US1968100A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

July 3l, 1934. C, E SMITH 1,968,100.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1931 Patented July 3l, 1934y PATENT OFFICE TYPEWRITING MACHINE Charles E. Smith, Elmhurst, N. Y., assignor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 15, 1931, Serial No. 557,239 si claims. (ci. 1er-19s) 'Ihis invention relates primarily to a keyboardpractice device, and to means for selectively preventing the operation of some of the keys of a typewriter, for purposes of practice.

5 It is found, in. giving pupils practice in the method of operating the keys by touch alone, from memory, Without looking at them, that many wrong keys are struck which fault necessitates close supervision by the instructor, and

Waste of much time and paper.

One of the main features of this invention relates to means for preventing the pupil from operating any keys except those which are used in writing the word upon which he is practicing.

In carrying out the invention in one form, all the keys may be locked against typing movement, except the keys which must be used by the pupil.

The device is adaptable to existing machines, such, for instance, as the Underwood, and is illustrated in its preferred form.

The desired keys may be operated and a lock may thereupon be moved to position to lock all the remaining keys against actuation.

At any time the locked keys may be simultaneously released; and then keys may be manipulated for another practice-word or set of words, and all remaining keys may be locked, and so on.

lIn this way the pupil is barred from operating a wrong key, many errors are avoided, waste of time and paper is reduced, and very much less attention ls required from the teacher. The pupil makes quicker progress, as he is made conscious of striking a wrong key.

Type-bars of the typewriter are usually operated by key-trains, and the present invention can be applied to various portions of each keytrain. The train usually includes a bell-crank having an arm that is depressed by the key-lever,

'40 and also has an upstanding arm that operates the type-bar. According to the preferred form of the present invention, there is added to the machine a row of tumblers. These tumblers may occupy positions of disuse during regular operation of the machine, but whenever it is desired to use the machine for practice, the tumblers can be used as practice-auxiliaries for the keytrains. The tumblers form a transverse row under the lower arms of the usual row of bellcranks; and by the use of a suitable sweep the tumblers may all be swung up into the paths of the bell-cranks, so that no bell-crank can be operated without striking down a tumbler. The tumblers are all supported by friction devices,

so that every tumbler will remain either up or down.

It will now be perceived that by operating a selection of a few keys, there may be struck down a number of tumblers, to press them out of the paths of the selected key-trains, while the remaining tumblers will remain standing in the paths of their respective key-trains. Now by means of a locking bar, said remaining tumblers are all locked against motion, s'o that they be- 65 come able to prevent the operation of their aS- sociated key-trains. It results that no keytrain can be operated, except those which were selected by means of depressing the desired keys. These selected tumblers are locked in depressed positions, out of the paths of the bell-cranks. The selected keys may hence be operated freely, thus giving the pupil the opportunity of typing a given word, or a given phrase, while any attempt by the pupil to operate any other key will be found unsuccessful.

In carrying out the invention in one way, the locking device may also be used to lockall the keys when the machine is not in use, and when used for this purpose it may be locked by means 30 of a private pocket-key, so that unauthorized users' cannot operate the machine.

The same pocket-key may be furthermore used to lock the locking device itself either in its operative position in order to prevent the pupils 35 from manipulating it after its setting bythe teacher, or in its idle or neutral position in order to prevent unauthorized use of the device by the pupils themselves when they have to pr'actice without it for gaging their progress.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional end-view of an Underwood typewriter having the device ofthe invention applied thereto, and showing said device in its preparatory position, ready for selecting the. keys to be left operative. Y

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same typewriter with the locking device of the invention in operative position for all keys except the selected ones.

Figure 3 is a sectional top-view corresponding to Figure 2.

Figure 4 is .a simplied sectional end-.view showing the idle position into which the locking device is automaticallybrought by the depression of the rst selected key.

Figure 5 is a sectional end-view showing the locking device in operative position.

Figures 6 and 7 show, in unlocked and locked positions respectively, an auxiliary lock controlled by a pocket-key owned by the teacher alone, to secure the device of the invention against unauthorized use.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a. part of said auxiliary lock.

Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figures 1 and 5 respectively, showing the locking device of the invention adapted to another style of Underwood typewriter.

In the first embodiment (Figures 1 to 7), the invention comprises a row of individual pivoting tumblers 13, one for each key-train of the machine. All these tumblers 13 may be simultaneously brought into the path of motion of usual bell-crank levers 15, which connect keylevers 16 to type-bars 17, by means of a combined rockuig U-shaped restoring and locking bar 11, carrying a handle 10 and eccentrically hinged at 12.

When these tumblers or bolts 13 and the locking bar are in this preparatory position (shown in Figure 1), depression of a type-key 18 is possible and causes its key-lever 16 to swing about a fulcrum 19 and to operate through a pin-andslot connection 20 the corresponding bell-crank lever 15, which, in turn, througha link 21 swings a type-bar 17 to type against a platen 22. At the same time said bell-crank lever 15 depresses its respective tumbler or bolt 13 and swings the latter to an ineffective position about a xed shaft 14, upon which it is frictionally mounted.

Said bolt 13, being the rst one to be set to its ineifective position, engages the lower edge of the locking bar 11 and swings it to an intermediate position shown in Figure 4 (hereinafter designated the idle or neutral position).

The operator may select any other type-keys 18 which it is desired to use by merely depressing the corresponding keys 18, to rock their bellcranks 15, and thereby cause their respective bolts or tumblers 13 to be moved out of the path of said bell-cranks.

By means of the handle 10 the locking bar 11 may now be swung further in the same direction (Figures 2, 3 and 5), to bring the upper edge of the locking bar 11 over the bolts 13 of the selected letters and in abutting relation with the free ends of the other bolts 13, held by friction in the path of the bell-crank levers l5 of all the remaining letters. In this position, the locking bar 11 acts therefore as a common stop holding all the bolts 13 corresponding to the nonselected keys 18 in their locking'or operative position and all the depressed bolts 13 of the selected keys in their idle position. Depression of any one of the non-selected keys is thus stopped as soon as the corresponding bell-crank lever 15 meets the bolt 13, steadfastly held in its path by the bail 11. The handle 10 is secured on the right-hand end of the U-shaped controlling bail 11. This bail is eccentrically hinged at 12 to a pair of brackets 23, 24, secured to the frame 25 of an Underwood Portable typewriter by means of screws 26, used at the same time for fastening a comb-plate 27. The hinge 12 is arranged inside the bail 11, openings 28, 29 being provided in the wall thereof for the insertion of two ears 30, 31 of the brackets 23, 24. These parts 28, 29, 30 and 31 co-operate together to limit the angular displacement of the bail 11 in both directions. The right-hand pivot of the bail lllhas an extension '33, aligned with which there is a tongue 32 formed within the opening 29 of said bail, said extension and tongue retaining a spring 34 pressing a washer 35, keyed 'to the extension 33, against one side of the ear 3l and drawing the side of the opening 29 against the other side of said ear. The bail 11 is thus held frictionally in any of its adjusted positions.

The fixed shaft 14 of the bolts 13 is carried by a pair of brackets 36, and is fastened thereto by means of two screws 37. The brackets 36, as well as a cross-bar l 38, serving as bearing for the bellcranks l5, are fastened by two pairs of screws 39 to a pair of flanges 40, projecting horizontally and inwardly from the side-plates of the frame 25.

The pivoting bolts 13 are kept apart and are located in the vertical planes of the bell-crank levers 15 by means of tie-rings 41 looselv mounted on the shaft 14.

In order to prevent the bolts 13 from being spontaneously swung by gravity, a lateral pressure is applied on these bolts through the rings 4l by means of two springs 42, reacting against the brackets 36 and pressing the bolts 13 and the rings 41 together. The rings 41 are held against rotation on the shaft 14 by means of notches 43 engaging a rod 44, retained in the brackets 36 behind the shaft 14. At certain intervals the shaft 14 and said rod 44 may be tied together by braces 45 secured thereto by set-screws 46. In that case at least one additional spring 42 is inserted between each pair of successive braces 45, the additional spring replacing a ring 41.

The bail l1 extends over the entire span of the key-levers and beyond the frame 25 to carry the handle 10. Said bail is provided near its handlecarrying end with a nose 47 co-operating with a swinging latch 48 which allows the locking of the bail 11 in each of its three diiferent angular positions of operation by means of a pocket-key 49. This key 49 may be inserted in the slot 50 of a lock-barrel 51 journaled in an inverted U-shaped bracket 52 fastened to the frame 25 by screws 53.

When the key 49 is turned 90 in clockwise direction from its neutral position shown in Figure 1 into its unlocking position shown in Figure 6, its bit 54 swings a bell-crank lever 55, pivotally mounted on the collar of a screw 56, against the action of a spring 57, thereby releasing a lug 58, projecting from the upper arm 59 of the swinging latch 48, from the locking action of the free end of the lower arm of said bell-crank. The latch 48 is then swung in'counterclockwise direction about its pivot 60 by a. return spring 6l out of the way of the nose 47.

When the key is further turned in either direction 180, from the position shown in Figure 6 into the position of Figure '7, the bit 54 first releases the bell-crank 55, which is then held against rotation only by the lug 58, and afterwards swings the latch 48 in clockwise direction into its operative position, i. e., in the way of the nose 47 as shown in Figure 7. The bell-crank 55 is thus fully released, and, under the action of its spring 57, swings in clockwise direction until its upper arm abuts against the hub of the barv rel 51. Then its lower arm, in co-operation with the lug 58, locks the latch 48 independently of the key 49, which may be then turned 90 in clockwise direction and withdrawn withou't affecting the operative position of either the latch 48 or the bellcrank lever 55. Unauthorized access to the moving parts of the tumbler-lock thus formed is prevented by means of a cover 62 secured to the frame 25 and provided with a circular opening 63 f or the passage of the key 49.

In order that the latch 48 may lock the bail 11 in each of its three angular positions of operation, its Iower end has the shape of a wrenchhead andgpresents a front jaw or lug 64 for locking the bail in its preparative position (Figure 1), in case it is desired to lock the keyboardagainst all operation, a middle socket 65 for locking the bail in its intermediate, idle or neutral-position (Figure 4), and a rear jaw or lug 66 for locking therbail in its operative position (Figures 2, 3 and"` by means of an individual shifting bolt '71, each bolt being provide ith a pin '72 at its free end and with a catching nose` or tooth '73, at its opposite end. The pin '72 projects in front. of said long arm '70 and in the path thereof.

Operation of a handle '74 in counterclockwise direction swings a controlling bail 75, fixed to a shaft 83, to the preparative Aposition shown in Figure 9, and thereby causes the cross-bar '76 of the bail '75 to swing a series of links '7'7 carrying the toothed ends of the bolts 'Zlin clockwise direction about a shaft '78. This swinging movement of the links '7'7 shifts the bolts '71 towards the rear of the machine, and positions the pins 72 against the long arms '70 of the bell-cranks 15. These bolts are guided in this movement between a lower comb-bar '79 and guide-arms projecting between the long arms '70 of the bell-cranks 15 from an upper bar 81.

The upper edge of the bolt '71 has the arcuate portion seen in Figures 9 and 10, said portion being generated by the end of the arm 80 as said bolt, moving over the bar '79, is also rocked by reason of the swinging of its rear end about the shaft '78.

'I'he depression of the first selectedA key will thus automatically bring the bail '75 to its intermediate neutral position, as the long arm '70 of the bell-crank 15 shifts the corresponding boltv '71 toward the front of the machine. In this position a common catch or universal barv 82, carried by the bail '75, has'its active edge slightly below the catching nose or tooth '73 Aof the bolts '71 still frictionally held in their rear position by friction means similar to the parts 41 to 46 of the preceding embodiment..

As the common catch 82 is thus still out of the way of all these bolts '71, as many key-levers as desired may be selected to be left unlocked merely by depressing their keys once, each keyoperation effecting the forward shift of a c orresponding bolt 7l, as long as the bail '75 stays in its neutral position.`

To lock simultaneously all the non-selected keys 18, the handle 74 is rotated further in clockwise direction until the bail '75 meets a stop 84, thereby lifting the common catch 82 in the path of the noses rI3 of the bolts '71 of the non-selected keys 18. Thus operation of these vnon-selected keys is positively prevented by the locked bolts '7l shown in partly dotted outline in Figure 10, while the unlocked bolts '7l of the selected keys (shown in full line, Figure 10) do not interfere with the operation of said keys. The friction means 85, the shafts '78 and 83 and the guidebars '79, 81 are carried by two end-brackets 86 fastened to the bell-crank` bearing-bar 87 by means of scrws 88, which hold also the ribbonfeed-shaft 89 in position. In both embodiments,

all-the keys .18 are simultaneously released when the handle of the locking device is swung again Ain its unlocking direction as far as it will go,

while at'the same time the locking device is restored to its preparative position, ready for a resetting of the machine foranother practiceword or set of words.

` It will be noted/'that in both embodiments the two types 90v carried by each type-bar 1'7 are locked against actuation when the corresponding bell-crank lever 15y is locked, that is vto say, the locking device is effectivev in any case-shift adjustment of the typewriter.

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

Having thus described my invention,

1. In a typewriting machine. having key-train a selective tumbler-lock to prevent the operation of certain of these key-trains, comprising in combination with the bell-crank levers of said keytrains, an individual tumbler for each yof saidA 'key-trains mounted in the plane of motion of the corresponding bell-crank lever, and common `or universal locking means manipulated in connection with the operation of selected keytrains, in order rst to bring all said tumblers to their operative position, then to bring the tumblers of these selected key-trains to their idle ,or neutral position, and finally to lock all the remaining tumblers in their operative position;

2. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Portable typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the type-keys and the bell-cranks of the key-trains of this machine, a row of pivoting tumblers arranged in the vertical planes of motion of said bell-cranks, and a common or universal rockbar co-operating with said tumblers and said type-keys, so as to selectively leave certain of said type-keys operative, and lock all the others against actuation.

3. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock speciallyr adaptable to an Underwood Portable typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the frame, the type-keys and the bell-cranks of the key-trainsv of this machine, a row of pivoting tumblers frictionally mounted on a fixed shaft carried by said frame and arranged in the vertical planes of motion of said bell-cranks,` and a manually-operated universal U-shaped rockbar, eccentrically hinged to s aid frame and cooperating with said tumblers and said type-keys so as to selectively leave certain of said typekeys operative, and lock all the others against actuation.

4. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Portable typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the frame, the type-keys, the comb-plate and the bell-cranks of the key-trains of this machine, a row of pawl-shaped pivoting tumblers frictionally mounted on a fixed shaft carried by endlanges of said frame, a series of tie-rings between said tumblers holding them in the vertical planes of motion of said bell-cranks, means for preventing rotation of said rings, pressure-means for yieldingly pressing said tumblers and said rings together, a manually-operated universal U-shaped `rock-bar provided with an, opening at each end and co-operating with said tumblers and said type-keys so as to` selectively leave certain ofsaid type-keys operative and 4lock all the others against actuation, a pair of brackets secured with .said comb-plate to said frame by the 15G- same fastening means and provided with pincarrying ears projecting within said openings, pivots projecting from said rock-bar into said openings and cgi-operating with the pins'of said ears so as to form an eccentric hinge for said bar, and a spring on one of said pivots and the opposite pin for pressing said bar against one of these ears, said openings and ears cooperating so as to limit the rotation of said rock-bar in both directions. i

5. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Portable typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the frame, the type-keys and the bell-cranks of the key-trains of this machine, a row of pivoting tumblers frictionally mounted on a, fixed shaft carried by said frame and arranged in the vertical planes of motion of said bell-cranks, a manually-operated universal U-shaped controlling rock-bar for said tumblers eccentrically hinged to said frame and provided at one end with a nose, a rocking latch co-operating with said nose to lock, when desired, said rock-bar in each of its angular positions of operation, and a pocket-key actuated lock for operating said latch.

6. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Portable typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the frame, the type-keys and the 'bell-cranks of the key-trains of this machine, a row of pivoting tumblers frictionally mounted on a xed shaft carried by said frame and arranged in the vertical planes of motion of said bell-cranks, a manually-operated universal U-shaped controlling rock-bar for said tumblers eccentrically hinged to said frame and provided at one end with a nose, a rocking latch provided with a wrench-shaped lower end co-operating with said nose to lock. when desired, said rock-bar in each of its three angular positions of operation, a lug carried by the upper arm of said rocking latch, a bell-crank lever co-operating with said lug, return springs for said rocking latch and said bell-crank lever, respectively, and a pocket-key acting against the action of these springs either on said bell-crank lever to release the rock-bar, or directly on the upper arm of said latch to lock said rock-bar in either of its positions of operation.

7. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Standard typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the type-keys and the bell-cranks of the keytrains of this machine, a row of shiftable tumblers arranged in the plane of motion of the upper arms of said bell-cranks and provided each with a catching nose, a rocking bail co-operating with said type-keys for selectively shifting said tumblers in or out of the path of said upper arms, and a universal bar carried by said bail and co-operating with the catching noses of the tumblers put in the path of said upper arms, so as to lock simultaneously all the corresponding type-keys.

8. A selective key-lever tumbler-'lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Standard typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the frame, the type-keys and the bell-cranks of the key-trains of this machine, two end-brackets secured to said frame, a xed shaft fastened to vsaid brackets, a series of pivoting links frictionally mounted on ysaid shaft, a row of shiftable tumblers provided at one end with catching noses and carried at said end by said links, while they are provided at their other end with pins projecting in the plane of motion of the upper arms of said bell-cranks, guide-bars secured tofs'id brackets to guide the movements of said tumblers, a manually-operated rocking bail journaled in said brackets and co-operating with said links and the type-keys for selectively shifting said pins in or out of the path of said upper arms, and a releasable universal bar carried by said bail and co-operating with the catching noses of the tumblers put in the path of said upper arms, so as to lock simultaneously` all the corresponding type-keys or to release simultaneously all the locked type-keys, when desired.

9. A selective key-lever tumbler-lock specially adaptable to an Underwood Standard typewriting machine, comprising in combination with the frame, the type-keys, the ribbon-feed shaft and the bell-cranks of the key-trains of this machine, two end-brackets secured to the one-piece bearing of said bell-cranks so as to hold said ribbon-feed shaft in position, a xed shaft fastened to said brackets, a series of pivoting links frictionally mounted on said shaft, al row of shiftable tumblers provided at one end with catching noses and carried at said end by said links, while they are provided at their other end with pins projecting in the plane of motion of the upper arms of said bell-cranks, guide-bars secured to said brackets to guide the movements of said tumblers, a manually-operated rocking bail journaled in said brackets and co-operating with said links and the type-keys for selectively shifting said pins in or out of the path of said upper arms, and a releasable universal bar carried by said bail and co-operating with the catching noses of the tumblers put in the path of said upper arms, so as to lock simultaneously all the corresponding type-keys or to releaseV simultaneously all the locked type-keys, when desired.

10. A differentially-adjustable locking device, for a typewriter-keyboard having numerous depressible keys, said device including a plurality of individually-settable key-controlling elements, one for each key, said elements being settable as a whole to a normal key-locking position, said elements being individually and selectively settable away from said position for clearing variously-selected keys for typing practice, and locking means for locking the elements for the non-selected keys in their locking positions.

l1. A differentially-adjustable locking device, for a typewriter-keyboard having numerous depressible keys, said device including a plurality of individually-settable key-controlling elements, one for each key, said elements being settable as a whole to a normal key-locking position, said elements being individually and selectively settable away from said position for clearing variously-selected keys for typing practice, and releasable locking means for locking simultaneously all the elements for the non-selected keys in their locking positions.

12. A differentially-adjustable locking device, for a typewriter-keyboard having numerous depressible keys, said device including a plurality of individually-settable key-controlling elements, one for each key, said elements being settable as a whole to a normal key-locking position, said elements being individually and selectively settable away from said position for clearing variously-selected keys for typing practice, and locking means for locking the elements for the nonselected keys in their locking positions, said locking means being shiftable to release said elements and also being shiftable to restore said elements to the key-locking position.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination' with numerous alphabet and numeral type-key trains, of a selective tumbler-lock including an individual tumbler for each train, said tumblers being settable as a whole to train-locking position, and individually and variously settable from said position to clear variously-selected keytrains for variable practice operation, and means common to all the tumblers arranged to simultaneously lock the tumblers for the non-selected trains in their trainlocking position.

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination with numerous type-key trains, of a plurality of locking elements, one for each train, said elements being settable as a Whole to train-locking position, each element being individually settable from said position to ineffectively position by operation of its corresponding one of said trains, and means for locking the remaining elements in their locked position.

15. A key-actuatedtypewriting machine specially adapted for teaching the touch system, including, in combination with the keyboard of the machine,.a universal key-locking device arranged so as to be selectively settable to clear the keys used in writing a given practice word or Words, said device being further arranged so that the key-clearing operation is effected by operation of the selected keys, said device including manually-operable means effective for simultaneously locking the remaining keys.

16. A key-actuated typewriting machine specially adapted for teaching the touch system, including, in combination with the frame and keyboard of the machine, a plurality of shiftable key-locking means, one for each key, carried by said frame, said means being simultaneously settable to one position to lock said keys and individually settable to ineffective positions to thereby clear corresponding keys, releasable locking means carried by said frame for locking said shiftable means in key-locking position, and a lock for locking said last-mentioned means in released or operative position to guard thev machine against unauthorized adjustment.

17. A selective locking device for a plurality of typewriter-key trains including a row of trainlocking tumblers movable independently of one another lso as to be shiftable as la whole into train-locking position, and shiftable selectively and individually into train-clearing position, and a member common to all the tumblers arranged so as to be shiftable to three positions, one position to bring all the tumblers to locking position, another position to clear all the tumblers for selective train-clearing movement of vthe latter, and a third position to lock all the tumblers that remain in locking position, to thereby lock the related key-trains.

18. A selective locking device for a plurality of typewrit -key trains including a row of trainlocking tu blers movable independently of one another so as to be shiftable as a whole into train-locking position, and shiftable selectively and individually into train-clearing position, a

member common to all the tumblers arranged so as to be shiftable to three positions, one position to bring all the tumblers to locking position, another position to clear all the tumblers for selective train-clearing movement of the latter, and a third position to lock all the tumblers that remain in locking position, to thereby lock the related key-trains, and means yieldably holding said member in any of its three positions.

19. A selective locking device for a plurality of typewriter-key trains including a row of trainlocking tumblers movable independently of one another so as to be shiftable as a whole into trainlocking position, and shiitable selectively and individually into train-clearing position, a member common to all the tumblers arranged so as to be shiftable to three positions, one position to bring all the tumblers to locking position, another position to clear all the tumblers for selective train-clearing movement of the latter, and a vthird position to lo'ck all the tumblers that remain in locking position, to thereby lock the related key-trans, and alock settable for securing said mem/ber 1n any of its three positions against unauthorized shifting of said member.

20. A selective locking device for a plurality 'of typewriter-key trains including a row of trainlocking tumblers movable independently of one another so as to be shiftable as a whole into trainlocking position, and shiftable selectively and individually into train-clearing position, a member common to all the tumblers arranged so as to be shiftable to three positions, one position to bring all the tumblers to locking position, another position to clear all the tumblers for selective trainclearing movement of the latter, and a third position to lock all the tumblersthat remain in locking position, to thereby lock the related keytrains, and means yieldably holding said member in any of its three positions, said member being arranged so that after being brought to the rst position, it may remain there and be brought to the second positionby the shift of the rst tumbler to train-clearing position.

21. In a typewriting machine having a keyboard and a main frame or housing; a device for clearing selected keys for typing practice and locking. the remaining keys, said device including a row of locking elements, one for each key, movable independently of one another, so as to be shiftable as a whole into key-locking position and shiftable selectively and individually into keyclearing position, and a member common to all said elements, arranged'to be shiftable to three positions, one position to bring all said elements to locking position,fanother position to clear all the elements, so that any one may be set to keyclearing position, and a third position to lock all the elements that remain in key-locking. position, said member having connected thereto a handle outside of said frame or housing, whereby said member may be manually shifted.

22. In a typewriting machine having a keyboard and a main frame or housing; a device for clearing selected keys for typing practice and locking the remaining keys, said device including a row of locking elements, one for each key, movable independently Aof one another, so as to be shiftable as a whole into key-locking position and shiftable selectively and individually into key-clearing. position, a member common to all said elements, arranged to be shiftable to three positions, one position to bring all said elements to locking position, another position to clear all the elements, so that any one may be set to keyclearing position, and a third position to lock all the elements that remain in key-locking position, said member having connected thereto a handle outside of said frame or housing, whereby said member may be manually shifted, and a lock carried by said frame or housing, arranged to secure said member in anyof its three positions against unauthorized shifting of said member.

23. In a typewriting machine having keys, a

device for clearing selected keys for typing practice and locking the remaining keys, said device including a row of key-locking tumblers movable independently of one another, so as tc be shiftable as a whole into key-locking position and shiftable selectively and individually into key-clearing position, means whereby said tumblers are yieldably held in either position, and shiftable means arranged to shift all of the tumblers simultaneously to locking position, said shiftable means being further arranged so as to be capable'of locking the tumblers that remain in locking position after the tumblers for the shifted keys are shifted to key-clearing position.

24. In a typewriting machine, the combination with numerous key-trains, each train including a member whose movement may be blocked to lock said trains, of a device fo: clearing selected trains for typing practice and locking the remaining trains, including a plurality of tumblers movable independently of one another, so as to be shiftable as a whole to position to block all of said members and shiftable selectively and independently to a position clearing said members, and shiftable means arranged to shift all of thev tumblers simultaneously to locking position, said shiftable means being further arranged so as to be capable of locking the tumblers that remain in locking position after the tumblers for the shifted keys are shifted to key-clearing position.

25. In a typewriting machine", the combination with numerous key-trains, each train including a member whose movement may be blocked to lock said trains, of a device for clearing selected trains for typing practice and locking the remaining trains, including a plurality of tumblers movable independently of one another, so as to be shiftable as a whole to position to block all of said members and shiftable selectively and independently to a position clearing said members, and shiftable means arranged to shift all of the tumblers simultaneously to locking position, said shiftable means being further arranged so as to be capable of locking the tumblers that remain in locking position after the tumblers for the shifted keys are` shifted to key-clearing position, said tumblers being arranged so as to be shiftable to member-clearing position by the operation of the selected key-trains.

2. A selective locking devicerfor a plurality of typewriter-key trains including a row of tumbler-devices movable independently of one another, so as. to be shiftable as a Whole into trainlocking position, and shiftable selectively and individually into train-clearing position, and an elongate member common to all the tumbler-devices, said member having two elongate edges and being pivoted to swing on an elongate axis, so that one edge or the other may engage said tumbler-devices, said tumbler-devices and said member being arranged so that when the latter is swung to one position, one edge brings all the tumbler-devices to locking position, and so that when swung reversely to a certain position, said one edge clears all the tumbler-devices for selecthe other edge locks all the tumbler-devices, that .remain in locking position, to thereby lockthe related key-trains.

27. A typewriting practice device including a set of movable key-members, a series of shiftable stops, one for each member, settable as a whole into key-member-locking position, said stops arranged so as to be shiftable individually from said locking position to ineffective position, as by preparatory operation of certain key-members selected for practice, and means whereby the stops that remain in locking position, after said preparatory operation, are locked to thereby lock the non-selected keys.

28. In a typewriting machine, the combination with n umerous alphabet and numeral typeoperating key-trains, of a selective tumbler-lock system including an individual tumblerfor each train, means for setting said tumblers as a whole to train-locking position, and means operable by any selected keys to return their tumblers from 105 locking position, to clear the selected key-trains for type-operating practice.

29. In a typewriting machine, the combination with numerous key-levers constituting a typewriter-keyboard, of individual locks settable for 11G locking all said levers against operation, and unlocking means operable selectively by the levers, whereby only the latter may be selectively cleared for practice operation.

30. In a key-actuated typewriting machine for 115 teaching the touch system, the combination with the keyboard of the machine, of a key-locking device, including individual key-locks, and means for selectively effecting an unlocking of those keys required for use in writing a given CHARLES E. SMITH.

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