US392258A - Type-writing machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

' I 2 Sheets-Shet 1. W. M. CARPENTER.

TYPE. WRITING MACHINE. No. 392,258. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

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W. M. CARPENTER. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 392,258. Patented Nov; 6, 1888.

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ATENT WILBUR M. CARPENTER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,258, dated November 6, 1888.

Application filed September 27, 1881. Serial No. 144,139. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, WILBUR lVIARVIN CAR- 'PENTER, of- St. Louis, Missouri, have made a new and useful Improvement in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line to x of Fig. 2, a compressor-roller and ratchet-wheels being added; Fig. 2, a plan of the improved machine, the paper-holding and inking mechanism not being shown; Fig. 3, a vertical cross-section on the line 1/ a, Fig. 1, the paper-holding and inking mechanism be ing shown; and Fig. 4, a plan showing a pair of the keys and their finger-plates.

The same letters of reference denote the same parts.

The present invention is an improvement more especially in that class of type-writing machines which are used by stenographerssuch, for instance, as described in Letters Patent Nos. 215,554 and 255,910.

It consists First, in providing two distinct sets of keys and two distinct sets of markers in place of a single set of keys and markers, and adapting the two sets of keys and markers so that the two sets of impressions registered by the two sets of markers, respectively, shall be near to and parallel with each other.

Second, in the addition of two or more keys with markers attached, thus more than doubling the number of characters capable of being written.

Third, in the addition to the feed mechanism of a device whereby the paper ribbon is moved one space when the long keys on the right side of the key-board'are depressed, and two spaces when those on the leftare depressed, either by themselves or jointly with those keys on the right.

Fourth, in the addition of as many other keys as there are long bars ending in markers, said additional keys, instead of being provided with markers, being extended parallel with those keys ending in markers until they have passed their fulcrum, beyond which they are depressed and extended toward and under the thumb-keys and ultimately connected with the markingkcys upon the opposite side of the machine.

Fifth, in other sets of finger-plates attached to the keys in such a manner that they can, with a single finger, be depressed either singly, in pairs, threes, or fours. This last-named arrangement is not broadly claimed to be original, as it is exhibited in one form in an application for Letters Patent filed by me July 30, 1884; but the claim is rather to that arrangement of the keys which enables the operator to strike four finger-plates with one finger, as well as three, two, or one finger-plate.

An understanding of the improvement is facilitated by referring to the construction of the Bartholomew stenograph, above-cited, all parts of the present machine not described at length being generally similar to those of the stenograph named.

The chief advantage of the improvement is that by means of it the speed of a stenographic machine is increased.

A A represent two thumbkeys arranged side by side at the center of the machine, and extending from the front to or nearly to the back of the machine. They are adapted to be vibrated vertically and independently of each other upon the fulcrums a afiand at their front ends they are each provided with a finger-plate, a, and at their rear ends they are each provided with a marker, (L The fingerplates a a are side by side, and are extended in the direction of the length of the machine.

B B represent two marking-keys, respectively at each side of and next in the keyboard to the keys A A. They are intended to be operated by the index-fingers. They turn independently upon the fulcrums b b, and are each provided with a finger-plate,b b, respectively, and a marker, I).

G C represent two marking-keys, respect ively next to the keys B B. They turn independently upon the fulcrunis c c", and are each furnished with a finger-plate, c 0, respectively, and a marker, 0 The marking keysD D come, respectivelymext to the keys 0 O, the marking-keys E E to the keys D D, and the keys F F to the keys E E, and they all are similarly pivoted and furnished with finger-plates and markers. The markers at b e (Z 6 of each set of keys are in line with IOO each other, and the two sets of markers are parallel with each other, as seen by reference to Fig. 2. The finger-plates u b c d ef of the marking-keys at one side of the key-board, however, are not in line with those in the opposite side of the key-board, those at the lefthand side, Fig. 2, being nearer the front of the machine than those at the right hand. The keys and markers thus far described are operatcd those at the right-hand side of the keyboard with the fingers of the right hand, and those at the left-hand side of the key-board with the fingers of the left hand.

G H 1 J K and G H I J K represent two additional sets of keys arranged, respectively, at each side of the center of the key-board. The keys G H, &e., are provided with the finger-plates g h, &c., respectively, and the keys G H, &c., are provided with the finger-plates g h, &c., respectively; but the keys G H G H, &c., are not provided with markers, their function being the operating of the markingkeys B GB 0, &c., and respectively from opposite sides of the key-board-that is, the keys G H G H, &c., are an additional means for operating the marking-keys, and in the following manner: The keys G H, &c., at the left-hand side of the key-board extend toward the rear end of the machine past the fulcrums g h", &e., upon which they are respectively adapted to be vibrated, and thence are extended transversely across to the opposite side of the key-board, where they respect ively connect with the marking-keys on that opposite side of the keyboard, and in such manner as shall enable the vibration of the keys G H, &c., to effect the vibration of the keys B C, &c., and with the same result as when the keys B G, &o., are operated by means of their own finger-plates ab, 8:0. The key G operates the marking-key B, the key H the marking-key O, and so on. The keys 1 H, &c., upon the right-hand side of the key-board extend toward the rear end of the machine past their fulcrums h, &c., and thence are extended transversely across to the opposite side of the key-board, where they respectively connect with the markingkeys on that opposite side of the key-board and in such manner as shall enable the vibration of the keys G H, &c., to effect the vibration of the keys B C, &c., and with the same result as when the keys 1 G, &c., are operated by means of their own finger-plates a b, &c. The

5 key G operates the markingkey B, the key II the marking-key O, and so on.

The shape of the keys G H G H, &c., and mode of connecting them with the markingkeys are illustrated in Fig. -l. The keys G H G H, &c., in being extended across the keyboard, as described, are suitably depressed, so as to clear all those keys which they must pass in order to reach the keys with which they connect.

L M N O and L M N 0 represent additional finger-plates, which are attached to the marking-keys B O 1) Band G H. I J, respect ively. They are used mainly when desired to strike certain of the keys, two or three at a time, with a single finger. Fig. 2 illustrates what I consider the best relative arrangement of all the above-described finger-plates, the finger-plates L M, 850., being at the rear end of the key-board, the finger-plates g h ij k b c t ef next in front, the finger-plates a dc fg h ij 7c in front of those last named, and the thumb-plates being extended in front of all. The finger-plates g bare respectively extended in rear of the thumb-plates, and the finger-plates L M N and L M N Oarc relatively so arranged that each of them laps upon two of the finger-plates in front. In this manner a symmetrical key-board containing many keys in a compact form is obtained, and in which two or more keys can be struck with a single finger.

P (3 represent a pair of levers, which are pivoted at 0' s, respectively. They are used in operating the paper-feeding and inking-ribbon devices. They are analogous to what has heretofore been used in stenographic machines; but they serve a special service in the present machine in this respect: lVhcn the marking-kcys on the right-hand side of the machine are struck,the paper being written upon needs to be moved but one line at a time, for the paperT in the present instance; and as shown in Fig. 3, is fed from the left of the markers; but when the marking-keys on the left-hand side of the machine are struck the paper needs to be moved two lines instead of one, as otherwise the right-hand markers would strike the paper on the line previously struck by the left-hand markers. Accordingly, two levers, P Q, instead of a single lever, and a doublefeed device, instead of a single feed, are employed, and as follows: When a marking-key on the right-hand side is struck, it lifts the forward end of thelcver Q. Thislever is provided with the hook s, Fig. I), which operates in connection with the ratchet \Vhen the lever Q drops, its hook engages with the ratchet and causes the paper (through mechanism not shown, as it is of a familiar form) to be fed past the markers a space of a line, and so when any marking-key on the righthand side of the machine is struck the paper is fed one line, as 'in other stenographic and type-writing machines; but when a markingkey upon the opposite side of the machine is struck it lifts the forward end of the other lever, It, which, by means of the hook 1-, is adapted to engage with a ratchet, 1*, Fig. 3, which is upon the shaft s" of the ratchet s". The ratchet 1' has but half as many teeth as the ratchet a, and when the lever 1 drops it operates through the hook r and ratchet 1" to rotate the shaft 8 twice as far as when the lever Q, is operating, and the paper in consequence is fed a space of two lines past the markers. The under side of the lovers has usually been made in the form of a pad to cushion the marking-keys in their upward stroke. The spacing-key is represented at U,

Figs. 1, 2. It' is constructed and operated in the ordinary manner.

To facilitate operating two, three, or four keys at once, a button, W, Figs-1, 2, can be used. The button or small finger-plate is construeted to lap over the abutting edges of adjoining finger-plates substantially as represented. In this case it is on the outer keys and may be applied to as many,as desired, attached to a stem, 10, which extends downward between the finger-plates, and is supported upon a yielding bearing, such as the spring 20. On depressing the button all those finger-plates upon which the button laps are simultaneously depressed, and when the pressure of the operators finger is released the button and finger-plates rise to their original positions. Thus with the present machine not only can two lines of impressions be registered simultaneousl y, but several marking keys can be operated with fingers fewer in number than the keys operated upon. The finger or fingers of one hand can also at one stroke operate markers in both series, and by means of the auxiliary finger-plates L M L M, 860., the movements of the keys in the front row of the key-board are oftentimes more readily effected, for when the operators fingers are nearer the rear edge than the front edge of the intermediate row of finger-plates, and it is desired to operate those keys to which the finger-plates L M, &c., are attached, it is not infrequently easier to throw the fingers rearwardly and strike the plates L M, &c., than to withdraw them and strike the forward row of fingerplates.

The principle of this improvement can be extended as follows: In place of but two sets of marking-keys and two sets of markers there may be more than two sets of marking-keys and markers, in which event the paper-feeding mechanism is modified accordingly, so that when three sets of markers are used the paper can be fed three lines at once, and when four sets of markers are used the paper can be fed four lines at once, and so on.

I claim- 1. In a manual or key-board of a writingmachine, and in combination with markingkeys. as B O, &c., and their connectingarms, as G H, &c., a plurality of finger-plates attached to a single marking-key and a plurality of finger-plates attached to its connectingarm, substantially as described.

2. In manuals or key-boards, the combination of two sets of finger-plates, a front and a rear set, I) c d, &c., L M N, 850., gh 2", &c., L M N, &c., having a plate in each set attached to a single marking-key or connecting-arm, the said sets of plates being separated from each other and admitting between them the plates of a distinct set with the series of plates 9 h t, &c., b c d, 850., attached to a set of connectingarms or marking-keys, substantially as shown and described.

3. In manuals or key-boards, the combination, with a middle line of finger-plates, g h

t, 8.30., Z) 0' (2, &e., of two lines of finger-plates, a front line and a rear line, having a plate in each line attached to a single marking-key or connectingarm, on one side having the front and rear plates connected to marking-keys, with middlelineof plates attached to connecting-arms, on the other side frcntand rear rows of plates on the connecting arms,with middle row of plates attached to marking keys, and the plates in the front line being respectively opposite those in the middle li ne,and the plates in the rear line being arranged to breakjoints with those in the middle line, as described.

4. In a Writingmaehine, the'connectingarms, as G H G H, constructed to pass under intervening markingrkeys to their own marking-keys, in combination with the said marking-keys and a plurality of linger-plates fixed upon the eonnectingarms at one side of the key-board,and upon marking keys at the other side of the key-board, and thereby adapted, through the means described, to register two distinct sets of characters by manipulating the key-board upon either side of the machine.

5. In a key-board of a writing-machine,the combination, with the marking-keys, of two finger-plates attached to each key, of a series of marking-keys having aspace between them to admit the finger-plates actuating a distinct series of markingkeys, as and for the purpose described.

6. In a writingmachine, the combination, with the finger-plates b L, and the markingkey operated by them, of the finger-plate g and the arm and marking-key operated by it, the said plate 9 being arranged between and abutting against finger-plates b L, which are attached to a marking-key on the same side of the machine.

7. In a key-board or manual, the combination, with the markingkeys and connectingarm, of the thumbplate aand the finger-plate g",abutting on each other and operating marking-keys on opposite sides of the machine, as described and shown.

8. In a type-writing machine, two distinct sets of marking-keys, in combination with each other, said marking-keys in both of said sets at a point in front of the position of the marker, each being bifurcated, and the forks, respectively, being extended and provided with finger-plates, substantially as shown and described.

9. The combination, in awriting-machine, with two distinct sets of marking-keys, of two pads, two pawls, and two ratchets, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination, in a writing-machine, with two distinct sets of marking-keys, of the pad P, extending over one set of keys, the pad q, extending over the other set, the hooks, the ratehets, and the shaft, substantially as shown and described.

11. In a writing or other machine having a pair of finger-keys, as b g, in mechanical connection with a single marker, the combination, with the said pair of fingerkeys, of the IIO finger-keys b g, similarly constructed and actuating a marker belonging to a different series of markers, whereby both markers may be actuated with a single finger from either side of the machine, substantially as shown.

12. In a writing or other machine, the combination of the marking-key B, the connectingarm G, the marking-key B, and the connecting-arm G with the corresponding lingerplatcs, b g I) L g L, respectively, said marking-keys being adapted, through the means described, to be vibrated simultaneously with a single finger on either side of the key-board and to register characters on opposite sides of the machine, as shown and described.

13. In combination with the adjoining finger-plates, the button \V, as described.

14. The combination of the marking-key A, its thumb-plate a, the marking-key B, its finger-plate I), the connecting-arm G, its fingerplate 9, and the marking-key B, said markingkeys being adapted, as described, to be vibrated simultaneously with a single finger and register two marks on the same side of the machine with the thumb-key and one mark on the opposite side of the machine, as and for the purpose described.

15. Ina writing-machine having-finger-keys I) 1 in pairs, each pair being in mechanical connection with a single marker, the combination, with two pairs, 1) g c h, of the pair L L, offinger-keys similarly constructed and actuating a single marker, whereby three markers may be actuated simultaneously with a single finger from either side of the key-board, substantially as shown and described.

16. In a typewriting machine havingmarkers which are connected with and operated by pairs of finger-keys, the combination, substantially as shown, of distinct sets of markers with distinct sets of finger-keys, as b c d, &c., g h z", &c., on one side, and g h i, 830., I) 0 d, 820., on the other side, said keys being arranged in pairs, as b g, substantially as shown, whereby a plurality of distinct sets of markers may be operated simultaneously from either side of the key-board.

WILBUR M. CARPENTER.-

Witnesses:

C. D. MooDY, J. XV. Home.

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