US3617648A

US3617648A - Magnetic copying apparatus with inertia control feature

Info

Publication number: US3617648A
Application number: US876508A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Irving; Walter F Klein
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1969-11-13
Filing date: 1969-11-13
Publication date: 1971-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-02

Abstract

The invention concerns apparatus for making a plurality of duplicate copies from master recordings by using a magnetic transfer technique, particularly involving the steps of applying pressure between a master media and a blank copy media, thereafter moving an assembly of permanent magnets across the superimposed media to effect transfer of the information from the master media to the copy media by utilizing a one-way clutch mechanism interposed between the driving mechanisms and the permanent magnet assembly, all of the foregoing being accomplished by movement of a single operating member accessible to the operator and subsequently, due primarily to the clutch relationship with the permanent magnet assembly, releasing the magnet assembly at the end of its travel, thereby reducing inertia effects that would otherwise be objectionable from a loading standpoint.

Description

United States Patent [7 2] Inventors William F. Irving;

Walter F. Klein, both of Lexington, Ky. [211 App]. No. 876,508 [22] Filed Nov. 13, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 2, 1971 [73] Assignee lnternational Business Machines Corporation Armonk, N.Y.

[54] MAGNETIC COPYING APPARATUS WITH lNERTlA CONTROL FEATURE 7 Claims, 21 Drawing Figs.

531 vs. Cl 179 1001 E [51] lnt.Cl G1lb5/86 [50] Field of Search 179/1002 R, 100.2 A, 100.2 E

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1970 Gardner, Jr. et al. 179/1002 E OTHER REFERENCES IBM Technical Note, Vol. 12, No. 12, May 1970, p. 2,264 Copy in 179* 100.2 E.

Primary Examiner-Robert L. Richardson Attorneys-Hanifin and Jancin and D. Kendall Cooper ABSTRACT: The invention concerns apparatus for making a plurality of duplicate copies from master recordings by using a magnetic transfer technique, particularly involving the steps of applying pressure between a master media and a blank copy media, thereafter moving an assembly of permanent magnets across the superimposed media to effect transfer of the information from the master media to the copy media by utilizing a one-way clutch mechanism interposed between the driving mechanisms and the permanent magnet assembly, all of the foregoing being accomplished by movement of a single operating member accessible to the operator and subsequently, due primarily to the clutch relationship with the permanent magnet assembly, releasing the magnet assembly at the end of its travel, thereby reducing inertia effects that would otherwise be objectionable from a loading standpoint.

PATENTEDN 2 3,817. 648 SHEEI 1 [IF 5 INVENTORS W/LL/AM F lfiV/NG WALTER F KLE/N ip 654 p (W ATTORNEY PATENTEDuuvz lsm 3,517,54

sum am 5 PATENTEDuuv 2 IQII 3,617. 648

SHEET sor 5 V0 VELOCITY OF MASS CENTER CJ =ANGULAR VELOCITY OF MAIN SHAFT OJ=ANGULAR VELOCITY OF MAGNET SEGMENTS FIG- IO b BOTH MAGNET SEGMENTS AND MAIN SHAFT ROTATE WITH THE SAME ANGULAR VELOCITY THE TRAVEL OF THE MASS CENTER STOPS A v0 o we O V FIG IOc THE ROTATION OF THE MAGNET SEGMENTS CONTINUES AFTER MAGNETIC COPYING APPARATUS WlTI-I INERTIA CONTROL FEATURE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS The following patents are of interest:

U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 698,351, C. L. Gardner, W. F. Klein and W. R. Yount, inventors, entitled, Magnetic Information Transfer Apparatus," filed Jan. 16, I968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,855.

U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 699,253, F. E. Becker et al., inventors, entitled, Magnetic Copy System," filed Jan. 16, I968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,571,527.

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF INVENTION, FIELD AND PRIOR ART Reference is made to the two patents noted in the crossreference section for a device that performs magnetic transfer operations from master cards to copy cards by utilizing permanent magnetic structures in a manner somewhat analogous to the basic transfer operations of the present apparatus. Prior to the aforementioned devices, of course, the I-Ierr U.S. Pat. No. 2,738,383 described the basic principles of magnetic transfer of signals by disclosing apparatus including magnetic flux field generating means for establishing lines of flux and the movement of master and duplicate tapes through the field to effect transfer of information by establishing a multiplicity of flux transitions. Also noted in the foregoing cases are several other prior art devices including that of I-Ioshino shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,999,908 and the device of Supernowicz as shown and described in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,854, all of the foregoing being representative of prior devices of this nature. Generally, these devices make use of a master media having a coercivity range somewhat higher than that in the copy media. Reference is made to the patent applications noted for typical coercivity ranges that have been found suitable in apparatus of this nature for effecting transfer of signals from a master media to a copy media, while maintaining the original signal pattern in the master media for use in making additional copies, as required.

SUMMARY While the present invention makes use of certain general principles taught in the prior art devices as represented by the referenced patents, it. has progressed beyond the state of development of these prior devices by enabling a complete and more efficient transfer cycle of a transfer unit than has been obtainable in the prior art. Some of the prior devices have had some difficulty with inertia effects due to the relatively high rate of movement of some of the transfer elements, such as the permanent magnet drum incorporated therein, as well as other mechanisms. Devices of this type are intended for use by an individual operator, in the usual case; and it is desirable to provide such apparatus with some form of operator control means for cycling the unit through all of its various phases of operation, such as the establishing of pressure between master media and copy media, the movement of the permanent magnet assembly, etc. In the apparatus described herein, such means takes the form of a single control member mounted conveniently at one end of the unit for easy accessibility and operation by the user of the equipment. Customarily, the operating means of necessity must move within some predetermined range of movement to ensure easier operation and to effect all of the various functions required. In such cases, it is possible for the user of the equipment to approach and, in fact, actually reach the end of the range of movement of the control member, meanwhile driving the permanent magnet transfer structures at relatively high speeds. With such arrangements, it is possible that high loads may be imposed on the various structures. In accordance with the present invention, the transfer unit incorporates a one-way clutch assembly that is interposed between the various driving elements that are operated by movement of the control member at the instigation of the operator and that serve to minimize, if not, in

fact, eliminate undesired effects due to such inertia. Such clutch means may take many forms, that is, spring clutches, dog clutches, and the like. In the particular embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, a roller clutch is incorporated for the intended purpose. The roller clutch described herein enables the driving of the magnetic drum transfer roller across the superimposed media to effect the proper transfer of signals, establishes a relatively high speed of rotation of the roller member and, subsequently, allows such relatively highspeed rotation of the member to continue gradually dissipating at the end of the movement of the roller adjacent the media, rather than abruptly loading the mechanism as would otherwise occur.

OBJECTS An object of the present invention is to provide magnetic transfer apparatus wherein essentially all of the operations required are initiated and accomplished by movement of a single operator control means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide magnetic transfer apparatus for effecting a transfer of signals from a master media to a copy media, making use of magnetic structures that are movable in a predetermined path adjacent the media to effect the transfer, thereby developing relatively high forces and incorporating structures for the dissipation of such forces.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide magnetic transfer apparatus having a simplified mode of operation in which the various mechanisms are operated as required in a fairly uniform sequence that is invariably established during each and every cycle. A still further object of the present invention is to provide magnetic transfer apparatus incorporating a plurality of clutching members, with at least one such members establishing the reduction of inertia effects in the transfer mechanisms.

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

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of the transfer apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view of the transfer apparatus.

FIGS. 30, 3b, and 30 represent top, front, and rear elevations, of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a timing sequence showing a typical operation expressed in degrees of angular movement of the operating handle on the apparatus.

FIGS. Sa-Sd illustrate the condition of the apparatus at particular angular increments corresponding generally to those shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate the condition of the magnetic drive clutch assembly at various points of operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 7a is a cross section of the magnetic drum transfer means incorporating a roller clutch assembly and FIG. 7b is a perspective view thereof.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show a form of clutch mechanism that is usable in practicing the present invention while FIGS. and 9b illustrate the principles of operation of the clutch assembly.

FIGS. 10a, 10b, and 10c illustrate various relationships of the velocity conditions at the drum center and at the outer periphery of the drum during operation of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 are left front and right rear perspective views of the magnetic transfer apparatus according to the present in- FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 30. FIG. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating a typical operation of the apparatus, as related to the movement of the control means; that is, the operator handle at the rightmost extremity of the device. FIGS. 5a through 5d represent a series of right elevations of the unit that are related to the timing diagram of FIG. 4. FIGS. 60 and 6b show conditions of a drive clutch assembly during part of the sequence in FIG. 4. FIGS. 70 through 100 are further details particularly showing the magnetic drum structure, theoretical aspects of the drum rotation and movement, and the roller clutch assembly incorporated in the drum structure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, unit 1, includes a cover 2 that generally encompasses the entire assembly during ordinary use. Positioned at the right extremity of the unit is an operating (control) handle 3. The unit includes a card entry slot 5. The card slot 5 receives both master and copy cards during operation of the equipment. Ordinarily, as described in the cross-referenced patent applications, a master card M, such as those shown in FIG. 1, is inserted in a slot 5 and retained in the unit during a plurality of transfer operations. A succession of copy cards C, FIG. 1, are then placed in proper position in the unit for transfer of the signal pattern from the master card to each copy card. The entry of the cards is performed manually by the operator with the master card being inserted so that a notch 7 is positioned at the leading edge of the card as it enters the unit. During operation of the unit. the unit is effective to transfer signals from the master to each copy card and to automatically eject each copy card upon termination of the transfer operation in which it is involved. Following the preparation of a desired number of copy cards from a particular master card, an eject button 9, FIG. 2, may be depressed to thereupon eject the master card that is presently in use to permit the insertion of a different master card for the preparation of a new series of copy cards.

FIG. 3a is a top elevation of the transfer unit with the operating handle 3 in its lowered or zero degree position. As shown in FIG. 3a, the unit does not have either a master or a copy card in position. A front elevation of unit I is shown in FIG. 3b and a rear elevation in FIG. 3c. Control handle 3 is affixed to a rotatably mounted shaft 10 on which are mounted various operating cams and other elements involved in the operation of the unit.

In FIG. 3, shaft 10, mounts a magnet drive clutch 12, a cardbowing cam 14, a pressure cam 16, and an upper limit stop 18 that provides a limit to the upward movement of control handle 3.

As a matter of interest, the card-bowing cam 14 operates a card-bowing lever 15 to how the copy card upon ejection. The purpose of bowing the copy card during the ejection process is to minimize the frictional drag between the master card and the copy card, thereby making the ejection somewhat easier and to also minimize the possibility of undesired signal transfer as the copy card moves outwardly with respect to the master card that remains in the referenced position. By bowing the copy card, some clearance is established between the copy card and the master card to achieve the foregoing objectives.

Drive clutch assembly 12 is interconnected through various gear trains from handle 3 to drive the magnetic transfer drum 20, seen more clearly in FIGS. 3b and 3c, outwardly from a home position which is at the upper part of FIG. 3a, toward the front of the unit and thereafter back to the home position during which signal transfer takes place. The detailed method of operation of the driving train will be discussed subsequently in connection with FIG. 4 and related figures. The unit further includes a pressure plate 21 that is moved downwardly to establish a desired amount of contact between an inserted master card and a copy card to ensure efficient signal transfer. The mechanisms involved in operating pressure plate 21 include pressure cam 16, pressure cam follower 22, and

brackets

24 and 25 on which the pressure cam follower 22 is mounted. In FIG. 3b, pressure yield springs 27 and 28 are connected by

brackets

29 and 30 to the base 31 and provide a desired amount of pressure at the interface of the master and copy media.

Springs

27 and 28 are connected to

extremities

24a and 25a of

brackets

24 and 25.

The unit further includes a locating reference rail 35 against which both the master and the copy cards are positioned for accurate referencing during the copy operation. Some pres sure is maintained by a bias rail 36 under the influence of bias springs 38 and 39 to urge the cards against reference rail 35 when inserted in the unit. Also incorporated in the unit are master card clamps 40 and 41 that engage any inserted master card to retain it in an accurately referenced position in the longitudinal direction. Certain mechanisms indicated at 49 are concerned primarily with the location of the cards and the ejection of both the master and copy card.

The magnetic transfer unit described herein bears some resemblance to the transfer apparatus described in the crossreferenced patent applications to which reference is made for some of the basic fundamentals of card location, card ejection, and the. basic principles of signal transfer making use of the magnetic drum assembly. As described in the previous cases, the unit includes the base structure 31 and a top plate 45 that supports many of the assemblies required to perform the various tasks. Reference is made to FIGS. 3b and 3c for additional clarifying views of the assemblies.

Other elements of interest that may be seen in FIGS. 3b and 3c but in particular detail in FIGS. 50 through 5d are the magnet drive pulley 46, a second pulley 47, positioned on the rear side of the unit, both intended to support a cogged drive belt 48 for effecting driving movement of the magnet drum assembly 20. Another mechanism of interest is the copy assurance interlock 50 that is incorporated in the unit to ensure that the operator will go through a complete cycle before the copy card is ejected. That is, the interlock ensures that the operating handle 3 and all of the associated driving mechanisms are operated through a complete cycle to effect a proper signal transfer from master card to copy card before an ejection of the copy card is permitted.

TYPICAL OPERATION During operation of the unit, it is assumed that a master card M has been positioned in the unit for retention during the preparation of a number of copy cards C. In order to make each copy, the operator inserts one of the copy cards in the card slot 5 for appropriate positioning in superimposed relation adjacent the master card. To overcome the effects of a mirror image that results from the transfer of the signal pat tern, the copy card is customarily ofiset an odd number of track locations with respect to the master card. This is in accordance with the teachings of the Becker, et al., patent, previously referenced. In the present apparatus, the offset contemplates a displacement of the copy card with respect to the master card by three track positions. During operation, the master card is placed in the unit with the oxide surface up, while the copy card is placed in the unit on top of the master card with the oxide surface down. In order to position either a master card or a copy card into the unit, operating handle 3 is raised to the rearmost range of its movement, which as illustrated in FIG. 4 is about from the home position. This condition is shown in FIG. 5a. The zero degree location of handle 3 is shown in FIG. 5d. Intermediate positions of control handle 3 are sown in FIG. 5b and FIG. 50 as the I 10 position and the 60 position, respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates in a schematic fashion the sequence of events during a typical operation of the unit. This involves the primary intervals designated A through F. A consideration of the events during each of these intervals will clarify the sequence of events during operation.

Interval A-Prior to Interval A, handle 3 is moved all the way to the rearmost range of its movement, which is at an angular position of approximately l50 with respect to the zero degree condition. Interval A includes a forward movement of handle 3 from the 150 location to about 1 10 in the range of movement. Actually, during this interval, the mechanisms are not actuated since it is essentially a free movement of handle 3 and the associated mechanisms. Handle 3, being affixed to shaft 10, rotates member 51 that carries a drive pin 52. Pin 52 projects through a slot 54 formed in a gear segment 55. During Interval A, that is, from 150 to l pin 52 rides freely in slot 54 and is not in driving engagement with gear segment 55. Reference is made to FIGS. 60 and 6b for a consideration of the elements just described. Interval A is primarily provided because it is useful as a counterpart interval F as handle 3 is moved rearwardly near the end of the cycle for performing various necessary functions to be described.

Interval B-Interval B covers the angular movement of handle 3 from 110 to 60, approximately. During this interval, continued rotation of shaft 10 also rotates pressure cam 16 in such a fashion that the pressure cam follower 22 is operated downwardly against pressure plate 21 to establish a desired degree of pressure between the master card and copy card for proper signal transfer. The movement of handle 3 during this interval is illustrated as going from the position shown in FIG. 5b to that shown in FIG. 51:.

Interval C-Interval C covers the angular movement of handle 3 from approximately 60 to the zero degree condition which is illustrated as taking place in FIGS. 50 and 5d. Reference is made to FIGS. 6a and 6b for consideration of conditions of the driving mechanisms during interval C. Just prior to interval C, driving pin 52 is still freely riding in slot 54 of gear segment 55. Approximately at 60 of movement of handle 3, pin 52 reaches the end of slot 54 and begins driving gear segment 55. Gear segment 55 engages a gear 56 shown particularly in FIG. 6b. Gear 56 is mounted on a shaft 57 which carries another gear segment 59 at its rightmost extremity.

Gear 59 can be seen in FIGS. 50 through 5d as well as FIG. 6a. Gear 59 engages a small gear 60 that is mounted on shaft 62 that carries the rearmost driving pulley 47. Drive belt 48, FIG. 6b, is mounted on drive pulley 47 and also on idler pulley 46 for generally translative, linear movement toward the front of the unit and toward the rear of the unit in order to move magnetic drum assembly during the operation. As a result of the described driving arrangement, the upper portion of drive belt 48 moves forwardly in the machine. Mounted on the upper portion of drive belt 48 is a magnet drum pull block 66 that moves from the rearward location shown in FIG. 5c toward the front of the unit as illustrated in FIG. 5d. Drum assembly 20 is moved in an essentially linear path from its rearmost position in the unit toward the front of the unit in readiness for a signal transfer operation upon movement of handle 3 in the rearward direction. Due to the incorporation of the clutch mechanisms illustrated particularly in FIGS. 7a, 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b, the foregoing movement of drum assembly 20 is usually not accompanied by a controlled rotary movement of the drum assembly. That is, during this direction of movement of drive belt 48, the clutch assembly is essentially disengaged. There may be some rotary movement of drum assembly 20, however, due simply to frictional characteristics of the mechanism. Drum assembly 20 carries pinion gears 70 and 71 as particularly shown in FIG. 70 for engagement with rack members such as rack 73, FIG. 5c. As handle 3 approaches the zero degree condition shown in FIG. 5d, the copy assurance interlock 50, FIG. 3c, is tripped to enable a subsequent ejection of the copy card sometime during interval F. As previously indicated, this insures that the mechanisms go through a complete cycle and that a proper signal transfer operation is effected.

Drum assembly 20 is shown in cross section in FIG. 7a and in a perspective form in FIG. 7b. As illustrated in FIG. 7b, the drum assembly includes a plurality of magnetic segments that are mounted on a steel cylinder 75 with particular magnetic orientation characteristics. At the junction point of each segment, a reversal is established in the flux orientation which, as described in the referenced patents. effects the-transfer of signals from the ma ster-card toany inserted copy card. This'is effected by rotational movement-of the drum member 20 so that a sufficient number of magnetic flux transitions take place with respect to any given point on the master and copy cards. The internal structure of drum assembly 20 can be seen more clearly in FIG. 7a. As noted, the assembly includes gears and 71 mounted on a drive shaft 77 concentrically positioned within the drum assembly and further mounting a clutch assembly 80. The arrangement is such that rotation of shaft 77 in one direction effects a coupling of the clutch assembly 80 to the outer cylinder 81 to drive the cylinder for the signal transfer operation. However, during rotation of shaft 77 in the opposite direction, no coupling takes place through clutch assembly 80 to the outer cylinder 81 and the outer cylinder 81 is essentially free running. During interval C, the essentially freerunning characteristic of the drum assembly 20 is illustrated in FIG. 10a. As indicated in that figure, the angular velocity of the outer cylinder 81 is less than the angular velocity of shaft 77 during movement toward the front of the unit as indicated by arrow 85.

The clutching mechanisms in drum assembly 20 include a collar 83 that is press fitted internally of the outer cylinder 81 and connected therewith by means of a connecting pin 84. As shown in FIG. 7a, the rightmost portion of collar 83 includes a formed area for inclusion of the roller clutch 86 that is more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 8a, 8b, 9a, and 9b. The typical clutch assembly 86 includes an outer shell 90 incorporating a plurality of rollers 91 arranged internally of shell 90 in a carrier 92 for engagement in one direction of movement of an internally mounted shaft, such as shaft 77, FIGS. 90 and 9b, and for disengaging relationship when shafi 77 is rotated in the opposite direction. In FIG. 9a, the clutch is engaged when shaft 77 rotates to the left. The rollers that are positioned by an integrally mounted retainer spring advance into a locked condition on the ramps causing the entire unit to rotate along with shaft 77. The disengaged condition of the clutch is illustrated in FIG. 9b where shaft 77 is rotating in a clockwise direction. The housing 83 is rotating to the left faster than the shaft so that the shaft rotation in relation to the housing is to the right as illustrated. The rollers 91 instantly disengage from the ramps permitting low friction overrunning.

Interval D When handle 3 is moved from the zero degree condition of FIG. 5d back to the approximately 60 condition of FIG. 50, magnet assembly 20 is moved linearly adjacent the master and copy cards and also positively rotated due to the engagement of the clutching assembly 80, FIG. 7a. This effects the transfer of the signal pattern in the master card to the copy card due to a plurality of flux transitions as taught in the cross-referenced patents. At the end of interval C, pin 52 is engaged by a latch element 58, 6b, which ensures that as handle 3 is moved in the opposite direction toward the rear of the unit, pin 52 positively drives gear segment 55 and through the various gear trains previously described, also moves drive belt 48 and magnetic drum assembly 20 in the desired direction from the front to the rear of the unit. Reference is made to FIG. 10b which shows that the angular velocity'of the outer cylinder 81 is the same as the angular velocity of drive shaft 77 during this interval, due to the positive engagement of clutch assembly 80 which couples shaft 77 into a driving relationship from the front of the unit to the rear of the unit while rotatingat a fairly rapid rate when the driving action of the various mechanisms ceases. With the provision of the clutch assembly 80 and particularly the one-way roller clutch 86 incorporated therein, the outer cylinder 81 is permitted to continue rotating due to its angular momentum and is not suddenly stopped from rotating as might otherwise be the case. Thereby, the

forces developed during the-rotation of the outer cylinder 81 75 are permitted to dissipate in a more gradual'fashion, and undesirable loading effects back through the driving mechanisms are eliminated. Reference is made to FIG. lltlc which illustrates the relationships of the velocities of the outer cylinder 81 and shaft 77 at the point in time when rotation of shaft 77 ceases. The angular velocity omega Subzero of shaft 77 equals zero at this time. However, due to the one-way clutch assembly, the outer cylinder 81! is permitted to continue rotating to dissipate whatever angular forces still remain.

lnterval Elnterval E comprises the angular movement of handle 3 from approximately 60 to 1 which is illustrated in FIGS. 5c and 5b together. During this interval, the drive pin latch 58 encounters a stud 63 and is cammed in such a fashion that pin 52 becomes disengaged from latch 58 to disengage the driving train.

Also, during lnterval E, pressure plate 2i is permitted to rise when pressure cam 16 rotates to the proper position to allow follower 22 to decrease its pressure on plate 21. This follows the signal transfer operation and the release of the pressure on the cards enables a subsequent ejection of the copy card. It may be noted at this time also that the card is bowed by operation of the cam element 14 and associated card bowing lever 15 in the manner previously described.

Interval F-lnterval F comprises the angular movement of handle 3 from ll0 to 150. During this interval, the various card ejection mechanisms 49, H0. 30, are operated automatically to eject the copy card from the unit a sufficient distance for the operator to remove it in order to position another copy card into the unit for a subsequent transfer operation. The ejection of the copy card is performed by ejection mechanisms 96, FIG. 3c, that cooperate to move an ejection pin 97 from right to left in FIG. 3a, thereby operating a slider member 98 against the copy card. At some suitable time, the master eject button 9 is operated and, through various mechanisms in the unit that are comparable to those described in the referenced patent applications, effects an ejection of the master card. This completes a typical sequence of operations in transfer apparatus.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in format and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Magnetic transfer apparatus for transferring information from a master media to a copy media and operative to minimize loading effects, comprising:

a transfer station including a transfer plane;

means for retaining a master and copy media in said transfer plane; transfer means mounted for relative movement adjacent said media in said transfer plane, said transfer means incorporating at least one transfer element that operates at a relatively high force level during a transfer operation;

means for relatively moving said transfer means to effect an information transfer from said master media to said copy media, said relative moving means including means for relatively moving said transfer means in a first direction adjacent said media in order to reach a predetermined position from which to start a transfer operation, and subsequently operable to relatively move said transfer means adjacent said media in the opposite direction in a positive manner whereby said one transfer element operates at a relatively high force level;

and means for minimizing force effects of said one transfer element during operation of said apparatus, said minim izing means including a one-way clutch assembly interposed between said relative moving means and said transfer means as well as said one transfer element in such a manner that said clutch assembly is essentially disengaged during movement of said transfer means in said first direction, said clutch assembly is positively engaged to drive said transfer means during movement of said transfer means in said opposite direction, and said clutch assembly 18 further operable to automatically disengage said transfer means, including said one transfer element, from said relative moving means upon termination of movement in said opposite direction, thereby reducing back-loading effects of said one transfer element on said relative moving means and other portions of said apparatus that would otherwise occur due to the high force level achieved by said one element during operation of said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said transfer means comprises a rotatable shaft member accommodating a concentrically mounted drum member carrying magnetic elements; and wherein said clutch assembly is mounted in an interposed manner for driving relation between said relative moving means and said transfer means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said clutch assembly comprises a one-way roller clutch assembly inherently operable to effect driving engagement with said drum member during movement in said opposite direction in a transfer operation and further disengageable upon termination of movement of said drum member to enable a gradual dissipation of force levels established during movement of said drum member in said opposite direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an operator control means; and means mounting said retaining means, said transfer means, said relative moving means, and said clutch assembly for cyclical operation during movement of said operator control means in a predetermined arc of movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

copy assurance means incorporated in said apparatus and engageable with said operator control means to ensure a complete cycle of operation once the movement of said operator control means has reached a predetermined point in said are of movement.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

means incorporated in said relative moving means comprising an endless belt member, associated rack, and first and second pulley elements, one of said pulley elements serving as a drive pulley and the other of said pulley elements serving as an idler pulley; and

pinion means associated with said transfer means and engageable with said rack and belt elements for linear driving movement of said transfer means when said operator control means is actuated.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

means for disengaging said relative moving means at a termination point of movement of said transfer assembly to thereby enable a freerunning condition of said transfer member due to disengagement of said clutch assembly.

Claims

1. Magnetic transfer apparatus for transferring information from a master media to a copy media and operative to minimize loading effects, comprising: a transfer station including a transfer plane; means for retaining a master and copy media in said transfer plane; transfer means mounted for relative movement adjacent said media in said transfer plane, said transfer means incorporating at least one transfer element that operates at a relatively high force level during a transfer operation; means for relatively moving said transfer means to effect an information transfer from said master media to said copy media, said relative moving means including means for relatively moving said transfer means in a first direction adjacent said media in order to reach a predetermined position from which to start a transfer operation, and subsequently operable to relatively move said transfer means adjacent said media in the opposite direction in a positive manner whereby said one transfer element operates at a relatively high force level; and means for minimizing force effects of said one transfer element during operation of said apparatus, said minimizing means including a one-way clutch assembly interposed between said relative moving means and said transfer means as well as said one transfer element in such a manner that said clutch assembly is essentially disengaged during movement of said transfer means in said first direction, said clutch assembly is positively engaged to drive said transfer means during movement of said transfer means in said opposite direction, and said clutch assembly is further operable to automatically disengage said transfer means, including said one transfer element, from said relative moving means upon termination of movement in said opposite direction, thereby reducing back-loading effects of said one transfer element on said relative moving means and other portions of said apparatus that would otherwise occur due to the high force level achieved by said one element during operation of said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said transfer means comprises a rotatable shaft member accommodating a concentrically mounted drum member carrying magnetic elements; and wherein said clutch assembLy is mounted in an interposed manner for driving relation between said relative moving means and said transfer means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said clutch assembly comprises a one-way roller clutch assembly inherently operable to effect driving engagement with said drum member during movement in said opposite direction in a transfer operation and further disengageable upon termination of movement of said drum member to enable a gradual dissipation of force levels established during movement of said drum member in said opposite direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an operator control means; and means mounting said retaining means, said transfer means, said relative moving means, and said clutch assembly for cyclical operation during movement of said operator control means in a predetermined arc of movement.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: copy assurance means incorporated in said apparatus and engageable with said operator control means to ensure a complete cycle of operation once the movement of said operator control means has reached a predetermined point in said arc of movement.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: means incorporated in said relative moving means comprising an endless belt member, associated rack, and first and second pulley elements, one of said pulley elements serving as a drive pulley and the other of said pulley elements serving as an idler pulley; and pinion means associated with said transfer means and engageable with said rack and belt elements for linear driving movement of said transfer means when said operator control means is actuated.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: means for disengaging said relative moving means at a termination point of movement of said transfer assembly to thereby enable a free-running condition of said transfer member due to disengagement of said clutch assembly.