the type-heads from the type-bar proper variesm the'usual manner from a minimum inclination on the middle type-bars to a maximum inclination on the outer type-bars. In order to make the outermost angles as small as possible, the spacing From this' station 01 between adjacent type-bars is decreased as 'much as practicable throughout the system.

less than usual in the standard Underwood typewriter. T hereduction of this angle en- There is corretails a corresponding reduction iii the individual'inclinations of the type heads, and 0on sequently the upper-casetypes for the outermost type-bars do not need to be greatly offset.

The ribbon-vibrator 68 isof novel form designed to clear the type-linkages. It is a combination including some standard Underwood ribbon-vibrating elements.

per portion of theribbon-carrier 68 is of the The upsame form as the Underwood and works between the type-guide and the platen 43. The ribbon-carrier cannot be extended directly downward for connection with the usual Underwood ribbon-vibrating arnn' because in this case both thecarrier and arm would interfere with the type-bar movement. Hence the arm is shortened, and is connected by link 66 to another arm. 67* on along transverse ribbon-vibrating. rock-shaft 93. Said shaft- 93 is of such length that ribbon-vibratmg arms 67 at the endsthereof are outside the zone of type-bar movement. The shortened arm 65 and the arm 67 also clear said zone. The yoke-members 94 branchfrom 68. The

extensions 94 are formed to clear the typea bars, and are pivotally connected at their ends at 95 to the ribbon-vibrating arms 67.

In order that the'ribbon-carrier may follow the, case-shiftingof the three brackets 96 fastened to the rear of the The middleof said brackets has a "fulcrum for the lever 65. The upper arm of said lever 65 is of the Underwood form, having. the usual two wrists 98, selectively en aged by the usual actuating member.

I laten, the ribhon-vibrating rock-shaft '93 1s jou'rnaled in.i

10 front rod 97 of the usual platen-shift frame.

T he bichromeshifting means is of the type illustrated in Patent" 926,050, to F. A. Cook, June 22,1909.

The sides 38 of the type lmks 38 may be joined near the gooseneek'portions 48. a The sides may be joined directly or may be separated by spacers 87 and the joints may be secured by welding or riveting, Figures 1, 8.

Theroeke'rfbS carries a pair of arms 63 p'ivotedltheretoand extending forwardly and cured upon the cross bar 78 of the framework: This frame including the arms 63 and the aving fixedgon their forward ends a cross- 'bar 99, from which extends forwardly a. tongue 100- guided in a bracket 101-that is se- .celerating type-action,

cross-bar 99, operates the dog-rocker 59 by means of a tappet 102 on the cross-bar 99. The upright bracket 64, which vibrates the ribbon, is secured upon the same cross-bar 99.

Claims presented herein cover broadly type-linkages and ribbon-vibrating means disclosed in my co-pending applications Serial No. 36,594 filed June 12, 1925, Ser al N 0. 153,231 filed December 8, 1926, and Ser al No. 237,368 filed December 3, 1927, claims in said copending applications are limited to features not disclosed'in the present application.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements'may be used without others.

Having claim:

'1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen upon which the printing line is visible, and a center type-guide, of a system of folded radial noise-reducing typelinka es including a type-link rapidly unfoldable upwardly and then movable rearwardly slowly to the platen and capable of substantial manifolding, each linkage including a front guide-link and a rear; drive or main link, each pivoted on-the framework of the machine,-and a cross-link pivoted upon the free ends of said links; said cross-link resembling an elbow, at the free end of which is fixed a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, a systemof key levers extending below the type-bars, and connections between the key-levers and said drive-links, said connections including a system of sub-levers operatedby the key-levers and actuating the type-bars, said system of connections including automatic means for rapidly decreasing the-leverage of the keys on the type-linkages throughout at least the main portion of the printing strokes whereby each type-linkage is unfolded and brought easily and quickly up in front of said type? guide to striking position, and then rearwardly into the type-guide and against the platen, each cross-link being mounted upon the other links andall the links being formed, proportioned and located to effect a further slowing down of the type by means of a relative retarding swing of the cross-link upon the drive-link in a manner to efi'ect'a relative backward swing or retardation of the type-end of the elbow as it approaches close to the platen, whereby the speed of the type-end of the elbow greatly diminishes while said links continue in motion at-accelerl ating speed, to cushion the arrest of the operators hand and the momentum of the acconsidered as a unit, effecting a low-speed, forced, quiet impression of the type upon the platen or the paper thereon.

2. The combination with a platen, of a T he \thus described my invention, 1.

system of front-strikenoise-reducing typelinkages normally folded down and each at its unfolding operation swinging the type upat relatively high speed from normal p0- sition toapoint near the platen, the linkage including a drive-link, a guide-link, and a type-link, which, after unfolding, is floated at relatively slow speed in printing direction upon said drivev and guide links,,the printing movement of the type being-rearwardly at substantially a right angle to the unfolding movement, the type-link having upper and lower case types rigid thereon,

and keys for driving said type-linkages, each key connected to its type-linkage by a train,

, each train including means for substantially senting undue resistance to the finger while operating the key.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a. platen upon which the printing line is visible, type-linkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the plalenand capable of substantial manifolding, the type-linkages being arrested by the platen only, each linkage inof a system of folded radial cluding'a front guide-link and a rear drive or j inainlink, each pivoted on the framework of the machine, and a cross-link pivoted upon the free ends of said links; said cross-link re sembling an elbow, at the free end of which is fixed a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, a system of keylevers extending below the type-bars, and connections between the key-levers and said drive-links,said connections including a set of sub-levers radiating from said. drivelinks, and means connecting said sub-levers to backwardly and forwardly moving por tions of the key-levers, said drive-links having radially-slotted short arms oiahub-portions, and Paid sub-levers having pins engaging'said radial slots, so positioned and proportioned as to start the drive-links in operation at reduced speed and with great everage of the key upon the t. pe-linkage, greatly decreasing the leverage f portion of the key-stroke. said sub-levers type-linkages and at a out the level of the keyboard, and having forwardly and back wardly swinging portions connected to said or the main I sub-levers by links, the main portions of the key-levers extending under the type-bars, anal provided with keys at their forward en s. a

t. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of two-case type folded noise-reducing linkages to print on the visible side of the platen, each includmg a rear drive link and a front follower link, both links pivoted upon the machineframe, and'a type-carrier pivoted upon the free ends of both links and having an elbowextcnsion carrying the type, the latter rigidly fixed upon the free end of said elbow and resting at the rear of the system of linkages, keys in front of said linkages, and driving connections from said keys to said drive links,

to unfold them upwardly and'rearwardly, the types moving at relatively extreme speed upwardly to the vicinity of the printing point, and the'links and elbow then moving together rearwardly to carry the type at about right angles to its lifting movement and radially of the platen-axis, toimpress reducing linkages the type upon the platen,

said driving connections including means for giving the key an extremely great leverage upon said drive link at the beginning of the printing stroke, to start the linkage slowly in motion, and said leverage decreasing substantially throughout the remainder of the printing stroke, accelerating the speed of the drive link throughout substantially its entire stroke, said type-carrier being mounted on said links in a manner to substantially decelerate the type relatively to the free ends of tlie'drive and follower links at the approach of the type radially to the platen, the contact of the type with the platen serving to arrest the hand of the operator and the linkage, whereby the arrestedtype is subjected vto sufficient pressure tov make a clear impression upon the paper on the platen.

5. In a typewriting machine, tion with a platen and a center-type-guide, of a system of two-case type folded noiseto print on the visible side of the platen, each including a rear drive link and a front ftllower link, both links pivoted upon the machine-frame, and a type-carrier pivoted upon the-free ends ofboth links and having an elbow-extension carrying the type, the latter rigidly fixed upon the free end of said elbow and resting at the rear of the system of linkages, keys. driving connections from said keys to said drive links, to cause each of the types to move at relatively extreme speed upwardly in front of said typeguides to a point near the platen, and the links and elbow then to move together rearwardly to impress the type slowly against the platen, said driving connections including means for giving the key an extremely great leverage upon said drive link at the beginning of the printing stroke, to start the linkside of the platen,

the combinaage slowly in motion, and said leverage de creasing substantially throughout the remainder of the printing stroke, accelerating the speed of the drive link throughout substantially its entire stroke, said linkages beingradial to the printing point, the types setting at gradually increasing angles to the elbows from the middle to the sides of the system, each elbow having a guiding fin extending downwardly from the type, and a fixed lateral common guideentered by said guiding fins just below the printing point, said drive and follower links co-operative with saidelbow-link to float thety'pe rearwardly at slower speed than the free ends of said drive and follower links and atiabout right angles to the upward movement of the type fromnormal position, to enable the type to clear the type-guide and to drive the type squarely against the platen in a direction radial to the platen-axis.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system'of two-case type folded linkages to print on the visible each including a rear drive link and a front follower link, both links pivoted upon the machines-frame, and a type-carrier pivoted upon the free ends of both links and having an elbow-extension carrying the type, the latter rigidly fixed upon the free end of said elbow and resting at the rear of the system oflinkages, keys in front of said linkages, driving connections from said keys to said drive links, to. unfold them upwardly and rearwardly, the types moving at relatively extreme speed upwardly to a striking point, and the links and elbow then moving together rearwardly to slow the type and impress it upon the platen, driving connections including means for giving the key an extremely greatleverage upon said drive link at the beginning of the said i printing stroke, to start the linkage slowly in motion, and said leverage decreasing substantially. throughout the remainder of the printing stroke, accelerating the speed of the drive link throughout substantially its entire stroke,said types soldered upon sald elbows, said linkages being radial to the printing point, the types setting at gradual 1v increasing angles to the'elbows from the middle to the sides of the system, each elbow links, supporting the linkages dating the,

forcing of the types against the platen..

7. In a typewriting machine, thecombination witha platen upon which theprinti'ng line is visible, of a system of folded radial type-linkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the platen and capable of sub-\ stantial manifolding, the type-linkages be ng arrested by the platen only, each linkage including a front uide-link and a rear drive or main link, eac pivoted on the framework of the machine, and a cross-link ivoted upon the free ends of said links; sald crossslink resembling an elbow at the free end of which is fixed a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-hnk, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, keys in front of said type-linkage system, levers for said keys, each lever including a key-stem, a bar extending rearwardly beneath the type-linkages, and an arm extendingup in rear of the typelinkages from said bar and pivoted at its upper end, and "a connecting train extending forwardly from said arm to said drive link.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen upon which the printis visible, of a levers for said keys, key-stem, neath the type-linkages,'and an arm extend ing up in rear of the type-linkages from said ating ing line is visible, of a system of folded radial type-linkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the platen and capable of substantial manifolding, the type-linkages being arrested 'by the platen only, each linkage including a front guide-link anda rear drive or main link, each pivoted on the framework of the machine, and a crosslink pivoted up links; said cross-link resembling an elbow at the free end of which is fixed a lower and up-. per case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, keys in front of said. type-linkage system, each leverincluding a a bar extending rearwardly be bar and pivoted at its upper end, and a connecting train extending arm to said drive link, said connecting train including a transmittinglink, and also including a sub-lever pivoted upon the machine-frame and connected at one end to said drive engagement with the main guide-link of the type-linkage.

In a typewriting machine, the combina tion with a platen upon which-the, printing line system of foldedradial typelinkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the platen and capable of substantial manifolding, the type-linkages being arrested by the platen only, each linkage including a front guide-link and a rear drive or main link. each pivoted on the framework of the machine, and a cross-link pivoted upon the free ends of said links; said cross-link resembling an elbow at the free end of which is fixed a lower and upper case type-block rigid 1 with said cross-link, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, keys. in front of said typelinkage system, levers for said keys, each lever including a key-stem, a bar extending rearwardly beneaththe type-linkages, and an arm extending up in rear of the type-linkages from said bar and pivoted at its upper end,

slot in themain guide-l said sub-lever and engaging the outer end of squarely upon the on the free ends of said.

linkages from upper end, a connecting train extending forforwardly from-said link and having a movement-accelerand a connecting train extending forwardly from said arm to said drive link, said connecting train including a transmitting link, and also including a sub-lever pivoted upon the machine-frame and connected at one end to said drive link and having a movement-accelerating engagement with the main guide-link of the type-linkage, saidenga-gement including a substantially radial ink hub, and a pin' on said slot and moving towards the pivot of the I sub-lever during the printing stroke.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen upon which the printing ing rearwardly beneath the type-linkages,

and an arm extending up-in rear of the typesaid bar and pivoted at its wardly. from said arm-to said drive-link,

said connecting train including a transmit- "t'ing'link, and

also including a sub-lever pivoted upon the machine-frame and connected at one end to said drive-link and having a movement accelerating engagement with the main guide-link of the type-linkage, said engagement including a substantially radial slot in the main guide-linkhub, and 'a pin on said sub-lever and engaging the outer .end of saidslot and moving towards the pivot of the sub-lever during the printing stroke, said sub-levers radially mounted in the planes of the type-linkages, and each including a rearwardly-extending arm engaging the slot, and a downwardly-extendingshgrt arm pivoted to said driving link, springs for returningsaid linkages to normal positions. ribbon-vibrating means and carriage-feeding means universally engageahle by the rear arms of said key-levers. Y 11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a lplaten upon which'the printing line is visib e, of a system of folded radial type-linkages arrested by the platen only, each linkage including a front guide-link and a rear drive.

pivoted on the frame work or main link, each and a cross-link pivoted upon of the machine,

line is visible, of a system of folded radial a type-rest, the v movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the, platen and capable of substantial man1folding,the type-linkages being the free ends of said links; said cross-link resembling an elbow at the free end of which is 1 link and also having an operating arm opstantial manifolding,

arrested by the platen only, each linkage inting link,

7 at one eratively connected to said upright arm by a movement-transmitting device.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen 'ii'ponwvhich the printing line is visible, of a system of folded radial type-linkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the platen and capable of subthe type-linkages being cluding a front guide-link and a rear drive or main link, each pivoted on the framework of the machine, and a cross-link pivoted upon the free ends of said links; said cross-link resembling an elbow at the free end of which is fixed a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, keys in front of said type-linkage system, levers for said keys, each lever including a key-stem, a bar extending 'rearwardly beneath the type-linkages, and an arm extending up in rear of the typelinkages from said bar and pivot-ed at its upper end, and a connecting train extending forwardly from said arm to said drive-link, said connecting train including a transmitand also including a sub-lever piv oted upon the machine-frame and connected end to said drive-link and having a movement-accelerating engagement with the main guide-link of the type-linkage, said keylevers substantially parallel, said drive-links extending forwardly from said upwardly-extending, approximately parallel arms, and

said sub-levers working in substantially the same planes as their respectively associated linkages, the width of the sub-lever system being approximately equal to the width of the key-lever system and the system of drivelinks.

13. In a typewriting machine, the comhination with a platen upon which the printing line is visible, of asystem of folded radial type-linkages movable rcarwardly to strike squarely upon the platen and capable of substantial manifolding, the typc-linkages being arrested by the platen only, each linkage ill-- eluding a front guide-link and a rear drive or main link, each pivoted on the framework of the machine, and a cross-link pivoted upon the free ends of said links; said cross-link resembling an elbow at the free end of which is fixed a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a type-rest, the types facing downwardly, keys in front of said typedinkage system, levers for said keys, each lever including a key-stem, a bar extending 'rearwardly beneath the type-linkages, and an arm extending up in rear of the type-linkages from said bar and pivoted at its upper end, and a connecting trai'n extending forwardly from said arm to said drive-link, said connecting train including a transmitting link, and also including a sub-lever pivoted upon the machine-frame and connected at one end to said drive-link and having a movement-accelerating engagement with the main guide-link of the type-linkage, said key-lovers substantially para lel, said drive-links extending'forwardly from said upwardly-extending approximately parallel arms, and said sub-levers working in substantially the same planes as their respective associated linkages, the width of the sub-lever system being approximately equal-to the width of the key-lever system and the system of the drive-links, the line of articulation of the drive-links to the lever-arms being above the middle sub-levers and below the sub-levers at the sides of the system, and the links inclining forwardly up and down according to the positions of the sub-levers; the key-leversbeing pivoted on a horizontal transverse rod at their upper ends.

14. In a typ'ewriting machine, the combi nation with a platen, of a system of two-case type folded noise-reducing linkages to print 7 on the visible side of the platen, each includframe, anda" type-carrier pivoted upon the both links pivoted upon the machinefree ends of both links and having an elbowextension carrying the type. the latter rigidly fixed upon the free end of said elbow and resting at the rear of the system of linkages, and key-driven means for starting each type-linkage gradually into unfolding motion, and accelerating them to highest speed during the main portion of the key-stroke until unfolded. and then slowly floating the unfolded types towards the platen. said linkages being formed, proportioned and located to further decelerate the types sharply at their close approach to the platen, while the free ends of the drive and follower links continue at maximum speed, to utilize the momentum of the handof the operator. by causing the hand to be arrested by the engagement of the type with the platen, the shock of arresting the linkage and the hand being sut'ficient to impress the type clearly upon the paper on the platen.

15. 'lhe combination of a system otsubstantially parallel key-levers working in substantially vertical planes and having at their forward ends key-bearing stems, and extendmg rearwardly from the keyboard, and having at their rear ends"upwardly-extending arms pivot-ed substantially in a horizontal at their rear ends to the upstanding arms and 130 ing point an said guide-link, a

and also having rearWardly-extending drivearms, said forwardly-extending links being approximately parallel with the working planes of the key-levers and also approximately lying in the planes of their respective bell-cranks .or sub-levers, a system of rearwardly-striking, squarely-striking type-linkages radiating substantially from the printlinks pivoted at their outer ends upon the framework of the machine in an arc substantially concentric with the printing point and below the same and above said bell-c'nanks, said drive-links having radially-slotted drive-arms radiatin outwardly from their pivots and engaged y drive-pins on the outer ends of the long arms of said bell-cranks in a manner to give extraordinary leverage of the keys upon the type-linkages at the beginning of the key-stroke'and to decrease the leverage of the keys upon the to subnormal near or at the end of the printing stroke, each linkage also comprising a radiating guidelink pivoted at its outer end upon the machine-frame and forward of said drive-link, and a type-bearing link having its type rigid therewith and including upper and lower case type-faces, said type-link. pivoted upon the free ends of said driveflink and triangle being formed by the pivots and the type-end of the type-link, the linkages normally folded down below the printing point-and in rear of the drive-links with the types below the free ends of the drive and guide links, said types having pendent guide-tongues means below the printing point engageable by said tongues, the type-links at the sides of the system overlying said guide when standing at the printing point, the types at the sides of the middle of the system forming various angles with the type-linkages, and being guided only laterally by the center guide, and means for guiding the free ends of the guide-links.

16. Asystem of type-actions including folded noise-reducing type-linkages, each linkage having a drive-link. a guide-link, and a type .link, a system of keys, and leverage-decreasing connections from the keys to the typelinkages; the distance between the free ends 7 ends of the driveiand guide including main drive guiding type-linkages type.

and fixed guidingof the drive and guide linksbeing substantially less than the distance from the free end of the drive-link 'to the type, thereby giving the type-end of the linkage an accelerated unfoldingv movement during the main portion of the key-stroke, and, thereafter translating the type-link bodily rearwardly in a direction radial to the platen-axis, the type normally facing. downwardly at the rear of the guide-link fulcrum, the free end of the drive-link being near the fulcrum or fixed pivot of the guide-link; said guide-link, after unfolding, swinging at its free end rearwardly and downwardly relatively to the free end of the drive-link, to rock the floating typelink, forwardly about the free end of the drive-link, and thereby deceleratethe type relativelyto the rearwardly-swinging free links; the leverage-changing connections to the drive-link having maximum leverage on the linkage at Y the beginning of the printing stroke, and minimum leverage on the linkage at the completion of the printing stroke.

17. A system of type-linkages each including a drive link, a follower link, a type-link mounted on said links, said type-link formed of plates or laminations-enfolding the other links, one lamination being prolonged to form a neck and a head, and a twO-case type fastened upon said head, the neck-portion of each of substantially all of the type-bars being bent sidewise to bring the center of the lower-case type substantially into the work-j ing plane of the type-bar, said neck having another bend to give the proper angle to the 18. In a typewriting machine, for use with an ink-ribbon, the combination with a platen and a center-type-guide, of a system of normally-folded radial noise-reducing type-linkages movable rearwa'rdly against the front of the platen, each linkage including an upstanding front guide-link and a forwardlyextending cumbent rear drive or main link, each of saidlinks pivoted to'the framework of the machine, and a cross-link normally extending downwardly from the front link and pivoted at its lower portion to the forward end of the drive-link, said cross-link having an elbow normally extending rearwardly and having upon its-rear end a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a system of keys, and key-driven trains extending to said type-linkages and including a system of sub-levers, means being provided in each train to co-operate with the sub-lever for rapidly decreasing the leverage of the key upon the type-linkage while rapidly unfolding the latter, the linkage being completely unfolded at type-impressing position, with the twopivots of the drive-link substantially in line with the printing point working in said the type squarely against the platen and for enagling the type to clear the center-typegui e.

19. A system of type-linkages as set forth in claim 18, in which each guide link is mounted so that its free end dips downwardly and rearwardly sufficiently to retard the type end of the elbow relatively to the free end of the drive-link as the type is approaching the platen in said radial path, to effect substantial diminution ofthe speed of the type end of the elbow while said drive-link completes its "printing stroke at maximum speed, together with the guide-link, for utilizing the arrest of the operators hand and of the linkage, to deliver a low'speed, forced, quiet impression of the type upon the platen.

20. A system of type-linkages as set forth in claim 18, in which the sub-levers are pivoted upon the framework, and each forms one member of a leverage-reducing element. 21. In a typewriting machine, for use with an ink-ribbon, the combination with a platen, of a system of normally folded radial noisereducingtype-linkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the platen, each linkage including a front upstanding guide-link and a rear, cumbent, forwardly extending drive-link, each of said links pivotedupon the framework of the machine, and a crosslink connecting the three ends of saidlink, said cross-link having a rearWardly-extending elbow carrying upper and lower case types, a system of keys, and a system of connectingtrainsto enable said keys to drive said linkages, said trains including a system of sub-levers working in radial planes corresponding with the radial planes of said drive-links, and means being provided in said connecting trains for rapidly decreasing the leverage of the keys upon the linkages throughout the principal portions ofthe type-driving strokes of the cys- QQ. A type-operating mechanism as set forth in claim 21, having the radial sub-i levers pivoted at their forward ends and er;- tendingrearwardly, said drive-links having radial'slots and said sub-levers having pins slots and swinging nearly towards the pivots of said drive-links, to effect rapid decrease in the leverage of each key upon the type-linkage throughout nearly all of the printing stroke.

Q3. In a typewriting machine, for use with an ink-ribbon, the combination with a platen,

of a system of normally-folded radial noisereducing type-linkages movable rcarwardly to strike upon the platen, each linkage including a front upstanding guide-link and a rear, cumbent, forwardly-extending drive-link, each of said links pivoted upon the framework of the machine, and a cross-link con-- necting the three ends of said link, said cross link having a rearwardly-extending elbow carrying upper and lower case types, a sys keys, and also have arms extending'up in' rear of thelinkages, and links extending forwardly from said rear arms and connected at their forward ends to said sublevers,

25. In a typewriting machine, for use with an ink-ribbon, the combination with a platen, of a system of folded radial noise-reducing type-linkages movable rearwardly to strike squarely upon the platen, each linkage including a guide-link and a drive-link, and a crosslink connecting the three ends of said link,

said cross-link having an, elbow carrying types, a system. of ll-shaped key-levers extending forwardly under said linka es and having stems carrying the keys, and a so having arms extending up in rear of the linkages, and means operated by said rear arms to operate said type-linkages, and a carriagefeeding universal bar also operated by said rear arms of said key-levers.

26. in a typewriting machine, for with an inlrmibbon, the combination with a platen, of a s stem of normally-folded radial noise reducing type-linkages movable rearwardly against the front of the platen, each linkage including an upstandingfront guidedink and a forwardly-extending cumbent rear drive or main link, each of said links pivoted link normally extending downwardly from the front link and pivoted at its lower portion to the forward end of the drive-link, said cross-link having an elbow normally extending rearwardly and having upon its rear end a lower and upper case type-block rigid with said cross-link, a system 'of keys, key-driven trains extending to said type-linkages, a center guide for said. types, and a guide-comb engaging the linkages near the articulations of the guide-links to the typedinks 27. In a front--strike typev'vriting machine, the combination with a platen, ofa system of folded pivotal type-actions including fcumhent carriers having types on their rear ends below the platen and facingdownwardly, each carrier having a plurality oftypes, forward and rear arms upon which each type-carrier is pivoted at its front, the forward arm upstanding and the rear arm cumbent, both arms pivoted to the framework, and fixed radial latto the framework of the machine, and a crosseral guides for the upper portions of the forward arms, in proximity to said carriers to guide the latter laterally.

28. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of pivotal type-actions including cumbent carriers having types on their rear ends below the platen and facing downwardly, each carrier having a plurality of types, forward and rear arms upon which each type-carrier is pivoted at its front, the forward arm upstanding and the rear arm cumbent, both arms pivoted to the framework, and fixed lateral guides for the type-carriers at their articulations to the front arms.

29. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of pivotal type-actions including cumbent carriers having types on their rear endsbelow the platen and facing downwardly, and forward and rear arms of substantially equal length upon which each type-carrier is pivoted at its front in non-parallel relation, said arms set to tip the type-carrier and thereby decelerate the movement of the type at the terminal portion of its printing stroke against the platen without changing the speed of the type-carrier at its point of pivoting to the rear arm which carries it.

30. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of pivotal type-actions including cumbent carriers having types on their rear ends below the platen and facing downwardly, each carrier having a plurality of types, forward and rear arms upon which each type-carrier is pivoted at its front, the forward arm upstanding and the rear arm cumbent, both arms pivoted to the framework, the carrier and the rear arm in their printing strokes first turning to upright positions and the-carrier then floating rearwardly upon said arms, operating means, and a lateral type-guide having opposite flaring jaws extending up to the printing line and fitting lower ends.

' 31. The combination ofa segmental frame, slotted segments thereon, sets of arms pivotally mounted in said segments, a set of typecarriers pivoted upon said sets of arms, and a platen against the front side of which said type-carriers strike, a guide being provided upon said segments at the upper ends of the arms in one set. x

32. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a center type-guide, a system of folded pivotal typelinkages including cumbent carriers having types on their rear ends below the platen and facing downwardly, each type-carrier having a plurality of types thereon, and forward and rear arms on which each type-carrieris pivoted at its front, the forward arm upstanding and the rear-arm cumbent, both arms so pivoted to the framework and so to and guiding the types by theirproportioned that the carrier' in its printing stroke first completely unfolds, andthen floats rearwardly upon said arms, the type for a substantial distance moving perpendicularly to the platen in said center guide after the complete unfolding of the type-bar.

33. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a center type-guide, a system of'folded pivotal typelinkages'including cumbent carriers having types on their rear ends below the platen and facing downwardly, each type-carrier having a plurality of types thereon, forward and rear arms on which each type-carrier is pivoted at its front, the forward arm upstanding and the rear arm cumbent, both arms so pivoted to the framework and so proportioned that the carrier in its printing stroke first completely unfolds, and then floats rearwardly upon said arms, the type for a substantial distance moving perpendicularly to the platen in said center guide after the complete unfolding of the type-bar, and fixed radial lateral guides for said linkages between the platen and the lower pivotal points of said forward and rear arms, said guiding means in proximity to said type-carrier, to insure the type being directed into said central type-guide.

34. In a front-strike typewriting machine. the combination with a platen, of a system of pivotal type-linkages normally folded, each linkage including a cumbent carrier having a plurality of types on its rear end below the platen and facing downwardly, and forward and rear arms articulated to the framework and upon which each type-carrier is pivoted at its front in folded relation, said type-carrier'movable on said arms to completely unfolded position, the types upon all of the linkages, after unfolding, moving in a common path perpendicularly to the platen. said arms in each linkage being connected to the type-carrier in a manner to tip the typecarrier as it approaches the platen to carry its front pivot downwardly relatively to its rear pivot. to retard the type as it moves through said common path to the platen.

35. In a front-strike typewriting machine. the combination with a platen, of a system of folded pivotal type-linkages including cumbent carriers having types on their rear ends below the platen and facing downwardly, each carrier having a plurality of types, forward and rear arms upon which each typecarrier is pivoted at its front, the forward arm upstanding and the rear arm cumbent, both arms pivoted to the framework, the carrier and the rear arm in their printing strokes first fully unfolding to upright positions and the carrier then floating rearwardly upon said arms through a common path perpendicularly to the platen, and operating means; said front arm mounted and proportioned to tip the unfolded carrier forwardly bows forming carriers type-carriers,

= types to the 36. In a front-strike typewriting machine,

the combination with a platen and an inking ribbon, of a system of type-heads having types tostrike upon the frontof the platen, said types normally facing downwardly, each type-head havinga plurality of types thereon, a system of normally folded swinging elupon whose free ends said type-heads are fixed, and swinging arms supporting and operating said elbows to unfold the same rapidly and then move the types slowly against the platen in a path vertical to the platen, said path being common to all the said armsformed and mounted to tip 'said elbows "forwardly about their pivots in the opposite direction from the printing movements of the types, while moving in said common path vertically to the platen, to effect a deceleration of t e types relatively to said arms, to cause the types to make quiet impacts upon the platen ofsuflicient force to make clear impressions through the ribbon upon. the work-sheet, each elbow having a relatively long arm carrying the and a relatively short' angular arm pivoted to said swinging arms.

37. In a typewriting machine, the combination witha platen, of a system of front-strike type-linkages, each carrying a plurality of types normally facing downwardly, each typelinkage including a pair of pivotally supported arms pivoted at their outer ends to the framework and connected at their inner or upper ends by means of a type-carrier of elbow form normally folded, the type-carrier being pivotally mounted, and first completely unfolded to carry the type rapidly to the vicinity of the printing point, and then floated rearwardly onsaid arms in a common path relatively to the platen while the linkage as a whole is traveling at maximum speed and the type is t aveling at minimum speed.

38. in a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, of a system of frontstrilte type-linkages; each carrying a plurality or types normally facing dowwardly,

supported arms pivoted at their outer ends framework and connected at their inner or upper ends by 7 cans of a type-carrier of elbow iiorm normally folded, the type-can rier being 'pivotally mounted and first completely unfolded to carry the type rapidly to the vicinity of the printing point, and then floated rearwardly on said'arms in a common path relatively to the platen, and aset of radial guides for laterally guiding the linkages about midway between the printing each. typelinlrage inclu'ing a pair of pivotally point and points of articulation of said arms to the framework.

39. In a front-strike typewriting machine using a ribbon, thecombination with a series of radially-arrayed ty e-bars of the character described, of ribh nism including an actuating member located behind and substantially cen'tralof the radial array of type-bars, a ribbon-carrier, and means connecting said ribbon-carrier to said actuating means, Silld connecting means including arock-sha ft with arms at each end outside the zone of type-bar movement, said ribbon-carrier having yoke-like extensions;

connected to said arms and designed to clear said -zone. v

40. In a front-strike typewriting machine, having a shiftable platen and using a ribbon, the combination with a series of radiallyarrayed type'bars of the character described and means movable to shift said platen, of

on-vibrating mecharibbon-vibrating mechanism including an actuating member located behind and substantially central of the radial array of type-bars, a ribbon-carrier having a central ribbon-carrying portion overlying a the type-bars must move to print, and means connecting said ribbon-carrier to said actuating means, said connecting means including a rock-shaft movable with the movable platen-shitting ing arms at each end outside the zone of typebar movement, said ribbon-carrier having yoke-like extensions rom its ribbon-carrying portion, said extensions connected to said arms and designed to clear said zone.

means, said rock-shaft hall-- zone through which 41. In a front-strike typewritingmachine having a platen, the combination with a se ries of radially-arrayed type-bars having type-heads rising from a retracted position to printing position along an upward, forward and rearward dicated, of a ribbon-carrier having a portion adjacent the printing point aroun which the ribbon is threaded, said ribbon-carrier having lateral extensions to clear the zone in which the type bars move, and means,

connected to said extensions, for vibrating path substantially as in said ribbon-carrier to present the ribbon at the printing-point at each type-bar operation to print.

4-2. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a series of radially-arrayedfolded type-bars of the character described, said type-bars rising bodily from a normally-cumbent folded position to an unfolded osition to print at a single printing point 0 a vibratory ribbon-carrier, and ribbon-vihrating means co-operating with said ribbon-carrier, said ribbon-carrier being extended laterally for connection to said ribhon-vibrating means, so as to clear the zone in which said type-bars move as aforesaid.

43. In a front-strike typewriting machine, the combination with a platen, va system of

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