CA1194726A - Printhead suitable for use in apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels - Google Patents
Printhead suitable for use in apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labelsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1194726A CA1194726A CA000462728A CA462728A CA1194726A CA 1194726 A CA1194726 A CA 1194726A CA 000462728 A CA000462728 A CA 000462728A CA 462728 A CA462728 A CA 462728A CA 1194726 A CA1194726 A CA 1194726A
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- shaft
- selector
- extending
- opening
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A print head for a labeller has print bands positioned by annular drive gears, a rotatable tubular shaft within the gears, and a selector shaft having a finger projecting through a slot in the shaft so as selectively to engage the drive gears. The shaft has portions of different in-ternal diameter, the slot being formed in the smaller diameter portion so that the selector shaft can be engaged with the slotted portion without the necessity for extend-ing the slot to either end of the shaft. A resilient finger is supported at one end by the tubular shaft and extends axially into engagement with a rack on the selec-tor shaft to detain the latter in selected axial positions.
A print head for a labeller has print bands positioned by annular drive gears, a rotatable tubular shaft within the gears, and a selector shaft having a finger projecting through a slot in the shaft so as selectively to engage the drive gears. The shaft has portions of different in-ternal diameter, the slot being formed in the smaller diameter portion so that the selector shaft can be engaged with the slotted portion without the necessity for extend-ing the slot to either end of the shaft. A resilient finger is supported at one end by the tubular shaft and extends axially into engagement with a rack on the selec-tor shaft to detain the latter in selected axial positions.
Description
7~
PRINTHEAD SUITABLE FOR USE IN APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to print heads such as are used in labellers for printing and applying pressure sen-sitive labels carried on a release liner of supporting material.
Such labellers are used, ~or example, in grocery stores or the like where labels printed with pricing information and the like are applied to various objects.
It is an object of this invention to provide a print head of the type having a plurality of print bands movable by setting wheels supported on a tubular shaft wherein a selector is axially shiftable within the tubular shaft to select a particular print band for movement there-of and which includes improvements in the tubular shaft and its coaction with the other components of the print head.
i Accordingly, the invention provides a print head including a plurality of print bands, a drive gear in driv-ing engagement with each respective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predetermined axis, a selec-tively shiftable and rotatable selector movable into the opening, said selector including at least one rack extend-ing in the axial direction of the selector, detenting means disposed within said opening for detenting said rack so that the selector is releasably held in a shifted position corresponding to a selected one of said drive gears, driv-ing means connected to said selector for driviny saidselected one drive gear to thereby set the print band cor-responding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position, and a tubular shaft extending through said hole and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, said selector shaft extending into said tubular shaft, said driving means comprising a lug disposed on the selector shaft and extending through said slot, and ~aid detenting means comprising resilient finger means supported at one end by the shaft and extending in the axial direction of the shaft into detenting engagement with the rack.
According to another feature of the invention, the shaft includes a first portion of a predetermined diameter where a slot extends through said first portion and a sec-ond portion disposed adjacent said first portion; and the internal diameter of said second portion of the tubular shaft is sufficiently greater than that of the first por-tion thereof that, during assembly of the print head, the driving member of the selector shaft can be readily in-serted through the second portion and then into the slot of the first portion to thereby facilitate said assembly.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims taken with the accompany drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative labeller in accordance with the invention without the print head.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the lhbeller of Fiqure 1 including the print head with the left side plate removed.
Figure 3 i6 a side elevation view of the brake mechan-ism of Figure 1 which illustrates the manual release fea-ture thereof.
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the ink roller mechanism of Figure 1 which illustrates the i~k roll remov-al and replacement feature thereof.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of an illus-trative embodiment of a print head in accordance with th invention.
Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the print head of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the print head of Figure 6 illustrating the attachment thereof to the labeller.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8 of Figure 6 illustrating the hexagonal lower drive gears for the head print bands.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference should be made to the drawing where like reference numerals refer to like parts.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the hand labeller of this invention comprises a casing including a right side plate 10 thereof and a left side plate 12 between which are mounted the component parts of the labeller. Both side plates in-clude rearwardly extending handle portions 14 and 16 and tubular projections 18, 20, 22 and 24 where the projections 18-24 of side plate 10 are internally threaded to receive screws 26-32 to thereby effect engagement of the side plates.
A label stock holder 34 is provided for mounting a roll of label stock 35 which typically comprises a plurality of sequentially disposed, pressure sensitive labels adhesively adhered to a release liner as is known in ~his art. The label stock is directed from the holder through an upper 47;2~
chute 59 to an anvil 52 where the labels are ~equentially printed with each actuation o a hand lever 54 which iB
pivotally mounted with xespect to the casing. Attached to the forward end of the hand lever i~ a print head 62 (see Figures 2 and 6) which reciprocates within front and rear print head frames 67 and 69. The print head include~ a plurality of movable print elements ~3 which are inked ~y an ink roller mechanism 65. When hand lever 54 is sgueezed counterclockwise, the print head is brought into contact with a label positioned on anvil 52 to effect printing thereof.
Forward edge 68 of anvil 52 cons~itutes a peel edge at which p~int the labels are ~uccessively peeled from the re-lease liner. The peeled labels may then be dispensed by an applicator roller 70 to an object to indicate, for ex~mple, the price ther~of~ The release liner reverses its direction a~ peel edge 68 and passes under anvil 52 to a feed wheel 72 via ~n idle roller 74. The release liner passes over the feed wheel and is then fed from the casing out of a rearward opening 76 in a lower chute 78 having a release liner tear edge 80.
As stated ~bove, printing of the labels occurs each time hand lever 54 is sgueezed. Incremental advancement of the label stock through the tool occurs each time the hand lever is released~ A compression spring 82 disposed on mounts 84 and 86 extending between the hand lever 54 ~nd handle por-tions 14 and 16 returns the lever to its rest position shown in solid lines in Figure 2 where an abutment surface 88 of the lever engage~ a rear surface 90 of the casing. During the return movement of the lever, a pawl 92 pivotally con-nected to the hand lever engages a circular ratchet g4 onfeed wheel 72 to clockwise advance the feed wheel a predeter-mined distance corresponding to the length of one label.
Thus, after each label is printed, it is advanced to applica-tor roller 70 where the rear edge of the label re~; n~ ad-hered to the release liner until it is applied to the ob ject .The next label to be printed is positi~ned over anvil 52 and aligned with the print head 62. To maintain this aliynment during dispensing of the printed label by applicator 70, a brake 96 is provided which includes a pointed edge 98 (see Figure 2) which engages the label stock during dispensing thereof.
Having generally described the component parts of the labeller and the relationship thereof with respect to the incrementally advanced label stock, the component parts will now be described in more detail.
Label Stock Advancement Mechanism Label stock holder 34 includes an opening 36 in the forward end thereof for pivotally mounting the holder around tubular projections 20 and a spool 38 for mounting the roll in an opening 39 extending through the holder. Recessed portions 40 are provided at the rearward end of the holder which engage lugs 42 formed in side plates 10 and 12 when holder 34 is lowered into its operative position. The re-cesses 40 expand slightly in engaging ~he lugs 42 to effect a releasably secure engagement of the holder with respect to the casing. Holder 34 also includes knobs 44 which hold holder 34 in its raised, loading position, the knobs 44 rest-ing against the upper surfaces of side plates 10 and 12. As can be seen in Figure 1, the side plates have cut-out por-tions 46 and 48 which constitute an opening through which holder 34 can be raised and lowered. ~en lowering the hol-der into the casing, the sides thereof are inwardly depressed to permit knob 44 to pass through the opening.
As stated above, the label stock is incrementally ad--vanced a distance corresponding to the length of one label each time the hand lever 54 is returned to its rest position by spring 82~ ~and lever 54 includes a grip portion 100 and a forwardly extending portion 102 which includes side plates 58 and 60. Openings 56 in these side plates permit pivotal mounting of the hand lever on tubular projections 22.
Pawl 92 is provided with a lug 104 which is rotatably mounted in an opening 106 in side plate 58. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pawl includes a resilient finger 108 which engages the underside of a lug 110 provided on the in~ide surface of ~ide plate 58. A lug 112 provided on the pawl and a ~econd lug 114 provided on the inside surface of plate 58 a~sist in maintaining the pawl in place with re6pect to side plate 58. The pawl al~o includes a downwardly extend-ing finger 116 which normally engages, due to the bias of resilient finger 108, one of the teeth of circular ratchet 94 which is preferably integrally connected to feed wheel 72 Thus, when hand lever 54 is squeezed to its raised pvsition, finger 116 is lowered to its dotted line position 116' shown in Figure 2. When the hand le~er i5 released to its solid line position, the finger engages the next tooth of the rat-chet to incrementally advance the feed wheel as the fingerreturns to its solid line position. The feed wheel is pro-vided with a plurality of circumferentially dispose~ lugs 118 which pierce prefabricated cuts in the release liner to ef-fect advancement thereof, the feed wheel being rotatably mou~ted on a tubular projection 11~ on side plate 10 which engages a corresponding tubular projection, not shown, on side plate 12.
As the label ~tock is drawn from roll 35, it is first directed through upper chute 50 which includes an upper plate 120 and a lower plate 122. The width of the upper plate 120 approximately corresponds to the inside distance between plates 58 and 60 of hand lever 54. The lower plate 122 in-cludes a recessed portion 124 which is mounted upon tubular projection 22 to thus assist in the mounting of the chute within the labeller. ~n opening 126 at the bottom of the chute, where plates 120 and 122 are relatively close to one another is provided through which label stock is advanced and directed toward anvil 52.
After leaving opening 126 the label stock is directed on-to an upper surface 128 of lower chute 78. Lower chute 78 in-cludes a pair of fingers 130 which engage recesses 132 pxovid-ed at the forward edge of anvil 52 whereby a substantially continuous c~nnection is provided between surface 128 and the upper surface of the anvil to thereby provide a smooth path for the label stock to the anvil. After the release liner reverses its direction at peel edge 68, it passes beneath idle roller 74 which is rotatably mounted inside bearings 134 provided on side plates 10 and 12. The pre-fabricated cuts in the release liner are then engaged by lugs 118 of feed wheel 72, the liner passin~ be~ween the lower surface of chute 78 and the outer circumference of the feed wheel. Chute 78 is provided with a relief portion 136 so that lugs 118 may pass therethrough, inasmuch as the clearance between the outer circumference of the feed wheel and the upper inside surface of chute 78 is preferably quite small such as 0.020 inches~ for example. At the rearward end thereof, chute 78 includes a peel finger 138 which peels the release liner from the feed wheel and directs it out opening 76 of the chute. Excessive release liner extending out of the casi~g may be removed at teax edge ~0, also formed at the rearward portion of the chute. ~ower chute 78, in addition to being mounted with respect to anvil 52 by fingers 130, is also mounted between side plates 10 and 12 via pro-jections 140 and 142 which non-rotatably engage lug~ 144 and 146 respectively in the side plates. Surface 128 of chute 78 is also provided with an opening 148 through which extends a projection 150 of upper chute 50 to thereby further facili-tate the mounting of the upper chute within the labeller.
Applicator 70 includes an applicator roll 188 which is rotatably mounted on a pin 190 which extends between the for-ward portions 192 of front print head frame 67 as shown in Figure 2. The applicator is thus so positioned with respect to the peel edge 68 of anvil 52 that the peeled labels pro-ject under roll 188 preparatory to dispensing thereo0 As is known in this art, dispensing of the labels occurs when the operator rolls roll 188 across an object whereby the peeled label is separated at its rear edge from the release liner and applied to the object.
7,.>6 BRAKE MEC~NISM
As stated above, brake 96 holds the label ~tock in place during application of a label by applicator 70 to thereby facilitate alignment of the labels with respect to print head 62. The brake comprises first and second side plates 152 and 154, the side plates having openings 156 ex-tending therethrough so that the brake is rotatably mounted on the outer surface of bearings 134 independently of idle roller 74 which is mounted on the interior surface of th~se bearings as stated above. The distance between side plates 152 and 154 approximately correspo~ds to the distance between side plates 58 and 60 of hand lever 54. Extending forwardly and downwardly from the side plates is the brake portion 158.
As shown in Figure 2, pointed edge 98 extends downwardly from brake portion 158 and normally holds the labels against the rear portion of anvil 52 due to the bias exerted by a spring 160. The spring i5 connected between a pawl 16~ which ex tends from side plate 154 of the brake and a lug 164 dis-posed on the upper, rear surface of lower chut~ 78.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, pawl 162 is provided with a latching portion 166 which engages ratchet 168 pr~ferably integrally connected to the rear side of feed wheel 72. The brake pawl with its latching portion performs two functions, the first of which is to prevent back up of feed wheel 72 as feed pawl 92 is lowered from its solid line to its dotted line position shown in Figure 2. That is, since the pawl 92 is biased against the feed wheel by resili-ent finger 108, there might be a tendency for the pawl to back up the feed wheel as it is lowered. However, since pawl 162 and its associated latching portion 166 act as an anti-back up device, this is prevented. A further function of pawl 162 is that of removing the brake from the label stock to thereby permit advancement thereof. Thus, as the feed wheel is advanced by pawl 92, one of the teeth of ratchet 168 will depress pawl 162 to its dotted line position 162' shown in ~igure 2 whereby the brake will be clockwise rotated away g from label stock.
In accordance with another aspect of the ir~vention, in order to ensurP removal of the brake prior to incremental advancement thereof by the feed wheel, the brake i~ provided with an upwardly extending projection 170 which include~
forwardly extending portion 171. When hand lever 54 is in its solid line position as shown in Figure 2, pro jection 170 engages at its upper extremity a bar 172 which extends be-tween the side plates 58 and 60. When the hand lever is squee~ed, the bar 172 rides along portion 171 and assumes the position 172 I shown in Figure 2 to thereby rot~te the brake clockwise away from the label stock. Thus, the brake is removed as the hand lever is squeezed. Since incremental advancemen~ of the label stock occurs during the return of the hand lever to its rest position, the brake is removed well before advancement occurs. As the lever is returned to its rest position, the brake removal effected by the inter-action of projec~ion 170 and bar 172 begins to terminate.
However, by this time the brake removal effected by the in-teraction of ratchet 168 with the latching portion 166 of pawl 162 bPcomes effective to maintain removal of the brake from the label stoc~. After the label stDck has been incre-mentally advanced, pawl 162 i~ returned to i~s solid line position shown in Figure 2. The brake is now effective to maintain the label stock in place as a label is applied with applicator 70O
When label stock is initially loaded into the lab~ller by threading the label stock through its intended path of travel, brake 96 must be raised from anvil 52 in order to facilitate khreading of the label stock over ~he anvil. Thus, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, brake 96 is provided with a projection 174 which horizontally ex-tends from side plate 154 through an opening 176 in casing side plate 10 as indicated in Figures 2 and 3. The brake is also provided with a curved resilient arm 17B which extends upwardly from ~ide plate 154 and which is spring loaded against a notch 180 formed in a rib 182 of side plate 10. Re~ilient arm 178 includes a latch portion 184. Al~o provided ~n side plate 60 of hand lever 54 is a downwardly extending projec-tion 186 which is aligned with resilient arm 178 to facili-tate engagement therewith.
In normal operation, the brake is in the solid lineposition shown in Figure 3 except when temporarily raised from anvil 52 to permit incremental advancement of the label ~tock as described above. In order to latch the brake above the anvil to provide clearance for loading label stock, the the operator manually pushes extension 174 to the dotted line position 174'. Due to the resilience of arm 178, latch portion 184 will spring into the dotted line po~ition shown in Figure 3 behind body rib 182 whereby the brake edge 9 8 is raised to and latched in its dotted line position with rPs-pect to anvil 52. The brake will remain in this latched position until the first squeeze of hand lever 54. At this time, the protrusion 186 on hand lever side plate bO will be moved downwardly until it engages arm 178 to thereby release the arm from the latch. Spring 160 will ~hen counterclockwise rotate brake 96 to its solid line position so that the brake now engages the loaded label stock.
INK ROLLER MæCHANISM
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, ink roller 65 includes an ink roll 194 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 196, ~he shaft being journaled in openings in a pair of end caps 198. A carrier 202 for ~he ink roller 194 includes side plates 204 and 206 which are recessed at the lower ends thereof at 208 and 210. End caps 198 are provided with tubular projections 212 which are inserted into the recesses 208 and 210 to therehy mount ink roller 194 in carrier 202.
In order to releasably latch the ink roller into the carrier, a latch 214 is provided which is mounted with respect to bars 216 and 218 extending between si~e plates 204 and 206.
4~2~i At the upper end of side plates 204 and 206 are open-ings 200 which are respectively rotatably mounted on bear-ings 220 and 222 on front and rear print head frames 67 and 69. A semicircular ~upport 224 extends between the upper ends of side plates 204 and 206 and downwardly depend ing therefrom is a resilient finger 226 which is loaded against the side plate 10 as shown in Figure 4 sc that the ink roller follows ~he movement of print head 62. When ~he print head is in its raised position, ~he ink roller con-tacts the type elements 63 as shown in Figure 2. As the print head is lowered toward anvil 52, the ink roller car-rier 202 swings out of the print head path of movement to-ward side plate 10. As it does, ink roll 194 ink5 ~he type elements. It is then returned to its Figure 2 position by resilient finger 226 when the print head is once again raised.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, ink roll 194 may be readily replaced without tools. Accord-ingly, an opening 228 is provided in casing side plate 10 through which the ink roll may be removed from recesses 20 8 and 210 and replaced. In particular, latch 214 includes side plates 230 and 232 and an upper plate 234 which con-nects the side plates. A projection 236 extends downwardly from the rear edge of upper plate 234 so that rec~sses 238 are formed in the side plates. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, latch 214 is slideably mounted on bar 218, the bar being disposed within the recessed portions 238.
In order to slideably position latch 214 in either its ink roller latching position shown in solid lines in Figure 4 or in its ink roller removal position shown in do~ted lines, a detenting ~urface 240 is provided on the lower, inner surface of downwardly extending projection 236. This detenting surface may comprise a plurality of rounded protru-sions. Also provided on ~he lower inner ~urface of bar 218 is a rece~ed portion 242 (also see Figure 1) in which ~he detenting ~urace 240 rest6 when the latch i~ i~ it~ ~olid line, ink roller latching position. In order to remove the latch from the ink roller, the operator places his finger underneath upper plate 234 and pushes the latch up-wardly to its dotted line position. Provided on the outer,lower edge of downwardly extending projection 236 i6 a stop 244 which may comprise a series of pointed projections as shown in Figure 1. These projections engage the l~wer edge of bar 216 while the detenting members 240 rest on the up-per edge of bar 218 when the latch is in its dotted line,ink roller ~emoval position. As can be saen, the lower edge of the latch is above recesses 208 and 210 ~o that the ink roller may be shaken out through opening 228 and re-placed. Due to the soft, resilient, plastic material com-prising latch 214, the latch may then be sn~pped down tolock the ink roller in position. As can be appreciated, no tool~ are required.
PRINT HEAD AND SUPPORT THEREFOR
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 6, the support for print head 62 comprises front and rear print head frames 67 and 69. Front frame 67 includes anvil 52 with its peel edge 68.
Mount~d on the lower forward portion of frame b7 is applica-tor roller 70, there being an opening 24B between peel edge 68 and roller 70 whereby the peeled labels pass from the upper surface of anvil 52 beneath roll 188.
Also disposed at the forward end of frame 67 is an up-wardly extending plate 250 to which is integrally connected rearward facing raceways 252 and 254. Disposed within these raceways are ball retainers 256 and 258 respectively. Each of the retainers incorporates a plurality of rotatably mounted balls 260 in a known manner. The retainers 256 and 258 are held in the raceways by fingers 262. Stop surfaces 264 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the raceways to res-trict vertical movemen of the retainers within the raceways.
A similar ball retain~r 266 is mounted in a centrally disposed, forward facing raceway 268 in rear frame 69.
'726 ~ 13 -Plate 250 of front frame 67 i~ al~o provided with a pair of upper and lower recesses 270 at each ~ide thereof, these recessed portions being mounted on lUg6 272 extend-ing from the side plates 10 and 12. Rear print head frame 69 is similarly mounted in that a pair of upper and lower recesses 274 are provided at each side thereof, the recessed portions being moun~ed on lugs 27S on side plates 10 and 12. In order to facilitate connection of hand lever 54 to print head 62, a pair of rectangular openings 278 extend through rear frame 69. Through these openings, the respective forward portions of side plates 58 and 60 ex~end as indicated in Figure 2. Mounted at these forward portions are lugs 64 and 66 which are adapted to engage the print head.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, print head 62 includes front and rear head cove~ 280 and 282. As can be seen in Figure 5, the rear head cover includes a centrally dis-posed, rearward facing raceway 284, there being two simi-lar, forward facing raceways ~not shown) disposed at the outer edges 4f front head cover 280. The balls 260 of retainers 256, 258 and 266 engage these raceways to permit reciprocal vertical movement of the print head between the front and re~r frames 67 and 69. Rear head cover 282 in-cludes a pair of side plates2B6 having notches 290. As can best be seen in Figures 5 and 7, ~he lower portions of side plates 286 are inwardly tapered at 292 to thereby facilitate engagement of print head 62 wi~h ~he forward portion of hand lever 54. In particular, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an opening 291 is formed in the upper surface of the casing by cut~out portions 294 and 296 in side plates 10 and 12. In fabricating a labeller, a selected one of a plurality of different kinds of print heads may be inserted through opening 291 and then connected to hand lever 54.
As a print head is lowered through opening 291, the tapered surfaces 292 of rear head cover 282 engage and spread apart lugs 64 and 66 of the hand lever as indicated in Figure 7.
As the print head is pushed further into the casing, the spread apart lugs 62 and 64 shown in dotted lines will slide along the outer surfaces of side plates 286 until they en-counter notches 290 at which time, they will snap into the notches to thereby establish a secure, essentially perma-nent connection between the hand lever and print head. The side plates 58 and 60 of the hand lever are preferably made of a relatively soft, resilient, plas~ic material to facili-tate the spreading thereof as the print head is insertedin~o the labeller.
The foregoing feature of the invention is advantage-ous in that a print head need not be incorporated into the labeller until, for example, an order is placed for a label-ler having a particular kind of print head. Thus, theremay be kept in inventory print heads capable of printing either 5, 6 or 8 digits of information per line where one or more lines may be printed. If a customer orders 6 digit, one line labellers, the appropriate print heads may then be incorporated in the labeller in the manner described above to fill the order. In this manner, it can be seen the num-ber of labeller bodies required for dif~erent customers' needs can be m;n;m; zed while at the same time a capability is provided of immediately satisfying a wide range of cus-tomer requirements.
Front head cover 280 includes an expandable fastener 298 which engages forked pro~ections 300 on rear cover 282 to connect the covers with one another. Disposed between the covers is a body 302 having an opening 304 through which 35 fastener 298 extends. Disposed on each side of body 302 are lugs 306 which are inserted in openings 308 on the interior 7~
surfaces of covers 280 and 282. A plurality of print bands 310 are mounted on annular upper drive gear wheels 312 and hexagonal lower drive gear wheels 314. The hexagonal shape of year wheels 314 can be seen in Figure 8. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, gear wheels 314 are hexagonal in shape in order that more pre-load can be placed on the print bands. The distance from the center of the gear to a corner is less in a hexagonal shape than in a square one. Thus, the band doesn't have to stretch as much when a particular character is being selected for printing.
The lo~er gear wheels are mounted on a shaft 316 journalled in openings 318 in the lower portions of head covers 280 and 282. Also disposed on shaft 316 are spacers 320. The gear wheels are spring loaded by springs 322 mounted in upper recesses 324 in body 302. The other ends of these springs are mounted on detents 326 which are slide-ably mounted in lower recesses 328 in body 302 where upper recesses 324 communicate with lower recesses 326 as can best be seen in Figure 8.
Disposed between drive gears 312 are annular spacers 332. A sleeve 334 extends through the gears 312 and is ro-tatably mounted in an opening 336 in front cover 280 and a recess 338 in cover 282, the sleeve not being capable of axial movement.
In order to move a desired character on one of the print bands 310 into the print field, a selector shaft 340 is provided which extends through sleeve 334 and which has a knob 342 connected to the forward end 343 thereof. A
driving lug 344 extends through a ~lot 346 in sleeve 334 as can best be seen in Figure 6 and engages one of the inner teeth 348 of one of the annular drive gears 312. Thus, by rotating knob 342 a selected print band 310 can be moved to position a desired character into the print field. As is known, the print bands may be provided with interior teeth which engage the exterior teeth of drive wheels 312 and 314. Further, they are provided with prin~ elements 63 at the lower portions thereof and with corresponding display elements at the upper portions thereof so that the selected character may be viewed from above.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, an improved means for detenting selector shaft 340 at a par-ticular print band 310 is employedO The selector shaft 340 is axially ~lideable within sleeve 334 to permit positioning of lug 344 with respect to a desired one of the print bands.
Once the lug 344 has engaged one of the interior teeth 348 of the drive gear 312 corresponding to the desired print band, the selector shaft 340 rotates with sleeve 334 as the desired character i5 being positioned in the print field.
In order to detent the selector shaft at the desired print band, a pair of racks 350 are provided on opposite sides of the lower surface of an interior plate 352 formed substan-tially along the axis of the selector shaft 340. The racks are detented by two arms 354 of a shaft detent spring 356 which extends into the selector shaft. The spring 356 is keyed to sleeve 346 via slots 358 formed on opposite sides of the interior surface of the rearward end of the sleeve.
Thus, shaft detent spring 356 rotates with sleeve 334.
Further, it is prevented from axial movement in one direc-tion by stop surface 360 in the sleeve which engages sur-faces 361 of the detent and in the other direction by a protrusion 363 which may be provided on the inner surface of recess 338 of rear head cover 282. The spacing between the teeth of racks 350 corresponds to the spacing between the print bands 310. Hence, the selector shaft 340 will be detented at whatever print band the operator axially shifts the shaft to. As can be appreciated, the detenting of the shaft is very close to the shaft axis (which preferably approximately coincides with the axis of sleeve 334) and thus the operator is provided with a good feel as he shifts shaft 340 to a particular print band. Further, the detent-ing action occurs on both sides of the shaft axis in a sub-stantially symmetrical manner to further enhance the detent-ing action. It is also in accordance with the invention to connect the racks 350 so that they form a single rack which is detented at the sides thereof by arms 354 of spring 356.
Further, the single rack may be detented by a single detent arm which substantially extends along the shaft axis.
In order to provide the operator with an indication as to which print band has been selected, a print band in-dicator 362 is mounted on the selector shaft. Accordinyly, a pointer 364 points to the selected print band in a known manner.
It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention is provided by way of example only. Various details of de~ign and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
PRINTHEAD SUITABLE FOR USE IN APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to print heads such as are used in labellers for printing and applying pressure sen-sitive labels carried on a release liner of supporting material.
Such labellers are used, ~or example, in grocery stores or the like where labels printed with pricing information and the like are applied to various objects.
It is an object of this invention to provide a print head of the type having a plurality of print bands movable by setting wheels supported on a tubular shaft wherein a selector is axially shiftable within the tubular shaft to select a particular print band for movement there-of and which includes improvements in the tubular shaft and its coaction with the other components of the print head.
i Accordingly, the invention provides a print head including a plurality of print bands, a drive gear in driv-ing engagement with each respective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predetermined axis, a selec-tively shiftable and rotatable selector movable into the opening, said selector including at least one rack extend-ing in the axial direction of the selector, detenting means disposed within said opening for detenting said rack so that the selector is releasably held in a shifted position corresponding to a selected one of said drive gears, driv-ing means connected to said selector for driviny saidselected one drive gear to thereby set the print band cor-responding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position, and a tubular shaft extending through said hole and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, said selector shaft extending into said tubular shaft, said driving means comprising a lug disposed on the selector shaft and extending through said slot, and ~aid detenting means comprising resilient finger means supported at one end by the shaft and extending in the axial direction of the shaft into detenting engagement with the rack.
According to another feature of the invention, the shaft includes a first portion of a predetermined diameter where a slot extends through said first portion and a sec-ond portion disposed adjacent said first portion; and the internal diameter of said second portion of the tubular shaft is sufficiently greater than that of the first por-tion thereof that, during assembly of the print head, the driving member of the selector shaft can be readily in-serted through the second portion and then into the slot of the first portion to thereby facilitate said assembly.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims taken with the accompany drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative labeller in accordance with the invention without the print head.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the lhbeller of Fiqure 1 including the print head with the left side plate removed.
Figure 3 i6 a side elevation view of the brake mechan-ism of Figure 1 which illustrates the manual release fea-ture thereof.
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the ink roller mechanism of Figure 1 which illustrates the i~k roll remov-al and replacement feature thereof.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of an illus-trative embodiment of a print head in accordance with th invention.
Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the print head of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the print head of Figure 6 illustrating the attachment thereof to the labeller.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8 of Figure 6 illustrating the hexagonal lower drive gears for the head print bands.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference should be made to the drawing where like reference numerals refer to like parts.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the hand labeller of this invention comprises a casing including a right side plate 10 thereof and a left side plate 12 between which are mounted the component parts of the labeller. Both side plates in-clude rearwardly extending handle portions 14 and 16 and tubular projections 18, 20, 22 and 24 where the projections 18-24 of side plate 10 are internally threaded to receive screws 26-32 to thereby effect engagement of the side plates.
A label stock holder 34 is provided for mounting a roll of label stock 35 which typically comprises a plurality of sequentially disposed, pressure sensitive labels adhesively adhered to a release liner as is known in ~his art. The label stock is directed from the holder through an upper 47;2~
chute 59 to an anvil 52 where the labels are ~equentially printed with each actuation o a hand lever 54 which iB
pivotally mounted with xespect to the casing. Attached to the forward end of the hand lever i~ a print head 62 (see Figures 2 and 6) which reciprocates within front and rear print head frames 67 and 69. The print head include~ a plurality of movable print elements ~3 which are inked ~y an ink roller mechanism 65. When hand lever 54 is sgueezed counterclockwise, the print head is brought into contact with a label positioned on anvil 52 to effect printing thereof.
Forward edge 68 of anvil 52 cons~itutes a peel edge at which p~int the labels are ~uccessively peeled from the re-lease liner. The peeled labels may then be dispensed by an applicator roller 70 to an object to indicate, for ex~mple, the price ther~of~ The release liner reverses its direction a~ peel edge 68 and passes under anvil 52 to a feed wheel 72 via ~n idle roller 74. The release liner passes over the feed wheel and is then fed from the casing out of a rearward opening 76 in a lower chute 78 having a release liner tear edge 80.
As stated ~bove, printing of the labels occurs each time hand lever 54 is sgueezed. Incremental advancement of the label stock through the tool occurs each time the hand lever is released~ A compression spring 82 disposed on mounts 84 and 86 extending between the hand lever 54 ~nd handle por-tions 14 and 16 returns the lever to its rest position shown in solid lines in Figure 2 where an abutment surface 88 of the lever engage~ a rear surface 90 of the casing. During the return movement of the lever, a pawl 92 pivotally con-nected to the hand lever engages a circular ratchet g4 onfeed wheel 72 to clockwise advance the feed wheel a predeter-mined distance corresponding to the length of one label.
Thus, after each label is printed, it is advanced to applica-tor roller 70 where the rear edge of the label re~; n~ ad-hered to the release liner until it is applied to the ob ject .The next label to be printed is positi~ned over anvil 52 and aligned with the print head 62. To maintain this aliynment during dispensing of the printed label by applicator 70, a brake 96 is provided which includes a pointed edge 98 (see Figure 2) which engages the label stock during dispensing thereof.
Having generally described the component parts of the labeller and the relationship thereof with respect to the incrementally advanced label stock, the component parts will now be described in more detail.
Label Stock Advancement Mechanism Label stock holder 34 includes an opening 36 in the forward end thereof for pivotally mounting the holder around tubular projections 20 and a spool 38 for mounting the roll in an opening 39 extending through the holder. Recessed portions 40 are provided at the rearward end of the holder which engage lugs 42 formed in side plates 10 and 12 when holder 34 is lowered into its operative position. The re-cesses 40 expand slightly in engaging ~he lugs 42 to effect a releasably secure engagement of the holder with respect to the casing. Holder 34 also includes knobs 44 which hold holder 34 in its raised, loading position, the knobs 44 rest-ing against the upper surfaces of side plates 10 and 12. As can be seen in Figure 1, the side plates have cut-out por-tions 46 and 48 which constitute an opening through which holder 34 can be raised and lowered. ~en lowering the hol-der into the casing, the sides thereof are inwardly depressed to permit knob 44 to pass through the opening.
As stated above, the label stock is incrementally ad--vanced a distance corresponding to the length of one label each time the hand lever 54 is returned to its rest position by spring 82~ ~and lever 54 includes a grip portion 100 and a forwardly extending portion 102 which includes side plates 58 and 60. Openings 56 in these side plates permit pivotal mounting of the hand lever on tubular projections 22.
Pawl 92 is provided with a lug 104 which is rotatably mounted in an opening 106 in side plate 58. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pawl includes a resilient finger 108 which engages the underside of a lug 110 provided on the in~ide surface of ~ide plate 58. A lug 112 provided on the pawl and a ~econd lug 114 provided on the inside surface of plate 58 a~sist in maintaining the pawl in place with re6pect to side plate 58. The pawl al~o includes a downwardly extend-ing finger 116 which normally engages, due to the bias of resilient finger 108, one of the teeth of circular ratchet 94 which is preferably integrally connected to feed wheel 72 Thus, when hand lever 54 is squeezed to its raised pvsition, finger 116 is lowered to its dotted line position 116' shown in Figure 2. When the hand le~er i5 released to its solid line position, the finger engages the next tooth of the rat-chet to incrementally advance the feed wheel as the fingerreturns to its solid line position. The feed wheel is pro-vided with a plurality of circumferentially dispose~ lugs 118 which pierce prefabricated cuts in the release liner to ef-fect advancement thereof, the feed wheel being rotatably mou~ted on a tubular projection 11~ on side plate 10 which engages a corresponding tubular projection, not shown, on side plate 12.
As the label ~tock is drawn from roll 35, it is first directed through upper chute 50 which includes an upper plate 120 and a lower plate 122. The width of the upper plate 120 approximately corresponds to the inside distance between plates 58 and 60 of hand lever 54. The lower plate 122 in-cludes a recessed portion 124 which is mounted upon tubular projection 22 to thus assist in the mounting of the chute within the labeller. ~n opening 126 at the bottom of the chute, where plates 120 and 122 are relatively close to one another is provided through which label stock is advanced and directed toward anvil 52.
After leaving opening 126 the label stock is directed on-to an upper surface 128 of lower chute 78. Lower chute 78 in-cludes a pair of fingers 130 which engage recesses 132 pxovid-ed at the forward edge of anvil 52 whereby a substantially continuous c~nnection is provided between surface 128 and the upper surface of the anvil to thereby provide a smooth path for the label stock to the anvil. After the release liner reverses its direction at peel edge 68, it passes beneath idle roller 74 which is rotatably mounted inside bearings 134 provided on side plates 10 and 12. The pre-fabricated cuts in the release liner are then engaged by lugs 118 of feed wheel 72, the liner passin~ be~ween the lower surface of chute 78 and the outer circumference of the feed wheel. Chute 78 is provided with a relief portion 136 so that lugs 118 may pass therethrough, inasmuch as the clearance between the outer circumference of the feed wheel and the upper inside surface of chute 78 is preferably quite small such as 0.020 inches~ for example. At the rearward end thereof, chute 78 includes a peel finger 138 which peels the release liner from the feed wheel and directs it out opening 76 of the chute. Excessive release liner extending out of the casi~g may be removed at teax edge ~0, also formed at the rearward portion of the chute. ~ower chute 78, in addition to being mounted with respect to anvil 52 by fingers 130, is also mounted between side plates 10 and 12 via pro-jections 140 and 142 which non-rotatably engage lug~ 144 and 146 respectively in the side plates. Surface 128 of chute 78 is also provided with an opening 148 through which extends a projection 150 of upper chute 50 to thereby further facili-tate the mounting of the upper chute within the labeller.
Applicator 70 includes an applicator roll 188 which is rotatably mounted on a pin 190 which extends between the for-ward portions 192 of front print head frame 67 as shown in Figure 2. The applicator is thus so positioned with respect to the peel edge 68 of anvil 52 that the peeled labels pro-ject under roll 188 preparatory to dispensing thereo0 As is known in this art, dispensing of the labels occurs when the operator rolls roll 188 across an object whereby the peeled label is separated at its rear edge from the release liner and applied to the object.
7,.>6 BRAKE MEC~NISM
As stated above, brake 96 holds the label ~tock in place during application of a label by applicator 70 to thereby facilitate alignment of the labels with respect to print head 62. The brake comprises first and second side plates 152 and 154, the side plates having openings 156 ex-tending therethrough so that the brake is rotatably mounted on the outer surface of bearings 134 independently of idle roller 74 which is mounted on the interior surface of th~se bearings as stated above. The distance between side plates 152 and 154 approximately correspo~ds to the distance between side plates 58 and 60 of hand lever 54. Extending forwardly and downwardly from the side plates is the brake portion 158.
As shown in Figure 2, pointed edge 98 extends downwardly from brake portion 158 and normally holds the labels against the rear portion of anvil 52 due to the bias exerted by a spring 160. The spring i5 connected between a pawl 16~ which ex tends from side plate 154 of the brake and a lug 164 dis-posed on the upper, rear surface of lower chut~ 78.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, pawl 162 is provided with a latching portion 166 which engages ratchet 168 pr~ferably integrally connected to the rear side of feed wheel 72. The brake pawl with its latching portion performs two functions, the first of which is to prevent back up of feed wheel 72 as feed pawl 92 is lowered from its solid line to its dotted line position shown in Figure 2. That is, since the pawl 92 is biased against the feed wheel by resili-ent finger 108, there might be a tendency for the pawl to back up the feed wheel as it is lowered. However, since pawl 162 and its associated latching portion 166 act as an anti-back up device, this is prevented. A further function of pawl 162 is that of removing the brake from the label stock to thereby permit advancement thereof. Thus, as the feed wheel is advanced by pawl 92, one of the teeth of ratchet 168 will depress pawl 162 to its dotted line position 162' shown in ~igure 2 whereby the brake will be clockwise rotated away g from label stock.
In accordance with another aspect of the ir~vention, in order to ensurP removal of the brake prior to incremental advancement thereof by the feed wheel, the brake i~ provided with an upwardly extending projection 170 which include~
forwardly extending portion 171. When hand lever 54 is in its solid line position as shown in Figure 2, pro jection 170 engages at its upper extremity a bar 172 which extends be-tween the side plates 58 and 60. When the hand lever is squee~ed, the bar 172 rides along portion 171 and assumes the position 172 I shown in Figure 2 to thereby rot~te the brake clockwise away from the label stock. Thus, the brake is removed as the hand lever is squeezed. Since incremental advancemen~ of the label stock occurs during the return of the hand lever to its rest position, the brake is removed well before advancement occurs. As the lever is returned to its rest position, the brake removal effected by the inter-action of projec~ion 170 and bar 172 begins to terminate.
However, by this time the brake removal effected by the in-teraction of ratchet 168 with the latching portion 166 of pawl 162 bPcomes effective to maintain removal of the brake from the label stoc~. After the label stDck has been incre-mentally advanced, pawl 162 i~ returned to i~s solid line position shown in Figure 2. The brake is now effective to maintain the label stock in place as a label is applied with applicator 70O
When label stock is initially loaded into the lab~ller by threading the label stock through its intended path of travel, brake 96 must be raised from anvil 52 in order to facilitate khreading of the label stock over ~he anvil. Thus, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, brake 96 is provided with a projection 174 which horizontally ex-tends from side plate 154 through an opening 176 in casing side plate 10 as indicated in Figures 2 and 3. The brake is also provided with a curved resilient arm 17B which extends upwardly from ~ide plate 154 and which is spring loaded against a notch 180 formed in a rib 182 of side plate 10. Re~ilient arm 178 includes a latch portion 184. Al~o provided ~n side plate 60 of hand lever 54 is a downwardly extending projec-tion 186 which is aligned with resilient arm 178 to facili-tate engagement therewith.
In normal operation, the brake is in the solid lineposition shown in Figure 3 except when temporarily raised from anvil 52 to permit incremental advancement of the label ~tock as described above. In order to latch the brake above the anvil to provide clearance for loading label stock, the the operator manually pushes extension 174 to the dotted line position 174'. Due to the resilience of arm 178, latch portion 184 will spring into the dotted line po~ition shown in Figure 3 behind body rib 182 whereby the brake edge 9 8 is raised to and latched in its dotted line position with rPs-pect to anvil 52. The brake will remain in this latched position until the first squeeze of hand lever 54. At this time, the protrusion 186 on hand lever side plate bO will be moved downwardly until it engages arm 178 to thereby release the arm from the latch. Spring 160 will ~hen counterclockwise rotate brake 96 to its solid line position so that the brake now engages the loaded label stock.
INK ROLLER MæCHANISM
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, ink roller 65 includes an ink roll 194 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 196, ~he shaft being journaled in openings in a pair of end caps 198. A carrier 202 for ~he ink roller 194 includes side plates 204 and 206 which are recessed at the lower ends thereof at 208 and 210. End caps 198 are provided with tubular projections 212 which are inserted into the recesses 208 and 210 to therehy mount ink roller 194 in carrier 202.
In order to releasably latch the ink roller into the carrier, a latch 214 is provided which is mounted with respect to bars 216 and 218 extending between si~e plates 204 and 206.
4~2~i At the upper end of side plates 204 and 206 are open-ings 200 which are respectively rotatably mounted on bear-ings 220 and 222 on front and rear print head frames 67 and 69. A semicircular ~upport 224 extends between the upper ends of side plates 204 and 206 and downwardly depend ing therefrom is a resilient finger 226 which is loaded against the side plate 10 as shown in Figure 4 sc that the ink roller follows ~he movement of print head 62. When ~he print head is in its raised position, ~he ink roller con-tacts the type elements 63 as shown in Figure 2. As the print head is lowered toward anvil 52, the ink roller car-rier 202 swings out of the print head path of movement to-ward side plate 10. As it does, ink roll 194 ink5 ~he type elements. It is then returned to its Figure 2 position by resilient finger 226 when the print head is once again raised.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, ink roll 194 may be readily replaced without tools. Accord-ingly, an opening 228 is provided in casing side plate 10 through which the ink roll may be removed from recesses 20 8 and 210 and replaced. In particular, latch 214 includes side plates 230 and 232 and an upper plate 234 which con-nects the side plates. A projection 236 extends downwardly from the rear edge of upper plate 234 so that rec~sses 238 are formed in the side plates. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, latch 214 is slideably mounted on bar 218, the bar being disposed within the recessed portions 238.
In order to slideably position latch 214 in either its ink roller latching position shown in solid lines in Figure 4 or in its ink roller removal position shown in do~ted lines, a detenting ~urface 240 is provided on the lower, inner surface of downwardly extending projection 236. This detenting surface may comprise a plurality of rounded protru-sions. Also provided on ~he lower inner ~urface of bar 218 is a rece~ed portion 242 (also see Figure 1) in which ~he detenting ~urace 240 rest6 when the latch i~ i~ it~ ~olid line, ink roller latching position. In order to remove the latch from the ink roller, the operator places his finger underneath upper plate 234 and pushes the latch up-wardly to its dotted line position. Provided on the outer,lower edge of downwardly extending projection 236 i6 a stop 244 which may comprise a series of pointed projections as shown in Figure 1. These projections engage the l~wer edge of bar 216 while the detenting members 240 rest on the up-per edge of bar 218 when the latch is in its dotted line,ink roller ~emoval position. As can be saen, the lower edge of the latch is above recesses 208 and 210 ~o that the ink roller may be shaken out through opening 228 and re-placed. Due to the soft, resilient, plastic material com-prising latch 214, the latch may then be sn~pped down tolock the ink roller in position. As can be appreciated, no tool~ are required.
PRINT HEAD AND SUPPORT THEREFOR
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 6, the support for print head 62 comprises front and rear print head frames 67 and 69. Front frame 67 includes anvil 52 with its peel edge 68.
Mount~d on the lower forward portion of frame b7 is applica-tor roller 70, there being an opening 24B between peel edge 68 and roller 70 whereby the peeled labels pass from the upper surface of anvil 52 beneath roll 188.
Also disposed at the forward end of frame 67 is an up-wardly extending plate 250 to which is integrally connected rearward facing raceways 252 and 254. Disposed within these raceways are ball retainers 256 and 258 respectively. Each of the retainers incorporates a plurality of rotatably mounted balls 260 in a known manner. The retainers 256 and 258 are held in the raceways by fingers 262. Stop surfaces 264 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the raceways to res-trict vertical movemen of the retainers within the raceways.
A similar ball retain~r 266 is mounted in a centrally disposed, forward facing raceway 268 in rear frame 69.
'726 ~ 13 -Plate 250 of front frame 67 i~ al~o provided with a pair of upper and lower recesses 270 at each ~ide thereof, these recessed portions being mounted on lUg6 272 extend-ing from the side plates 10 and 12. Rear print head frame 69 is similarly mounted in that a pair of upper and lower recesses 274 are provided at each side thereof, the recessed portions being moun~ed on lugs 27S on side plates 10 and 12. In order to facilitate connection of hand lever 54 to print head 62, a pair of rectangular openings 278 extend through rear frame 69. Through these openings, the respective forward portions of side plates 58 and 60 ex~end as indicated in Figure 2. Mounted at these forward portions are lugs 64 and 66 which are adapted to engage the print head.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, print head 62 includes front and rear head cove~ 280 and 282. As can be seen in Figure 5, the rear head cover includes a centrally dis-posed, rearward facing raceway 284, there being two simi-lar, forward facing raceways ~not shown) disposed at the outer edges 4f front head cover 280. The balls 260 of retainers 256, 258 and 266 engage these raceways to permit reciprocal vertical movement of the print head between the front and re~r frames 67 and 69. Rear head cover 282 in-cludes a pair of side plates2B6 having notches 290. As can best be seen in Figures 5 and 7, ~he lower portions of side plates 286 are inwardly tapered at 292 to thereby facilitate engagement of print head 62 wi~h ~he forward portion of hand lever 54. In particular, in accordance with a further aspect of the invention, an opening 291 is formed in the upper surface of the casing by cut~out portions 294 and 296 in side plates 10 and 12. In fabricating a labeller, a selected one of a plurality of different kinds of print heads may be inserted through opening 291 and then connected to hand lever 54.
As a print head is lowered through opening 291, the tapered surfaces 292 of rear head cover 282 engage and spread apart lugs 64 and 66 of the hand lever as indicated in Figure 7.
As the print head is pushed further into the casing, the spread apart lugs 62 and 64 shown in dotted lines will slide along the outer surfaces of side plates 286 until they en-counter notches 290 at which time, they will snap into the notches to thereby establish a secure, essentially perma-nent connection between the hand lever and print head. The side plates 58 and 60 of the hand lever are preferably made of a relatively soft, resilient, plas~ic material to facili-tate the spreading thereof as the print head is insertedin~o the labeller.
The foregoing feature of the invention is advantage-ous in that a print head need not be incorporated into the labeller until, for example, an order is placed for a label-ler having a particular kind of print head. Thus, theremay be kept in inventory print heads capable of printing either 5, 6 or 8 digits of information per line where one or more lines may be printed. If a customer orders 6 digit, one line labellers, the appropriate print heads may then be incorporated in the labeller in the manner described above to fill the order. In this manner, it can be seen the num-ber of labeller bodies required for dif~erent customers' needs can be m;n;m; zed while at the same time a capability is provided of immediately satisfying a wide range of cus-tomer requirements.
Front head cover 280 includes an expandable fastener 298 which engages forked pro~ections 300 on rear cover 282 to connect the covers with one another. Disposed between the covers is a body 302 having an opening 304 through which 35 fastener 298 extends. Disposed on each side of body 302 are lugs 306 which are inserted in openings 308 on the interior 7~
surfaces of covers 280 and 282. A plurality of print bands 310 are mounted on annular upper drive gear wheels 312 and hexagonal lower drive gear wheels 314. The hexagonal shape of year wheels 314 can be seen in Figure 8. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, gear wheels 314 are hexagonal in shape in order that more pre-load can be placed on the print bands. The distance from the center of the gear to a corner is less in a hexagonal shape than in a square one. Thus, the band doesn't have to stretch as much when a particular character is being selected for printing.
The lo~er gear wheels are mounted on a shaft 316 journalled in openings 318 in the lower portions of head covers 280 and 282. Also disposed on shaft 316 are spacers 320. The gear wheels are spring loaded by springs 322 mounted in upper recesses 324 in body 302. The other ends of these springs are mounted on detents 326 which are slide-ably mounted in lower recesses 328 in body 302 where upper recesses 324 communicate with lower recesses 326 as can best be seen in Figure 8.
Disposed between drive gears 312 are annular spacers 332. A sleeve 334 extends through the gears 312 and is ro-tatably mounted in an opening 336 in front cover 280 and a recess 338 in cover 282, the sleeve not being capable of axial movement.
In order to move a desired character on one of the print bands 310 into the print field, a selector shaft 340 is provided which extends through sleeve 334 and which has a knob 342 connected to the forward end 343 thereof. A
driving lug 344 extends through a ~lot 346 in sleeve 334 as can best be seen in Figure 6 and engages one of the inner teeth 348 of one of the annular drive gears 312. Thus, by rotating knob 342 a selected print band 310 can be moved to position a desired character into the print field. As is known, the print bands may be provided with interior teeth which engage the exterior teeth of drive wheels 312 and 314. Further, they are provided with prin~ elements 63 at the lower portions thereof and with corresponding display elements at the upper portions thereof so that the selected character may be viewed from above.
In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, an improved means for detenting selector shaft 340 at a par-ticular print band 310 is employedO The selector shaft 340 is axially ~lideable within sleeve 334 to permit positioning of lug 344 with respect to a desired one of the print bands.
Once the lug 344 has engaged one of the interior teeth 348 of the drive gear 312 corresponding to the desired print band, the selector shaft 340 rotates with sleeve 334 as the desired character i5 being positioned in the print field.
In order to detent the selector shaft at the desired print band, a pair of racks 350 are provided on opposite sides of the lower surface of an interior plate 352 formed substan-tially along the axis of the selector shaft 340. The racks are detented by two arms 354 of a shaft detent spring 356 which extends into the selector shaft. The spring 356 is keyed to sleeve 346 via slots 358 formed on opposite sides of the interior surface of the rearward end of the sleeve.
Thus, shaft detent spring 356 rotates with sleeve 334.
Further, it is prevented from axial movement in one direc-tion by stop surface 360 in the sleeve which engages sur-faces 361 of the detent and in the other direction by a protrusion 363 which may be provided on the inner surface of recess 338 of rear head cover 282. The spacing between the teeth of racks 350 corresponds to the spacing between the print bands 310. Hence, the selector shaft 340 will be detented at whatever print band the operator axially shifts the shaft to. As can be appreciated, the detenting of the shaft is very close to the shaft axis (which preferably approximately coincides with the axis of sleeve 334) and thus the operator is provided with a good feel as he shifts shaft 340 to a particular print band. Further, the detent-ing action occurs on both sides of the shaft axis in a sub-stantially symmetrical manner to further enhance the detent-ing action. It is also in accordance with the invention to connect the racks 350 so that they form a single rack which is detented at the sides thereof by arms 354 of spring 356.
Further, the single rack may be detented by a single detent arm which substantially extends along the shaft axis.
In order to provide the operator with an indication as to which print band has been selected, a print band in-dicator 362 is mounted on the selector shaft. Accordinyly, a pointer 364 points to the selected print band in a known manner.
It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention is provided by way of example only. Various details of de~ign and construction may be modified without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A printhead including a plurality of print bands, a drive gear in driving engagement with each respective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predeter-mined axis, a selectively shiftable and rotatable selector movable into the opening, said selector including at least one rack extending in the axial direction of the selector, detenting means disposed within said opening for detenting said rack so that the selector is releasably held in a shifted position corresponding to a selected one of said drive gears, driving means connected to said selector for driving said selected one drive gear to thereby set the print band corresponding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position, and a tubular shaft extending through said hole and having a longitudinally extending slot therein, said selector shaft extending into said tubu-lar shaft, said driving means comprising a lug disposed on the selector shaft and extending through said slot, and said detenting means comprising resilient finger means supported at one end by the shaft and extending in the axial direction of the shaft into detenting engagement with the rack.
2. A printhead according to Claim 1, including two selector racks disposed on opposite sides of said lug.
3. A printhead according to Claim 1, further com-prising front and rear covers, between which the tubular sleeve is captive, a body extending between the front and rear covers beneath the tubular sleeve and the drive gears and within the print bands whereby to maintain a predeter-mined spacing of the front and rear covers, means at the lower end of the body and between the covers to support the print bands at a printing position, and securing means ex-tending through an opening in the body between the front and rear covers to tie the latter together.
4. A print head for printing one or more lines of indicia comprising a plurality of print bands;
a drive gear in driving engagement with each res-pective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predetermined axis;
a rotatable, tubular shaft extending through said opening, said shaft including (a) a first portion of a predetermined diameter where a slot extends through said first portion and (b) a second portion disposed adjacent said first portion; and a selectively shiftable and rotatable selector shaft extending into said tubular shaft, said selector shaft including at least one rack extending in the axial direction thereof and a driving member projecting from the periphery thereof through the slot on the first portion of the tubular shaft for driving a selected one of said drive gears to thereby set the print band corresponding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position;
detenting means disposed within said opening for detenting said rack so that the selector shaft is releas-ably held in a shifted position corresponding to a selected one of said drive gears, said detenting means comprising resilient finger means supported at one end by the tubular shaft and extending in the axial direction of the tubular shaft into detenting engagement with the rack; and the internal diameter of said second portion of the tubular shaft being sufficiently greater than that of the first portion thereof that, during assembly of the print head, the driving member of the selector shaft can be readily inserted through the second portion and then into the slot of the first portion to thereby facilitate said assembly.
a drive gear in driving engagement with each res-pective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predetermined axis;
a rotatable, tubular shaft extending through said opening, said shaft including (a) a first portion of a predetermined diameter where a slot extends through said first portion and (b) a second portion disposed adjacent said first portion; and a selectively shiftable and rotatable selector shaft extending into said tubular shaft, said selector shaft including at least one rack extending in the axial direction thereof and a driving member projecting from the periphery thereof through the slot on the first portion of the tubular shaft for driving a selected one of said drive gears to thereby set the print band corresponding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position;
detenting means disposed within said opening for detenting said rack so that the selector shaft is releas-ably held in a shifted position corresponding to a selected one of said drive gears, said detenting means comprising resilient finger means supported at one end by the tubular shaft and extending in the axial direction of the tubular shaft into detenting engagement with the rack; and the internal diameter of said second portion of the tubular shaft being sufficiently greater than that of the first portion thereof that, during assembly of the print head, the driving member of the selector shaft can be readily inserted through the second portion and then into the slot of the first portion to thereby facilitate said assembly.
5. A print head for printing one or more lines of indicia comprising a plurality of print bands;
a drive gear in driving engagement with each respective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predetermined axis, a rotatable, tubular shaft extending through said opening, said shaft including (a) a first portion of a predetermined diameter where a slot extends through said first portion and (b) a second portion disposed adjacent said first portion; and a selectively shiftable and rotatable selector shaft extending into said tubular shaft, said selector shaft including a driving member projecting from the peri-phery thereof through the slot on the first portion of the tubular shaft for driving a selected one of said drive gears to thereby set the print band corresponding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position;
the internal diameter of said second portion of the tubular shaft being sufficiently greater than that of the first portion thereof that, during assembly of the print head, the driving member of the selector shaft can be readily inserted through the second portion and then into the slot of the first portion to thereby facilitate said assembly.
a drive gear in driving engagement with each respective print band, each drive gear having a hole, the holes being generally aligned to provide an opening having a predetermined axis, a rotatable, tubular shaft extending through said opening, said shaft including (a) a first portion of a predetermined diameter where a slot extends through said first portion and (b) a second portion disposed adjacent said first portion; and a selectively shiftable and rotatable selector shaft extending into said tubular shaft, said selector shaft including a driving member projecting from the peri-phery thereof through the slot on the first portion of the tubular shaft for driving a selected one of said drive gears to thereby set the print band corresponding to said selected drive gear to a predetermined position;
the internal diameter of said second portion of the tubular shaft being sufficiently greater than that of the first portion thereof that, during assembly of the print head, the driving member of the selector shaft can be readily inserted through the second portion and then into the slot of the first portion to thereby facilitate said assembly.
6. The print head of Claim 5, where said driving member comprises a lug disposed on the selector shaft extending through said slot.
7. The print head as in Claims 5 or 6, where said selector shaft includes a ridge axially disposed along the periphery thereof, said ridge engaging said driving member to strengthen said driving member at the base thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US88,847 | 1979-10-29 | ||
| US06/088,847 US4325302A (en) | 1979-10-29 | 1979-10-29 | Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels |
| CA000362114A CA1178844A (en) | 1979-10-29 | 1980-10-10 | Apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000462728A Division CA1194726A (en) | 1979-10-29 | 1984-09-07 | Printhead suitable for use in apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000462728A Division CA1194726A (en) | 1979-10-29 | 1984-09-07 | Printhead suitable for use in apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1194726A true CA1194726A (en) | 1985-10-08 |
Family
ID=25669163
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000462728A Expired CA1194726A (en) | 1979-10-29 | 1984-09-07 | Printhead suitable for use in apparatus for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1194726A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-09-07 CA CA000462728A patent/CA1194726A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |