I. TYPE-BAR MACIIINES.—The Caligraph Typewriter, Fig. 1, is a type-bar machine, hav ing a common printing point, at which the type strike by an upward motion of the type bar. This point is exactly in the center of the basket. and when any key is touched the type cor responding to it rises with a sharp, quick blow, leaving an imprint at that particular point. By an automatic escapement, the carriage, with its load of paper, is allowed to glide easily onward so that the next character will appear at its proper space distance from the preced ing one. This, in a general way, explains the operation of the machine, but a number of mechanisms are set in motion by simply touching the key. The carriage movement and ribbon movement are effected simultaneously. A rectangular rocker bar is pinioned at the rear base of the machine by means of a pair of studs and check nuts. It rises in a perpendicular position. reaching across the top plate at the back. Below, it is connected to a U shaped universal bar, which reaches out under the key levers in such a way that when they arc depressed the same motion is given to it, and in turn carried forward to the rocker bar, widen receives a vibration at its upper part. In the middle upper part of the rocker bar a dog is pinioned, which engages the teeth of a double rack hung directly over it from the carriage. A driving arm is connected to a strong torsion spring underneath the machine, and then in turn to the forward rack, by means of an ordinary link and stud, so that there is a continual pressure upon the rack and carriage from right to left. The dog engages the rear rack when the machine is at rest. The two racks have an independent action within the limits of one rack tooth. Between the two is a small spiral spring, which, when the machine is at rest, is stretched by the stronger tension of the torsion spring ; thus when the dog engages the teeth of the front rack, the strain is taken from the rack spring, which resumes its normal position, carrying the rear nick with it the distance of one tooth. In this way. the teeth of one rack are always opposite those of the other, and the plays back and forth, allowing the carriage to travel easily onward one space at a time. The vibration of the rocker bar gives the forward and back action to the clog, which engages first one rack and then the other, At each side of the rocker bar is attached a pawl, enisagiug the teeth of a ribbon ratchet, which works on an eccentric giving a lateral movement to the ribbon. The ratchet is at one end of a short shaft, having at the other a small cog, geared to a larger one. The larger cog is pinioned to another shaft, which. as it turns, reels the ribbon. The shafts are at right angles, and, working together, give the ribbon two movements, thus exposing at the printing point a fresh part of the ribbon for each type impression. Thus a positive ribbon movement is se
cured, and the whole printing surface of t he ribbon is utilized. By means of a switch at the back, the cogs at either side of the machine may be thrown in and out of gear at pleasure. Thus when the ribbon has been wound upon one spool, the switch is reversed and it is reeled upon the other. The lateral motion continues when either is in operation.
The keynoard, which consists of 78 characters, is so arranged that the letters most fre quently used are most conveniently placed, and those least often used are in less prominent positions The small letters an oblong space in the center, about 7 in. long and 2,1 in.
wide, distributed over three banks. Directly above the small letters, are six characters in common use ; above these are the numerals. Below the small letters are the different punctu ation marks, and at the right and left appear capitals, which are white upon a black back ground. It is designed that the left hand shall operate e," "f" "n," and those at the left of them, and that the right hand shall operate "y," "g," "1," and those at the right of them. With lids as the dividing line, the letters are arranged as far as possible so that in the majority of words the hands will work alternately in producing the letters, which is essen tial for rapid work. The keys are made from a composition which is easy to the, touch, and from its dull luster is not trying to the eyes. Six bridges reach from one side of the frame to the other, through which key-steins pass. serving as a guide to them. Below, the stems are joined to equalized levers, which are made to operate type bars by means of long con necting. rods, Dangers radiating from the center of the basket are attached to the top plate, supporting other levers. These are the type bars, which, being struck from sheet steel, arc hollow, thus securing lightness and strength. A conical bearing, which is tightened by an adjusting screw, insures a positive and permanent alignment. The type are set at the ex treme end of the bars, affording a leverage of such power that by means of impression paper 40 copies can he made at once, For this reason the Caligraph is used by press associations and telegraph companies in taking matter for publication direct from the wire. By means of it, all the New York dailies are furnished immediately with a clearly-printed copy of important news. The old method of writing out messages as received is gradually being discarded, and even personal telegrams arc received in the same manner.