UNITED STATES
PATENT
OFFICE.
CHARLES
THURBER, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR PRINTING
Specification of Letters Patent No. 3,228, dated
August
26, 1843
To
all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, CHARLES THURBER,
of the town
and county of Worcester, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a
new and useful Machine for Printing by Hand by Pressing Upon Keys Which
Contain the Type, called "Thurber's Patent Printer."
This
machine is intended as a substitute for writing, where writing with a
pen is in convenient by reason of incompetency in the performer. It is
specially intended for the use of the blind, who, by touching the keys
on which raised letters are made and which they can discriminate by the
sense of touch, will be enabled to commit their thoughts to paper. It
is intended for the nervous, likewise,
who
cannot execute with a pen. It is useful for making public records, as
they can be made, with this machine as accurately as with a common
printing-press. It is intended for those who wish to keep a legible
record of daily events, so that they may be read with ease and dispatch
by others; and the various useful purposes to which it may be applied
will readily suggest themselves to everyone.
I
do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact
description of the construction and operation of this machine reference
being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification,
in which –
Figure
No.1 represents a perspective view of the machine.
No.2
represents the center-bar 4, the semi-circular band O, which supports
the rolls S, the ratch 3, the lever 7, and the small dog 14.
No.3
is a rear section of the machine, representing the box 30, which
contains the ink, the scrapers 18, the regulating-screws 19, the roll
17, that wades in the ink, the frame31, which supports the roll 17, a
section of the horizontal wheel N, which supports and carries round the
keys R upon which the types are fixed, the studs T, the ivory heads U,
and a section of the frame A.
No.4
is the guide 2, the perpendicular, lever 15, the horizontal lever 7,
and the lever 13 with which it is connected, and the dog 8.
No.5
is the rack 6.
No.7
is the ratch 3.
No.8
is the axis 4 and the pinion 5.
The
figure over which is written."Small Model" shows how, by another
arrangement, the wheel N may be hung, so as to swing perpendicularly,
and 20 represents how the horizontal lever may be made which turns the
ratch.
The
figure over which, is written "Sliding Model" represents' another
arrangement for pushing the paper along, in which 50 is the stand to
which the work is fixed, 51 is the key-spring; 52, the guide; 53, the
key; 54, the steady-pin; 55, the slot; 56; the upright lever; 57, the
lever spring; 58, the arm which pushes the paper along; 60 and 61,
sections of the two rims of the wheel N.
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The
frame which supports the whole is made of wood or of metal, rectangular
in form, (represented in the figure by A,) supported by four or more
legs, the size of the frame varying with the size of the paper or the
book upon which the printing is to be done. At each end of the frame
and attached to its interior side, is a way, B, which rises or falls in
obedience to a thumb-screw, C, which passes through a nut, at D, in
each of the ways. When the ways are at the elevation required by the
thickness of the book or paper which is to be put upon the platen, E,
the ways may be made fast by the horizontal screws F passing through
the frame, and pressing against the ways B or against the wires G
attached to the ways B. The wires are put in merely to be guides to the
ways in their ascent or descent, so that one end of the carriage H may
not be depressed or elevated more than the other end.
Instead
of making the ways so as to rise or fall in obedience to the
set-screws, as described above, they may be fastened permanently to the
frame, and the wheel which carries the type around, together with the
apparatus for inking, may be made to rise and fall in proportion to the
thickness of the paper or book which is to be printed. If the type are
raised it of course leaves more room between the bottom of the type and
the platen, and consequently a thicker book or paper could be placed
upon the platen. It is immaterial whether the platen or the wheel with
the inking apparatus be raised or depressed, as in either case the
space between the platen can be regulated according to the thickness of
the thing to be printed. As the printing will generally be done upon
separate sheets of paper, there will be no necessity that either the
ways and platen or the type with the inking apparatus should be made so
as to rise or fall.
When
it is rendered necessary by the nature of the thing printed, the object
may be effected in either of the ways described above.
Instead
of placing the ways B at the extreme ends of the carriage H, they may
be placed under the carriage at some places nearer the center, on which
the carriage H may move. These ways, when placed in the latter
positions, may be supported at one end by the frame A in the rear, and
the other end by the frame A in front. The carriage being necessarily
twice the length of the platen, and of course twice the length of the
book or paper, must necessarily sometimes be so long that if the ways
were at its extreme ends it would not move so easily as if the ways
were placed nearer its center. In such cases it may be found better to
place them thus.
The
carriage H is designed to move forward on the ways B as the type are
successively pressed down upon the paper, and to move backward when
pushed back to begin a new line. Its sides also serve as ways on which
the platen moves when a new line is commenced.
The
manner in which the carriage is moved when the type are thrust down
upon the paper will be described hereinafter.
From
one end of the carriage to the other, in the middle of it and passing
directly under the center of the platen, is a flat piece of brass or
other metal, I, which is an index to determine the distance which the
lines are to be apart, perforated with rows of holes, (represented by
the dots in the index or brass I,) the holes in each row varying in
distance from each other, as the lines are to be more or less distance
from each other. The lines of course must be more or less distant from
each other, according to the size of the type with which the printing
is to be effected. The spring J is fixed at or near the center of the
under side of the platen, and passing along over the index I to the
middle of one end of the platen, and turned up perpendicularly, so that
it can be lifted easily by the hand: Underneath this spring is a
sharp-pointed wire, i, the point of which snaps into each successive
hole in the index as the platen is pushed along by the hand to form a
new line. Across the carriage from side to side, and passing through
its center or near its center, is a rack, K.
From
the middle of one side of the frame to the middle of the other passes a
solid bar, L, called a" center bar," made of metal or wood. This is
designed to support the wheel N, which contains the type, and the
circular band O, which supports the rolls S and the guide Z, and also
the ratch and horizontal lever, &c. From one part of this
center bar rises a perpendicular arbor, M, on which a horizontal wheel,
N, turns. A semicircular band, O, resting by its two ends on the frame
at P, and by its center on the bar L, passes around directly under the
type. This is intended merely as a support for the rolls S. Through
this circular band two or more rolls B, protrude, on which the ink is
carried by a process hereinafter to be described. By these rolls the
type are inked. The rolls S are covered with deerskin, or the
composition usually made use of by printers for their rolls, or by any
other elastic substance which would properly transmit the ink to the
type.
A
horizontal wheel, N, made of brass or other metal furnished with two
rims, turns upon the arbor M. This wheel is designed to carry around
the type that they may be thrust upon the paper at their proper places.
The rims are fastened together by the studs T. Through the rims of this
wheel, equidistant from its center, the keys R pass, which have the
type on their lower ends.
The
keys containing the characters used in punctuation may be placed in the
same circle or may be, placed so as to make a smaller concentric circle
within and parallel to the circle formed by the letters. In the model
they are all in one circle. The number of the keys will vary according
to the number of letters used. One alphabet at least must be attached
to the keys. If capital letters also are required the number of the
keys must equal the letters in two alphabets. If the figures are
required, ten more keys will be required, and so on, their number
increasing with the number of letters or characters. On the upper ends
of these keys are wooden, ivory, or metallic heads U. In the model they
are made of ivory and of a shape suitable to put the fingers upon when
the type are to be thrust down. On these heads are to be marked by
engraving or otherwise the letter indicating the one on the lower end
of the key.
The
type to be used are the common type used in printing, soldered on the
lower end of the keys in such a position that each letter, when stamped
upon the paper shall make its impression in an exact line with every
antecedent impression and exactly parallel to it. These type may be cut
upon the lower end, as in the model, or they may be swaged on their
lower end, or a hole may be drilled into the lower end of the keys, and
the type inserted into these holes and made fast by melted sealing-wax.
The sealing-wax when cool will keep the type firm in their holes.
There
are but fifteen keys in my model, inasmuch as it was designed merely to
show the principle.
At
a point in the center bar, L, over which the type pass is a hole, Q,
through which the keys and type when stamped on the paper are thrust.
This hole should be so large that the type may pass through it and
without marring the type against its sides. The keys R are raised and
kept in the position which they are intended to occupy when at rest by
springs V.
Instead
of the springs used in the model spiral springs may be used, coiled
around the keys between the two rims of the horizontal wheel N. The
rims should then be sufficiently far apart to admit between them a
spiral spring sufficiently long to bring back the keys. After the type
have been thrust upon the paper pins are screwed into the body of the
keys and at right angles with them, and pointing outward on a line and
parallel with the radii of the wheel. These are screwed in at such a
point of the keys that when the they are in the position they occupy
when at rest, the pins shall strike the lower side of the upper rim of
the wheel N, and the type shall rise just high enough to escape being
inked by the little rolls S as the type pass over them.
To
prevent the type and keys from turning around, wires X are made to pass
through the upper rim of the wheel downward, so that one shall be on
each side of the pins W, which are screwed into the keys.
Instead
of small pins screwed into the key, as in the model, stronger and
larger pieces of metal may be used, near one end of which holes may be
drilled large enough to slip over the keys, and then small set-screws
may keep them in their place, or they may be fastened in their position
by soldering, or otherwise. A circular wire or rim, Y, is made to pass
round the keys parallel to the circle formed by the keys, exactly
horizontal and at such a distance from the keys outside that the
steady-pins W can rest upon the circular wire Y when pressed upon by
the finger, and at such a height that the type, when the steady-pins
are pressed upon the wire, may pass over the rolls, pressing upon them
sufficiently to ink them properly; This circular wire is supported by
stud Z, set into the frame of the machine or any other convenient part.
Directly
in front of the wheel N is a flat piece of metal, called a "guide,"
(represented by Fig. 2,) fastened to the central bar, L, and rising
perpendicularly. A slot is cut in the middle of this flat piece of
metal perpendicularly, and of sufficient width to permit the
steady-pins W to pass down into it when the type are thrust upon the
paper. The circular wire Y rests upon the top of this guide, and
directly over the slot it is filed through, to permit the steady-pins
to descend into the slot. Directly in front of the guide 2 is a ratch,
3. The axis of this ratch passes perpendicularly through the center
bar, L, and on the lower extremity of the axis 4 is a pinion, 5, which
gears into the rack 6, and as the ratch is turned one way or the other
the carriage H, which supports the platen E, is moved backward or
forward. Under the ratch, and turning on the same center as a fulcrum,
is a horizontal lever, 7, which, when not in action, lies upon the
center bar, L. A dog, 8, is fixed to this level at such a place that
its ball play into the gear or teeth of the ratch, and as the lever is
pushed on one side the dog throws the wheel around, and the carriage H
is moved along for each successive type to make its impression on the
paper in its proper place. The further extremity of the lever toward
the wheel N turns at a right angle at the figure 9, and again at
another right angle at the figure 10, the last part
being parallel with the body of the lever. There is another angular
lever, 11, turning upon a horizontal pin at 12, affixed to a branch,
13, of the guide 2, and in such a position that one arm may press
horizontally against the further extremity 10 of the first lever, 7,
and the other arm, 11, is so placed that when the keys are pressed down
their steady-pins W throw down the arm 11 of the lever. The other arm,
13, presses against the first lever and the ratch is moved, and as a
necessary consequence the carriage is moved. Another small dog, 14,
fixed on the center bar, L, on the side of the ratch opposite the large
dog 8, or at some other convenient place, plays into the teeth of the
ratch and prevents the return of the ratch with the return of the first
dog, 8. Each lever and dog is brought into position by springs. There
is an upright lever,15, directly in front of the slot of the guide 2,
and when a type is thrown down upon the paper, if that type is narrow
and requires the paper to be thrown forward but a short distance, a
longer steady-pin is put into that key, in the end of which this small
type is placed, and then when the letter is thrust down upon the paper
the long steady-pin comes out through the slot sufficiently far to push
aside the upper end of this lever 15. The lower end descends at the
side of the guide 2, so that the tail of the large dog 8 strikes
against it while carrying the ratch around, and the dog is thrown out
of gear so that it does not move the ratch, and consequently the paper,
so far as for a large letter. By lengthening the lower end of the
upright lever 15, and increasing the horizontal width of the steady-pin
of any given letter on the side which strikes the upright lever it is
evident that the lower end of the upright lever would be thrown down
farther toward the extremity of the tail of the dog, and thus the dog
would be sooner thrown out of gear in proportion as the steady-pin is
increased in bulk on the side which strikes the upright lever. Thus the
steady-pin of each key may be made by increasing or diminishing its
length or bulk to throw the platen and paper along in proportion to the
width of the letter.
In
order to leave blank spaces between the consecutive words, the lever 7
must be moved toward the left by a horizontal pressure of the hand at
the end nearest the operator.
Under
that part of the circumference of the wheel N, opposite the guide 2, is
the apparatus for containing and bringing up the ink. A double frame,
31, consisting of two pieces in the shape of an H is hung on the end of
two bars at 16 by one end of each of the legs between these two frames,
H, and hung by a horizontal axis passing through the center of the
cross-bars of these two frames is a roll 17, which wades in a box of
ink, 30, hung underneath the roll 17. This roll may be made of wood, or
metal or covered with leather or composition. In order that too much
ink may not be carried up by the roll 17, two scrapers, 18, are placed
on opposite sides of the roll, which may, by the screw 19, be made to
sit more or less near the roll and permit more or less ink to be
carried up by the roll. Under the lower rim of the wheel N, and in the
same circle of the type are some elastic cushions, 20, made of leather
or composition, which, as the wheel N is turned around by the hand,
pass over the roll 17, which bring up the ink and cover themselves with
ink. Then as these cushions 20 pass around they deposit this ink on the
small rolls S, which last rolls S ink the type as the type pass over
the rolls. The wheel in which the type are set may be made to turn
perpendicularly, as represented in the drawings. The key would then
pass out through its circumference like the radii of a wheel. This
last-mentioned key is represented by 32, small models. The lever 7, to
which the dog 8 is fixed which turns the ratch 3, may be made the shape
of the one in Fig. 20, and then the steady-pin of each key would throw
the lever aside more or less, according to the thickness of the
steady-pins. When a type is thrust down upon the paper by the above
arrangement, the platen and paper are moved forward. If the platen and
paper continued to move as long as the type continued to be pressed
down it is evident the paper would continue to move after the type
touched it, and the type would make a bad impression upon the paper.
This difficulty must be provided for. The paper should cease to move
just as the type is about to touch it. This object is gained, in the
first way described above, by the tail of the dog 8 striking against
the guide 2 or the lower end of the upright lever 15 and being thrown
out of gear. It is thrown out of gear and ceases to turn the latch,
and, consequently, to move the platen and paper just at the instant
when the type is about to strike the paper. This object is gained in
the second mode described by the shape of the horizontal lever, as
represented by 20 of small model. When the pin first strikes the
slanting edge of that lever, it throws it, aside; but after it reaches
the straight edge at the moment the type is about to strike the paper
it as evident it will throw it no farther.
The
mode of moving the platen and paper is in part executed by a ratch; but
in future machines it may be found convenient to dispense with the
ratch and have an upright lever hung on the center-bar, L, in front of
the guide 2, declining a little from the perpendicular toward its upper
end. Two or three dogs hung to this upright lever in such a manner that
one of them should be sure to push against one of the teeth of the rack
6, and then when the upright lever is pushed forward it would throw
forward the rack 6, together with the carriage to which it is attached
and the platen and the paper. By this last arrangement the rack 6
instead of having its teeth on one side must have them on its upper
side or edge, so that the dogs can hitch into them. This upright lever
standing just in front of the slot in the guide 2 would be hit by each
steady-pin as each key is thrust upon the paper, and the upright lever
would be thrown forward just in proportion to the length of the
steady-pin. The object in having more than one dog is to make it
certain that one shall hit some tooth in the rack 6 every time the
upright lever is thrown forward.
The
last twenty-eight lines may be more particularly explained by reference
to the representation on the drawings by the words written over it,
"Sliding Model." 50 is the wooden stand corresponding with the center
piece, L. 56 is the upright lever. 57 is the spring bringing it back
into position. 58 is an arm, the end of which presses against the teeth
of the rack and pushes the platen forward. 52 is the guide
corresponding to the guide 2 in drawing No. l. 55 is the slot in the
guide. 60 and 61 represent sections of the upper and lower rim of the
wheel N in drawing No.l. 53 is a key. 54 is its steady-pin. Pressing
down the key 53 causes its steady-pin 54 to strike against the upright
lever 56 and pushes it forward, and the arm 58 is necessarily pushed
forward, which arm pushes the rack and platen forward. When the
pressure is taken from the key 53, the spring 51 throws it up again,
and
the spring 57 brings back the upright lever 56. Instead of the spring
51 a spiral spring coiled round the key will be preferable. I call this
the "sliding model" because it may be used for sliding the carriage and
platen forward. In this arrangement the movement of the paper ceases
just as the type is about to be pressed on the paper by the following
contrivance:
When the key 53 is pressed down so far that
its steady-pin 54 arrives at that point of the upright lever at 59, it
is evident that although the key may be pressed down a little farther
it will not throw the upright lever 56 any farther forward. The
steady-pin at its external end must have such a perpendicular thickness
that when it is pressed, beyond the point 59 some part of its end may
still lie against 59, so as to prevent the return of the upright lever
56 till the key 53 rises again.
To
prevent the keys and of course the type from turning round in their
places, wires X, as described above, pass through the upper rim, one on
each side of each steady-pin; but in machines hereafter to be made a
band may be put around the horizontal wheel N and fastened to the
external edge of its rims, reaching of course from the upper to the
lower rim. This band, it will be readily seen, instead of being
fastened to the rims after the wheel N is cast, may be cast upon it,
and the upper rim instead of being connected with the center by arms,
as in the figure and model, may be supported simply by this band.
Through this band perpendicularly slots must be cut in front of each
key from the upper to the lower end to permit the steady-pins of the
keys to pass through to prevent the keys and type from turning. These
slots should be just wide enough to permit the steady-pins to pass up
and down.
To
use this machine, the first thing to be done, is to whirl round the
horizontal wheel N till the ink is properly distributed. The paper is
put upon the platen and the platen is to be moved till that part of the
paper where the printing is to commence, shall come directly under the
hole in the center bar through which the type pass when thrust upon the
paper. Then put the finger on the head of the key which has the letter
which is first to be used. Press it down until its steady-pin touches
the circular wire Y. Slide the key upon the head of which the finger is
put toward the guide 2 until it is thrust, by the pressure of the
finger upon the paper. At the end of the word push the lever to the
left, as before described, as far as is necessary to leave the space
between the words and then put the finger upon the next key-head, which
is wanted to begin the next word. When a line is ended, whirl the wheel
N around to get fresh ink. Raise the spring J, which passes under the
platen by lifting it up by the hand. Push the platen along till the
wire in this spring snaps into the next notch or hole of the index for
another line. Throw the carriage backward and proceed as before.
The
rolls S, which immediately feed the type, and the cushions 20 should be
frequently cleansed by a solution of pearlash and water, or some other
alkali.
What
I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is
–
1.
The combination of the movable carriage H and the platen E with the
wheel N containing the type, substantially in the manner and for the
purpose as herein set forth.
2.
The employment of the wheel N, having a set of keys around its
periphery on which are type for printing, constructed and arranged
substantially as herein specified.
3.
The employment of the ratchet-wheel, pinion, and rack in combination
with the keys and pawl for forcing forward the carriage, and also in
combination there with the lever 15 for shortening the distance the
carriage has to move.
4.
The combination of the guide and wire Y with the keys for regulating
their motion, all as above described.
5.
The inking apparatus in combination with the wheel of type N, arranged
in the manner and for the purpose hereinbefore made known.
6.
In combination with the above described apparatus, the employment of
movable ways for elevating, and depressing the carriage, substantially
in the manner set forth.
CHARLES
THURBER.
Witnesses:
LEWIS
T. LAZELL,
ENOS
DORR.
See also:
Thurber's Patent, described in an extract from the book The Marvels of Modern Mechanism (1901)
Thurber's Chirographer, his second machine, described in article from Scientific American (1847)
Today in Science History, event description for date Patent No. 3228 was issued, 26 Aug 1843.
Today in Science History, birthdate entry for Charles Thurber on 2 Jan 1803.
