US1254459A - Portable folding type-writer. - Google Patents

Description

C. B. YAW.

PORTABLE FOLDING TYPE WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED'IULY 29,1916.

ATTO R N EYS Patented Jan. 22, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1- C. B. YAW.

PORTABLE FOLDENG TYPE WRITER.-

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29.1916.

Patented Jan. 22, 1918 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I iilk C.-B. YAW.

PORTABLE FOLDING TYPE WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29.1916. LQ5Q Q5QI Patented Jan. 22,1918.

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C. B. YAW.

PORTABLE FOLDING TYPE WRITER.

APPLiCATlON FILED JULY 29.1916.

Patented Jan. 22, 1918.

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C. B. YAW.

PORTABLE FOLDING TYPE WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29. 19l-6- Patented Jan.22,1918.

5 SH EETSSHEET 5.

INVENTOR filial-aw,

ATTORNEYS CLIO B. YAW, OF ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY.

PORTABLE EQLDING TYPE-WRITER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 22, 119th.

Application filed July (39, 1916. Serial No. 111,988.

To allaukom it may concern:

Be 1t known that 1, CH0 B. Yaw, a citizen of the United States, residing at Arlington, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Portable Folding Type-Writers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and to Characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Thepresent invention has reference, gen orally, to an improved construction of typewriting machine; and the invention relates, more particularly, to a novel construction of portable folding'typewriter. i

The present invention has forits principal object to provide a very cheap, simple, compact and light-weight portable typewriter, so constructed as to be capable of being folded in a novel manner to reduce its bulk when not in use, and so that the same may be easily and conveniently carried from place to place by the user. To this end the typewriter is provided with a novel. con: struction of. key-board or bank of striking keys, which are related in such a novel manner to the main body of the machine, and especially to the type-bars adapted to be operated thereby, that the same may be folded up and over the main body of. the machine so as to be r einoi red from normal forwardly extending position when not in use, and compactly related to said main body of the machine so as to materially reduce the bulk of the typewriter, and render the same more easily carried or packed in the luggage of the user.

The invention has for its further object to provide a novel arrangement and combination of type-bar actuating mechanism regardless of the utility of the same as a foldable construction, whereby a novel in tel-connection of key-bar and type-bar is provided which is useful in non-folding as well as in folding typewriters.

Other objects of the present invention, not at this time more particularly ennmerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

- With the various objects of the present invention in View. the Sam consists, pri' marily, in the novel portable folding typewriter hereinafter set forth; and, the invention consists, furthermore, in the novel arrangements and combinations of the various parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the said-parts, all of which will he more fully described in the followmg specification, and then finally embodied in the claims which are appended to and i which form an essential part of this specification.'

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the novel portable folding typewriter made according to and embodying the principles of my present invention, the same being illustrated in unfolded or extended position ready for use. Fig. '2 is a ide elevation of the same,

j drawn on an enlarged scale, and the keyboard thereof being shown by dotted lines in its folded position.

Fig. 3 is a back view or rear elevation of my novel typewriter.

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse section taken on line H in said Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow a", said view being drawn on an enlarged scale, and parts of the machine being omitted therefrom.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken on line 5-5, in said Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 said view being drawn on an enlarged scale, and certain parts of the machine being omitted therefrom.

Similar characters of referencenre employed in all of the hereinabove described views,to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates a suitable frame-work for supporting the typewriter mechanism, the same being secured upon a base 2. Secured to the back of said framework 1', so as to project rearwardly therefrom are suitably disposed journalstuds 3, upon which are rotatably mounted grooved track-wheels 4 which are adapted to support a vertically disposed, longitudinally ea:- tending riage 5, which is thus operatively disposed at the back" of said framework 1. also secured to the back of said frame-work 1, so to extend longitudinally outward from each tional track-wheels which give additional and longitudinally movable car I support to said carriage 5 during its movements. Connected with the inner side of said carriage 5, at its lower longitudinal marginal edge is a rack 8. Rotatably mounted on the back of said framework 1, 1n a convenient location, is a gear-wheel 9 which meshes with the'teeth of said rack 8. Connected with the hub of said gear-wheel 9 is one end of a spirally wound spring 10, the outer end of which is anchored upon an anchor-post 11 secured to the back of said framework 1. In moving the carriage to set the same in position to begin writing, the rack 8 rotates the gear-wheel 9 in a direction adapted to wind up the spring 10, so in creasing the tension thereof that the energy stored therein may be utilized to move the carriage in the opposite direction, through the reverse rotation of said gear-wheel caused by the unwinding of said spring, space by space controlled by an escapement mechanism while thewriting operation is continued.

Supported upon said carriage 5, so as to move therewith is a platen-supporting frame/L12, the same being capable of a vertical downward movement relative to said carriage 5 upon rotatable grooatd guide-wheels 13 which are connected with said carriage 5, and which engage the vertical marginal edges of said frame 12.- Adjustable stop devices l l connected with said frame 12, adapted to engage stop-lugs 15 fixed upon said carriage 5, determine the normal position of said frame 12, and similar adjustable stop devices 16 connected with said frame 12 above said stop-lugs 15 of the carriage 5, will, by engagement with said stop-lugs 15, limit the downward vertical movement of said frame 12 relative to said carriage 5. The reference character 17 indicates a vertically movable supportin rail by which the said plMen-supporting frame 12 is supported. and by which the vertical movements of the same are controlled. the lower end of said platen-supporting frame 12. intermediate of its sides, are a pair of rollers or casters 18 which engage and ride upon said supporting rail 17 to permit ihelongitudinal movement of the said frame 12 relative to said rail 17 with a minimum amount of friction, Journaled in eonmotion with the frame-work 1 is a rockshaftlf), pro\-'ided at its respective ends with real wardly extending lever-arms 20, to and between the free ends of which is secured said supporting rail 17. Secured upon said rock-shaft 19, exteriorly adjacent to/one of the side or end walls of said frame-work 1 is an upwardly extending roelringarm 21. A pull-spring 22, connected by one end with said rocking-arm 21, and anchored at its other end to a portion of the frame-Work 1, exerts a normal pressure upon said rocking arm 21 to pull the same into its forwardly Connected with swung position, which tends to maintain in upwardly lifted position said lever-arms 20 and said supporting rail 17, whereby the platen-suporting frame 12 is maintained 1n lifted position to hold a platen-roller 23 in normal writing position for small letters.

ing-rod 26, are a pair of marginal p-aperguides 28, protided at their forward ends with rollers 29, adapted to engage the writing paper and press the same against the surface of the platen -roller. The said platen-roller 23 is further provided, at one end, with a line-spacer ratchet 30, with which operatively engages the pawl 31. The line spacer devices comprised in the lever mechanisms 32 are adapted to operate "said pawl to engage the ratchet 30, and thus r0- tate the platen-roller for line spacing purposes. The platen-roller is further provided, at its opposite end, with the handknob 33, by which it may be turned independently of the linesp-acer devices.

The reference character 34 indicates a fulcrum block or sector to which are pivoted the forwardly and horizontally extending type-bars 35, upon the free ends of which are secured the type on character pieces 36. Said fulcrum bloclr or sector 34 is preferably of semi-circular form, so that the horizontally extending type-bars 35 are disposed in a semi-circular relation, thus forming the type-basket. The free ends of said type-bars 35 are normally stopped and supported upon a semi-circular stop-member or type-bar rest 37, which extends and is secured between the side members of said frame-work 1. The engaged-surface of said stop-memloer or typebar rest 37 is preferably provided with a cushion 38 of some resilient material, such as felt or the like. Connected with the pivoted end of each type-bar is a downwardly extending rocking-arm '39, to the free end of which is pivotally connected the inner end of a connectingaod 40. Secured to the back wall of said frame-work 1, beneath saio fulcrum blocker sector 34, is an anchor-plate 41 provided with a series of forwardly projecting anchor-hooks 12, corresponding in number to the number of said connecting-rods l0. Securely anchored. on each anchor-hook 42 is one end of a pull-spring 43, the opposite end of which is secured to a connecting-rod 10 by means of a receiving-hook 1 1, with tain said connecting-rods in their normal rearwardly moved positions, whereby said key-bars 35 are permitted to rest in normal contact with said stop-member or type-bar rest 87. Each of the side walls of said frame-work 1 is provided, at its upper for ward end, with a forwardly projecting lug or arm 45, in the end of each of which is secured a pivot-means 46, upon which is pivota'lly secured a suspension link 47, the same normally depending from its pivot-means in perj'iendicular disposition. Supported by the free ends of said suspension links 47, so as to extend. longitudinally therebetween and therethrough, is a suspended fulcrum shaft d8, the outer ends of which normally engage the forward edges of the side walls of said framework 1, at the lower portions 49 thereof, whereby said fulcrum-shaft is stopped against any swinging movement in an inward direction. Said suspended fulcrum shaft 48 is capable of being swung outwardly and upwardly with said suspension links 47 about the pivot-means of the latter, for purposes which will subsequently be explained. Pivotally mounted upon said suspended fulcrum shaft 48, by their journal-portions 50, are a series of forwardly projecting key-bars 51, corresponding in number to the number of type-bars 35, and provided at their outer free ends with the usual key-portions 52, inscribed with indications of the characters of the. respective ty ie-bars which said key-bars are adapted to operate. Said key-bars 51 vary rela tively in length and in the angle of their projection so as to dispose their key-portions in rows or banks at various levels, as shown. Each key-bar 51 is provided at its joiu-naled end with an upwardly extending rocking-arm Eachconnecting-rod 10 is provided at its outer end with an upwardly projecting portion or arm 54. The upper free end of the arm 54 of each connectingrod 40 of the respective type-bars 35 is secured by a suitable pivot-connection 55 to the free end of the rocking-arm 53 of a corresponding key-bar 51. All such pivotalconnections are alined or coincide with the axis of the pivot-means 46 of said suspen- 'sion links 47, for a purpose subsequently described.

a figure shift-finger 60, extending upwardly and forwardly from the same. The said figure shift-finger is bent outwardly to dispose its free end in an outwardly spaced vertical plane parallel to the plane of said capital shift-finger 5 Pivotally suspended from one of said pivotmeans 46, exteriorly of said side wall of the frame-work 1, is a downwardly extending capital shift-lever 61. Extending forwardly from the lower end of said capital shift-lever 61 is a key-bar 62, upon the free end of which is secured a capital shiftkey 63. Said capital shift-lever 61 is swung rearwardly upon the depression of said shift-key 63, and by engaging saidcapital shift-finger 59, slides rearwardly said shift-bar 56, thus rocking said rockingarm 21 and rock-shaft 19, to lower said supporting-rail 17, whereby the platen supporting frame 12 is dropped to position said platen-roller 23to receive the impingement of the capital characters of the type-bars 35. In like manner, pivotally suspended from one of said pivot means 4E6, beside said capital shift-lever 61, is a downwardly extending figure shift-lever 64. Extending forwardly from the lower end of said figure shift-lever 64 is a key-bar'65, upon the free end of which is secured a figure shift-key 66. Said'figure shift-lever 64 is swung rearwardly upon the depression of said shift-key 66 and by engaging said figure shift-finger 60, slides rearwardly said shift-bar 56, thus rocking said rocking-arm 21 and rock-shaft 19, to lower said supporting-rail 17, whereby the platen-supporting frame 12 is dropped to position said platenroller 23 to receive the impingement of the figure characters of the type-bars 35. It

will be apparent that since the capital shift-finger 59 is engaged by its shift-lever 61 at a point farther removed from thepivotmeans 46, than is the fi re shift-finger 60 engaged by its shift-lever 64, the extent or movement transmitted to said shift-bar 56 by the former is greater than the extent of movement transmitted to said shiftbar 56 by the latter, consequently the operation of capital shift-key will lower the platen-roller to one position or plane, while the operation of the figure shift-key will lower the platen-roller to another and different position or plane, each position or plane thus determined corresponding to the point of impingement'of the capital char-' acters or figure characters of the typebars 35, as the case may be. Each of said key-loars 62 and is further provided in 'its lower marginal edge with a cutaway portion adapted to embrace or extend over said fulcrum-shaft ls the rearward shoulders 67 of said cutawayportionsnormally engaging said fulcrum-shaft 48 to limit the, normal upward movement of said key-bars 62 and said cutaway portions engaging said ful-' crum-shaft 48, upon the depression of said key- bars 62 and 65 to stop the same at the end of their operated stroke or movement.

Having thus described the detail construction of my novel typewriter, as the same is set up and arranged for operation, it remains but to point out how the same may be folded when not in use, so that its bulk can be materially reduced and the same rendered compactly arranged for easy carriage from place to place, or for packing.

When not in use the key-board of the ma: chine may be folded upwardly and inwardly so that the same rests with its key-bars 51 extending in inverted position over the type-bar basket, as shown by the dotted representation thereof illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. To accomplish this all that is necessary to be done is to swing upwardly said suspended fulcrumshaft- 48, upon which the key-bars 51 are fulclaimed, the same swinging on the suspension-links 47 which are pivoted to the sides of said frame-work 1. This movement carries upwardly said key-bars 51 and causes the rocking-arms 53 of said key-bars 51 to pivot on the pivotal joints between the same and the arms 54 of said connectingr-ods 40, without in the least disturbing the normal position of the latter. or the typebars 85 connected therewith, since such pivotal joints lie in alinement with the axis of the pivots of said suspension links 47. as will be apparent. consequently the folding movement of the key-board may be accomplished without disturbing the normal relation of the type-bars 35 with other parts of the machine. or their mechanical connection with said key-board, neither is it necessary to mechanically disconnect any of the other parts of the machine to accomplish such folding movement of the keyboard. The respective shift- levers 61 and 64 with their shift key- bars 62 and 65 being also pivoted in alinement with the pivotal connection of said suspension-links 47 with the frame-work 1, and being associated with said suspended fulcrum shaft 48 by their stop portions, it follows they will materially and easily swing upward into folding position with the rest of said key-bars 51. Furthermore, since said shift- levers 61 and 64 have connection with said shift-bar 5G by abutment or contact only, they may be moved away from the latter without necessity of any positive mechanical disconnection of parts, and the same easily resume their normal operative relation to said shiftbar 56 merely by swinging said shift keybars 62 and 65back to normal initial position with the rest of the key-board.

lVhen the key-board. is swung downwardly into its normal operative position, the suspended fulcrum shaft 48 is stoppedagamst the frame-work '1, as above described, consequently when the key-bars are struck, the pressure of the operation being in a downward direction, the fulcrum-shaft 48 is held against the frame-work 1 in stationary position during the operation of the keybars. When a key-bar '51 is depressed its rocking-arm 52 is swung outwardly, resulting in a pulling force being transmitted to a connecting-rod 40 pivoted thereto, which in turn results in the upward oscillation of a corresponding type-bar 35, whereby the latter is caused to make its operating stroke, all asillustrated by the dotted representations of said parts in Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

While as above pointed out the novel construction of type-bar and key-bar relation is of great value in a folding typewriter, I do not wish to limit myself to its use exclusively in such a structure, since it possesses both novelty and utility in connection with a non-foldable typewriter construction. In a non-foldable typewriter the shaft 48 would be permanently fixed to the frame 1 instead of being movably related thereto by means of the suspension links 47. Otherwise the construction, arrangement and mounting of thetype-bars, key-bars and interconnecting parts would be in no way altered or changed.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts of my present invention, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of said invention as set forth in the foregoing specification, and as defined in the claims appended thereto. Hence, I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts as described in theforegoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exact details .of the construction-of the said parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

I claim 1. In a portable folding typewriter the combination with a frame-work of a pair of normally depending suspension-links pivoted thereto, a suspended fnlcrumshaft supported by the free ends of said suspensionlinks and stopped against inward swinging movement by engagement with said framework, a set of key-bars all of which are pivoted and alined on said fulcrumshaft, upwardly extending rocking-arms connected with the. pivoted ends of said key-bars, a set of pivoted type-bars, and spring retracted connecting-rods connected with said typebars, the outer ends of said connecting-rods being pivoted to the free ends of said rocking-arms at points in alinement with the fill crums of said suspension links.

pension links and stopped against inward swinging movement by engagement with said frame-work, a set of kev-bars all of which are pivoted and alined on said fulcrum shaft, upwardly extending rockingarms connected with the pivoted ends of said key-bars, a set of pivoted type-bars 'normally arranged in horizontal forward extension and semi-circular disposition, means for normally supporting the free ends of said typebars, a rocking-arm connected with the pivoted end of each type-bar, spring'retracted connecting-rods the main bodies of which extend horizontally beneath said type-bars, each connecting-rod being pivotally connected at its inner end with the rocking-arm of a type-bar, and said connecting-rods being provided at their outer ends with integrally formed upwardly extending arms, the free ends of said arms being pivotally connected respectively with the free ends of said rocking-arms of said'key-bars at points in alinement with the fulcrums of said suspension links in a plane aboTve and forward of said. type-bar's.

3. In a typewriter a frame-work, a longitudinally movable vertical carriage supported at the back of said frame-work, a platensupportin'g frame mounted on said carriage so as to be capable of vertical shifting movements relative to said carriage, a rock-shaft journaled in said -frame-work, lever-arms extending from said rock-shaft, a supporting-rail connected between said lever-arms upon which said platen-supporting frame rides, a rockin -arm connected with said rock-shaft, a slidable shift-bar pivoted, to said rocking-arm, shift-levers pivoted to said frame-work so as to depend therefrom, means on said shift-bar 'engageable by said shift-levers, shift key-bars connected with the lower ends of said shift-levers, and spring-means for retaining said rockingarm and interconnected parts in normal initial position.

4. A type-bar actuating means for typewriters comprising a pivoted type-bar having a downwardly directed rocking-arm at its pivoted end, a fulcrum shaft, a key-bar pivoted upon said fulcrum shaft having an upwardly directed rocking arm at its pivoted end, and a spring retracted connectingrod pivotally connected by its inner end with said downwardly directed rocking-arm of said type-bar, said connectingrod having at its outer end an integral upwardly extending arm the free end of which is pivotally connected with the upper free end ofsaid inwardly directed rocking-arm of said key-bar.

5. A type-bar actuating means for typewriters comprising a normally horizontal pivoted type-bar, a rocking-arm connected with and extending downwardly from the pivoted end of said type-bar, a transverse fulcrum shaft mounted in a plane beneath and forward of said type-bar, a key-bar pivoted upon said fulcrum shaft, a rockingarm connected with and extending upwardly from the pivoted end of said keybar, a spring retracted connecting-rod the main body of which extends horizontally beneath said type-bar, said connecting-rod being pivotally connected at its inner end with said rockingarm of said type-bar, and said connecting-rod being provided at its outer end with an integrally formed upwardly extending arm, the free end of which is pivotally connected. with said rockingarm of said key-bar in a plane above and forward of said type-bar.

6. In a portable folding typewriter the combination with a frame-work of a pair of normally depending suspension-links pivoted thereto, a suspended fulcrum-shaft supported by the free ends of said suspension-links and stopped against inward swinging movement by engagement with said frame-work, key-bars pivoted on said fulcrum-shaft, upwardly extending r0ckingarms connected with the pivoted ends of said key-bars, a plurality of pivoted typebars, spring retracted connecting-rods con-- nected with said type-bars, the outer ends of said connecting-rods being pivoted to the free ends of said rocking-arms at points in alinement with the fulcrums of said suspension links, a carriage mechanism at the back of said frame-work for supporting a platen roller, means for shifting said platemroller to position the same to receive impingement of selected type-characters of said type-bars, and shift-levers having shift key-bars extending outwardly from their lower ends for operating said platen-roller shifting means, said shiftdevers being pivoted in alinement with the fulcrum of said suspension links so that said shift-levers and their key-bars may be swung upwardly and over the type-basket together with said type-bar operating key-bars.

7. In a portable folding typewriter the combination with a frame-work of a pair of normally dependin suspension-links pivoted thereto, a suspen ed fulcrum-shaft supends of said rocking-arms at points in alinement with the fulcrums of said suspension links, a longitudinally extending vertlcal carriage supported at the back of said.

fran'ie-work, a platen-supporting frame mounted on said carriage so as to be capable of vertical shifting movements relative to swinging movement by engagement with said frame-work, key-bars pivoted on sand fulcrum-shaft, upwardly extending rocking- {.5

.said carriage, a rock-shaft journaled in said tend forwardly in normal horizontal posi 40 tion and in relative semi-circular disposition, a type-bar rest secured upon said framework to support the ends of liSaid; type-bars in normal inoperative positionyas if rocking-arm connected with the ivoted end 45 frame-work, lever-arms extending from said rock-shaft, a supporting-rail carried by said lever-arms upon which said platensupporting frame rides, a rockingarm connected with said rock-shaft, a slidable shift-bar pivoted to said rocking-arm, sprin means for retaining said rocking-arm an interconnected parts in normal initial position, shift-levers havingshift key-bars extending outwardly from their lower e nds, and means on said shift-bar engageable by said shiftlevers to operate said shift-bar and parts connected therewith, said shift-levers being pivoted in alinement with the fulcrums of said suspension links so that said shift-levers and their shift key-bars may be swung upwardly and over said type-basket together with said type-bar operating key-bars.

8. In a portable folding typewriter the combination with a frame-work of a pair of normally depending suspension-links pivoted thereto, a suspended fulcrum-shaft supported by the free ends of said suspension-links and stopped against inward of each type-bar, connecting-r0 s piv'otally connected with said rockingarms of said type-bars, retracting-springs connected with said connecting-rods, the outer ends of said-\ connecting-rods belug turned upwardly at 50 right angles to the main body thereof to register the same respectively with the free ends of said key-bar rocking-arms, and said outer endsof said connectingarods being pivoted to said free ends of said key-bar rocking-arms at points in alinement with the fulcrum of said suspension-links.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of July, 1916.

CLIO B. YAW.

Witnesses:

GEORGE D. RICHARDS, FREDK H. V. FRAEN'IZEL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

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