US2074333A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

w. F. HELMOND TYPEWRITI'NG MACHINE March 23, 1937.

Filed Dec. 2, s sheets-sheet 1 March 23, 1937. wuF. HELMOND A TYPEWRITING MACHINE s Sheng-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 2, 1955 NVENTOR March 23,` 1937. w. F. a-HELMOMD TYPEWRITING MACHINE NVENTOR:

Filed Dec. 2, 1935 the very front of the platen upon a line which is the keyboard may retain their horizontal and 10 .25 In said GoingA patents, the designing of the vertical and horizontal lineaments are preserved 25 l Patented Mar, 23,y Y

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE TYPEWRITING MACHINE william F, Helmond, west Hartford, conn., os-

signor to Underwood Elliott Fisher Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 2, 1933, serial No. 700,646

18 Claims. (Cl. 197-25) This invention relates to improvements perthe accompanying drawings is in this manner intaining to the general construction and designclined downwardly about ten degrees from its ing of standard noiseless typewriters, of which former level position according to the former examples are seen in patents to Going, No. normal designing of the machine.

5 1,604,640, of October 26, 1926, and No. 1,682,330, This abnormal inclination of the4 machine does 5 of August 28, 1928. In said noiseless typewriters, not extend to the casing, since the side, front the typed linejs exposed to View, by the usual and rear Walls of said casing may retain their ribbon-vibrator (not shown). former vertical positions; also the base and the In said patents, the noiseless types print upon front portion of the open frame which encloses level with the platen-axis. After each type-imerect features. The types no longer strike upon pression, the vibrator drops the ribbon. The a line which is level with the platen-axis, but typee-slides are grouped radially in front of the upon a line which iS found by intersecting the platen and work in guides which rise above the platen by a plane Which. While passing through top of the platen, The front portions of the the platen-axis, is inclined ten degrees from the 15 type-bars are covered by a segmental shell which platen-axis level. The line of printing. although rises still farther than the type-bar-guiding sega trifle under the level of the platen-exis, iS ment In consequence, the line 0f typing upon clearly visible because of the relatively greater the platen is more or less hidden from view, thus drop of the parts forward of the platen where are 20 substantially reducing one of the chief benefits found the bulky segmental guides and the top 2o formerly derived in front-strike hammer-blow shell. These are lowered so much that the typemachines, in which the work was always in Writing is readily visible, Wherebir greet advanplain view, after it had been exposed by the droptage is gained. ping of the ribbon-vibrator. The improvement is so ydesigned that not only framework and mechanism is such that the parts in the general frame-work. but also in the keys follow the usual designing principle of occupying themselves; the keys occupying the same Dosihorizontal and vertical positions in most cases, tions at the front of the machine that are occuthe body of the type-bar reaching as high-as the .pied informer machines, as. exemplified in said top of the platen and the type-bar-operating Going-patents.v The key-levers extend rearward- 3o parts dropping nearly to the level of the keyly from said keys, and the machine generally pre- -levers. sents the same appearance to the purchaser as An objectof this invention is to make a subformer machines. except .that a substantiel restentiai improvement in the visibility of the typed duction is effected in the height ef the machin line, and to effect this improvement at a minijust aft the Tear 0f ithe keyboard. 35 mum of expense, and also to improve the appear- The deep portions 0f Said inclined general unit ance and saleabllity of the manchino include the bodies of the key-levers, whereas the To accomplish this and other results, a change key-bearing Portions 0f the key-levers at the is effected in the setting ofthe mechanism which front are Ilot dropped or inclined. There iS is confined within the casing of the maohino, therefore afault or break in the key-lever system 4o and some changes are made in the casing also. analogous to the faults Which areofien found The internal mechanism is swung downwardly in strata of the earth. The break in the key-lever as a unit at the front portion of the machine. System iS brought about by inclining the rear The position of this general unit is determined portions 0f the levers which were formerly level.

by swinging i1; bodily down around the axis of and maintaining the former level of the front 45 the platen, whereby the platen retains its former portions 0f the levers and having `the front porr position, but the upper front portion of the unit tions joining the rear portions at the break. is dropped about an inch and a half. Thus, by Although the general mechanism of the mathis means, the type-bars when in normal posichine is thus inclined, its operation remains of tions are made to occupy much lower positions the same high quality es heretofore. 5o

than formerly, and the same is true of the seg- The inclined unit takes in not only the typements and other parts just in front of the platen, bars and the rear portions of the key-levers, but and which guide the type-bars, and also of the also the carrlage-escapement mechanism, many front shell which overlies the type-bars. The of the carriage-devices, and part of the tabuinternal mechanism-unit as shown at Figure 2 of lating mechanism. 55

The paper-carriage is constructed on level lines from back to front, and the entire exterior of the machine has an erect, level appearance, so that no objection rises from the downward and forward inclination of the general mechanism-unit which is enclosed in the casing.

'Ihe aforesaid lowered or declined segmental shell or top cover which overlies the type-bar system may agree in its declination with that of the general interior unit; the declination of the top segmental cover softens the contour of the upper part of the machine, and therefore improves the appearance of the machine, while visibility of the typing line is greatly improved.

Another feature of invention relates to tabulating mechanism. There is shown a series of key-settable tabulating stops mounted in a rack carried by the carriage. A' series of key-operated denominational stops, co-operative with the keyset stops on the carriage, are housed in a compact column-like frame, to form a readily attachable unit supported by, and at the rear of, the typewriter-framework, said stop-housing frame preferably yextending vertically, in consonance with the desired erect lines of the machine-contour. The denominational stops are in the form of vertical blades Whose lower ends are detachably connected to denominational keylevers operable to lift said blades. Heretof ore, in order that such blades could, by lifting thereof, be made to co-operate with the carriage-carried stops, the latter` were disposed above the tops of the blades.

The present improvements include' novel bladeguiding means whereby the denominational-stop blades when they are lifted are at the same time moved forwardly for the purpose of projecting them toward the carriage-carried stops which are disposed forwardly of the upper front edges of the blades, and are therefore co-operable with the latter both in upper-case and lower-case positions of the carriage. The denomination-stop blades have the usual close letter-spacing.

The novel blade-guiding means include an abutment for upwardly-facing edges presented preferably by the extreme upper ends of the denominational-stop blades, said abutment and edges being arranged at such inclination that when a blade is lifted by the key-lever, the upper end portion of the blade is at the same time forced forwardly into the path of the set stops on the carriage. The blade-guiding surface of the abutment may be formed by the bottoms of spaced slots in said abutment, said slots effecting the aforesaid close spacing of the blades, and the sides of the slots supporting the blades against the lateral thrust which they receive when arresting the carriage. Thus said slotted abutment acts as a spacing means for the blades, and as a means to force the blades forwardly when they are lifted, and also as a means for supporting the blades against said lateral thrust. A guide, which may be also slotted, is spaced below said blade-end-guiding abutment, and keeps the blades articulated with the latter when they 'are retracted, said lower guide co-operating to force the blades rearwardly when they are rel tracted.

or yoke having an arm forming a stop-setting finger' and another armi directly articulated to another blade which is mounted alongside the denomination-stop blades, so that it may be connected at its lower end to a stop-restoring keylever in the same manner as the denominational blades are connected to key-levers. The yoke, rockable about said cross-shaft, the additional blade articulated therewith, and the corresponding key-lever form a stop-setting train. The stop-setting finger of the yoke is opposite the front of the fore-and-aft shiftable key-settable stops on the carriage, and the mounting of the yoke on the cross-shaft of the universal bar conduces to compactness of assembly. Lengthwise of the universal-bar shaft, the stop-setting yoke is held in normal position by a spring, to the end'that should the carriage be released while the stop-setting finger of the yoke is between adjacent stops on the carriage, the yoke and its nger will move along with the carriage to avoid jamming the finger and obstructing its springpressed retraction.

Similar to the aforesaid denominational blades is an additional blade liftable by a key-lever and acting as a stop-restorer, said stop-restorer blade being guided at its upper end by the same abutment and lower guide which guide the denominational blades. Thus the stop-restoring keylever projects the stop-restoring blade forwardly at the same time that the latter is lifted, the forward projecting of the 'stop-restoring blade serving to restore a key-set stop on the carriage that has Abeen tabulated to the denominational blade of lowest denomination. The stop-restoring blade may also have a cam operative when the blade is held in its operative position by its key to restore all the stops on the carriage by a run of the latter.

Still another feature of invention relates to improved means for adjusting the platen toward or from the normal printing-plane of the types,

in accordance with the number of work-sheets.

being typed upon. The improved platen-adjusting means include a front and center part of a fore-and-aft shiftablev platen-carriage support, said part forming an adjustable abutment which follows a cam mounted on a shaft reaching to the outer side of the machine, where said shaft presents a handle by which it may be manipulated. Springs force the carriage so that said cam-following abutment always bears against the cam, whereby the position of the carriage-support and hence of the platen depends on the angular position of said cam-shaft as determined by said handle and a co-operative detent.

The guiding of the front part of said carriagesupport may be effected in a `known manner. At the rear portion of the slidable support, improved means are employed for slidably guiding said rear portion, to the end that requisite alignment of the rear of the slidable support and rear guiding means may be facilitated and the parts constituting such rear guiding means simplified.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view, showing details of the improvements for guiding the carriage-support at its rear for fore-andaft adjustment.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of a noiseless typewriter, the vsection being taken through the middle of the machine, and showing how the internal mechanism-unit within Cil of work-sheets on 4the platen. The view also shows details of the improved means manually operable for making the carriage-support adjustment.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view, showing arrangement of a handle and detent whereby the carriage-support adjustment is manipulated and.

gaged.

Figure 5 is a side elevation view 'of the typewriter, showing how the erect lines of the typewriter frame or casing and of the keyboard are preserved, said view also showing how the depression of a front top cover-shell of said machine-casing softens the contour of the latter.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the improved tabulating-stop mechanism.

Figure 7 is a top' plan view, indicating how the tabulating mechanism seen in Figure 6 is modied to act as a one-key column-tabulator, Figure 7 also showing the relative arrangement of a stop-setting key-lever, a stop clearing or restoring key-lever, and a novel column-tabulating key-bar. n

Figure 8 is a top plan view of some of the keysettable stops on the carriage and the relation to the latter of the stop-setting finger, vthe counter-stop blade, and the stop-restoring blade.

As seen in Figure 2, the typewriting instrumentalities at the rear of the keyboard are mounted within a casing or machine-frame I5, and are substantially along the lines shown in said Going Patent 1,682,330 in respect to the functions of the individual parts of said instrumentalities. Said instrumentalities include typeactions I6,` each mounted upon an individual bracket I1 supported on a segment I8. Each type-action I6 operates a type-carrier 20, the type-actions being operable as set forth in said Going patent, so that, upon operation of either one of a pair of alphabet or numeral keys 2| of a keyboard 22, a type-carrier common to said -pair of keys is projected rearwardly from the normal position, seen in Figure 2, to print noiselessly by pressure against platen 24. Depending on which one of said pair of keys is operated, the typecarrier 20 is so guided, in its headlong movement, by the type-action that either an upper type 26 or a lower type 21 of the carrier is brought into use, the movement of the type-carrier, viewed sidewise, at the instant of type-impact being perpendicular to the platen. As seen in Figure 2, the upper types 26 form upper and lower case tiers as do also thelower types 2-'I, the uppercase types being brought into use by shifting the platen 24.

The typewriter-frame I5 is constructed principally on horizontal and vertical lines to give the machine an erect appearance, and the banks of the keyboard 22 have their usual normal positions at the front of the frame I5 as shownin `Figure 2. Thus a front wall 25 of the typewriter-frame may be vertical, and the front, and the rear and side portions of said frame may also be vertical, and the base may be horizontal.

In view of the desired erect appearance of the machine, it has been usual heretofore, in machines employing the kind of type-actions seen in said Going patents, to lay out the internal mechanism within the frame I 5 with reference to horizontal and vertical layout coordinates, and to have the printing-line where the platen is intersected by a horizontal plane passing through the platen-axis. It will be seen that the upper and lower types 26 and 2,1 are spaced vertically, and

that the type-carrier array, which is directly forward of the platen, therefore occupies a good deal of room above the horizontal level of the platen-axis.

The type-carriers are moreover' guided bya slotted segment 28 which also forms a cover over the rear portion of the type-carrier array .(said array being represented by said segment 28), said cover taking up still more roomabove the platen-axis level. Thus, with the heretofore adopted horizontal and vertical coordinates of reference used in laying out the internal mechanism, said segment 28, which was the highest part obstructing the View of the printing-line, occupied the position indicated by the dotted outline 28, Figure 2, and visibility of the printing-line on the platen 24 was therefore possible only at the steep and inconvenient angle indicated by the slope of the dotted line 29 which represents theline of sight to a printing-line position 34. According to the present invention, the typeactions I6 and the type-carriers 20 are laid out with reference to inclined coordinates, such as a transverse coordinate 30, inclined, say 10 degrees, from the horizontal, and a coordinate 3| perpendicular thereto. Said inclined coordinates 30 and 3l intersect at the axis 32 of the platen, and the type-actions I6 and type-carriers may therefore be regarded as having been turned about the platen-axis 32 in comparison with the typeactions and type-carriers of said Going patents.

The result of such turning is to lower the printl printing-line is substantially increased as is indicated by the substantially lesser slope of the dotted line 3l which indicates the substantially improved angle of visibility.

As seen in Figure 2, the described turning of the interior mechanism also improves the appearance of the machine, in that it is substantially of lessheight. This improvement in appearance is particularly striking when there is used'a segmental shellor cover 38 over the front of the type-actions. Heretofore said cover 38 occupied the elevated position indicated by the dotted outline 38a, Figure 2. The described turning of the internal mechanism enables said cover 38 to be substantially lowered as indicated by the full outline of said cover in comparison with the dotted outline 38a. /The top cover 38 may moreover have the inclination of its upper surface as shown in Figures 2 and 5, but this is the only part associated with the framework I5 which is inclined, and since such cover-inclination is from the horizontal, the erect lineaments of said framework are preserved. The inclination of the top cover 38 improves the appearance of the machine in that the-slope of the top of said cover has the effect of softening the contour of the machine.

Each type-carrier 2li is guided in its headlong movement toward the platen by links I6a and IIh of the type-action, as set forth in said Going patents.

Since the parts forming the type-actions IIiv Iavoiding dispositions of these parts, as established in existing machines built according to said .Going patents. It is therefore possible to use, in the present improved machine, parts that are substantially of the same design as were used in said existing machines; and the benefit of substantially improved visibility of the printing-line and of improved appearance of the machine is afforded by reason of the same partsdesign, at little expense. Moreover, there is also preserved the ease of machine operation and excellent quality of type impressions characteristic of said existing machines.

Referring now to said other parts, as are also laid out from the inclined coordinates 30, 3I, there is a cross-bar or platform 43 fastened by screws 44 to side-members 45 of the machineframe I5. Uponv said platform 43 rests a bolster 41, which supports the platen-carriage 40 by means of a rock-shaft 48, journaled in lugs 49 of said bolster. Arms 50 of said rock-shaft 48 enable the latter, when operated by a case-shift key-train, not shown herein but described in Patent` No. 1,661,799, dated March 6, 1928, to Going, to raise and lower a track-bar 5I along which the platen-carriage 40 runs.

The bolster 41 extends from side to side of the machine-frame I5, see Figure 3, and, by reason of the inclination of the platform 43, said bolster is guided for fore-and-aft adjustment of the platen in a direction paralleling the transverse layout coordinate 30. Fore-and-aft adjusting movement of the bolster is effected by improved means, which will be described later, and which are manipulatable for the usual purpose of bringing the platen forward or rearward, in accordance with the number of superposed work-sheets positioned around the platen, it being understood that the type-carriers 20 have the limited printing-movement which is characteristic of printing quietly by pressure.

Only the middle portion of the bolster 41 rests directly upon the platform 43, as at 52, the end bolster-portions being above raised seats 53 at the ends of the platform 43, and bearing against said seats by means of screw-studs 54, adjustable in the bolster for the purpose of properly seating the bolster on said platform 43. To retain the bolster 41 against upward` displacement, said bolster has a forwardly-projecting ledge 56 slidably abutting an overlying segment 51, which also supports the type-action brackets I1, as at 58, Figure 2. The segment 51 has arms 60, Figures 2 and 3, whereby said segment is secured to the platform 43 by screws 6I. The bolster-ledge 56 is of such length as to slidably fit between the segment-arms 60, the bolster being thereby retained at its front portion against lateral dislacement. The bolster extends substantially oward the rear of the machine, to support other mechanism, as will presently appear, and consequently overhangs rearwardly the platform 43. Improved means for supporting the rear bolsterportion overhanging the platform 43 will be described later.

The relative arrangement of. the platform 43, the bolster 41, the segment 51 and the carriage 4I] may be substantially as set forth in said Going patents, it being understood, however, that, according to the present improvements, these parts are laid out with reference to the inclined coordinates 30 and 3 I.

There is mounted .on the carriage 40 a letterfeeding rack 63 meshing with a pinion 64, fastened to one end of a shaft 65, which end is journaled in the track-bar 5I, as indicated in Figure 2. Said shaft 65 extends downwardly to present, for cooperation with a dog-rocker 66, an escapement-wheel 61, splined to the lower end of the shaft 65 and retained against axial displacement by a bracket 68 secured to the bolster 41. The splining of the escapement-wheel 61 to the shaft 65 and the retention of said wheel against axial displacement, permit the shaft 65 to move endwise, in accordance with the caseshifting movements of the carriage 40. The dogrocker 66 formed as seen in Figure 6 may be pivoted between ears 69, Figure 2, of the bracket 68. The dog-rocker 66 has a spring-pressed pivoted holding dog 10 normally in engagement with the escapement-wheel 61, and retractible therefrom to release the carriage for tabulating. The dog-rocker 66 has also a spring-pressed pivoted stepping dog 1I. The described escapement-devices are, in respect to the design of the individual parts and th-e relative dispositions of said parts, substantially along the lines set forth in said Going Patent 1,682,330, it being understood, however, that, for the purpose of the invention, the parts are laid out with reference to the inclined layout coordinates 30, 3l, and may therefore be regarded as having been turned about the platen-axis in conformity with the turning of the platform 43 and bolster 41.

Each key 2I of the keyboard 22 is mounted upon a key-lever 13 whose portion 14 forwardly of the dotted reference-line 15, Figure 2, may be similar to that used in prior machines, to the end that said keyboard 22 shall have the same arrangement -and position in the present improved machine as in said prior machines. The usual ribbon-vibrating means includes the usual universal bar (not shown) that is operated by the usual shoulders or lugs on the bottom edges of the key-levers 16, Figure 2.

In accordance with the described inclining of. substantially the entire internal mechanism within the machine-frame I5, rear portions 16 of the key-levers are laid out with reference to the inclined coordinates 3D, 3|, to the end that said rear portions shall bear the same relation to other parts .of the inclined internal mechanism as they did in prior machines in which Said mechanism was not inclined or turned about the axis 32. A key-lever fulcrum-rod 11 is mounted in a slotted key-lever spacing-bar 18 fastened to the platform 43; and said rod 11 may be regarded, in comparison with prior machines, as having been swung about the platen-axis 32. Points 19 of attachment of the key-levers 13 to the type-action I6 may also be regarded as having been so swung about the platen-axis 32.

The system of` type-actions I6 includes, as set forth in said Going Patent 1,682,330, a universal bar connected to a pivotal frame 8|, from which depends an arm 82 connected by a link 83 to the dog-rocker 66. Said universal-bar-mechanism parts 80 to 83 are also laid out with refer. ence to the inclined coordinates 30, 3l, and may therefore also be regarded, in comparison with prior machines, as having been swung around the platen-axis 32.

'I'he carriage 40 is driven in letter-feeding steps by a spring-motor 86, which is also operative to drive a ribbon-feeding shaft 81, journaled in a bearing mounted on the platform 43. Said shaft 81 drives a cross-shaft 88 alternatively connectible by the usual ribbon-reversing means, not shown, to vertical shafts 89, which mount ribbonspools 90 in the same positions as in existing machines, as shown for example in the Remington No. 6 noiseless machine as depicted in Going Patent No. 1,665,736, of April 10, 1928.

From the middle portion of the top of the bolster 41, there extends rearwardly and upwardly a transverse wall 9| joined to rearwardly-turned side-walls 92 to form a channel 93. The upper part of the transverse wall 9| has a recess 94 to admit a forwardly-reaching tongue,` which forms a counter-stop 95, co-operative with margin-stops 96 of the carriage 40. Said tongue or stop 95 is bent forwardly from an arm 91, which is seen edgewise, and is only shown in such part in Figure 2 as to indicate its improved form. The operation of said arm 91 for margin-releasing and key-locking may be effected by means of parts, not shown, but which may be along the lines used in prior machines and described in Patent 1,255,- 571, to Anderson, dated February 5, 1918. It will be obvious that these margin-releasing and key-locking parts may also be laid .out with reference to the inclined coordinates 30, 3|, and to this end Figure 2 shows the stop 95, its arm 91 and the co-operating portions of the marginstops 96 laid out from said inclined coordinates.

`In .order to clear a tabulating-stop rack 98, which is newly disposed on the carriage 40 for the purpose of cooperating with novel tabulating mechanism housed in part within said channel 93, the transverse wall 9| and related side-walls 92, forming said channel, rise in f ront of said rack 98, and are then offset rearwardly above the rack, as seen in Figure 2, to reach the counterstop 95. The counterstop-arm 91 is therefore bent, as shown, to hug the wall 9| in front of the stop-rack 98k The stop-rack 98 is supported between side-plates 99 of the carriage 40, and mounts a series of key-settable tabulating stops I which may be arranged on said rack as set forth in my Patent 1,901,162, dated March 14, 1933. The side-walls 92 extend under the stoprack 98 and have flanges IUI to which is attached, by screws I 02, a column-like housing |03 which supports parts of. said novel tabulating mechnism to be described later.

It will be seen now that the bolster 41 and some of the parts supported overhang the bolstersupporting platform 43 rearwardly to a substantial extent. In addition, therefore, to supporting and slidably guiding the bolster 41 at its forward i portion by means of the platform 43, the segment 51, the segment-arms 60, and the bolsterstuds 54 bearing on the platform-seats 53, the platform-overhanging portion of the bolster i`s also supported vertically and laterally and slidably guided by novel means organized as an improvement over bolster-guiding means employed in previous machines and which novel means will now be described.

Joined tothe rear portions of the machineframe side-members 45 is a cross-plate |05 clearing the tabulator-mechanism housing |03 as at |06, Figure 2, but rising at the sides of said housing to present lugs |01 extended forwardly, and inwardly toward one another, to underlie edges 108, Figure 1, of the side-walls 92 which form the channel 93 of the bolster. Said lugs |01 have to also passiy adjustable studs |09 against which the edges |08 slidably abut, said edges extending in the direction in which the bolster 41 is adjusted fore and aft. The adjustment of the studs |09 compensates for variations in the height of said edges |08 due to manufacturing tolerances. The crossplate |05 is also extended upwardly to present lugs I|| opposite the outer sides of the sidewalls 92. There is secured to each wall 92 a plate or keeper I I2 which, by reason of elongate screwholes I I 3 therein, is adjustable in the direction in which the studs |09 are adjusted, keeper-fastening screws I|4 passing through said elongate holes I3. Each keeper ||2 h as a slot ||5 whose edges extend parallel to the side-wall edges |08 and slidably fit-the inner end I|6 of a screw-stud I|1 threaded crosswise of the lug III as seen in Figure 3. The keepers |I2 and crosswise extending screw-studs I I1 thus cooperate with the edges |08 and studs |09 to retain the rear portion of the bolster against vertical displacement, and said screw-studs |I1 also retain the rear portion of the bolster against lateral displacement, the screw-studs being rnicrometrically adjustable endwise to abut the side-walls 92 totake up all lateral play at the rear of the bolster 41. For such endwise abutment with said bolster-side walls 92, the screw-studs ||1 may have flanges II9 which bear against the outer sides of the plates I I2. Set-screws |20 hold the screw-studs I I1 in adjusted positions and lock-nuts I2| maintain the adjustment of the studs |09. It will be follows: With the screws |4'loosened for both keepers H2, the screw-studs 09 are raised or lowered by turning them micrometrically until the bolster moves without binding in the' guidesy afforded by the platform 43 and related parts. The lock-nuts |2I are then tightened. The screwstuds I I1 are then moved in or out to micrometrlcally take up all lateral play at the rear portion of the bolster 41, it being understood that for thisV purpose the screw-stud flanges II9 bear against the fkeepers or plates |I2. The latter are then tightened in such position by their screws I|4 that the lower edges of their slots ||5 slidingly abut the peripheries of inner ends |I6 of the screw-studs |I1,- thereby retaining the rear end of the platform-overhanging portion of the bolster against upward displacement. 'I'he screw-studs I I1 are then locked by the set-screws |20. It will be understood that, after these adjustments have been made, the screw-studs |09 remain in abutment-with the bolster-edges |08, and are not backed off from the latter, since it is not desired that the upper edges of the keeperslots I I5 be depended on to support the bolster.

Referring now to the improved means for shifting the bolster 41 for platen-position adjustment, a cam-shaft |23 extends from the middle of the machine toward and through the machineframe' side-member 45 to present at the side of the latter a handle or crank |24 for manually rotating said cam-shaft. At the middle of the machine the cam-shaft |23,has fastened thereto or formed integrally therewith a' cam |25. It is desired that means for journaling the cam-shaft |23 at its crank-end and retaining it endwise, and means for releasably detenting the cam-shaft in different angular positions be combined in a unitary assembly easily placeable in or removable from the machine, in order to reduce manufac- 10 turing and servicing costs; and to these ends the following construction may be employed.

Fastened to the top of the side-members 45 by screws |29, and forming part of the frame l5, are plates |30 extendinginwardly toward one another, and rigidly joined to a yoke |3| to form a bridge, which supports a type-guide |32, Figure 2. It may be noted that the inclined typeaction-supporting segment |8 may also be rigidly joined at its ends to the plates |30, as indicated at |28, Figure 2. At the middie portion of the yoke |3| of the bridge, there is a pair of lugs |33, |34, for journaling the cam-shaft |23 at points contiguous to the cam |25. The lug |33 gives a full bearing for an inner end |35 of the cam- 25 shaft, but, as indicated in Figures 2 and 3, the other lug, |34, bears only part way around the back of the cam-shaft in order to permit the camshaft |23 to be withdrawn or entered endwise without interference between the cam |25 and lug |34, the bolster 41 being movable forward a little to enable the. cam |25 to pass the lug |34. A block |26, embodying said lugs |33, |34, is fastened to the yoke |3| by screws |21.

At the crank-end of the cam-shaft, the latter is journaled in a hub |36 of a plate |31, fastened to the outer side of the side-member by screws |39. The crank |24 is fastened to the cam-shaft |23, and carries at itsend a knob- |40 spring pressed and mounted as shown in 40 Figure 3, said knob having a stem 4|', which may be entered in or withdrawn from any one of a series of holes |42 located in the plate |31 to determine and maintain different angular positions of the cam-shaft |23. The latter is maintained against endwise displacement, when the parts are positioned in the machine, by abutment of the crank |24 with the outer end of the hub |36, and by abutment of a shaft-collar |43 with the inner end of the hub. The plate |31 may have stops |44 to limit the swing of the crank |24 in opposite directions.

It will be seen now that the described parts at the crank-end of the cam-shaft are together with the cam-shaft |23 and its cam |25, assembled as a unit which is easily placed in the machine and easily removed therefrom.

The bolster 41 has an abutment bearing on the cam |25, said abutment being preferably in the form of a screw |46 threaded in a plate |41 50 fastened to the bolster 41 by screws |48. The end of the abutment-screw |46, and therefore the bolster 41, follows the cam |25, inasmuch as said bolster is pressed rearwardly, toward the cam |25, by suitable springs such as leaf-springs |49 65 fastened at one end to the key-lever bar 18 by screws '|5I, the other ends of the springs |49 pressing upon studs |52 of the bolster which also prevent the leaf-springs from turning.

For single work-sheet typing, the cam-shaft 70 |23 is in such angular position, as seen in Figure 2, that the highest point of the cam |25 is opposite the abutment-screw |46.' In correspondence with said primary angular position ofthe cam-shaft, said abutment-screw |46 will have 75 been initially adjusted to bring the printing-face of the platen 24 to such position that the types' 26, 21 make proper impression upon the single work-sheet. With the cam-shaft |23 thus set for'normal or single-sheet printing-position, the stem |4| of the crank |24 will be in the first hole |42a of the detent-plate |31.

It will be seen now that as the cam-shaft crank |24 is rotated from the flrst hole |42n to other hole-positions, the cam |25 will be rotated clockwise of Figure 2, thereby causing the bolster 41 and hence the platen 24 to be shifted rearwardly under the influence of the bolster-springs |49, the extent of the rearward shift dependingl on the contour of the cam |25, and its angular position as determined by means of the detent-holes |42. It will also be seen that as the cam-shaft |23 is rotated counterclockwise fromany hole |42 other than the first hole |42, the cam |25 will force the bolster forwardly against the pressure of the springs |49, thereby also bringing the platen forwardly.

The tabulating mechanism includes a row of denominational keys on upright stems |6| at the front ends of key-levers |62, operable to selectively bring upstanding denominational stop-blades |63 into co-operation with the rear ends ofthe key-set stops |00 of the carriage. The key-levers |62 converge rearwardly, so that their rear ends |64 underlie the lower ends |65 of said blades |63, said rear lever-endsI |64 and lower blade-ends |65 being kept in alignment by vbeing guided in slots |66 of the aforesaid housing |03, in which said blades |63 are mounted. The key-levers |62 swing about a fulcrum-rod |68 mounted on arms |68ai of the framework.

In order that the lifting of any denominational blade may be translated into forward displacement of its upper front edge |61 into the path of a key-set stop |00, and in order that the blade-portions forming said edges |61 may be firmly supported at the carriage-impact, and, further, in order that the carriage-arresting portions of the blades may have the comparatively close letter or denominational spacing, the following construction may be provided.

Near its lower end each blade has a slot |69 whose sides slidably fit a transverse rod |10 fixed in the housing |03. By having the slots |69 inclined, as shown, the lifting of any blade |63 forces its lower end forwardly in consonance with the desired forward displacement of the carriage-arresting edge |61 at the top of the blade which is guided as follows.

The housing |03 has a cap-plate |1| having slots |12 denominationally spaced. The seats of said cap-plate slots |12 and top edges |13 of the blades are preferably straight and are inclined as shown, so that when a blade is lifted, it is also forced forwardly by the seat of its cap-plate slot |12, to bring its carriage-arresting edge |61 into the path of the carriage-stop |00. Spaced from the top-plate |1| is an additional bladeguide |14 fastened to the housing |03 by screws |15 and having slots |16, the bottoms of which co-operate with edges |11 of the blades to keep the top edges |13 within the cap-plate slots |12, when the blades |63 are dropped upon release of the key-levers |62. The cap-plate |1| and the additional guide |14 are relatively disposed as shown, and are respectively above and below the carriage-stops |00, whereby the sides of the slots |12 and |16 are best enabled to support the blades against the carriage-impact during tabulating. Said carriage-arresting-blade edges |61 may extend parallel to the inclined coordinate 3|, in order to be operative in the upper-case as well` as in the lower-case position of the carriage-*40. l

In addition to, andi-similar to,""the denominational blades |63, there is an upstanding blade |18, also having at its lower end an inclined slot |69 and guided at its upper end by an additional slot |12 in the cap-plate I1I and by an additional slot |16 in the lower guide |14. Said additional blade is operative by a key-lever |19 similar to the tabulating-key levers |62 and having a key |80, said additional blade |18 and key-lever |19 being operative to restore any of the key-set tabulating stops on the carriage when the stop to be restored has been tabulated to the denominational blade of lowest denomination, the additional blades |18 therefore adjoining said lowest denominational blade |63, as indicated in Figure 6.

A novel train for setting the carriage-stops |00 individually includes a key-lever I 8| similar to of reaching upwardly to the same extent the tabulating-key levers |62. Operation of said stop-setting key-lever I8I lifts a blade |82 guided at its lower end in the housing |03 'and by the rod similarly to the other blades |63, |18. Instead as `\said other blades, the blade |82 has a forwardlyextending arm |83 articulated by means of a pin |84 to the end of an arm |85 forming part of a yoke I 86 which may be formed as indicated in Figure 6, and is rotatable upon a cross-shaft |81, journaled in the blade-housing |03. Said yoke |86 lalso has an arm |88 which 'presents a finger |89 opposite the stop-restoring edge of the blade |18,

said restoring edge being at the rear side of the stops |00, and the stop-setting finger |89 being at the frontof said stops |00 as shown in Figure 8.

, It will be seennow that operation of the key-lever I8I swings the finger |89 to set any stop |00 that,A by positioning the carriage, has been brought opposlte said finger.

Besides being rotatable upon the shaft |81, the

4 finger, while engaged in setting one of the stops |00 rearwardly, is still between two adjacent ones of said stops |00. For this purpose, the yoke |86 is yieldably held, by a spring-|90, in its normal `position against the side of the housing I 03.` The pin |84 is freely articulated lto the stop-settingblade arm |83 of yoke |86, in order to permit the `described endwise movement of said yoke. An

important object attained by the describedfmeans for stop-setting is to cause the finger |89, while setting a stop. |00, to move squarely toward the latter, so as to avoid the liability of striking adjacent stops, and at the same time to provide for the described jam-avoiding lateral movement of said nger. l

The shaft |81 has fastened' thereto a universal bar |9| operable byany one of the denomina-- tional blades |63. for the purpose of releasing thecarriage from the escapement-wheel 61. The universal bar |9| has an arm |92, which, in effect, forms an arm of said shaft |81. Each denominational blade |63 has a forwardly-reaching.finger |93 to engage the universal bar I9 I. The carriagereleasing arm |92 of the universal bar |9| is connected by arlink |94 which ranges downwardly and forwardly for articulation with a slot |95 of a dog-releasing lever |96, pivoted to the bracket 68 which mounts the dog-rocker 66. At its lower end portion, the link |94 is guided in proper direction by passingbetween the roth |10 and another rod |98 which supports an anchor-piece |99, to

'20| afforded by the universal bar |9|. A spring |91 applied to the dog-releasing lever |96 urges the latter and the rest of the universal-bar train to normal, Figure 2 position.

The stop-restoring blade may also have a cam 203 which is operative to restore all the set stops |00 by a run of the carriage when said stoprestoring blade |18 is maintained in forwardlyprojected position by its key-lever |19.

Figure 7 is a diagram representing modification of the tabulating mechanism when the latter is to be used only for column-tabulating. In this case only one stop-plate, |63, is employed, and this one blade is in the position occupied by the lowest denomination-blade of the denominational set, in order to be properly co-operative with the stop-restoring blade |18, it being understood that, when a stop |00 is to be restored, the carriage is tabulated to said column-stop blade |633. The column-tabulating key may be in the form of a bar 204, disposed as shown at Figure '7, between the stop-clearing and stop-setting keys |80, 202. Said tabulating-key bar 204 may be mounted upon key-levers 205 which maybe yoke'd together, as indicated in Figure 7, by a fulcrum-sleeve 206, a rivet 201 and a rod 208.

The typing key-levers 13 normally abut a .cushion-stop 209 mounted on a comb-plate 2I0 formed and mounted as shown in Figure 2 to 'guide the stems |6| of the tabulating key-levers. Said stems II may have stroke-limiting ears 2|| striking a cushion-stop 2I2. Normally the tabulating key-levers rest against another cushion-stop 2|3, the stops 2|2, 2I3 being mounted on a plate 2I4 secured with a comb-plate 2| 5 for the typing keylevers 13to a cross-bar 2 I6. The typing key-levers 13 are retracted `by springs 2 I 8, anchored to a plate 2I9 having links 220 held at their forward ends inthe bar 2|6 and adjustable endwise relatively to said bar 2I6 as indicated in Figure 2, for the purpose of adjusting the springs 2 I8.

The portion of the shell or top cover 38 which immediately overlies the type-carriers 20 is segmental in form and is declined from the horizontal as shown, said declined portion having laterally-extending horizontal plates or flanges 222 which rest upon the frame-side members 45, as at 223, and are even with the aforementioned plates |30, the latter being overlapped by the segmental portion of the cover 38, as indicated at 224. Suitable screws, such as 226, secure the shell. 38 to the frame-side members 45. The slotted segment 28 which guides the type-carriers 20 rests on inclined abutments 221 rising from the plates |30 and is secured by screws 228.

The side-plates 99 of the carriage 40 and the usual mechanism, such as line-spacing and other devices (not shown) contiguous to said sideplates, may be covered` by casing-plates 229, which, as indicated in Figure 2, may be shaped to give the carriage 40 an appearance consonant Awith the described other features of improved 'by pressure against the platen 40.

It will be seen that according to the invention, substantially the entire internal mechanism, which comprises all the parts of the typing instru- Cal mentalities relatively located as in machines built according to said Going patents, is turned about the platen-axis to gain substantial benefits, viz., (1) to improve the visibility of the printing-line, and (2) to improve the appearance of the machine, it being evident that by lowering the top cover 38 which forms part of the machine-frame I5 as shown in Figure 2, there is eliminated the somewhat ponderous appearance which the machine had when the cover 38 was in the old position 38a. These important benets increase the salability of the machine and the customers satisfaction therewith.

'Ihe improvements in the means for adjusting the platen 24, and for tabulating the carriage, also afford important benefits, it being noted that said platen-adjusting means and tabulating mechanism are simple in character, and nevertheless efticient in operation. It will be noted that with the exception of the tabulating-key levers |62 and the carriage-stops |00, the improved tabulating mechanism, including the stop-setting and stop-clearing devices, and the described liftable, and at the same time forwardly movable, blades, may be assembled as a unit, all mounted in the housing |03, and easily placeable upon, or removable from, the machine.

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

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A front-strike typewriter including a revoluble platen, a machine-frame constructed substantially on horizontal and vertical lines to give said frame an erect appearance, type-carriers yradially arrayed directly forward of the platen for headlong throw toward the platen, each typecarrier having a plurality of vertically-spaced types, the type-carrier array reaching up to a level higher than the printing-line, a keyboard at the front of said frame from which key-levers extend rearwardly, and type-actions connecting the rear portions of the key-levers, within said frame, to said type-carriers, said rear key-lever portions, type-actions and type-carriers forming an internal unitary mechanism which is laid out with reference to inclined coordinates, perpendicular to each other, the use of said inclined layout-coordinates having the effect as of said internal unitary mechanism having been depressed as a unit about the platen-axis, whereby the type-carriers are depressed to occupy substantially less room above the horizontal level of the platen-axis to improve the visibility of the printing-line, said turning of the internal mechanism being effected without changing the erect lines of said machine-frame or the normal position of said keyboard relative to said frame.

2. A front-strike typewriter including a revoluble platen, a machine-frame constructed substantially on horizontal and vertical lines to give the frame an erect appearance, type-carriers radially arrayed directly forward of the platen for headlong 'throw in convergent vertical planes toward the platen, a segment overlying and slidably guiding the type-carriers at their rear portions, the type-'carrier array and said segment reaching up to a level higher than the'printingline, a keyboard at the front of said frame from which key-levers extend rearwardly, and means connecting the rear portions of the key-levers within said frame to said type-carriers, said rear key-lever portions, type-actions and type-carriers 'forming an internal mechanism which is laid out with reference to inclined coordinates substantially as set forth, said segment being part of said machine-frame and being also laid out with reference to said inclined coordinates, so that the visibility of the printing-line is substantial, the erect lines of said machine-frame and the position of said key-board relative to said frame being preserved, saidsegment being the only part of said machine-frame depressed, and its inclination, being from the horizontal, having the effect of softening the 'contour of the machine.

3. A front-strike typewriterv including a revoluble platen, a machine-frame, type-carriers radiating directly forward from the printingpoint for headlong throw toward the platen, typeactions for said type-carriers within said frame and reaching to a level higher than a plane passing through the printing-line and the platen-axis, means forming a cover above said type-carriers and type-actions, said cover-means being part of said frame, said type-carriers, type-actions and cover-means being pitched downwardly and thereby depressed about the platen-axis to lower them and the printing-line, said machine-frame being constructed mainly on horizontal and vertical lines to give it an erect appearance, said cover-means being the only part of said frame which is pitched downwardly, and a keyboard at the front of said frame from which key-levers for said type-actions extend rearwardly, said key-levers arranged so that said keyboard is not pitched downwardly from its normal position.

4. A front-strike typewriter including a revoluble platen, a system of type-carriers and underlying type-actions, said type-carriers exthe platen, said type-carriers and type-actions being laid out to print at a line below the horizontal level of the platen-axis, said type-carriers, said overlying guiding and cover means and said type-actions forming a unit which is depressed about the platen-axis, to render theprinting-line visible, said frame being otherwise laid out on horizontal and vertical lines to give the machine an erect appearance, the keyboard having the normal usual position.

5. A front-strike typewriter including a main frame, a case-shiftable platen, and a system of type-actions including type-carriers, the typecarriers radiating directly forward from the platen and partly'above'the printing-line for headlong dip rearwardly to the platen, said main frame including a segmentally-formed portion overlying said type-carriers and forming therefor a radial guide and a shell-like cover, each type-carrier having a plurality of pairs of upper and lower case types vertically spaced, said typeactions and the overlying segmental portion being laid out with reference to inclined coordinates'perpendicular to one another, said typecarriers and segmental frame-portion being ac` cordingly depressed at the front, to render the printing-line visible, said depressed segmental frame portion having laterally-extending horizontal plates secured to the side members of said frame, the rest of said frame being constructed substantially on horizontal andvertical lines to preserve the erect appearance of the machine.

6. A front-strike typewriter including a main frame constructed substantially on horizontal and Y vertical lines to present an erect appearance, a

keyboard at the front of said frame from'which key-levers extend rearwardly, a revoluble platen,

, a platen-carriage, platen-carriagesupporting l0 means comprising a xed platform, a bolster resting on said platform and mounting said carriage, a system of type-actions connected to and rising above the rear portions of said key-levers,

a system of type-carriers at the top of said typeactions and radiating directly forward from the printing-point for headlong dipping rearwardly toward the latter, means co-operating with said platform to support and guide said bolster, and

carriage-feeding devices mounted on said bolster,

said type-carriers reaching to a level higher than the printing-line, said type-actions being disposed immediately in front of saidplaten-supporting means, said platen, said type-carriers,

type-actions, platen supporting and adjusting means, letter-feeding devices, and the rear parts of said key-levers forming an internal unit which is pitched downwardly to depress the type-bars,

to render the printing-line visible, said depression of the unit being eiected without changing the a0 erect ,lines of said mainframe or the regulation vnormal position of said keyboard relative to said frame. l

7. A front-strike noiseless typewriter including a main frame, a revoluble platen, a system of type-actions I5, and type-carriers 2D located partly above the printing-line and disposed directly forward of the platen for headlong dip to- Ward the latter; said `main frame including a segment 2,8 overlying said type-carriers and forming m therefor a radial guide, said frame also including a shell-like cover 38, each type-carrier having types 26, 21, said type-carriers 20 and said overlying segment 28 and cover 38 reaching to a level above the platen-axis level, said type-actions I6, type-carriers 20, and the overlying segment 28 and cover 38 being laid out with reference toinclined coordinates 30, 3|fwhereby said type-carriers 20, segment 28 and cover 38 as a unit are depressed about the platen-axis 32, to substan-v 5" tially improve the visibility of the printing-line,

the rest of said frame being constructed substantially on horizontal and vertical lines to preserve the erect appearance'of the machine.

8. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless class having a system of type-bars mounted to print upon the front of a revoluble platen, the type-bars moving in convergent vertical planes through a center guide and against the front of the'platen to render the line of print completely visible at the completion of the operation of the usual up-and-down ribbon-vibrator, said type-' bars forming a substantially horizontal row and reaching to a level higher than the line of typing, said type-bars and said platen forming a.unit

G7, which isv dropped about an axis substantially coincident withthe axis of the platen, to such an extent that the-type-impressions upon the platen fall on a line which is below tbe horizonal plane of the axis thereof, with the type-bars below the :n line of vision from the operatives eye to the typed line on the platen.

9. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless Aclass having a system of type-,bars mounted to print upon the front of arevoluble platen, the

75 type-bars moving in convergent vertical planes through a centerl guide and against the front of the platen to render the line of print completely visible at the completion of the operation of the usual up-and-down ribbon-vibrator, said typebars forming a substantially horizontal row and reaching to a level higher than the line of typing, said type-bars having a system of operating trains, and said platen having a carriage; said system of trains, said carriage, said platen and said type-bars all forming a unit which is dropped about substantially the axis of the platen to locate the top line of the type-bars, at a position below the line of vision from the eye of the operative to the typed line on the platen just below the :level of the axis thereof.

10. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless class having a system of type-bars mounted to print upon the front of a revoluble platen, the type-bars moving in convergent vertical planes through a center guide and against the front o! the platen to render the line of print completely visible, said type-bars forming a substantially horizontal row and reaching to a level higher than the line of typing, said type-bars having a system of operating trains, and said platen having a carriage; said system of trains, said carriage, said platen and said type-bars all 'forming a unit which is dropped about substantially the axis ofthe platen to locate the top line of the type-bars at a position below the line of vision from the eye of the operative to the typed line on the platen just below the level of the axis thereof, said trains also including key-levers, and said dropped unit also including a carriage-escapement mechanism.

11. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless class having'a system of type-bars mounted to print upon the front of a revoluble platen, the

type-bars moving in convergent vertical planes through a center guide and against the front of the platen to render the line of vprintcompletely visible, said type-bars forming a substantially horizontal row and reaching to a level higher than the line of typing, said type-bars having a system of operating trains, and said platen having a carriage;A said system oftrains, said carriage, said platen and said type-bars all forming a unit which is dropped about substantially the axis of the platen to locate the top line of the type-bars at a position below the line of vision from the eye of the operative to the typed line on the `platen just below the level of the axis thereof, said trains also including key-levers, and said dropped unit also including a carriage-escapement `mechanism, said key-levers formed with faults forward of said unit, and their forward portions with their keys being undepressed and having regulation level positions usual in typewriters.

12. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless class having a system of type-bars mounted to print upon the front of a revoluble platen, the type-bars moving in convergent vertical planes through a center guide and against thefront of the platen to render the line of print completely visible at the completion of the operation oi the usual up-and-down ribbon-vibrator, said typebars forming a substantially horizontal row and reaching to a level higher than the lin'e of typing, said type-.bars having a system of operating trains, and said platen having a carriage whose top portions are level; said system of trains, the4 under portions of said carriage, said platen and' said type-bars all forming a4 unit which is dropped about substantially the axis of the platen to locate the top line of the type-bars at a position below the line of vision from the eye of the operative to the typed line on the platen just below the level of the axis thereof, and a cover-plate mounted over said type-bar system and forming part of the dropped unit, so that neither type-bars nor cover-plate obstruct the 'view of the typed line; the inclined cover-plate being dropped to a position about level with the top of the platen to afford access to the platen and the paper thereon.

13. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless class having a row of type-bars mounted to move rearwardly to print upon the front of a revoluble platen, the platen being in rear of and about level with the type-bars, the type-bars forming a unit which is dropped about an axis in rear of the impression point, whereby the type-impressions upon the platen fall on a line which is just below the horizontal plane of the axis thereof; the type-bars being normally below the line of vision from the operatives eye to the typed line on the platen.

14. A front-strike typewriter of the noiseless class having a row of type-bars mounted to move downwardly and rearwardly to print upon the front of a revoluble platen, the platen being in rear of andy about level with the type-bars, the type-impressions falling upon the platen on a line whichl is just below the horizontal plane of the axis thereof; the type-bars being normally below the line of vision from the operatives eye to the typed line on the platen, said type-bars having a system of operating trains, and said platen having a carriage, said system of trains and said carriage and platen and type-bars forming a unit which is dropped substantially about the axis of the platen to bring the typebars to a position below the line of vision from the eye of the operative to the typed line on the platen.

15. A front-strike typewriter includinga revoluble platen, an external machine-frame hav, ing its body constructed substantially on vertical lines for ,imparting to said frame an erect appearance, a unitary typing mechanism within said frame and including a system of multipletype carriers radially arrayed directlyin front of the platen for headlong throw back to the platen, the type-carrier array reaching up to a level higher than the'printing-line on the platen,

said frame being a mount upon which said unitary typing mechanism as a unit is supported in forwardly and downwardly inclined posture, said interior unit swung down about a point that is substantially coincident with the platen-axis, whereby type-carriers occupy a modicum of vertical room above the level of `the platen-axis,`

level higher than the printing line on the platen,

said frame being a. mount upon which said unitary typing mechanism as a unit is supported in forwardly and downwardly inclined posture, said interior unit swung down about a point that is substantially coincident with the platen-axis, whereby type-carriers occupy 'a modicum of vertical room above the level ofthe platen-axis, and hence expose to full view the printing-line, a keyboard at the front of the frame having normally posed keys operatively connected to the interior inclined typing mechanism, and a 'coverplate mounted over the type-bar-system, said cover-plate being pitched forwardly and downwardly.

17. In a front-striketypewriter including a revoluble platen, an external machine-frame having its body constructed substantially on vertical lines for imparting to said frame an erect ap,- pearance, and a unitary mechanism within said frame and including a system of multiple-type carriers radially arrayed directly in front of the platen for headlong throw back to the platen, said unit also including a carriage, appurtenances therefor, inclusive of tracks and driving and feeding mechanism, said carriage and its said appurtenant mechanism being adapted and fitted to said type-system, the type-carrier array reaching up to a level higher than the printing-line on the platen, said frame being a mount upon which said typing mechanism, said carriage and said carriage appurtenances, all as a unit, are supported in forwardly and downwardlyv inclined posture, said interior unit depressed about a point that is substantially coincident with the platenaxis, whereby type-carriers occupy a modicum of vertical room above the level of the platen-axis,

and hence expose to full view the printing-line.

18. In a front-strike typewriter including a revoluble platen, an external machine-frame having its body constructed substantially on vertical lines for imparting to said frame an erect appearance, a unitary mechanism within said frame and including a system of multiple-type said unit also including a carriage, appurtenances therefor, inclusive of tracks and driving and feeding mechanism, said carriage and its said appurtenant mechanism being adapted and fitted to said type-system, the type-carrier array reaching up to a level higher than theprinting-line on the platen, said frame being a mount upon which said typing mechanism, said carriage and said carriage appurtenances, all as a unit, are supported in forwardly and downwardly inclined posture, said interior unit depressed about a point that is substantially coincident with the platenaxis, wherebyvtype-carriers occupy a modicum of vertical room above the level of the platen-axis, and hence expose to full view the printing-line, and a level keyboard at the front of the frame having normally posed keys operatively connected to the interior inclined typing system, said typebars being connected to fore-and-aft key-levers, whose rear portions' have a forward and downward pitch to correspond with'the posture of said unitand whose front portions extend forwardly in level condition to bear the keys, the rear portion and front portion of each lever forming an oblique elbow.

' WILLIAM F. HELMOND. A

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