US570545A

US570545A - Type-writing machine

Info

Publication number: US570545A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1896-11-03
Anticipated expiration: 1913-11-03

Description

(No Modpl.) 3 .Sh e ets Sheet 1. W. PREDRI-CK & H. W. WACHTER.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

No. 570,545. Patented Nov. 3, 1896.

Wf/Zfiffi mam/mi W a? M 5L V IN: mama m 00.. mes-Erma" wiiwluz'rbnfuc- (No Model.) a Sheets-Sheet 2. Y W. FREDRICK8: H. W. WAGHTER.

' TYPE WRITINGVMAGHINB.

.No.- 570,545. v Patented Nev. 3,189

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM FREDRICK AND HARRY IV. \VAOHTER, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, AS- SIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO R. O. FAULCONER, TRUSTEE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,545, dated November 3, 1896.

Application filed June 21, 1892.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, XVILLIAM FREDRICK and HARRY WVJVACHTER, of Toledo, county of Lucas, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-'Writing Machines; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable-others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to a type-writing machine, and has for its object to simplify the construction and render the operation more perfect than heretofore.

The object is to provide a vertically-journaled type-wheel having a vertical movement to a-line different forms of type-characters with the impression-plunger, and means for revolving the type-wheel and raising the same through the medium of the keys.

A further object is to provide a positive and simple means for moving the carriage and holding the same immovable during the process of making the impression.

A further object is to actuate the typewheel through the medium of oppositely-disposed inclined bars forming a rock-bar, and key having a bearing upon each bar when the same are forced to a horizontal plane by a ley'er controlling the desired type-symbol, whereby the typewheel is revolved and locked to present a corresponding type to the impression-plunger.

A further object is to advance the paper to and from the impression devices in a manner to allow of an observation of the printed matter, thereby obviating the necessity of raising the carriage to inspect the same, and whereby correction of errors may be made as they occur.

The invention consists in the parts and combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a complete type-writer. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on lines y 1 Fig. 2, illustrat- Serial No. 437,440. (No man.)

ing the rocking frame and lever which operates the hammer mechanism. Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of the type-writer with one side removed, the key-levers and typewheel-positionin g frame being omitted. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the positioning-frame for controlling the type-wheel. Fig. 6 is an edge view of the type -whee1- positioning frame, showingihe opposite inclination of the type-selection bars of said frame. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a portion of the paperfeeding rollers. Fig. 8 is a cross-section'of the impression-h ammer and housing and part of the feed mechanism for the carriage in front elevation. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the same with the toothed bar of the carriage omitted. Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views showing the roller in side and end elevation, respectively, to illustrate the clamping-bar and spring connection for actuating the same.

The operative mechanism is sustained within a framing comprising vertical sides 1, having a proper upward incline from the front, and a horizontal top portion 2, there being integral standards 3 to strengthen the frame and form journal-supports. Pivoted within the frame upon a transverse rod 4 are a plurality of key-levers 5, each provided at the outer end with keys 6, bearing the appropriate type-symbols, the inner ends of the levers extending within the frame a sufficient distance so that when they are raised by depressing a key they contact with either one of each of two oppositely-inclined rods 7 of the type-wheel-positioning frame.

The type-wheel-positioning frame 8 comprises a sh aft 9, journaled transversely in the frame, and arm 10, secured at each end to the shaft and at right angles thereto. The arms 10 extend in diflerent planes in relation to the shaft, and are provided with perforations at each end. The arms are connected by the bars 7, which have their ends fitted into the perforations in the ends of the arms. These bars extend crosswise of each other,and are ar- 9 5 ranged at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees, as plainly shown in Fig. 11. These parts form a-rocking type-positioning frame, so that when one of the bars 7 is pressed upon by a key-lever the frame will partially re- IOO volve until both bars are in horizontal alinement and in contact with the key-lever.

Centrally of the type-wheel-positioning frame is secured a plate 1 l,which normally ex- 5 tends vertically between bars 7 and is given a rotative motion by the movement of the typewheel-positioning frame. J ournaled vertically within the frame is a revoluble sleeve 12, formed wit-l1 an elongated opening 12.

A shaft 13 is journaled in the sleeve and caused to rotate therewith by means of a pin 13' upon the shaft, which extends through the opening 12. The elongation of the opening allows a vertical movement of the pin when the 1 5 shaft is raised or lowered. The rotative movement of the sleeve 12, and consequently shaft 13, is accomplished by means of flexible con nections with the plate 11,there beinga flexible connection 14 wound upon the sleeve near the upper end thereof, the opposite end of the flexible connection being secured to the upper end of the plate, the lower flexible connection 15 being secured to the lower end of the plate and oppositely wound upon the lower portion 2 5 of the sleeve, so that when the type-positioning frame is actuated by any particular key-lever to cause the bars to aline therewith a corresponding rotative movement is given to plate 11 and to the sleeve, one of the flexible con- 3o nections unwinding from and the other winding upon the sleeve.

Secured upon the upper end of shaft 13 is a type-wheel 16, having a plurality of rows of characters upon its periphery. A preferred 3 5 arrangement is tohave an upper row of lowercase or small letters, a middle row of uppercase or capitals, and a lower row of punctuation-marks, numerals, and special characters for use in printing. The characters in each row are assembled uponv the wheel so that a movement of the type-positioning frame by any one of the key-levers will cause the typewheel to revolve and present a type-character similar to the one designated upon the keylever in position to print upon the paper in proper space and line with any preceding character.

The vertical movement of shaft 13 is accomplished by means of a transverse bar 17, upon which the lower end of the shaft rests, the

bar being connected with key-levers 18, which are pivoted to the frame at 18, as shown in Figs. 2 and a, and are arranged one upon each side of the keyboard. These levers are of diiferent lengths, as shown in Fig. 1, so that when the lever upon one side is depressed to the limit of its movement the shaft is raised to cause the middle row or capital letters to aline with the impression-punch, and when the key-lever on the opposite side is depresed to the limit of the movement the lower row will be raised into a like alinement. The

mer, preferably comprising a rubber portion 19 and a metal portion 19, secured within a casing 20, shown in the present instance as tubular, although the printing-hammer may be rectangular in cross-section and the easing of like contour, if desired.

A preferable arrangement for adjustment of the printing-hammer is to screw-thread the metal portion 19', as shown, and form a like screw-thread within the casing, and allow of in sertinga screw-driver throu gh the frame and into the casing, when, by placing the screwdriver into a transverse groove in the metal part 19 at the end of the plunger, any desired adjustment of the rubber head maybe made by turning the printing-hammer either to advance or retract the same, or we may extend the metal end through the casing and form a thumb-screw, if desired.

Casing 20 is movably secured within the frame, and when tubular, as shown, is guided in the reciprocation and prevented from rotative movement by means of a stud 21 in the casing and projecting into an elongated slot" 21, formed in the frame. It will be obvious that we may substitute other means for preventing the rotative movement of the casing without departing from the spirit of our invention. V

The casing, and consequently the printinghammer, is reciprocated through the medium of a lever 22, formed'integral with a rectangular frame 23, having a universal bar 23 of a length equal to the width of the aggregated type-controlling key-levers, but not of sumcient length to be in contact with the shifting key-levers 18. 7

Frame 23 is journaled upon a rod 24, secured in the fram-ingtran sversely thereof and beneath the key-levers, there being a spring 25 secured to the framing 1 and bearing upon the frame 23, which causes the universal bar 23 to normally bear upon the under side of each type-controllin g key-lever.

The inner end of lever 22 is perforated to receive a vertical rod 26, which is provided with upper and lower bearing-

collars

27 and 28, respectively, held in the desired adjust ment by means of set-

screws

27 and 28, respectively. The upper end of rod 26 has pivoted to it a toggle-arm 29, pivotally secured to the framing, and a like arm 30, pivotally secured to arm 29, the opposite end being pivotally secured to casing 20, so that when rod 26 is raised and the toggle-arms straightened the printing-hammer is advanced to cause an impression of the type upon the type-wheel.

The toggle-arms 29' and 30 are so arranged that when rod 26 is at its lowest position the.

WVhen the toggle-arms ing the spring 31 until the link 32 reaches the opposite incline from that shown in the drawings, when the f ulcrum-point will be changed and the spring 31 allowed to resume its normal position, and in so doing force forward the printing-hammer against the type-wheel. It will thus be seen that spring-pressure is employed to straighten the toggle-arms and force forward the printing-hammer against the paper which is interposed between the type-wheel and hammer. The printing-hammer is retracted by means of the end of the lever 22 striking against the collar 28. This is accomplished by the tension of the spring 25 when the pressure is removed from the universal bar 23'. The end of the lever 22 strikes against the collar 28 with enough force to pull down the rod 26 and toggle-

arms

29 and 30 to their initial position, when the parts are again locked by the tension of spring 31.

In Fig. 2 we have shown another form of spring 31. This spring is arranged in and around the arm 30, and is adapted to force forward the printing-hammer when the toggle-arms are raised, as before described.

34 designates an arm either formed integral with or secured to the framing, and formed with a T- head 35, perforated to receive the rod 36 of the traveling carriage 37, which carriage comprises the end bars 38, to which is secured rod 36 and a roller 38, journaled in the opposite ends of the bars, there being a shaft 3 9 journaled in parallel relation with the roller and geared therewith, as shown in Fig. 7, whereby the roller and shaft revolve in unison when either actuated by means of the hand-wheel 40 or the hand-ratchet 41.

Centrally of the shaft 39 there is secured a friction surface 42, preferably of vulcanized rubber, the spring of shaft 39 being sufficient to allow of inserting one or more sheets of paper between the rollers.

Carriage 37 is moved longitudinally by means of tension exerted thereon by a flexible connection 43, attached to the carriage and to a spring-actuated drum 44, journaled upon the frame. The longitudinal forward movement of the carriage is controlled by means of a rack-bar 45, secured in the carriage-frame parallel with the rollers and alternately engaged by a fixed stud 46 upon a collar 47, secured upon the reciprocating casing 20 of the impression device, and a springactuated tooth 48 upon a collar 49, also secured upon the casing, the spring 50 of the collar exerting tension in opposition to the springdrum 44, but in a less degree, whereby when the printing-hammer is advanced stud 46 will enter the space between two teeth and hold the bar 45 immovable while the impression is being made, and when the printing-hammer is retracted pass out of the space as tooth 48 engages with the same,'and yielding to the greater tension of the spring-drum to allow the carriage to pass the distance of one tooth, when the operation is repeated until the carriage has traveled its length. The collar 49 is held in position on the casing 20 by means of a pin 70, projecting from the casing and working in a slot 71 in the collar.

l-Ieretofore in machines of this class the operatorhas been notified of the extent of travel of the carriage by the ringing of a bell. This has frequently resulted in either a failure to notice the signal or a desire to complete a word, and a consequent continuance of writing without revolving the rollerto advance the paper, and has resulted in writing several letters one upon the other. WVe therefore, to overcome this objection, have devised means by which the operation of the machine is effectually stopped when the carriage has traveled the required distance, which comprises a bifurcated arm 51 upon the right-hand side of the carriage, which projects sufficiently below the same to engage with the under side of a collar 51 upon rod 26 as the same is raised to make the impression of the last letter of a line, whereby the arm holds the rod in raised position, thereby precluding the possibility of operating the machine until the carriage is moved back to the startingpoint. p

38 and 42 designates upper and lower rollers, respectively, for receiving and controlling the paper to be fed to the carriage, the upper roller 38 being supplied with a clamping-bar 52, located within a groove formed longitudinally of the roller and caused to rest against one or the other of the sides of the groove by means of a spiral spring 52 secured at one end to the shaft of the roller and at the opposite end to the projection 52 formed upon the end of the clamping-bar. This arrangement being at each end of the roller, when the bar is forced to a plane coincident to a radial line from the axis of the roller the tension of the spring will cause the bar to impinge upon the paper inserted between the bar and side of the groove, and when forced to the opposite side of the groove the spring will hold the bar upon that side to allow of removal.

lVhile the contact of the key-levers with the rods 7 of the rock-bar is sufficient ordinarily to hold the type-wheel in proper adjustment rotatively to aline the particular type-character with the printing-hammer, we

have devised a positive mechanism supple- 1 mental to the rock-bar, which consists of a ratchet-wheel 54 upon the lower end of the shaft 13 and a centrally-pivoted pawl 55, having a rearwardly-curved lower end 56, and a square notch 57 in the upper end which engages with a spring-catch 57 when the pawl is out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel. A spring 58 bears upon the lower end of the pawl and normally presses the same into engagement with the ratchet-wheel. arrangement a stud 59, projecting from lever 22, when depressed rocks the pawl and causes the upper end to engage with spring-catch'57,

and when the lever is raised stud 59 contacts with the spring-catch and releases the'pawl, which immediately engages the ratchet Vith this wheel and positively holds the shaft 13 immovable, it being understood that the engagement of the pawl with the ratchet occurs just previous to the time that the impression is made. a

designates inking-rollers held yieldingly against the type-wheel by means of springs 61, secured to the framing. IVe wish it understood that, while we have shown rollers as a preferred way of inking type, we may employ the ordinary form of type-ribbon, if desired, and wind the same upon the rollers, or adjust the same in any other preferred manner.

G2 designates a clampfor holding the manuscript upon the inclined top of the framing,

and preferably comprises a bar extending across the horizontal portion of the top and secured to the spring-pressed thumb-levers 63, whereby when it is desired to insert or release the sheet of manuscript the outer ends of the levers are depressed, raising the bar, and the sheet is either inserted or removed. This arrangement is of great value, as it al lows of holding the manuscript immediately in front of the operator. It will be obvious that we may vary the construction of the clamp broadly without departing from the spirit of our invention.

From the foregoing description the operation will be readily understood. The paper being wound upon roller 38 and passed between the rollers of the carriage to be fed up and over the top of the same as printed, the operator depresses the particular key to form aword or print a character, and the key-lever bearing upon rods 7 of the rock-bar, a corresponding letter or character is presented to the printing-hammer through the intermediate connection of the key-lever and typewheel. As the type-wheel is turned and the proper character presented in front of the printing-hammer, the toggle is released from the tension of the spring 31, as described, and the tension of the spring causes the printinghammer to advance and make the impression of the type upon the paper, when, as the printing-hammer is retracted, the carriage is advanced one notch of the rack-bar, presenting the paper with the proper spacing for the next letter, it being understood that the spacing between the words or a blank space in the line of printing is made when desired by striking a key that shall revolve the type-wheel to cause a blank space in the roller to aline with the printing-hammer.

hat we claim is 1. In-a type-writing machine, a revoluble type-wheel, a shaft, a type-wheel-positioning frame, connections between the typewheel and type-wheel-positionin g frame, a printinghammer, a toggle-joint for reciprocating the same, a rod connected with the toggle-joint, key-levers pivoted to contact with and actuate the type-wheel-positioning frame and also the rod of the toggle-joint.

2. In a type-writing-machine, a plurality of key-levers, a frame pivoted beneath the same having at one end a universal bar extending the entire width of the levers, and at the opposite end a lever, a printing-hammer, a spring-actuated toggle-joint for actuating the plunger, a rod connected with the toggle-j oint and the frame-lever for releasing and retracting the toggle-joint.

In a type-writing machine, a revoluble type-wheel, in combination with a printing"- hammer in alinement therewith, a toggle-arm" connected at one end to the frame, alike arm connected with the printing-hammer, said arms being pivotally connected at one end to the frame, a rod connected with the arms at their pivotal point and with a key-lever, and

4. In a type-writing machine, a type-wheel,

an impression device in alinement therewith, comprising a framing, a sleeve movably secured therein, means for holding the'sleeve from rotary movement,a printing-hammer adjustably secured in the' sleeve, a springactu'ated toggle for reciprocating the printing-hammer, and a lever and rod for initially raising the toggle and lowering the same;

5. The combination with a frame, of a horizontal revoluble type-wheel, a horizontal reciprocating printing-hammer adapted to operate in alinement with the type-wheel, a transversely-movable carriage, a retraetile device connected therewith to feed the said carriage and actuated by the reciprocating movement of the printing-hammer.

0. The combination of the frame and typewheel, of the reciprocating printing-hammer and carriage, said carriage having a'rack-bar thereon, a reciprocating casing surrounding the hammer, a rigid pawl carried by the casing and a spring-pawl also carried thereon and a retractile device connected between the frame, and carriage to feed the carriage.

7. In a type-writing machine, a type-wheel, a plunger in alinement therewith, a springactuated toggle for advancing the plunger, comprising arms secured with the frame and plunger respectively and to each other at an angle, a rod connected with the toggle, collars.

upon the rod, a lever movable upon the rod to contact with the collars and means for raising and lowering the lever.

S. In a type-writing machine a shaft journaled in the frame, a type-wheel secured thereon, a ratchet-wheel on the shaft, a spring-pressed pawl pivoted upon the frame a catch for engaging the pawl when retracted, and mechanism for retracting the pawl and means for releasing the catch to allow the pawl to engage with the ratchet-wheel.

9. In a type-writing machine, a carriage, a printing-hammer, a toggle-joint for actuat ing the plunger, means for actuating the toggle-joint, a feeding device for the carriage actuated by the plunger and means for looking the mechanism for actuating the togglejoint.

10. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with a type-Wheel, a printing-hammer, and toggle-joint connected to the hammer, of a rod adapted to actuate the togglejoint mechanism for actuating the rod, a collar near the upper end of the rod, a movable carriage and a bifurcated arm attached to said carriage adapted to engage the rod beneath the collar When the carriage has reached the limit of the movement to prevent the further movement of the rod.

11. The combination of a type-wheel, a

hammer, the toggle-lever, and rod for operating the hammer, said rod carrying a collar near its upper end, a movable carriage and a bifurcated arm attached to said carriage to engage the rod and prevent a further action 20 VILLIAM FREDRIOK. HARRY W. WACHTER.

lVitnesses WILLIAM WEBSTER, CARROLL I. WEBSTER.