US2013677A - Typewriting machine - Google Patents

Description

p 10, 1935- B. c. STICKNEY 2,013,677

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Original Filed March 6, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 1935- B. c. STICKNEY I TYPEWRITING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 6, 1931 INVENTOR:

Patented Sept. 10, 1935 TYPEWRITING MACHINE Application March 6, 1931, Serial No. 520,507

Renewed March 30, 1932 25 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable line-spacing mechanism of typewriting machines, in which there are provided two independently-adjustable regulating keys, one of which determines the measurement of the line-space unit, and the other of which determines how many units shall be included in the line-spacing stroke of platen or work-sheet.

The objects of the invention are to produce a simple, inexpensive, reliable and durable mechanism of this class, especially one that can be readily incorporated in machines of standard manufacture.

One feature of the invention is a unit into which the regulating members are built for ready attachment to an Underwood standard front-strike typewriting machine.

The extent to which the platen is rotated, by means of the unadjustable platen-driving train,

depends wholly upon the compound adjustment of the stationary regulating train. Thus is gained an advantage in eleminating adjustable parts from the driving train, which is capable of rotating the platen to the maximum, while the extent of the platen rotation is minutely variable by the use of the compound regulating train, the latter determining at what point the non-regulatable driving train will become clutched to the line-space wheel. The driving train is normally unclutohed from the wheel, so as to permit free rotation of the platen forward or backwardly.

The regulating train is universally adjustable at one of its ends for obtaining any measurement of line-space unit within the limits of the machine. Said train is also independently adjustable at the other end for determining how many units shall be included in each line-spacing stroke of the platen. An advantage is gained in confining all the adjustments to a train which is entirely stationary at the line-spacing operation.

There is preferably employed a line-space ratchet-wheel which is connected by movementreducing gearing to drive the platen. This is done for the purpose of using ratchet-teeth of minute pitch, so that there will be numerous teeth included in even the smallest stroke of said ratchet-wheel. This is done with a view to minimizing possible error in the platen movements,

50 so that irregularity, if any, may be imperceptible to the eye and negligible.

The invention provides for said ratchet-wheel to be driven by a pawl that is pivoted upon an (mounted concentrically with the ratchet- 55 wheel) driven by the line-space lever, a move:

inept-multiplying train of toothed gearing connecting the line-space lever to the pawl-lever.

One of the aims of the present invention is to provide for a machine of the Underwood class an attachment in which compactness is secured :5 mainly by reason of the design of a novel linespacing train. The train includes a forwardlyextending carriage-returning handle, which is mounted illustratively upon the non-shifting frame of the Underwood carriage (in which the 10 platen is mounted upon a frame which shifts up and down to different case-positions).

compactness is reached first by mounting both line-space wheel and its driver-arm upon an axis parallel with the platen-axis, and by fixing tothe 15- line-space wheel a small pinion which meshes with a large gear provided upon the platen-axle, the line-space wheel and gearingbeing very compact, very little space being occupied by this novel set at the end of the platen. The second feature 20 conducing to compactness is the provision of a novel movement-multiplying connection between the line-space lever and said line-space wheel, said connection including a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack, overlying a pinionand mesh- 25 ing therewith (compactly occupying the same plane as the pinion), said pinion being fixed to or formed upon the'hub of said arm that drives the line-space wheel; the forward end of said rack having a knuckle-joint connection with a short 30 arm that extends to the left from the fulcrum of the line-space lever.

Movement of the line-space lever toward the right pulls forward said short arm and knuckle, together with the rack, and this drives the underlying pinion forwardly, together with the arm, the pawl and the line-space wheel; and the latter, by means of the pinion and gear, line-spaces the platen rearwardly. The rack, arm, pawl, line-space wheel and platen-gear, with its pin- 40 ion, make a compact assemblage that projects but very little beyond the end of the platenframe, and that permits the entire device to be included in a housing that is readily attached to the end of the shiftable platen-frame of an Underwood machine.

Said knuckle is contrived for the purpose of permitting up-and-down movement of the platen-frame (with the knuckle and the rack), while the line-space wheel remains connected to the non-shifting line-space lever. The latter is detachably and separately mounted upon a part of the main carriage, and the remainder of the mechanism forms an attachment upon the end of the platen-frame. This establishes a very practical and reliable as well as compact and light connection between the line-space lever and the pawl, without need for accurate manufacture or for adjustment, or for taking up wear.

The driving pawl is normally released, but is automatically clutched to the line-space wheel at any required point; and upon the return stroke it is withdrawn from the line-space wheel at the same point. During the remainder of the return stroke, the pawl rides idly upon a dwell which is curved concentrically to the line-space wheel and the pawl-driver.

The pawl clutching and unclutching member or cam can be adjusted around the line-spacewheel arbor by the use of two adjustments selectively, one of which adjustments includes a forwardly and rearwardly adjustable fulcrum for the lower end of a regulating lever; the other adjustment including a series of fixed notches for engagement by a spring-detent that is carried by the upper end of the regulating lever. Preferably it is only necessary to push the lever forwardly or backwardly to the desired point; the detent yielding to the push, and snapping into the desired notch.

Said regulating or timing lever is pivoted between its ends to a sliding rack, to which the pawl-releasing cam is geared, and which is thereby adjustable around the axis of the line-space wheel; this adjustment being partly under the control of the means which adjusts the lever-fulcrum upwardly and downwardly, and partly under the control of said notches and detent.

The fulcrum-pin fits in a slot in the regulating lever, the slot being radial to the point where said lever is pivoted to said rack, with the result that when the regulating lever is swung to the extreme rear, its slot coincides with a fixed diagonal line along which the fulcrum-pin is adjustable. This gives the zero position of the linespace regulator.

It will be understood that all drive-strokes of whatever length terminate at the same point, at which point the drive-pawl engages a fixed stop, the latter preventing overthrow of the line-space wheel and platen. In other words, the point of clutch-closing is variable, but the point of ending of the drive-stroke is always the same, because overthrow must be prevented, regardless of the length of stroke. Hence, the pawl must always reach the stop, regardless of the adjustment of the regulating lever, and for this reason the fulcrum-pin may be adjusted to any extent when the lever-slot is in Zero position but without stirring the pawl-lever, this position being the unvarying stopping position for the pawl at all drive-strokes.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the timing cam adjusted for a small unit of linespacing.

Figure 2 is a perspective end view of the platen and the line-spacing mechanism, partly broken away, and readily substitutable for the standard mechanism in an Underwood typewriting machine. The parts are shown in normal positions. The platen-frame is in lower-case position.

Figure 3 is a diagram, illustrating different adjustments of the line-space regulator, etc.

Figure 4 shows the regulating lever, its fulcrum-adjusting means, and its connection to the timing cam.

positions at the conclusion of the line-spacing drive-stroke; the line-space lever and rack being shown in forward positions, and the platen-driving pawl being shown locked against overthrow.

Figure 6 is a perspective, partly broken away, showing the casing of the line-spacing mechanism and the adjustable parts protruding from said casing and including a regulator set for single space, and a minute adjuster set for maximum length of line-spacing unit.

Figure '7 is a sectional end elevation of the Underwood platen-frame having the present improvements, the parts being in normal positions; the top regulator being shown set to give a triple line-space movement, and the minute adjuster at the left being shown set for a unit of maximum length.

Figure 8 is a sectional front view of the mechanism seen at Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional plan of the same.

Figure 10 is a detail of the construction of the attachable bracket or casing separated from the end of the Underwood platen-frame.

The invention is illustrated in the form of a manufacturing unit ready for attachment to an Underwood carriage, after removal of the regular line-spacing mechanism therefrom.

A carriage-return and line-spacing handle Ill extends forwardly from a fulcrum-post H, upon which it is held by screw H2. The fulcrum-post is secured upon a bracket l3, which is attached by screws 38, ll, to the front of an Underwood carriage M. This handle is connected to rotate a platen l5, which has an axle l6 whereby it is journaled in the ends ll of an up-and-down shiftable platen-frame, the axle having at its ends the usual hand-wheels H3.

The platen-driving train includes a short arm 29, extending to the left (Figures 2, 9) from the fulcrum-end of the lever l0 and terminating in a knuckle 25, which pulls forward a rack 2|; said rack having on its forward end a socket 22, in which the knuckle 23 works. The socket is vertically extended, as shown, so as to accommodate the up-and-down shifting movement of the platen-frame relatively to the handle l0.

Upon its under side the rack 21 has teeth 23 meshing with a pinion or segment 24, which is under the rack and indirectly drives a line-space wheel 25. The line-space wheel is of mammoth or relatively large diameter, and has minutely pitched teeth, to admit of close timing or determination of the length of the line-spacing unit.

It will be noted that the lever-arm I9 is thus connected to drive said wheel 25 by means of a movement-multiplying train, inasmuch as the diameter of wheel 25 is much greater than that of pinion 24. The movement of the train is thus magnifiedup to the point where regulation is effected, namely, at the periphery of the linespace wheel; and the movement of the latter is then reduced by means of a pinion 26 fixed thereto and meshing with a large gear 21, the latter fixed to the platen, whereby the angular movement of the platen is rendered considerably less than that of the wheel 25. By this train of movement-reducing gearing the line-space movements of the platen are rendered much smaller than the amplified driving movements of line-space pawl 29.

Said line-space wheel 25 and pinions 2d and 26 may be mounted upon a counter-shaft 28, parallel with the platen-axle; and it will be seen at Figures 8 and 9 that the described gearing, including rack 2!. requires very little space in a direction longitudinally of the platen, the linespace wheel 25 being facewise to the gear 2'1, and but little spaced therefrom, the pinion 26 being in the same plane with 2?, and the rack 2! being in the same plane with pinion 2 3, the latter being close to the line-space wheel 25.

It will be seen that the typewriter-carriage is not unduly lengthened, since the described mechanism, together with other features hereinafter detailed, needs not to protrude farther to the left from the platen-frail e ends i'l than does the latch-controlling mechanism in the Underwood machire; the present improvements being substitutable for ordinary platen releasing and controlling mechanism.

The line-space wheel is driven by a clutch in the form of pawl 29, which is pivoted at 33 upon the end of drive-arm M, which turns concentrically with the line-space wheel to drive the same, being for this purpose fixed to the driving pinion 24, which is preferably in the form of a segment formed upon hub 32 of said driving arm 3 i. The segment is sufficient, inasmuch as the stroke of the arm 3! is less than a full revolution. Forming of the teeth thus upon the arm-hub conduces to compactness, since the arm lies in the same plane as the pinion, and adds nothing to the length of the typewriter-carriage. The arm swings alongside of the line-space wheel 25, and the pawl projects towards the right from said arm, overhanging the wheel at Figure 8. The wheel 25 may in some cases have a surface movement of about one and three-quarters or two inches effecting maximum movement of the platen, which is about half an inch.

The movement produced by lever it is thus amplified so as to give pawl 29 a long stroke, to permit the use of numerous teeth in the small compass of a line-space drive of the pawl, so that an error of a single tooth would be so small, when compared with the great number of teeth in a line-spaceheel movement, that such error may be ne ligible. The device provides practically a universal clutch between the lever 59 and the platen E5. The reason for making the line-space wheel of mammoth diameter and providing it with very minute teeth is that it may be rotated to the desired maximum by means of the lever ill 19, thereby securing this negligibility without the necessity of providing a train of toothed gearwheels between line-space lever and line-space wheel. This amplified movement of pawl and wheel is compensated for by the use of the movement-reducing train to the platen. Owing to the fineness of the pitch of the teeth, sufficiently accurate spacing of the platen is secured for all kinds of adjustments of stroke of the line-spacing mechanism.

The line-space lever may have the usual length of stroke. The arrest of handle i8, arm 3i and platen 95 may be effected by means of an overthrow-stop 33, which is in the form of a stud projecting from an ear 3 1 and fixed to the platenframe in position to intercept the pawl 2a, the latter having a beveled edge, as at 35, which engages said stop, whereby the pawl is wedged into the teeth of the line-space wheel, and overthrow is prevented; the conclusion of the line-space stroke being seen at Figure 5.

In order to avoid undue straining of the drivetrain at the arrest of the platen, the line-space handle i=3 may be provided with an abutment 36, to engage stop 3?, the latter being adjustable upon an eccentric 3E. The stop El may be of leather or other quiet cushioning material. The

stud 558 may be placed in a screw-hole that is usually provided in the machine, and the lever upon its return stroke may be arrested by a similar cushion-stop 39, adjustable eccentrically upon stud so, which may be inserted in another screwhole usually provided.

Stud or screw 38 may fasten to the carriage one end of the bracket l3, and the other end thereof may be secured by a screw M, which threads into the hole usually provided in the machine for the post upon which the usual line-space lever turns; it being one of the aims of the invention to provide a device that can be attached to a standard machine without making holes or otherwise altering the carriage-frame.

The multiple toothed pawl 29 is swung quickly into mesh with the line-space wheel 25 at the beginning of the drive-stroke of the handle W, by means of spring 56, Figure 7.

This meshing movement of the pawl is under the control of a trip or cam 53, which is universally adjustable about the counter-shaft 28, and permits the clutch 29 to close at the proper point under the tension of said spring. This cam 53 lies in the path of releasing shoulder 54 that is formed upon the pawl. The cam 53 lies in the path of the shoulder 54, so as to be encountered thereby upon the return stroke of the line-space train that is effected by main returning spring 5%, whereby the pawl is fended away from the line-space ratchet-wheel 25, Figure 4.

By adjusting the cam, the release of the pawl, and also its re-engagement with the wheel upon the succeeding operation, may be properly timed throughout all of the variations in the measurement of the line-space unit which are securable by a novel line-space-regulating train. This train has separate adjustments. It is capable of one kind of adjustment for determining how many line-space units shall compose the stroke of the platen, and it is also capable of a different and independent adjustment for varying minutely the length of such line-space unit.

Included the line-space-resulting mechanism is means for mounting said trip or cam so that it can be set rotatably to different positions about the counter-shaft. Such adjustment is concentric with the movement of the pawlcarrying arm 3 l, whereby the cam may be swung around to different points in the path of the shoulder Fa l of the returning drive-pawl, so that the pawl (which may ride freely back over the teeth of the line-space wheel) will be clutched to said wheel at the desired point at the next drivestroke. Thus the length of drive of the wheel and the extent of the line-space movement of the platen may be predetermined.

Means is provided for effecting adjustment at each end of said lever independently of the other end. One adjustment (at the bottom end of the lever) determines the measurement of the linespace unit. The other of the adjustments (at the forward end of the lever) determines through how many of such units the platen shall be rotated at each stroke of the carriage-returning lever l5). Each of said adjustments is independent of the other.

The line-space-regulating mechanism therefore includes two features. The first feature employs a finger-piece 12 provided upon a vertical lever t3 that projects above the top i -l of the casing; said lever being of the second order and projecting up through a slot in the top of the casing. The slot is provided in one side with spaced notches it, for detaining the lever in any one of several predetermined positions. The lever has a spring-detent 51 (Figures '7 and 8) of V shape, adapted to snap into any of the notches 15, to hold the regulator 43 in position for obtaining either 1, 1 /2, 2, 2 or 3 units of line-spacing, at each line-feed of the platen and paper.

This lever 43 is fulcrumed at its lower end upon a pin 48, and between its ends it is pivoted at 49 to a rack 55. The rack has teeth upon its upper edge, and works forwardly and backwardly below a segment 5|, being in mesh there with; whereby the segment may be rotated, together with a timing disk 52.

Said disk or plate 52 is stationary at the linespacing operation, but is rotatively and delicately adjustable to vary the timing of the clutch which drives the platen; or, in other words, to vary the point at which the driving pawl 29 is let into engagement with the line-space wheel 25, and hence to determine the length of the line-space unit.

The disk 52 has a circular edge 53, forming a dwell, upon which rides a timing car 54 that is provided upon the driving pawl 29. As long as said ear or projection 54 rests upon and rides along the circular edge 53, the pawl is kept out of mesh with the wheel, as at Figure 1; but at a point which is determined by the previous rotative setting of the disk 52, the pawl is permitted to drop into mesh with the wheel, and hence the platen is rotated during the remainder of the drive-stroke of the line-space handle it.

Upon the return stroke of said handle ED, effected by spring 5 3 the pawl 29 at first rides idly back over the teeth of the line-space wheel, and is then withdrawn therefrom by coming into engagement with a shoulder 55 that is provided upon the end of the segmental dwell or cam 53. During the remainder of the return stroke of the line-space handle IS, the timing projection 55 rides idly upon the dwell 53. It also rides idly thereon at the first part of the next succeeding drive-stroke of the handle, until the pawl reaches the shoulder 55, whereupon a spring 55 snaps the pawl into mesh with the line-space wheel to drive the same.

The pawl may if desired be provided with a counter-weighted arm Bl, which, by reason of centrifugal force, tends to force the pawl against the timing cam 53, and therefore aids in snapping the pawl into mesh at the proper time with the line-space wheel 25.

The segment 5| may have an angular extent suflicient to be able to turn the timing disk 52 through about one-half of a revolution, or a little over; the unnecessary teeth of 5| being cut away, to make it practicable to put the lever 43 in the same plane with said pinion 5i, as at Figure 8. This further conduces to the desired compactness. The cutting away of the unnecessary teeth may also afford clearance for 43 and other parts.

The timing rack 50 is supported at its rear end by means of a headed stud 59, sliding forwardly and backwardly in a horizontal groove in wall 83. At its forward end the rack slides between upper and lower stationary guides, the upper guide being the pinion 5|, and the lower being the headed supporting stud seen at 52, which confines the rack against the side of the vertical bracket-wall E3. The lever 33 is carried upon the slide by means of riveted pin 49.

When the fulcrum-pin is at its lowest location, the length of each line-space unit will be,

say one-sixth of an inch. When said fulcrumpin is adjusted toits top position, the line-space unit measurement will be about one-ninth of an inch. The graduations H may be numbered accordingly, to indicate six, seven, eight or nine units to the inch, with fractional graduations if desired.

It will be understood from Figure 7 that when the fulcrum-pin 5| is adjusted upwardly along its diagonal path 65, the fulcrum-pin 6| will have a camming effect upon an edge of the slot 55, and will thereby swing the line-space regulating lever 58 about a point where its spring-detent ll rests in a notch 43 formed in the table 54. The rack 50 will gradually cause pinion 5! and cam 52 to swing around the countershaft 28, thereby adjusting the cam, whereby it may be set for a shorter line-space unit. To secure a minimum line-space unit, adjustment of the fulcrum-pin 5! is continued to the extreme upper end of the guide-slot E55. By setting the gage 62 down, the line-space unit may be lengthened.

The adjustment of the fulcrum-pin 5! is only for the purpose of effecting minute variations in the measurement of the line-space unit, and for this purpose it is universally adjustable regardless of which one of the regulating notches 46 may be occupied by the detent 41 upon the regulator-lever 43.

The notches Q6 may be formed at measured intervals to equal either one-half, one, one and a quarter, one and a half, one and three-quarters, two, two and a half or three line-space units, regardless of the measurement of the unit. During this adjustment of the lever 53, it swings about the fulcrum-pin 6| wherever the latter have been adjusted, and the efifect of the movement of the lever 53 is to adjust the camframe to a new setting around the counter-shaft 28. It is only necessary to press the finger-piece 32 forwardly or backwardly, and it may be left in any desired notch, the notches being appropriately numbered.

The diagonal line 55 is fixed. It coincides with the lever-slot 55 when the lever 33 is swung rear- 45 wardly to a zero positon, that is, when the cam 52 is in position to encounter the pawl-shoulder 54 as the latter is at or close to the end of its drive stroke. When the slot 55 is in such a position, it will be seen that the fulcrum-pin 5! may be adjusted along the slot without stirring the regulator lever 33. It is desired that at the end of every drive stroke, regardless of the adjustment of 5!, the pawl-head shall engage the lockstop 33. In other words, the return stroke of the pawl may terminate at variable points, but its drive stroke ends always at the same point, as at Figure 5. The fixed guide-slot line 65 coincides with the position of the slot 65 (radial to 38) when the regulator lever 43 is swung rearwardly to the limit.

It will be observed that the swinging cam-carrying frame is regulated by means of a lever pivoted between its ends, and independent adjustments being provided at said lever-ends, in combination with a driving pawl that is mounted upon an arm that is pivoted concentrically with said cam and with the ratchet-wheel, and is directly operable by the non-adjustable line-space lever ll) having a fixed fulcrum and swinging in a much smaller arc than pawl-arm 3|.

The fulcrum for said regulating lever 53 is in the form of a pin 6 I, mounted upon the lower end of a sliding gage G2, which is confined against the inner side of wall 63 by means of a flange or washer 64 provided midway upon said fulcrumpin 6|. The latter extends from the gage 62, being fastened thereto by nut 64 and projects into a vertical slot 65 that is formed in the lower arm of timing lever 33. The pin 6! rides up and down within and projects through an upwardly and rearwardly inclined guide-slot 66 in fixed wall 63.

The lever as is to be swung forwardly and backwardly upon the fulcrum-pin ill, to adjust minutely the timing rack 56, together with its pinion 5!, thus minutely rotating the timing cam 52, to give any length of spacing unit from minimum to maximum.

The position of the timing cam may be varied in this way, and the lever :13 may also be set in any of the notches 46, the spring-detent 37 having a tooth 68 to engage in notches 16, so as to space the platen to the extent of one or more units, to whatever length the unit may have been adjusted by means of gage 62.

The effective length of said lever 63 may be shortened by raising the fulcrum-pin 5i upwardly along the slot 56. For this purpose there is provided a finger-piece 69 which lifts up the pincarrying gage 52; said finger having an index ill to cooperate with a scale 1!, which may indicate the number of line-spacing units to an inch. This finger-piece 69 is formed upon a neck '12, which is guided in a slot '13 in the fixed wall 63, said slot being parallel with 66.

It will be seen that for compactness the gageplate 62 may lie against the inner face of wall 63, and may occupy the same vertical plane as the timing rack 55; and that the lever 63 may cupy the same vertical plane as the pinion i whereby a minimum of space is needed at the left of the timing cam 52. The casing 44, 63, etc., may be relatively small, light and rigid, insuring accuracy of action.

The extent of movement of the lever 43 at point 49 depends partly upon the adjustment of the top of the lever along the rack 46, and partly upon the adjustment of the fulcrum-pin Bl along the slot 65. The timing rack 50 may be additionally provided with an index it, to co-operate with a scale 15, to show in fractions of an inch the extent of a line-spacing movement of the platen, which is predetermined by the compound setting of the timing lever mechanism. Parts M V and may however be omitted in some cases.

At Figure 3 the line-space regulator lever 43 is represented by a full line A as standing at its extreme adjustment for securing a platen-movement equal to three line-space units. The fulcrum-pin 6! is shown in position for maximum length of unit.

There are also shown in dot-and-dash line at C the positions of the line-space regulator lever 43 for three line-space units, each of minimum length, the fulcrum SI of said lever being at its extreme upper position.

There is also shown at Figure 3, in a dot-anddash line at B, the adjusted position of the lever 43 for securing the platen-movement equal to one unit of maximum length.

The outer side Wall 63 and the top 44 of the casing may be stamped in one piece, and provided with an inner vertical flange it, which carries the platen overthrow stop 33, and is riveted to a flange H, the latter bent down from the outer side of a cap-plate 18, that takes the place of the cap-plate usually provided upon said Underwood machine; plate ?8 being secured by screws 79 to the top 80 of the usual platen-frame end H, which is usually provided with threaded holes 8!, receiving the screws 79. The members 18, 44, 63, I6 constitute a casing or framework for the line-spacing devices, which is thus readily secured to the platen-frame of the typewriter.

The flange H is provided with a downwardlyextending arm 32, carrying at its bottom a tongue 83, the latter being riveted to a tongue at on the bottom of the wall 63. The box-like casing is thus made very rigid and light, and is well adapted to the machine.

The wall 63 has a perforation 85 forming a bearing for the counter-shaft 28. The left-hand end of the platen-axle It extends out through a niche 86 in the front edge of the wall 63, thus simplifying the operation of attaching and detaching the device from the machine. The wheel 21 may be fixed to the platen-axle l6 by a setscrew or pin.

The platen may be rotated by the usual knob l8 (one at each end of the platen-axle) or by means of a separate finger-wheel Bl, the latter being connected by a train of movement-reducing gearing to the platen, so that the platen may be rotated very gradually under the control of said wheel 87. The movement-reducing train includes the pinion 26 and gear 27; said wheel 81 being riveted upon the outer end of the countershaft 28 which carries said pinion 26 and linespace wheel 25. For compactness the wheel 8? may be made very thin, and may be provided upon its annularly beaded face with a knurling 88; and the fixed wall 63 of the casing may be depressed or dished as at 89 to form a recess to receive bodily the wheel 8?, which may protrude only a little from said wall, and not add to the dimensions of the machine, nor be in the way of the operator when manipulating the line-space timing devices, etc.

At Figure 10, the platen-frame end ll is provided with the usual platen-bearing Bil. There is also seen the usual bearing 95, which according to the present improvements may be utilized for supporting a pin 92 that projects from the vertical flange 2, and is rigidly secured by a nut 93, to form part of the means for holding the novel casing to the platen-frame end. There is also seen at Figure 10 the usual bearing 94 for the discarded platen-detent; and through this may be inserted a screw 95, threading into a hole 96 in the vertical flange 82, to hold the latter to the platen-frame ends H; the parts being spaced by a collar 91.

The line-spacing rack 2| is provided with forward and rear slotted guides 98, 99, which may be secured to the flange it.

The claims in this application are limited to improvements that are not disclosed in senior application No. 421,348, originally filed January 17, 1930, and renewed November 21, 1931; (now Patent No. 1,909,908, dated May 16, 1933) nor in application No. 436,923, filed March 19, 1930.

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. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said linespace wheel, a small pinion driven by said linespace wheel, a large gear connected to the platenaxle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, and a movementmultiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm.

2.111 a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is par allel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said linespace wheel, a small pinion driven by said linespace wheel, a large gear connected to the platenaxle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bell-crank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, and a pinion-device provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack.

3. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bell-crank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, and a pinion-device provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, the end of said rack having a knuckle-joint connection with the short arm of said line-space lever; said short arm extending towards the left from said line-space lever, and said rack overlying said arm.

4. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said linespace wheel, a small pinion driven by said linespace wheel, a large gear connected to the platenaxle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bellcrank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, and a piniondevice provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, the end of said rack having a knuckle-joint connection with the short arm of said line-space lever; said short arm extending towards the left from said line-space lever, and said rack overlying said arm, said rack and arm lying close to said line-space wheel on the outer side thereof, and said platen-pinion being close to said line-space wheel on the inner side thereof.

5. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bellcrank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, a pinion-device provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, a frame upon which said platen is mounted, and a housing detachably mounted upon said frame and containing said pinion, line-space wheel, segment and rack, and

said rack projecting from said housing to carry said knuckle, and means being provided within the housing for guiding the rack.

6. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a line- 10 space wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driv ing pawl to mesh with the teeth of said linespace wheel, a small pinion driven by said linespace wheel, a large gear connected to the platenaxle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bell-crank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, and a pinion-device provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, the end of said rack having a knuckle-joint connection with the short arm of said line-space lever; said short arm extending towards the left from said line-space lever, and said rack overlying said arm, the platen-frame being shiftable up and down, and said knuckle being extended vertically to permit such shifting while remaining engaged to the short arm of the non-shifting line-space lever.

7. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, and a timing cam mounted upon said counter-shaft, said pawl having a projection to ride upon said timing cam, the latter being concentric with the counter-shaft and holding the pawl out of engagement with the line-space wheel during the idling of the pawl, said cam terminating in a portion engageable by said pawlprojection for lifting the pawl out of mesh with the line-space wheel, and means being provided for snapping the pawl into mesh with the linespace wheel when the pawl rides off from said timing cam.

8. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bellcrank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, a pinion-device provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, the end of said rack hav ing a knuckle-joint connection with the short arm of said line-space lever; said short arm extending towards the left from said line-space lever, and said rack overlying said arm, and a timing cam mounted upon said counter-shaft, said pawl having a projection to ride upon said timing earn, the latter being concentric with the counter-shaft and holding the pawl out of engagement with the linespace wheel during the idling of the pawl, said timing cam being in the form of a disk mounted upon said counter-shaft by the side of said pawlarm and rack.

S. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bellcrank, forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, a pinion-device provided upon hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, the end of said rack having a knuckle-joint connection with the short arm or" said line-space lever; said short arm extending towards the left from said line-space lever, and said rack overlying said arm, and a timing cam mounted upon counter-shaft, said pawl having a projection to ride upon said timing earn, the latter being concentric with the counter-shaft and holding the pawl out of engagement with the line-space wheel during the idling of the pawl, said cam terminating in a portion engageable by said pawl-projection for lifting the pawl out of mesh 'with the line-space wheel, and means being provided for snapping the pawl into mesh with the line-space wheel when the pawl rides off from said timing cam, said pawl including an arm, a toothed head being formed on one side thereof for driving, and a projection being provided upon the other side thereof, said pawl-arm with its pinion-device being confined between the linespace wheel and the timing cam.

19. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linesnace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam mounted upon said counter-shaft, said pawl having a projection to ride upon said timing earn, the latter being concentric with the counter-shaft and holding the pawl out of engagement with the line-space wheel during the idling of the pawl, said cam terminatin a portion engageable by said pawl-projection for lifting the pawl out of mesh with the line-space wheel, and means being provided for snapping the pawl into mesh. with the line space wheel when. the pawl rides off from said timing c m, and a stop to engage said pawl and f at an angle to prevent overthrow of the line-space wheel and platen.

11. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided ith an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, and a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations.

12. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespacewheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the p1aten-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said linc space lever and pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine thepoint in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, means for guiding and supporting said rack, and gage-means for efiecting up and down adjustment of the fulorum of said lever.

13. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth. of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion. driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam mounted upon said counter-shaft, said pawl having a projection to ride upon said timing earn, the latter being conentric with the counter-shaft and terminating ina portion engageable bysaid pawl-projection for lifting the pawl out of mesh with the line-space wheel, and means for rotating said timing cam for adjustment to different points in the path of the shoulder of the pawl, including a lever independently adjustable at each end, one adjustment for determining the measurement of the line-space unit for a single space, and the other adjustment for determining the number of units through which the platen shall be rotated at each stroke.

14. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam mounted upon said counter-shaft, said pawl having a projection to ride upon said timing cam, the latter being concentric with the counter-shaft and terminating in a portion engageable by said pawl-projection for lifting the pawl out of mesh with the line-space wheel, means for rotating said timing cam for adjustment to dififerent points in the path of the shoulder of the pawl, including a lever of the second order having a finger-piece and detent at its upper end, a device having a series of spaced notches being provided for engagement with said detent, said lever being adjustably fulcrumed at its lower end, a rack pivoted to the lever between its ends, and a pinion-device meshing with said rack and connected to drive said timing cam.

15. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said Wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and, fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, and a fixed support having a horizontal slot, said rack having guiding means including a projection guided in said slot, said lever being supported upon said rack, and means for adjusting the fulcrum of said lever.

16. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, a fixed support having an inclined slot, said lever having at its lower end a fulcrum-pin adjustable along said slot, and means for adjusting said pin along the slot, said adjusting means in the form of a slide carried upon said support and having a finger-piece.

17. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying conneotion between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, a fixed support having an inclined slot, said lever having at its lower end a fulcrum-pin adjustable along said slot, and means for adjusting said pin along the slot, said support having a second slot parallel with said fulcrum-pin slot, and said adjusting means having a guide extending through said second slot and provided at its outer end with a finger-piece and an index, said support having a corresponding scale.

18. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination with a platen, and a fine-pitched linespace wheel, of a swinging cam-carrying frame regulated by means of a lever pivoted between its ends, independent adjustments for said leverends, and a driving pawl mounted upon an arm pivoted concentrically with the cam-frame and with the line-space wheel and operable by a nonadjustable lever having a fixed fulcrum and driving the line-space wheel.

19. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space wheel, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, and a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, the fulcrum for said lever being in the form of a pin mounted upon the lower end of a sliding gage which is confined against the inner side of said support or wall, said fulcrum-pin extending from said gage and having a threaded portion whereby it is fastened to the gage and including a pin which projects into a vertical slot formed in the lower arm of said timing lever, to ride up and down therein, said lever being swung forwardly and backwardly upon said fulcrum-pin to adjust minutely the timing rack with its pinion and cam, the upper part of the lever being 'settable to any of the notches regardless of the position of the fulcrum-pin, the raising and lowering of the fulcrum-pin regulating the effective length of said lever.

20. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a line-space wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said linespace wheel, a small pinion driven by said linespace wheel, a large gear connected to the platenaxle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, means for guiding and supporting said rack, and gagemeans having a finger-piece whereby it may be adjusted longitudinally of said lever, said fingerpiece being formed upon a neck projecting from said gage through the upper diagonal slot, said gage lying against the inner face of said support or wall and occupying the same plane as the tim ing rack, and said lever occupying the same plane as the pinion.

21. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, a timing cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, means for guiding and supporting said rack, and gagemeans for eifecting up and down adjustment of the fulcrum of said lever, said timing rack having an index and a stationary scale co-operative with said index to show the extent of every line-space movement of the platen, which may be predetermined by the compound setting of the upper and lower portions of the regulating and timing mechanism.

22. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and said pawl-arm, atiming cam for controlling said pawl, a timing lever for adjusting said cam to predetermine the point in which the pawl shall 10 drop into mesh with the line-space wheel; said lever being of the second order, and fulcrumed at its lower end, and having at its upper end means for setting it at any one of a series of fixed stations, a rack being pivoted to said lever between the ends of the latter, a pinion fixed to said timing cam and meshing with said rack, said rack extending forwardly and rearwardly, means for guiding and supporting said rack, gage-means for effecting up and down adjustment of the fulcrum of said lever, a frame upon which said platen is mounted, a housing detachably mounted upon said frame and containing said pinion, line-space wheel, segment and rack, said rack projecting from said housing to carry said knuckle, and means being provided within the housing for guiding the rack, said housing including an outer side wall and a top stamped in one piece and provided with an inner vertical flange,

a second flange bent down from the outer side of a cap-plate, said flanges being fastened together, and a plate secured to the top of the usual platenframe end constituting a unit readily secured to the platen-frame of the typewriter, said second flange being provided with a downwardly-extending arm carrying at its bottom a tongue, which is attached to a tongue on the bottom of the inner wall, the wall having a perforation forming a bearing for the counter-shaft.

23. In a line-space mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said line-space wheel, a small pinion driven by said line-space wheel, a large gear connected to the platen-axle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever, a movement-multiplying connection between said line-space lever and. said pawl-arm, and a finger-wheel provided upon said counter-shaft.

24. In a line-spacing mechanism for a platen provided with an axle, the combination of a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, said wheel carried by a counter-shaft which is parallel with the platen-axle, an arm mounted to turn about said counter-shaft and having a driving pawl to mesh with the teeth of said linespace wheel, a small pinion driven by said linespace wheel, a large gear connected to the platenaxle and meshing with said pinion for driving the platen, a line-space lever in the form of a bellcrank, a forwardly and rearwardly moving rack connected to said line-space lever, a pinion-device provided upon the hub-portion of said arm and meshing with said rack, a frame upon which said platen is mounted, a housing detachably mounted upon said frame and containing said pinion, linespace wheel, segment and rack, and a fingerwheel provided upon said counter-shaft and mounted at the outer side of said housing, the latter having a depression in which the finger- Wheel revolves.

25. In a line-spacing mechanism, the combination of the following elements, a platen provided with an axle journaled in a platen-frame, a linespace wheel having teeth of minute pitch, a driving arm carrying a pawl for engaging said teeth, said arm rotatable with the wheel when said teeth and pawl are engaged, a settable cam for predetermining the engagement of said pawl and teeth,

a lever having an adjustable fulcrum at one end for varying the measure of a line-space unit, means at the other end of said lever for predetermining the multiples of said unit, and connections between said lever and cam, whereby the adjustments of said lever are transferred to said cam; said elements all moving in parallel planes.

BURNHAM C. STICKNEY.

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