US694537A - Type-writing machine. - Google Patents

Description

No. 694,537. Patented Mar. 4, I902.-

- P.. T. DODGE.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Application filed Dec, 6, 1901.;

(No Modem UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.

694,537, dated March ,4, 1902.

Application filed December 6, 1901- Serial No- 84,869. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIPT'. DODGE, of WVashington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

There are now in common use for writing in bound books and on flat sheets machines in which the sheet or leaf to be written upon In the commercial use of these machines it is frequently desirable to make short entries on bills, statements, &c., which must succeed each other in the machine very rapidly.

The aim of my invention is to provide for this class of machines a simple attachment which will permit the edges of loose sheets, cards, &c., which may be laid on the platen to be instantly secured and released without the necessity of separating the frame and platen, the attachment being adapted for speedy application to and removal from the machine.

To this end it consists in a spring-clip adapted to embrace or inclose the edge of the platen or frame, the clip being combined with a manual device bywhich it may be instantly thrown into and out of action.

In the drawings I have shown my clip in a form adapted more especially for use in what are known commercially as the Elliott & Hatch machines of the general organization shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 620,125.

Figure 1 represents my attachment applied to the forward end of the platen of such a machine, the clips being raised to permit the introduction or removal of the sheet. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the device, with the sheet confined in place, this figure showing also the usual outside frame which sustains the writing mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the correspondingly-numbered line of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the correspondingly-numbered line of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 isa perspective view showing a clip in slightly-modified form applied to the platen.

Referring to the various figures, A represents the flat platen or bed-plate to sustain the sheet or page to be written upon, its surface being ordinarily covered with vulcanized rubber.

B represents the open rectangular frame intended to sustain the writing mechanism and adapted to encircle the platen and to bear upon its longitudinal edges, as shown. In the ordinary use of the machine for print ing in books or on large sheets it is necessary to support the frame and platen vertically to permit the insertion or removal of the sheet which is to be confined between them.

In carrying out my invention in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4 I provide two. or more .metallic clips 0, preferably of spring-steel,

each bent intoa 3 form, adapted to be crowded over the edge of and to tightly embrace the platen, so that it will retain its position. The upperarm of the clip, resting on the upper surface of the platen, is formed with a central protruding tongue 0 and with incisions extending backward alongthe edges of this tongue into the body portion. Each of these tongues has an upwardly-curved portion 0' midway of its length. D is a small wire or rod extending from one of the clips to the other and having flattened ends d, which are extended under the curved portion of the tongues and permitted to rest on the upper surface of the body portion. WVhen the crank-arm is turned to an upright position, as shown in Fig. 1, the flattened ends assume an upright position and lift the tongues o, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so that the edge of the sheet or card may be readily inserted beneath them, the friction of the tongues retaining the parts in this position, so that the operator has both hands free to edect the properadjustment of the sheet. After the sheet is in position it is only necessary to give the crank a slight lateral pressure, whereupon it will fall to the position shown in Fig. 2, its flattened ends permitting the fingers to spring down tightly upon the sheet, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. As the sheet is inserted the ends of the body portion of the clip serve as stops or gages against which it may be alined, as plainly shown in the several figures.

In the commercial machines there is a small space between the end of the platen and the end bar of the frame B sufficient to admit the clips between them. This fact renders it possible to apply the clips as shown and to close the frame B down around the outside of the clips, as shown, rendering it unnecessary to in any manner alter the machine.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the clip as formed of a continuous piece of metal bent to 3 form, with the raised portion 0 extending longitudinally in the upper leaf. In this form of the clip the lifting or opening device D is a flattened wire having one end bentor cranked. This crank-wire is inserted under the upper leaf of the clip and bears upon the surface of the platen or upon tongues punched from the leaf of the clip, as shown in dotted lines, so that when turned up on edge, as indicated in dotted lines, it will lift the edge of the clip and hold it in the elevated position while the sheet is being inserted or removed.

It will be understood that the clips may be made in any suitable length or,'if divided into sections, that any suitable number of the small clips or sections may be employed, according to the size of the machine and the sheets to be held therein.

It is to be noted as a characteristic feature of my clip that it is adapted in each of its forms to fit over, include, or embrace the edge of the platen or frame, so that a reconstruction or modification of the machine to permit the application of the clamp is unnecessary. It may be applied in an instant to either of the commercial machines now in use, and being applied it is self-retaining and operative.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a book type-writer, the combination of the flat platen, an elastic clip embracing the edge of the platen, and a lifting device above the platen, adapted to lift and sustain the upper arm of the clip.

2. In combination with the flat platen and the clip embracing the edge of the platen, a rotary flattened lifting device, adapted to sustain the upper arm of the clip, substantially as shown.

3. In combination with the flat platen, a plurality of clips embracing the same, and a rotary device, substantially as described, acting on the series of clips to raise and uphold their upper arms.

4. A paper-holding clip for attachment to a book type-writer, consisting of a D-sh'aped elastic member adapted to embrace the platen or frame of the machine and hold itself in position and a lifting device to cooperate therewith.

5. In a paper-clip for a type-writing inachine,the elastic D-shaped body portion, having its upper end divided into a plurality of arms, in combination with a rotary lifting device acting above one arm and beneath another, substantially as shown.

6. In a paper-clip for a book type-writer, the elastic body portion of I) form, having its upper end divided into a plurality of arms diifering in length, and one of said arms formed with an upward curve therein, in combination with a rotary lifting device seated between the arms and retained in place by the curved portion, substantially as described and shown.

7. In a book type-Writer, in combination with a fiat bed or platen, an elastic clip embracing the edge of the platen, the external frame seated outside of the clip and securing the same in position, and the lifting device cooperating with the upper arm of the clip, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 3d day of December, 1901, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

PHILIP T. DOD GE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, M. A. DRIFFILL.

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