FR2617432A1 - INTERCHANGEABLE SHUTTER ASSEMBLY FOR PRINTER - Google Patents

Abstract

A factory preset interchangeable shuttle assembly for dot matrix printers is disclosed. The shuttle assembly 10 includes an elongated base 12 intended to be removably mounted on a printer frame 14. This assembly 10 carries a paper holder plate and a row of hammers, the relative positions of which are preset at the factory. The assembly of the assembly 10 on the element 14 is facilitated by a pin 30 for positioning. Field of application: impact matrix printers, etc.

Description

The invention relates to impact printers, and more particularly

  a line-by-line dot matrix printer in which an elongated row of hammers is reciprocated with respect to an adjacent platen for supporting a length of printing paper in association with a tape deck and a driving device for advance the length

of printing paper.

  Printers are known in which

  an elongated row of hammers executes a movement

  bidirectional alternative to a length of pa-

  printing pier to print points by impact. An example of such a printer is described

  in U.S. Patent No. 3,941,051.

  The above-mentioned patent describes a line-by-line dot matrix printer with an elongated row

  of hammers animated by a two-way reciprocating

  by a cam drive assembly. A platinum

  tape holder, mounted in the printer near the

  diate of the row of hammers, has a ribbon-length between several springs of hammers mounted in a parallel arrangement and spaced along the length of the

  row of hammers, and an adjacent platen or cylinder.

  A length of printing paper disposed between the length of ribbon and the platen is advanced stepwise through the printing station defined by the space between

  the row of hammers and the plate, by means of a

positive coach.

  The printer described in the aforementioned patent performs dot matrix printing.

  While the row of hammers is animated by a movement

  alternation of back and forth across the paper of im-

  Pressure, some, various, hammer springs located along the length of the row are released or triggered from retracted positions, loaded by spring, in which they are normally retained, by means of magnetic actuators associated with the hammers. When each hammer spring is released or triggered, a free upper end of this hammer spring, which carries an impact tip for printing a point,

  is projected forward from the retracted position

  such that the impact tip strikes the length of the ink ribbon against the printing paper to print

  a point. Then, the hammer spring returns to

  leaping into the retracted position.

  Printers of the type described in the aforementioned patent require a relatively precise positioning of

  the row of hammers with respect to the turntable vis-à-

  screw for proper printing.

  The hammer bank is usually mounted so that it can be reciprocated by means of two opposite linear smooth bearings which are mounted on the printer frame and which receive the axes located

  at the opposite ends of the elongated row of hammers.

  Linear plain bearings should be carefully adjusted to allow relatively free movement and

  without disturbing the row of hammers, while limiting Si-

  the amplitude of lateral movement that the ex-

  opposing trenches of the row of hammers may

  to kill as a result of tolerances or play in linear smooth bearings. The angular orientation of the row of

  hammers must also be adjusted in relation to the

  to ensure that the impact tips for the

  Point pressure is perpendicular to the surface of the platen when they strike that surface. A handle attached to the platen and used to position it according to different numbers of paper forms

  must be properly oriented relative to the stage.

  The board itself must be positioned precisely

  relative to the row of hammers to establish a

  the desired size range between the dot print impact tips and the platen surface over the entire length of the hammer row. A difference between the gap at one end of the row of hammers and the gap at the opposite end of the row of

  hammers, which can be up to a few hundredths of a

  meter, may render the printer inoperative.

  Because of the tight tolerances required in mounting the hammer bank and platen in the printer, it is necessary that the hammer bank and platen be set up and adjusted by an experienced technician. Such a technician has the appropriate knowledge and specialized equipment required to properly adjust the linear sliding bearings for proper freedom of movement of the hammer row without excessive play and to adjust the angle of the hammer row, the orientation of the plate and the spacing of the latter within acceptable limits. These operations can easily be carried out in a printer factory where trained technicians and necessary equipment are available. However, the problem becomes more difficult to solve in the field, for example where the user of the printer is located. Trained technicians and the necessary equipment may not be readily available in such remote locations. This becomes a problem when the row of hammers must be set up or replaced in a printer in such remote locations. Some printers of the type described in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,941,051 still use the same particular design of hammer row. The row of hammers can therefore be, and usually is,

  installed in the factory printer before the printer

  mantis be shipped from this factory. The need to set up a row of hammers in such a printer at a remote location appears only when the row of hammers must be replaced. This is an infrequent occurrence that may occur, for example, as a result of excessive wear or a defect

  appearing in the row of hammers.

  Other printers of the type described in the aforesaid patent are designed to be used with any of a number of rows of design hammers.

  different and different. These particular conceptions

  the rows of hammers may differ in such points as the number of hammer springs they

  carry, which allows the different printer to be

  annuities printing speed possibilities. With printers of this type, it is not always possible to determine what is the necessary row of hammers

  before the printer leaves the manufacturing plant.

  Usually, a decision is made at the customer in a remote location, where the hammer bank must be installed in the printer. In such situations and in other situations, again, where the row of hammers must be replaced or otherwise placed in the printer at a remote location, for various reasons, it is desirable to be able to install a row of hammers in the printer without the need for a trained technician with special tools. The above and other objects and features according to the invention are realized by an interchangeable shuttle assembly printer which comprises the row of hammers and the associated parts to be precisely adjusted with respect to the row of hammers. . In this way, the shuttle assembly can be

  assembled as a block or sub-assembly

  the printer factory where the skilled personnel and the special tools required are readily available. The shuttle assembly can then be easily installed in the printer with a minimum of skill and

  tools, which makes this installation easy to

  in the field or in other remote locations.

  Printers according to the invention

  take a tape holder and a device

  stretching of the printing paper, such as opposing trainers that step by step advance a length of printing paper. The interchangeable shuttle assembly includes an elongate shuttle hub adapted to be removably mounted to the printer frame in association

  with the tape holder and the drive device

  printing paper. The inter-shuttle set

  changeable includes an elongated turntable mounted on the

  base of the shuttle, along the length of this base,

  to receive and support the length of paper

  pressure when the interchangeable shuttle set is

  installed in the printer. The inter-shuttle set

  changeable also comprises an elongated row of hammers extending along the length of the base of the shuttle and mounted so as to be reciprocated with respect to the plate and the base of the shuttle. The control of the row of hammers in a reciprocating movement is carried out by a suitable control device which may comprise a drive mechanism

  reciprocating cam mounted on the frame of the im-

  primante and in contact with a cam roller assembly

  connected to one end of the elongated row of hammers.

  Since the interchangeable shuttle assembly is itself assembled in advance before being

  installed in the printer, the precise settings for

  the appropriate angle of the row of hammers in the plain bearings, the appropriate orientation of the plate and the appropriate setting of the plate gap, are

  performed during the manufacture of the shuttle assembly.

  The installation or installation of the interchangeable shuttle assembly in the printer, as well as its disassembly from the printer are easily accomplished without the need to call on trained technicians and special tools. The printer housing includes a base support member that has a machined horizontal surface on which the base of the shuttle assembly is placed. Proper positioning of the shuttle assembly on the base support member relative to the cam drive assembly and the drive means is facilitated by a stud mounted on the base support member so that to protrude from its machined horizontal surface. The stud is received in a complementary opening located at one end of the elongated base of the shuttle, which opening is sized to receive the stud with a precise fit. The opposite end of the shuttle base is then positioned to orient properly

  the shuttle assembly with respect to the elements of the

  with which this assembly cooperates, after which this end of the base of the shuttle is fixed to the base support member by means of a screw or a

  other appropriate fastener. The end of the

  base of the shuttle presenting the reception opening

  of the stud is also attached to the support element of

  base by means of one or more screws or other

appropriate fasteners.

  Inside the international shuttle assembly

  changeable, the opposite ends of the platen are adjustably mounted on the eibase of the shuttle so

  platinum can be turned around an axis extending

  in the longitudinal direction of the plate, the hammer row and the shuttle base. Axes at opposite ends of the elongated row of hammers are received in two opposite linear smooth bearings mounted on the elongated base of the shuttle at opposite ends thereof. The linear sliding bearings are adjusted to allow relatively free movement of the hammer row during its reciprocating movement while simultaneously limiting the allowable clearance or tolerance. The angle of the hammer row is then adjusted by means of an anti-rotation assembly mounted on the base of the shuttle. The appropriate orientation of the plate is achieved by adjusting the handle of the plate relative to the latter. The spacing of the plate is established by adjustment of the supports

  adjustable at opposite ends of the board.

  All these operations are carried out before the implementation

  Interchangeable shuttle space. in the printer.

  The invention will be described in more detail

  with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of example

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an interchangeable shuttle assembly according to the invention, illustrating how this shuttle assembly is removably mounted on a base support member in a printer; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Figure 1, removably mounted on the base support member, with a tape deck, a driving device, and a drive assembly. cable inside a printer; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an elongated row of hammers, a bonnet assembly, an elongated platen and a roller assembly of

  cam disposed within the inter-shuttle assembly

  changeable of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the elongated shuttle hub of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a front view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Figure 1;

  Figure 6 is a top view of the

  appears to interchangeable shuttle of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a rear view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a view of the left end of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a view of the right end of the shuttle assembly of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a bottom view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Figure 1; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Fig. 1 taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 6; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Fig. 1 taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 5; Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the interchangeable shuttle assembly of Fig. 1 taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 6; Figure 14 is a view of a part of

  the right end of the interchangeable shuttle assembly

  Figure 1 along line 14-14 of the Figure.

Figure 6; and

  Figure 15 is a sectional view of the

  appears to interchangeable shuttle from Figure 1 next

line 15-15 of Figure 5.

  Figure 1 shows an interchangeable shuttle assembly 10 according to the invention. The set 10 is

  consisting of an elongated base 12 of shuttle in the-

  mounted in an adjustable manner, as described above.

  after, an elongated row of hammers and an elongated plate. The shuttle assembly 10 is a modular block that is easily installed in a printer

and is easily removed.

  The shuttle assembly 10 is placed in a printer by mounting this assembly 10 on a

  base support member 14 fixed to the frame, to the inte-

  the printer's boot. Element 14 of

  The base port is of elongated configuration and has a horizontal top surface 16 which is machined to be planar. An 18 training set by

  cam is mounted on one end of the element 14 of

base port.

  The cam drive assembly 18, which is used to drive the elongated row of hammers within the shuttle assembly 10 in reciprocating motion, is of conventional configuration suitable and may be of the type described in the patent. No. 3,941,051 cited above. The cam drive assembly 18 includes a flywheel driven by a motor and to which a cam 22 is coupled. The shuttle assembly 10 being mounted in position on the base support member 14, a rotation of the cam 22, which cam 22 bears against a cam follower assembly located at one end of the elongated row of hammers in the shuttle assembly 10, comem described below, produces reciprocating movement of the elongated row of hammers relative to the shuttle base 12. A counterweight mass 24, which bears against the cam 22 on one side thereof opposite the shuttle assembly 10, is reciprocated away from the elongated row of hammers in the shuttle assembly. in order to counterbalance the row of

  reciprocating hammers and to remove the movement

  vibration that would otherwise result from the movement

  alternative to the row of hammers.

  The shuttle assembly 10 is placed with

  on the surface 16 of the support element 14 of

  base by means of a stud 30 mounted in the base support member 14 so as to project upwards

  of the surface 16. The stud 30 is inserted into a

  verture located in the lower face of the right end 32 of the shuttle assembly 10. The latter is

  turned around stud 30 until it is

  Next, the left end 34, opposite to the right end 32, of the shuttle assembly 10 is fixed by a screw 36 to the base support member 14. The screw 36 passes through an opening 38 of a tab 40 located at the left end 34 of the shuttle assembly 10 and enters the base support member 14. As described below, the right end 32 of the shuttle assembly 10 has two spaced legs that receive screws 42 and 44. The latter pass through the tabs and enter the base support member 14 to fix the right end

  32 of the shuttle assembly 10 to this element 14.

  Figure 2 shows the interchangeable shuttle assembly 10 installed on the base support member 14 in a printer 50. The latter comprises

  a tape holder plate 52 and a driving device 54.

  The plate 52 has a length of ink ribbon

  extending between opposite coils located in the

  52 and on which the tape is wound. The length

  The ink ribbon portion, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 3, is disposed between the elongate row of hammers and the elongated platen within the shuttle assembly 10 as will be described hereinafter. The driver device 54 includes opposing pinned drivers 56 and 58 adjacent opposite ends of the assembly.

  10. The sprocket coaches 56 and 58 engage each other

  with the opposite perforated edges of a length of

  printing paper to advance the paper step by step

  pier up through a printing station defined by the interface between the elongated row of hammers and the elongated plate, in the shuttle assembly 10, of

  classic way. The plate-holder 52 and the arrangement

  54 coaches are of classic design and can

  may be of the type described in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,941,051. The driver device 54 is mounted on the frame structure inside the printer 50 to

  immediate proximity of the element 14 support base.

  The tape deck 52 is attached to the shuttle assembly in the present example, but may be otherwise attached

  inside the printer 50, at the desired location.

  The tape deck 52 being removed from the shuttle assembly 10, the latter is installed in the printer 50 by lowering the right end.

  32 of the shuttle assembly 10 so that the stud 30

  in the complementary opening located in the lower surface of the shuttle assembly 10. During this movement, the assembly 10 is preferably spaced obliquely from its final position so that its left end 34 extends to the gap and disengages from the left driver 56. When the right end 32 of the shuttle assembly 10 is placed on the base support member 14 in the manner just described, the shuttle set

  is then turned around the stud to bring the ex-

  left-hand end 34 in contact with the left-hand driver 56. The shuttle assembly 10 includes a platen retainer plate 60 at the left end 34 which engages a complementary opening 62 of the left-hand driver 56 with pimples. The shuttle assembly 10 is thus disposed, the screws 36, 42 and 44 are implemented in the manner described above, but are not yet locked. After small adjustments on the position of the shuttle assembly 10 to establish a precise orientation of this assembly 10 with respect to the cam drive assembly 18 and the device

  coach 54, we tighten and lock the screws 36, 42 and 44.

  Then the tape holder 52 is fixed on the front

  of the shuttle assembly 10 by means of screws 64 and 66.

  Removal of the international shuttle assembly

  changeable 10 of the printer 50 starts with the demon-

  mounting the screws 64 and 66 to disengage and remove the carrier plate 52 from the front of the shuttle assembly 10. Then the screws 36, 42 and 44 are removed and the shuttle assembly 10 is pivoted on the stud to disengage the

  platen retainer plate 60 of the completed opening

  62 in the left 56-pin coach. Can then lift the shuttle assembly 10 and remove it from

the printer 50.

  Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an elongate row 80 of hammers, a hood assembly 82, an elongate platen assembly 84 and a cam follower assembly 86 housed within the shuttle assembly 10 of which they form a part. . The row of hammers has axes 88 and 90 protruding from its ends

  opposite, following a common geometric axis. As described above

  after, the pins 88 and 90 are received in linear smooth bearings to allow reciprocating the hammer row 80 along the common geometric axis of the pins 88 and 90. The cam follower assembly 86 is mounted on one end of the shaft 88 and bears against the cam 22 of the cam drive assembly 18 to reciprocate the hammer row 80. The hood assembly 82, which is mounted on the row 80 of

  hammers, receives a length of ink ribbon 92 in

  The hammer row 80 of the hood assembly 82 reciprocates relative to the adjacent platen assembly 84 which is mounted by means of pins 94 and 96. The axes 94 and 96 protrude opposite ends of an elongate platen

  98, along a generally parallel geometric axis

  correlates with the common geometric axis of axes 88 and 90 of the

row 80 of hammers.

  The row 80 of hammers is represented and

  described in more detail in the United States patent application.

  United States No. 069021 to Norman E. Farb and collabora-

  deposited on July 1, 1987, under the title "PRINTER

  HAVING IMPROVED HAMMERBANK ".

  carries a total of 66 hammer springs 110 mounted on

  its length in a parallel and spaced arrangement.

  Only four of the hammer springs 110 are

  shown in Figure 3 for clarity. The springs 110 of hammers are mounted along the base of the

  row 80 by means of bis 112 and mounting plates 114.

  Each hammer spring 110 is mounted by means of a screw 112 passing through a mounting plate 114. Each of the mounting plates 114 carries two hammer springs

110.

  A different pair of pole pieces 116 and 118, mounted on an upper portion of the hammer row 80 and forming part of a magnetic actuator

  for the hammer spring 110, is associated with each res-

  spell 110 of hammer. A permanent magnet 120 is disposed between the pole pieces 116 and 118. A set 122 to

  coils forming part of the magnetic actuator,

  takes a first coil 124 mounted on the first pole piece 116 and a second coil 126 mounted on the second pole piece 118. The hammer springs 110 are made of a resilient magnetic material such as spring steel. Each hammer spring 110 is normally held in a retracted position,

  slightly bent, loaded by spring, against the ex-

  tremities of the pole pieces 116 and 118 by the action of the permanent magnet 120 which closes a magnetic circuit passing through the pole pieces 116 and 118 and a part

  adjacent upper spring 110 hammer.

  Each of the hammer springs 110 carries, at its free top end, an impact tip 128 for printing a point. Each of the impact tips 128 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of a pair, different from openings 130 formed in parts

  front and rear 132 and 134 of the hood assembly 82.

  During an impression and while row 80 of

  the reciprocating movement relative to the plate 98, the various hammer springs 110 are released or selectively "triggered" to print

  points on a length of printing paper 140 sou-

  held by the plate 98, along the length thereof, to

  immediate proximity to the hood assembly 82. The

  Each hammer spring 110 is formed by energizing the first and second coils 124 and 126 of the assembly 122 associated with the hammer spring, this excitation lasting long enough to overcome the force.

  magnetic retaining element of the permanent element 120 and

  toss the top free end of spring 110 from

  hammer away from pole pieces 116 and 118.

  while the hammer spring 110 moves away from the pole pieces 116 and 118, the impact tip 128 passes into the two associated openings 130 of the hood assembly 82

  to strike the length of the ink ribbon 92, dis-

  between the front and rear parts 132 and 134 of

  the hood assembly 82, against the length of paper of im-

  pressure 140 which is supported by platinum 98. After

  the impact, the hammer spring 110 returns to rebound-

  in the retracted position against the pole pieces 116 and 118 where it remains in this retracted position in preparation for the next release of this hammer spring 110. The arrival of the hammer spring 110 in the retracted position is damped by a "Kapton" band 141 extending along the length of the hammer row 80, in the immediate vicinity of intermediate portions of the hammer springs 110. The kapton band 141 is formed of several layers of Kapton superimposed

to each other.

  As previously indicated, the cam follower assembly 86 is mounted on the axle 88 to drive the hammer row 80 in an alternate reciprocating motion.

  the action of the cam drive assembly 18. The in-

  86 appears to cam follower comprises a roller 142 mounted to rotate in a yoke 144 which exceeds

  outward to bear against the cam 22 of the en-

  seems 18 drive. The yoke 144 is coupled to a bearing assembly 146 by means of a ring 148 mounted in the rear face of the yoke 144. The ring 148 passes into a washer 150, into a shuttle coil spring 152 and into washers 154 of FIG. to reach one end of the bearing assembly 146 surrounded by a reservoir 156 which bears against a lubricant wick

  in felt at the end of the bearing assembly 146.

  The bearing assembly 146 is mounted on a conical end 160 of the axle 88. A locking screw, which is not shown and which is freely housed in the ring 148 of the yoke 144, is mounted in the end.

261-7432

  conical 160 of the axis 88. The locking screw defines the degree to which the yoke 144 can move away from the end

  conic 160, while at the same time allowing a movement

  of the yoke 144 towards the tapered end 160 against the resistance of the spring 152 to absorb

  shocks while the roller 142 follows the cam 22.

  The hammer row 80, on which is mounted the hood assembly 82 and the follower roller assembly 86, and the platen assembly 84 are mounted on the base 12

  of the shuttle which is shown in detail in Figure 4.

  The base 12 is of elongate configuration, generally rectangular, between its right and left ends 32 and 34. As indicated previously with reference to FIGS.

  and 2, the left end 34 has the tab 40

  paid from. the opening 38 to receive the screw 36. -The former

  right tremity 32 of the base 12 of the shuttle has two spaced tabs 170 and 172 through openings 174 and 176 for receiving the screws 42 and 44 shown

in Figure 1.

  The base 12 of the shuttle is configured to define bearing blocks 178 and 180 at its respective ends 32 and 34 of right and left. The bearing block 178 has a recess 182, while the bearing block 180 has a recess 184. As described below, the recesses 182 and 184 are designed so that linear sliding bearings can be mounted therein which bearings receive the bearings. axes 88 and 90 of the row of hammers. This allows the row 80 of hammers to reciprocate along the axis

  the common geometric axes 88 and 90, which geometric axis

  common pole extends in the longitudinal direction of

the base 12 of the shuttle.

  The base 12 of the shuttle is also

  figured so as to define a bearing surface 186 adjacent to

  and a bearing surface 188 adjacent the recess 184 and rearwardly thereof. Bearing surfaces 186 and 188

  are designed to receive the axes 94 and 96, respectively

  located at the opposite ends of the plate 98.

  As described below, the pins 94 and 96 are held in place on the bearing surfaces 186 and 188 by clamping assemblies which allow the pins 94 and 96 to rotate on the surfaces to vary the angular orientation of the platen. 98. Openings 190 and 192 of the base 112 of the shuttle, adjacent to the surfaces of

  levels 186 and 188, respectively, receive mech-

  adjusting the lateral positions of the axes 94 and

  96, as also described hereinafter.

  The base 12 of the shuttle further comprises an anti-rotation block 194 which is part of an anti-rotation assembly described below. The antirotation block 194 protrudes outwardly from the front face of the base of the shuttle in an intermediate portion of the length

of the base 12.

  Figures 5-11 show various different views of the completed shuttle assembly 10. Axis 88

  located at one end of row 80 of hammers

  rille and slide in a linear sliding bearing 198 mounted in the bearing block 178. A bearing cap 200, disposed above the linear sliding bearing 198, is fixed to the bearing block 178 in the region of the recess 182 by means of screws 202 which maintain the linear sliding bearing 198 in position in the recess 182. Similarly, the axis 90 located at the other end of the hammer row 80 is pivoted and slid in a linear sliding bearing 204 mounted in the recess 184 of the bearing block 180. A bearing cap 206 secured to the block 180 by screws 208 in the region of the recess 184 maintains the

  linear sliding bearing 204 in this recess 184.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the axis 90 and the linear sliding bearing 204 along the line 12-12 of FIG. 5, parts of the linear sliding bearing 204, the bearing block 180 and the bearing cap 206 being torn off to better show some details. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of linear sliding bearing 204 and adjacent portions of bearing block 180 and bearing cap 206 taken along line 13-13 of Fig. 6. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, axis 90 is housed in the linear sliding bearing 204 in a manner that allows this axis 90 to slide. A wick reservoir 220, located at one end of the linear slide bearing 204, has a lubricant wick 222 of felt on its turned surface.

  linear bearing 204. The latter and the

  The wick block 220 is housed in the recess 184 of the bearing block 180. A curved surface 224, located on the underside of the bearing cap 206, is disposed above upper portions of the linear slide bearing.

204 and the wick reservoir 220.

  As shown in Figure 12, a bearing cap screw 226 descends into an opening 228 of the bearing cap 206 and enters a threaded hole 230.

  arranged in the bearing block 180 on the side of the

  184. The bearing cap screw 226 permits adjustment of the linear slide bearing 204. By tightening the screw 226, the linear slide bearing 204 is pressed against the outer surface of the shaft 90, thereby reducing the clearance or tolerance between them. At the same time, the linear sliding bearing 204 must not clamp the axis 88 sufficiently strongly to interfere with a free movement of this axis 90 in the bearing. Therefore, the screw 226 is tightened to a point just below the point where it interferes with the free sliding motion of the shaft in the linear slide bearing 204. The clearance or tolerance between the axis 90 and the linear bearing 204 at this point is well into

below acceptable limits.

  The row 80 of hammers is installed in the base 12 of the shuttle by placing the bearings

  linear guides 198 and 204 on axes 88 and 90, respec-

  and placing linear bearings 198 and 204 in the recesses 182 and 184 of the bearing blocks 178 and 180, respectively. Then the bearing caps and 206 are fixed in position by means of the screws 202 and 208. The linear sliding bearing 204 is adjusted by clamping

  of the bearing cap screw 226 sufficient to remove the

  sea any desired joint without however jamming the axis 90

  in the linear plain bearing 204 as previously described

  is lying. The linear sliding bearing 198, which is likewise

  that the linear sliding bearing 204 is similarly adjusted by clamping a bearing cap screw S15 231 after the bearing cap 200 has been set.

in place on the landing.

  As previously described with respect to FIG. 3, the various hammer springs 110 are selectively released by excitation of the associated coil assemblies 122. FIG. 3 shows conductive wires 232 for one of the coil assemblies 22. The various coil assemblies coils 122 for the 66 hammer springs 110 are connected to a control circuit outside the shuttle assembly 10. This connection is made by many conductors son such as the conductors 232, which are organized into six different wired buses 240 on the length of the row 80 of hammers. Figures 5 and 6 show well wired buses 240. These, which go to

  the top of the coil assemblies 122, are clamped in position

  along the opposite side of the hammer row 80 by clamping bars 242 and 244. The wired buses 240, which are shown cut just below the clamp bars 242 and 244 in FIGS. 5 and 6,

  lead to connectors that are fixed to con-

  complementary sectors in the printer 50 to close the connection of the coil assemblies 122 with the control circuit after the installation of the shuttle assembly

in the printer 50.

  The correct angular orientation of the hammer row 80 with respect to the paper support surface of the platen 98 must be maintained so that the impact pins 128 of the hammer springs 110 strike the surface of the platen 198 essentially to right angle to it. However, the design of the linear sliding bearings 198 and 204 is such that it allows a

  rotational movement as well as a movement of cou-

  lissement axes 88 and 90 in these bearings. To prevent

  the row 80 of hammers to turn, there is provided an anti-rotation assembly 250. This anti-rotation assembly 250 uses the anti-rotation block 194 of the base 12 of

shuttle.

  The details of the anti-rotation assembly 250 appear better in Figure 11. Essentially,

  the anti-rotation assembly 250 prevents the row 80 from

  Turning rings by tightening the opposite faces of a metal plate 252 mounted on the rear face of the hammer row, at a central portion thereof, in a manner preventing the hammer row 80 from rotating around the blade. common geometric axis axes 88 and 90, while allowing the metal plate 252 to slide relative to this anti-rotation assembly so that the row 80 of hammers can perform reciprocating motion. A shoe 254, of globally hemispherical shape, rotatably mounted in a complementary opening

  formed in an anti-rotation element 256 fixed at the end

  the upper block of the anti-rotation block 194 bears against one face of the metal plate 252. The pad 254 is made of a plastic material lubricated so as to establish a

  sliding interface between itself and the metal plate

  252. An anti-recoil slider 258, extending between opposite ends of the anti-rotation element 256, comprises an anti-recoil pad 260 mounted at one of its ends by means of a screw 262. opposite end

  of the anti-recoil slider 258 comprises a tab 264 par-

  down, which is separated from an adjacent

  of the anti-rotation element 256 by a spring 266.

  The anti-recoil slider 258 may freely reciprocate slidingly across the upper portion of the anti-rotation member 256 and it is normally biased to the right, as seen in FIG. 11, by the spring action. 266. This resiliently applies the anti-kickback pad 260 against the metal plate 252 to fixably hold the metal plate 252 between the anti-kickback pad 260 and

  254, while at the same time allowing a movement of

  slip of the metal plate 252 between them.

  A shim 268 is shown disposed between the tab 264 of the anti-recoil slider 258 and a surface

  opposite of the anti-rotation block 194 in FIG.

  Addition or removal of wedges such as wedge 268 modifies the lateral position of the anti-rotation element

  256 with respect to the anti-rotation block 194. Of this

  the angular orientation of the row

  of hammers, after which row 80 is free from

  reciprocate through the action of

  of the metal plate 252 between the shoe 254 and the anti-roll pad 260, without rotation of the row 80 of hammers 80 around the common geometric axis of the

axes 88 and 90.

  As indicated previously, the axes 94 and 96 located at the opposite ends of the plate 98 are

  arranged on the bearing surfaces 186 and 188,

  Finally, the base 12 of the shuttle. Axis 94 is now

  resiliently held in position on the bearing surface by a clamping assembly 280. The axle 96 is resiliently held in position on the bearing surface 188 by a clamping assembly 282 having a configuration

  identical to that of the clamping assembly 280.

  The clamping assembly 280, which is

  FIG. 11 and FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 comprise a platen adjusting spring 284 secured at its lower end to the shuttle base 12 and having the opposite upper end applied thereto. elastically against the axis 94. A flange

  lengthened 286 platinum spring is disposed close to

  Immediately a large portion of the length of the platen adjusting spring 284 is slightly spaced. The flange 286 of the platen spring is attached by its lower end to the base of the shuttle via the lower end of the spring 284.

adjusting by means of screws 288.

  The clamping assembly 280 allows a rotation of the axis 94 between its platen adjusting spring 284 and the bearing surface 186, while elastically maintaining, at the same time, the axis 94 in position. The clamping assembly 282, which is of a configuration identical to that of the assembly 280, operates in a similar manner

  to maintain the axis 96 on the bearing surface 188.

  Arrangements are provided to adjust the

  lateral positions of axes 94 and 96 with respect to

  bearing faces 186 and 188. The arrangement associated with the axis

  96 and the complementary bearing surface 188 is re-

  FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 15, this arrangement comprises a pressure nut 290 journalled in opening 192 of FIG. base 12 of the shuttle and in which is mounted a locking screw 292. The locking screw 292, which comes into contact with the axis 96, is turned inside the nut 292 pressure, as necessary to adjust the lateral position of the axis 96. A similar arrangement with pressure nut and locking screw is mounted in the opening 190

  of the base 12 of the shuttle to adjust the position la-

  As shown in FIG. 14, such an arrangement comprises a pressure nut 294 in which

turns a locking screw 296.

  The adjustment of the lateral positions of the axes 94 and 96 by means of the locking screws 292 and 296 makes it possible to adjust the spacing of the plate, that is to say the space 298 shown in FIG. 6 between the row 80 of hammers.

  and the plate 98. The locking screws 292 and 296 are

  as required to give the gap 298 a uniform and desired size across the entire row 80 of hammers. The platen assembly 84 includes a platen handle 300 which is shown in FIG. 8 as well as in FIGS. 5 to 7. The platen handle 300 is connected to the axis 96 at one end of the platen 98 by an arrangement which comprises an axis 302 and a sleeve 304 of axes. As shown in FIG. 8, the handle 300 of the plate is fixed to the axis 302 by a screw 306 and a complementary nut 308 extending between two opposite parts of the handle 300 of the plate, on one side of the axis 302. The latter extends from the handle 300 of the plate, through the plate 60 of retaining the plate, to the sleeve 304 of axes located on the side of the

  plate 60 opposite that of the handle 300 of the plate.

  The sleeve 304 couples the axis 302 to the axis 96.

  The sleeve 304 of axes makes it possible to

  angular orientation of the handle 300 of the plate relative to the plate 98. As can be seen better

  in Figure 7, the sleeve 300 has two screws 310.

  By loosening the screws 310, the handle 300 of the plate can be rotated relative to the axis 96 to modify the orientation of the handle 300 of the plate relative to

at platinum 98.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the platen 98 has a relatively flat upper surface 320 and a rounded front surface 322. The distance of the rounded front surface 322 from the common geometric axis of the axes 94 and 96 varies over the height of this surface before 322. This causes a variation of the spacing of

  the platinum defined by space 298 when one turns

  the plate 98 on the axes 94 and 96. A variation of the spacing of the plate is necessary to allow

  the implementation of different thicknesses of forms.

  In cases where printing is performed on a single sheet of printing paper such as the length of printing paper 140 shown in FIG.

  turn the plate 98 to a position of spacing no-

  of the platen by means of the handle 300. When two or more layers of carbon paper are used, the handle 300 of the platen is rotated to enlarge.

  as necessary the spacing of this plate.

  The nominal spacing of the platinum is

  Tially established by a rotation of the handle 300 of the plate towards its limit downwards, loosening of the screws 310 of the sleeve 304 of axes, then rotation of the plate 98 until its upper plane surface 320 forms a predetermined angle with the horizontal. The screws 310 are then tightened to lock the handle 300 of the plate in this desired angular orientation relative to the plate 98. A form thickness label

  can be attached to the handle 300 of the platen for

  set the positions in which the handle 300 must be turned to establish the correct spacing for different

thicknesses of forms.

  As shown in Figure 10, a ring 324 is embedded in the bottom of the base 12 of the shuttle, at the right end 32 of this base 12, between the

  legs 170 and 172 and in the immediate vicinity thereof.

  legs 170 and 172 and in close proximity thereof.

  The ring 324 has an opening 326 which is configured

  to receive the stud 30 mounted on the element 14 of sup-

  base port. The aperture 326 and the complementary stud, which is sized to fit snugly into the aperture 326, serve to properly position the right end 32 of the shuttle base 12

  during assembly of the shuttle assembly 10 into the

  50, as described above with regard to

Figures 1 and 2.

  As indicated above, the invention is avatageuse in that one uses a set to

  interchangeable modular shuttle 10 in which the

  Essential settings can be made by the appropriate qualified personnel, using the special tooling requested before the shuttle assembly 10 is placed in the printer 50. This allows the shuttle assembly 10 to be manufactured and adjusted at the factory. , after which this set can be installed in the printer 50 at remote locations of the manufacturing plant, relatively

Easy.

  As indicated above, the row 80 of hammers is placed in the base 12 of the shuttle by placing the linear sliding bearings 198 and 204 on

  the axes 88 and 90 and housing these linear bearings linearly

  res 198 and 204 in the recesses 182 and 184 of the bearing blocks 178 and 180. The caps, bearing 200 and 206

  are fixed in place, after which the screws 226 and 231 pas-

  200 and 206 are adjusted to establish the desired adjustment of the axes 98 and 90 in the linear sliding bearings 198 and 204. This adjustment is usually performed while the base 12 of the shuttle is mounted on a test bench and that the arange 80 of hammers is animated by an alternative movement by means of

  of a cam training set similar to the overall

  18 cam drive shown in Figures 1 and 2.

  The screws 226 of the bearing caps are adjusted to

  primer unnecessary play while at the same time allowing free movement of axes 88 and 90 in plain bearings

linear 198 and 204.

  The row 80 of hammers being mounted in the base 12 of the shuttle and the linear smooth bearings

  198 and 204 being properly regulated, the

  The guide of the hammer row 80 is adjusted by means of the anti-rotation assembly 250. As previously described, wedges 268 are inserted into the space between the anti-rotation block 194 and the tab 264 of the anti-roll back slide.

  258 until the hood assembly 82 takes a posi-

  vertical direction indicating that the appropriate angle of

row of hammers was obtained.

  As described above, the

  the correct bracket of the plate 98 is established by loosening the screws 310 of the sleeve 304 axes, the handle

  300 of the stage being turned towards its limit downwards.

  Platinum 98 is rotated until its surface

  plane top 320 forms an angle of 10 with the horizontal

  tal. The plate 98 being in this position, one

  tighten the screws 310 to lock the handle 300 on the

98.

  The handle 300 of the plate being still at its limit downward, the adjustment of the spacing of the plate is effected by adjusting the locking screws 292 and 296 so that they reposition laterally the axes 94 and 96 on the bearing surfaces 196 and 198 until a nominal gap of 0.25 mm exists between impact tips 128 for printing points of hammer springs 110 and the rounded front surface 322

  platinum 98 along the length of the row 80 of hammers.

  The handle 300 of the turntable is then rotated upward until the gap or gap of the turntable is 0.66 mm and at this point a form weight label is affixed to the handle.

  platinum using a predetermined point of reference

  ence. The shuttle assembly 10 being assembled and calibrated as just described, it is ready to be installed in the printer 50. The installation is carried out in the manner described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. lower the shuttle assembly 10 into the printer 50 and place the opening 326 of the plate 324 on the stud 30 on the base support member 14. The shuttle assembly is then rotated on the stud 30 to place the platen retainer plate 60 in the complementary opening 62 of the spike driver 56. The screw 36 is inserted into the opening 38 of the tab 40 at the left end 32

  of the shuttle assembly 10 and in the element 14 of

  base port. The screws 42 and 44 are also inserted into the openings 174 and 176 of the tabs 170 and 172 and into the base support member 14. The screws 36, 42 and 44 are slightly tightened in position, after which slight adjustments are made to the orientation of the shuttle assembly 10 relative to the base support member 14. Then we lock the screws 36, 42 and 44, and we put in place the tape holder 52 by means of

screws 64 and 66.

  After installation of the shuttle assembly, the precharge force of the cam follower assembly 86 is measured. Shims are placed between the washer 154 and the helical spring 152 of the shuttle until the desired precharge force is established. This is a relatively simple operation that does not require

  a great experience or sophisticated tools.

  The hammer row 80 is then reciprocated with the cam drive assembly 18 to again ensure that there is adequate free play between the pins 88 and 90 and the pins. bearings

  linear smooth 198 and 204 surrounding them. We can

  This test should be done by ear while the screws 226 and 231 of the bearing caps are turned. It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the shuttle assembly described and

  shown without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

  A shuttle assembly adapted to be removably mounted in a printer (50), characterized in that it comprises an elongate shuttle base (12) adapted to be removably attached to a frame (14) of the printer, an elongated platen (98) mounted on the base of the shuttle and extending along the length of this base, and an elongated row (80) of hammers mounted on the base of the shuttle and extending over the length of this base, in the immediate vicinity of the elongated plate, the elongated row of hammers being   mounted on the extended base of the shuttle so as to be able to   reciprocate with the extended base of the shuttle and the elongated plate, following a longitudinal axis of movement.   2. Shuttle assembly according to claim 1,   characterized in that the elongated base of la-na-   vette has at least one opening (326) for receiving a stud (30) projecting from a frame (14) printer.   3. Shuttle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the elongated base of the shuttle carries two linear smooth bearings (198, 204) mounted at the opposite ends of this elongate base, following   the longitudinal axis of movement, the plain bearings   having opposite ends of the elongated row of hammers and adjustable to vary the narrowness of the end fitting   opposed to the elongated row of hammers in the liers.   4. Shuttle assembly according to claim 3,   characterized in that the elongated row of hammers comprises   carries two axes (88, 90) at its opposite ends, each of the axes extending along the longitudinal axis of motion and being received by one different from the two linear smooth bearings. 5. shuttle assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a device   anti-rotation device (250) mounted on a central portion of the   extended base of the shuttle between opposite ends of this base, the anti-rotation device bearing against the elongated row of hammers to prevent it from rotating relative to the base of the shuttle around   the longitudinal axis of movement, the anti-rotational device   which can be adjusted to vary the angular orientation of the elongated row of hammers with respect to the base of the shuttle.   Shuttle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a cam roller assembly (86) connected to the elongated row of hammers.   and having the effect of receiving a movable device (18)   alternatively in a printer.and to be trained by this device.   A shuttle assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elongate platen is mounted on the shuttle base by means of two adjustable mounting assemblies (178, 180) at opposite ends of the shuttle base, the two sets of mounting allowing a rotation of the elongate plate about an axis extending   the length of the elongate base and can be adjusted   to laterally vary the positions of the opposite ends of the plate relative to the base lengthened the shuttle.   8. Shuttle assembly according to claim 1,   characterized in that a tape deck (52) is   in the printer, as well as a set (54) of   printing paper draw and a base support member (14), the shuttle assembly being mounted on the base support member in association with the platen   ribbon holder and the paper drive assembly of pressure.   9. Shuttle assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the base of the shuttle is removably connected to the base support member by a stud (30) and a complementary opening (326) and by several screws (36, 42, 44). 10. Shuttle assembly according to claim 9,   characterized in that the base of the shuttle is of   elongated gure between first and second ends   opposite of this base, the dowel and the opening   located at the first end of the shuttle base and the second end of the base being secured to the base support member by at least one several screws (36, 42, 44).   The shuttle assembly of claim 10, characterized in that the base support member has a machined flat surface (16) on which the shuttle base is removably mounted, the stud arrangement and complementary opening comprising a stud (30) mounted   on the machined flat surface of the support element of   base and protruding, and a complementary opening (326) located in the base of the shuttle and receiving the stud, the first end of the base of the shuttle being fixed to the base support member by at least   one of several screws (36, 42, 44).   12. shuttle assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a set (18) of reciprocating drive mounted on the element   the base bracket in combination with the   removable vane causing the row of hammers in relation to the base of the shuttle and to the   platinum, in a reciprocating motion.   13. Shuttle assembly according to claim 12,   characterized in that the movable shuttle assembly comprises   takes a cam follower assembly (86) connected to the hammer row and with which the drive assembly to reciprocating motion is engaged.   14. shuttle assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the row of hammers has at its opposite ends, axes (88, 90) for mounting the row of hammers on the base of the shuttle, and removable shuttle assembly includes an arrangement (250) mounted on the base of the shuttle to prevent the   row of hammers to rotate relative to the base.   A shuttle assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the printer comprises a frame structure (14) having a flat surface (16) on which the shuttle assembly is removably mounted, the elongate base of the shuttle being generally rectangular,   mounted on the flat surface of the structure   frame, and configured to define two bearing blocks (178, 180) at its opposite ends, one different from two bearings (198b 204) being mounted in each of the two bearing blocks, two bearing caps (200, 206) being each mounted on one, different from the two bearing blocks to fix the two bearings, the elongated row of hammers having two axes (88, 90) protruding at opposite ends and which are received each in one, different, of the two bearings, an anti-rotation assembly (250) being mounted on the base of the shuttle and being engaged with the elongated row of hammers for   prevent it from turning, the base of the shuttle being   shown to define at its opposite ends, two bearing surfaces (186, 188) adjacent to the two bearing blocks, the elongate plate having two axes (94, 96) protruding at opposite ends thereof and   are each placed on one, different, of the two   bearing faces so that the elongated plate is disposed approximately parallel to the elongated row of   hammers and at a certain distance from it, two   clamping clamps (280, 282) being each mounted on the base of the shuttle, in close proximity to one, different, of the two bearing surfaces, and resiliently biasing, each, one, different, of the two axes   of the elongated plate against a bearing surface ad-   core. Shuttle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame structure comprises   an axis (30) projecting from its flat surface, the   extended base of the shuttle having, at a first end (34), a first tab (40) having a flat bottom surface disposed on the flat surface   of the frame structure, the base of the shuttle com-   at a second, opposite end (32), second and third spaced tabs (170, 172) each having a flat bottom surface disposed on the flat surface of the frame structure, the elongated base of the shuttle having its lower surface, an opening (326) adjacent to its second end and receiving the stud, the shuttle assembly further comprising a first screw (36) passing through the first   leg and fixing it to the frame structure, and   xth and third screws (42, 44) respectively passing through the second and third legs and securing them to the frame structure.   17. Shuttle assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two bearing caps is adjustably fixed to a different one of the two bearing blocks so that the adjustment of one of the two axes of the elongated row of hammers in one of the two bearings mounted in these blocks can be adjusted. 18. Shuttle assembly according to claim, characterized in that it further comprises two adjustable screws (292, 296) for locking each arranged in the elongated base of the shuttle, to one, different from the two surfaces of bearings, and can be operated to laterally adjust the position of one of the two axes disposed on the bearing surface.   The shuttle assembly of claim 15, further characterized in that it includes a platinum handle (300) controllably connected to one of the two axes of the elongated plate.   20. Shuttle assembly according to claim   characterized in that the anti-rotation assembly com-   takes an anti-rotation element (194) mounted   smoothing in the base of the shuttle and slidably receiving a portion (252) of the elongate row of hammers, and an arrangement (268) for adjustably positioning the anti-rotation member in the base of the shuttle to adjust the angular position of the elongated row of hammers.