US3308919A

US3308919A - Ventilated and soundproofed enclosure for printer

Info

Publication number: US3308919A
Application number: US459749A
Authority: US
Inventors: James M Cunningham
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1965-05-28
Filing date: 1965-05-28
Publication date: 1967-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 1984-03-14
Also published as: NL145073B; ES327182A1; NL6607169A; GB1105420A; DE1282343B; FR1480741A; BE680826A; CH447266A

Description

arch 14, 1967 J. M, CUNNINGHAM 3,308,919

VENTILATED AND SOUNDPROOFED ENCLOSURE FOR PRINTER Filed May 28, 1965 2 Sheets-$heet 1 INVENTOR JAMES M. CUNNINGHAM QMM A T TOFPNE Y March 14, 1967 J. M. CUNNINGHAM 3,308,919

VENTILATED AND SOUNDPROOFED ENCLOSURE FOR PRINTER Filed May 28, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

United States Patent 4 O 3,308,919 VENTELATED AND SUUNDPROOFED ENCLCESURE FOR PRINTER James M. Cunningham, Eudwell, N.Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk,

N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 28, 1965, er. No. 459,749 4 Claims. (Cl. 197-486) This invention relates generally to printer structures; and it has reference in particular to a combination soundproofing and ventilating structure for a high speed impact printer.

Generally stated, it is an object of this invention to provide improved packaging of a high speed printer for reducing the noise level and increasing the ventilation of a plurality of hot spots in the printer structure.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide for reducing the noise level of a high speed impact type printer which requires an open access station for continuously storing a continuous forms document being worked on at the print station in the printer.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide for using an acoustic trap as a ventilation exhaust, and an exit for a continuous forms document in a high speed impact printer.

Another object of the invention is to provide for passing a continuous forms document from the print station in a printer through an acoustic trap having both a length to width ratio in excess of twelve to one, and having a plurality of transverse ribs or corners against which the document is held taut as it is fed to the exterior access station.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an acoustic trap for a high speed impact type printer, for having a perforated guide plate encasing an acoustic mat so as to provide a plurality of corners over which the document being printed on is drawn.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an acoustic trap for a high speed impact printer including an elongated, relatively narrow generally curved path for the document and for the passage of cooling air, said path having an enlarged portion intermediate its ends.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an acoustically treated document path and air passage for a high speed impact printer which includes a relatively long, narrow approximately curved passage with an angular enlargement intermediate the ends generally tangent to adjoining portions of the passage.

In practicing the invention in accordance with the preferred embodiment, an integral, acoustic and ventilating structure is provided for a high speed impact printer having a chain or train-like character bearing structure continuously moving past a plurality of print stationson one side of a continuous forms document, and having a plurality of impact type print hammers on the opposite side of the document for impacting against the document and type to print on the document. The printen. structure is provided with acoustic padding and an inner baflle defines between itself and the cover, a relatively long, narrow exit path for the document, terminating in an open document receptacle in one wall of the structure. The baftle comprises a perforated document guide which has a plurality of transverse ribs against which the document is held firmly by exterior feed rolls so as to eliminate conduction of noise by the document itself. Ventilating fans draw air into the enclosure through filters and direct it to the print area and to the type train where the principle heat is generated, after which it is exhausted through the acoustic passage through which the document passes.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular. description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a printer embodying the inveniton with the covers removed to show the frame and general structural arrangement schematically;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation, to a slightly enlarged scale, of the printer shown in FIG. 1, showing the document and ventilation flow paths, and;

FIG. 3 is a partial, sectional view along the lines 3 -3 of FIG. 2 showing the document guide baffle relative to the top cover.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the printer generally of the type disclosed in Patent No. 3,241,480, which issued on March 22, 1966, comprises an impact print hammer mechanism shown generally at 10, cooperative with a cartridge having an endless train type character bearing type member 12 which moves past a plurality of print positions being, for example, rotatably supported on

pulleys

14 and 16, of which the pulley 16 is operatively connected to suitable drivin means such as the motor 18. The hammer mechanism 10 and the type cartridge member 12 are suitably supported in a generally rectangular enclosure 20 comprising a plurality of vertical and horizontal structural frame members designated generally by the numerals 22a-n and 24a-j for supporting inner, upper and lower wall or name members 26a and b and 28a and b having substantially horizontal shelf portions 30a and b positioned therebetween to substantially enclose the space occupied by the hammer unit and the type cartridge. The lower central front portion between the shelf portions 390 and b and cover members 28a and b provides a storage bin 29 for a continuous forms document and is disclosed to be closed at the front by a glass door 31 and at the rear :by a metal door 33 hinged at 33f on vertical frame member 22d and having a re-entrant horizontal portion 33a with a vertical drop section 33b connected to a further re-entrant horizontal portion 330 defining with vertical wall 33d and bottom shelf portion 332 an exterior document receptacle 35. The door 33 provides with the guide plate 62 a baffle which prevents any sound from reaching the outside except through the document path and acoustic trap 78.

A hinged top cover 32 comprising rear and forward sections 32:: and 32b with dependent rear and

front panels

320 and 32d is hingedly supported on the top edge of the frame as by hinges 34, only one of which is shown for the purpose of simplification, and the sections 32a and 3212 are themselves provided with a hinged connection 32a therebetween. The cover 32 when closed, rests on the upper edges of the frames at each end which are provided 'with magnetic rubber seals 36 to provide the maximum sealingagainst sound. Similar seals are provided around the door 31 and the other similar closure joints. I

Ventilating fans

40 and 42 are provided within the lower portion of the enclosure 20 beneath the shelf 30b at the left end for drawing air in through a filter 44-.and directing it by means of relatively long and narrow noise damping

flexible ducts

46 and 48 to built-in ventilating "

channels

50, 52 and 54 for effecting ventilation of the carriage drive mechanism 56, through duct 50a, the print .cartridge motor 18, the print cartridge 12 and the hammer mechanism 10, respectively.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the continuous forms document 58 is fed from the receptacle 29 past the print station between therprint hammer mechanism 10 and the type cartridge 12 by means of a continuous forms tractor mechanism 60 which may be driven in a suitable manner. The document passes over a guide plate or bafile 62 which is perforated as at 62b and has a backing of an acoustic materialsuch as a fiberglass pad 64 to provide maximum sound absorption. The guide plate 62 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is generally channel-shaped in cross-section, having end flanges 65 which mate with depending flanges 66 secured to the underside of the cover 32a to define a central document path or passage in the closure As shown, the guide plate 62 has a plurality of transverse ridges 67 and in a longitudinal direction is generally'curved or saddleshapcd, being bent to provide a plurality of angularly related portions with

corners

68, 68a, 71a and 71 therebetween for guiding the document in a generally U-shaped or approximately curved path and supporting the document 58 at spaced intervals. The guideplate 62 may be suppo1ted by means of projecting flanges 626 on opposite sides thereof, cooperating with tabs 70 on brackets 72 secured to the frame for supporting the cover operating mechanism, including a threaded screw rod 74. The guide plate 62 is supported in spaced relation with a pad of soundproofing material 76 secured to the underside of the cover 32 so as to provide a relatively long and narrow acoustic passage 78 through whichthe document 58 leaves the print station. The downwardly sloping portion 80 of the guide plate defines: with the

acoustic pads

76 and 77 on adjacent top and rear wall'

portions

32a and 320 of the cover 32, an enlarged, an-

guiarly shaped acoustic passage. with assists in trapping sound carried within the enclosure. The document 58 passes between the guide plate and a wire guide 82 through an opening 59 to a set of feed rolls 85 and 86' disposed on the outside of the enclosure adjacent the document receptacle 35. The document receptacle is defined by re-entrant portion of the rear wall or door 33 which is formed inwardly at 33c, 33d and 33e to provide receptacle 35 for a document tray 96.

Acoustic pads

98 and 99, positioned on opposite sides of the document path, define a narrow exit from the enlarged portion of the acoustic path, and are in effect a continuation of the passage 78 which provides additional sound directed through the

ducts

46, 48 and

channels

59 and 52 to thev hydraulic carriage mechanism 56, the cartridge motor 18, the cartridge 12 and the hammer mechanism It), and is then exhausted from the enclosure through the documentpath, by way of the acoustic passage 78 and opening 59, thus, minimizing the transmissionof sounds generated within the enclosure to the outside even though provision is made for storage of the document 58 in the exterior receptacle 35 where it can be conveniently referred to by the operator without opening the enclosure.

All of the functional mechanisms of the printer, with the exception of the stacker are thus enclosed in a metal and glass chamber. .The glass areas are provided for observation of the machine functions. All covers which allow access to the functional chamber are provided with air-tight magnetic rubber seals to prevent leakage at the joints; An enclosed chamber is provided for the document supply and the document is fed from this chamber to the print station and then through the acoustical trap to the stacker area where ready access may be had to it by the operator. The acoustic trap has a rectangular cross-section of approximately one by twenty inches and in the present instance, is approximately fourteen inches long with an extension of from eight to ten inches at the exit: This providesfor a reduction of the machine noises to well below the permissible level on the outside.

While the invention has been particularly shownand described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes inform and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a printer, having a print station for an impact printing mechanism for printing on generally U-shaped path for directing the document to an opening in the enclosure adjacent the feed roll means,

said guide plate. being positioned relative to the cover and said one wall to define therebetween an acoustic trap having a central portion with restricted end portions for noises originating in said impact printing mechanism.

2. In combination with an impact printing mechanism for printing on a continuous form document,

an enclosure having four walls and a cover surrounding the mechanism with acoustic. pads secured to the I inner surfaces thereof,

said enclosure having one'wall with a re-entrant portiondefining an open document receiving receptacle and a relatively narrow opening adjacent the receptacle to provide a passage for feeding the document fromwithin the enclosure to said receptacle,

a perforated guide plate positionedadjacent the cover to provide a support surface for the document, said guide plate having a plurality of transverse. ribs on which the document rests and defining with the cover an elongated, relatively narrow acoustic trap,

and feed roll means positioned outside the enclosure adjacent the receptacle to maintain the document snug against said ribs.

3. The combination with an impact type print mechanism at a print station. for printing on a continuous form document of,

an enclosure for said mechanism having four walls and acover hingedly supported relative thereto,

said enclosure having a first opening in one wall for said document and a ,re-entrant portion adjacent thereto defining an open document receptacle,

a generally curved guide plate defining with the cover an acoustic trap having a narrow throat at each end with a wider intermediate portion and supporting the document from immediately adjacent the print station to adjacent said first opening, said guide plate being perforated and having a plurality of spaced apart. transverse ribs projecting above the surface of the plate to support the document at spaced intervals,

feed roll means in the re-entrant portion for drawing the document from the print's tation snug against the ribs,

and ventilating means including at least one blower device associated with asecond opening in said enclosure for drawing air in through said second opening to be exhausted through said acoustic trap and said first opening. i

4. i The combination with a printer having a frame sup.

one of said walls having a re-entrant portion defining a receptacle for a continuous forms document and having an opening adjacent the receptacle for passage of the document,

a perforated metal baffle positioned adjacent said cover, said bafile having a plurality of angularly related adjacent parts with transverse ribs for guiding the document, said balfie having a backing of a sound absorbent material and defining with the top and rear dependent edge portion of the cover an elongated acoustic trap between the print mechanism and the wall opening having an enlarged intermediate portion,

feed roll means in the receptacle adapted to draw the document tautjover the spaced ribs of the battle,

and blower means connected to openings in the enclosure remot from the receptacle opening for drawing air into the enclosure and directing it under pressure to the impact hammer mechanism and character bearing print mechanism, the acoustic trap and receptacle opening providing the only exhaust path for such air.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Powers 197-186 Waldheim 197-186 Campbell 197-186 Waldheim 197-186 Youngberg 197-186 X Waldheim 197-186 Bates 197-186 X Weidner.

Maidment et al. 197-133 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

E. T. WRIGHT, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. THE COMBINATION WITH A PRINTER HAVING A PRINT STATION FOR AN IMPACT PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING ON A CONTINUOUS DOCUMENT OF, AN ENCLOSURE FOR SAID MECHANISM HAVING A PLURALITY OF WALLS AND A COVER WITH AN OPEN DOCUMENT STORAGE RECEPTACLE IN ONE OF SAID WALLS, FEED ROLL MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE RECEPTACLE FOR DRAWING SAID DOCUMENT FROM THE PRINT STATION TOWARD THE RECEPTACLE, AND MEANS INCLUDING A GUIDE PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF ANGULARLY RELATED POSITIONS SEPARATED BY TRANSVERSE DOCUMENT SUPPORTING CORNER RIDGES AND DEFINING A GENERALLY U-SHAPED PATH FOR DIRECTING THE DOCUMENT TO AN OPENING IN THE ENCLOSURE ADJACENT THE FEED ROLL MEANS, SAID GUIDE PLATE BEING POSITIONED RELATIVE TO THE COVER AND SAID ONE WALL TO DEFINE THEREBETWEEN AN ACOUSTIC TRAP HAVING A CENTRAL PORTION WITH RESTRICTED END PORTIONS FOR NOISES ORIGINATING IN SAID IMPACT PRINTING MECHANISM.