US3772988A - Print carrier and transportable cartridge for same - Google Patents

Print carrier and transportable cartridge for same Download PDF

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Publication number
US3772988A
US3772988A US00021464A US3772988DA US3772988A US 3772988 A US3772988 A US 3772988A US 00021464 A US00021464 A US 00021464A US 3772988D A US3772988D A US 3772988DA US 3772988 A US3772988 A US 3772988A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
printing
strip
print
band
base
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00021464A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Bowers
T Broski
J Pastrone
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Memorex Corp
Original Assignee
Memorex Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of US3772988A publication Critical patent/US3772988A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J1/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the mounting, arrangement or disposition of the types or dies
    • B41J1/20—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the mounting, arrangement or disposition of the types or dies with types or dies mounted on endless bands or the like

Definitions

  • a print carrier for use in a chain printer apparatus which comprises an endless band with a plurality of printing fingers integrally formed with the band. Each of the printing fingers is provided with a print character.
  • the band includes at least one integrally formed continuous strip portion, clocking means, and guide means.
  • the print carrier is utilized in a transportable cartridge assembly, which includes means for insuring proper print character alignment.
  • the print characters can be made of plastic injection molded onto each of the print fingers.
  • the present invention relates to a print carrier, and more particularly to a print carrier for use in a chain printing apparatus.
  • Chain printing apparatus has become important in applications requiring high speed printout.
  • the general operational principle of chain printing is well-known.
  • a chain or print carrier is rotated about two drums or spools.
  • Carried on the chain are a plurality of printing fingers which are each provided with a different print character.
  • Each of the printing fingers will pass past the printing area one time during each revolution of'the chain.
  • a hammer assembly In order to print a character, a hammer assembly is provided within the area about which the print carrier rotates. As the desired character passes the printout area a hammer is actuated. When actuated, the ham-' mer strikes the desired print finger as it passes by which in turn strikes the printout paper.
  • the speed of printing is largely a function of the speed at which the print carrier can be rotated past the printing area as well as the speed at which the hammers can stroke the print fingers.
  • Prior art cam'er chain belts include those constructed from woven metallic links and those from rubber belts. In the latter kind, the print characters are placed on pins which are inserted in the edge of the rubber belt. Such constructions are inefficient in operation, expensive to manufacture, and subject to breakage and misalignment at the speeds required in many of todays applications.
  • Prior art print carriers typically are difiicult to load and unload when a difierent set of characters is required. Further, very few constraints have been placed on the print carrier to insure that the print fingers are properly aligned and positioned at the time when the hammer assembly is activated to print out the desired character.
  • a continuous print carrier which includes'a plurality of print fingers which are integrally formed with the remainder of the'carrier band or belt.
  • the band or belt additionally includes at least one continuous strip extending circumferentially around the band and also includes timing or clocking means which forms a part of the carrier for co-operative use with suitable sensing means in the chain print apparatus in order to properly actuate the hammer assembly to print the desired character.
  • the print fingers are of a bifurcated construction with the print characters secured to the projecting base portion of the bifurcation.
  • guide means are provided on the print carrier which co-operate with the chain printing apparatus to insure that the print fingers are properly aligned in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the print carrier.
  • the guide means comprises a generally V-shaped projection extending circumferentially around the carrier and may be constructed from an extended plastic sheet bonded to the print carrier or can be formed by crimping a portion of the print carrier itself.
  • the print characters can be mounted on each of the plurality of print fingers in a number of ways.
  • the print characters can be made from metal and spot welded toeach of the print fingers.
  • the print characters are made from plastic and are injection molded directly onto the print fingers.
  • the print carrier band is provided within a transportable cartridge which is adopted for easy placement within a chain printing apparatus.
  • the cartridge includes a recess for receiving the hammer assembly of the chain printing apparatus.
  • the cartridge includes a sidewall portion which cooperates with the guide means on the print carrier band for accurately maintaining the print fingers in the desired position at the time of printing as the print fingers are conveyed past the hammer assembly.
  • the sidewall additionally includes magnetic guidance means for preventing movement of the print fingers in a radial direction relative to the rotation of the print carrier as the print fingers pass the hammer assembly.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typewriter embodying aspects of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along section lines 2-2.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a print carrier band in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the print carrier band shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the printcarrier of FIG. 4 shown along the direction indicated by the arrows.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the print carrier shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an improved print carrier cartridge suitable for use in a chain printing apparatus.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 7 in a direction indicated by the arrows.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the spool mounting assembly taken along the direction indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-section of FIG. 1 along section lines 2-2.
  • the typewriter or other chain printing apparatus is shown on a standard 1 and includes many conventional features including a case 2, a keyboard 4, a cylindrical platen 6 having control knobs 8 at each end, retractable bar'and paper guide rollers 10, fixed paper guide rollers 11, and levers 12 for adjusting to paper thickness and for selecting the number of spaces between lines.
  • Lever 14 controls the release of rollers 16 and 18 and the release of platen 6 in order for paper to be inserted in the machine.
  • a chain printer mechanism or cartridge 20 is mounted adjacent to the face of platen 6 for typing characters on paper between the platen and the printer mechanism.
  • a cross-section of the chain printing apparatus is shown in FIG. 2.
  • a hammer 25 strikes the type character on the chain 22 to drive the character against platen 6 to form an impression.
  • FIG. 2 Two possible paper feeds are shown in FIG. 2.
  • a conventional feed is accomplished by inserting a piece of paper 24 between the rear of platen 6 and retractable rollers 16 and 18. As lever 14 is pulled partially forward, rollers 16 and 18 retract thus facilitating insertion.
  • a second feed, for computer paper is made at opening 26 at the bottom rear of case 2.
  • Paper guides 28 and 30 guide the computer paper 32 along a curved path upward to the platen 6.
  • lever 14 is pulled forward to its extreme position thus moving the entire platen assembly 36 (shown in FIG. 4) to the rear slightly away from vertical spring guide 34.
  • a sprocket drive assembly 38 is employed when using computer paper in the typewriter unit. Details of these two paper feeds are the subject of an application Ser. No. 21,433 filed Mar. 20, 1970 of Ingemar H. Lundquist and John Pastrone filed concurrently herewith.
  • FIG. 3 An improved print carrier chain or belt 101 which is illustrative of the present invention.
  • the belt is rotated about two spools (not shown) located at opposite ends of the belt.
  • the belt is continuous and includes a plurality of print fingers 103 which have included thereon the desired print characters.
  • Located along the bottom of the belt 101 is a clocking means comprising a plurality of perferations or holes 105.
  • the belt 101 rotates around spool or drums placed at opposite ends of the print carrier 101 in the direction indicated by the arrow.
  • the exact position of each of the print fingers 103 are easily sensed by any suitable sensing means (not shown) such as a photo or magnetic detector. This information is used to monitor the position of the passing printing fingers and to activate the hammers 25 at the proper time.
  • the hammer assembly is actuated and a hammer 25 strikes the appropriate print finger 103 to print out the desired character.
  • a generally V-shaped ridge 109 is provided circumferentially around the print carrier 101.
  • the ridge 109 is utilized in a manner which will be described in more detail subsequently to guide the print fingers 103 past the hammers 25.
  • the print fingers 103 are bifurcated and include a base portion 111 and a pair of legs 113. The ends of the legs 113 are integrally formed with a strip 115 which includes the plurality of timing holes 105. Strip 115 additionally includes a C-shaped hole 117 which acts as the home or reference hole for purposes of monitoring the print fingers 103.
  • a continuous strip 119 extends circumferentially around the entire print carrier 101.
  • the continuous strip 1 19 is integrally formed with the bifurcated print fingers 103 the legs of which it bisects.
  • the print carrier 101 can be formed from a single piece of thin material such as stainless steel. It has been found that 410 stainless steel which is magnetic and weldable, and which is approximately 0.005 inches thick works well.
  • the configuration shown in FIG. 3 is desirably formed by use of well-known photo-chemical techniques. However the invention should not be limited thereto since the configuration of FIG. 4 could also be formed by mechanical stamping operations.
  • An endless band is formed by lap-welding or otherwise securing the ends of the band together.
  • the print characters are made from plastic.
  • the print fingers 103 are placed within a mold having the configuration of the desired character.
  • Plastic such as a polycarbonate is injected within the mold to form the characters 121.
  • the characters may be made from metal and spot welded to the print fingers 103.
  • a guide means formed by the generally V-shaped ridge 109 is best seen by reference to FIG. 5.
  • the ridge 109 is made from a material such as polyurethane which is both transparent and flexible.
  • the polyurethane rubber is extruded into a thin band which additionally includes generally flat portions 123 and 125.
  • a second piece of similar plastic material 127 (FIG. 5) is opposite thereto with the finger portions 113 of the print fingers 103 sandwiched therebetween. The two pieces of plastic are bonded together.
  • the ridge 109 can be used in conjunction with suitably disposed receiving means provided as a part of the chain print apparatus. Further details of this aspect of the present invention will be described subsequently.
  • FIG. 6 is illustrative of an alternate means by which the guide means or ridge 109 may be formed.
  • the ridge 109 is fonned by crimping the leg portions 113 of the print fingers 103.
  • the legs 113 are crimped into a V-shape suitable for use in guiding the print carrier belt 101.
  • other means may be used for guiding the carrier and preventing its movement axially with respect to drive pulleys, but the V-shaped ridge 109 is preferred.
  • the transportable cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 7 and 8.
  • the cartridge 20 includes a housing 132 which forms a recess 134 for receiving a hammer assembly 136 illustrated in phantom in FIG. 8.
  • the hammer assembly 136 includes the hammer 25 for striking the print fingers 103 as required. Details of a hammer assembly may be seen by reference to the patent application Ser. No. 21,436 filed Mar. 20, 1970 of Ronald T. Albo and John Pastrone filed concurrently herewith, and assigned to the asignee of the present invention.
  • the belt 101 rotates within the housing 132 about two spools or drums 138 shown in FIG. 9.
  • the spools 138 are mounted within the housing 132 in an improved manner and will be described subsequently in the description of FIG. 9.
  • the housing 132 includes a sidewall 140 which includes a recessed portion 142 which cooperates with the V-shaped guide means or ridge 109 of the print carrier 101 as it passes the hammer assembly 136.
  • the print characters 121 are constrained from moving in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the respective spools, e.g., referring to FIG. 8, in an upward or downward direction.
  • the print characters 121 be maintained in a path which is a proper distance from the hammer 25. If the print character 121 is too close to the hammer 25 the print finger 103 can scrape across the surface of the printout paper which can result in damage thereto.
  • Magnetic guidance means 146 includes a strip of magnetic material 148 such as rubber impregnated with magnetized particles which is secured to the sidewall 140 in the vicinity of the hammers 25.
  • the magnetic material is embedded within the sidewall 140 by a [-shaped metal holder 150.
  • the exposed surface of the magnetic material 148 and the ends of the [-channel 150 are coated with a suitable bearing surface such as Teflon.
  • Teflon a suitable bearing surface
  • the magnetic guide 146 is particularly effective in holding the print character fingers in line as they come around the pulleys at high speed where centrifugal force tends to pull them out of line.
  • This magnetic guide means 146 is very useful in permitting high speed operation of the chain whether the chain is mounted in the cartridge or directly in the case 2 with the magnetic guide 146 also mounted in the case.
  • the print drive shaft 150 acts against the biasing action of the spring 158 to liftoff the spool 138 from the seat portion 154. In this position, the spool 138 is free to rotate about the bearing 162.
  • Such a cartridge arrangement gives the chain printing apparatus great flexibility in that different sets of character print can be exchanged easily and conveniently in a very quick and simple operation. Further, as a result of the magnetic guidance means and the guide arrangement used, great accuracy in printout is insured.
  • a print carrier for a chain printer apparatus comprising an endless flexible but substantially unstretchable band comprising:
  • each printing finger comprising a base with a print character secured to the distal end of said base, said base having a bifurcated portion to provide two points of attachment to said inelastic strip portion, and each printing finger having two connections with said strip portion, being attached to said strip portion at said bifurcated portion of said base; said printing fingers projecting from said strip portion at one edge thereof for printing individual characters when struck by a printing hammer;
  • guide means formed circumferentially around said central body portion, laterally projecting therefrom for preventing substantially all movement of said band in a direction perpendicular to said circumferential direction.
  • a print carrier for a chain printer apparatus comprising an endless flexible but substantially unstretchable band comprising;
  • each printing finger comprising a base with a print character secured to the distal end of said base, said base having a bifurcated portion to provide two points of attachment to said inelastic strip portion, and, each printing finger having two connections with said strip portion, being attached to said strip portion at said bifurcated portion of said base; said printing fingers projecting from said strip portion at one edge thereof for printing individual characters when struck by a printing hammer;
  • a second continuous substantially inelastic strip portion extending in a circumferential direction with said central body portion and including a predetermined plurality of periodic timing indicia located therein; said second strip portion having two connections with each printing finger at the ends of said bifurcated portion of said base;
  • guide means formed circumferentially around said central body portion, laterally projecting therefrom for preventing substantially all movement of said band in a direction perpendicular to said circumferential direction.
  • a print carrier for a chain printer apparatus comprising an endless flexible band having:
  • each printing finger comprising a base with a print character secured to the distal end of said base, said base having a bifurcated portion to provide two points of attachment to said inelastic strip portion, and, each printing finger having two connections with said strip portion, being attached to said strip portion at said bifurcated portion of said base; said printing fingers of leg portions extending around the circumference of said band with the crimped portions projecting laterally from said band for guiding said band in the circumferential direction and preventing substantially all movement of said band in a direction per pendicular to said circumferential direction.

Landscapes

  • Handling Of Continuous Sheets Of Paper (AREA)
  • Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
  • Photographic Developing Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
  • Character Spaces And Line Spaces In Printers (AREA)
US00021464A 1970-03-20 1970-03-20 Print carrier and transportable cartridge for same Expired - Lifetime US3772988A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2146470A 1970-03-20 1970-03-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3772988A true US3772988A (en) 1973-11-20

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ID=21804389

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00021464A Expired - Lifetime US3772988A (en) 1970-03-20 1970-03-20 Print carrier and transportable cartridge for same

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3772988A (de)
JP (1) JPS5147086B1 (de)
BE (1) BE764576A (de)
CA (1) CA923370A (de)
DE (1) DE2113171C3 (de)
FR (1) FR2084963A5 (de)
GB (2) GB1344295A (de)
NL (1) NL7103727A (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4006682A (en) * 1974-12-11 1977-02-08 Compagnie Honeywell Bull (Societe Anonyme) Arrangement for fitting and tensioning an endless character-bearing band in a printer
US4124312A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-07 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with print wheel cartridge
US4127335A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-28 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with cartridge print wheel
US4209262A (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-06-24 Xerox Corporation Print wheel loading apparatus

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2154985A5 (de) * 1971-10-01 1973-05-18 Honeywell Bull
CA1010806A (en) * 1974-09-25 1977-05-24 Gordon Sohl Composite print wheel
DE3165975D1 (en) * 1980-07-09 1984-10-18 Ibm Matrix printer comprising an oscillary printing element carrier

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1371232A (en) * 1919-01-20 1921-03-15 Charles S Ellis Band dating-stamp
US2762297A (en) * 1952-07-30 1956-09-11 Rca Corp High speed recorder
US2936704A (en) * 1958-01-21 1960-05-17 Olympia Werke Ag High speed printing apparatus
US3041964A (en) * 1960-01-11 1962-07-03 Ibm Continuous type belt
US3115092A (en) * 1961-08-16 1963-12-24 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd High speed belt printer
US3144821A (en) * 1960-10-06 1964-08-18 Ibm Printer apparatus having print force control
US3216348A (en) * 1961-10-20 1965-11-09 Clary Corp Hammer timing means in a high speed belt printer
US3314360A (en) * 1965-07-19 1967-04-18 Borg Warner Information transfer system having plural stage memory
US3402657A (en) * 1965-11-24 1968-09-24 Potter Instrument Co Inc High speed belt printer with printing slug supporting means
US3416442A (en) * 1967-06-20 1968-12-17 Ibm Selective hammer actuating means in chain printers
US3499382A (en) * 1967-11-24 1970-03-10 Potter Instrument Co Inc Modular assembly for high speed chain printers
US3605613A (en) * 1968-06-04 1971-09-20 Gen Electric Reinforced type carrier belt for impact printing apparatus

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1371232A (en) * 1919-01-20 1921-03-15 Charles S Ellis Band dating-stamp
US2762297A (en) * 1952-07-30 1956-09-11 Rca Corp High speed recorder
US2936704A (en) * 1958-01-21 1960-05-17 Olympia Werke Ag High speed printing apparatus
US3041964A (en) * 1960-01-11 1962-07-03 Ibm Continuous type belt
US3144821A (en) * 1960-10-06 1964-08-18 Ibm Printer apparatus having print force control
US3115092A (en) * 1961-08-16 1963-12-24 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd High speed belt printer
US3216348A (en) * 1961-10-20 1965-11-09 Clary Corp Hammer timing means in a high speed belt printer
US3314360A (en) * 1965-07-19 1967-04-18 Borg Warner Information transfer system having plural stage memory
US3402657A (en) * 1965-11-24 1968-09-24 Potter Instrument Co Inc High speed belt printer with printing slug supporting means
US3416442A (en) * 1967-06-20 1968-12-17 Ibm Selective hammer actuating means in chain printers
US3499382A (en) * 1967-11-24 1970-03-10 Potter Instrument Co Inc Modular assembly for high speed chain printers
US3605613A (en) * 1968-06-04 1971-09-20 Gen Electric Reinforced type carrier belt for impact printing apparatus

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4006682A (en) * 1974-12-11 1977-02-08 Compagnie Honeywell Bull (Societe Anonyme) Arrangement for fitting and tensioning an endless character-bearing band in a printer
US4124312A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-07 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with print wheel cartridge
US4127335A (en) * 1977-02-10 1978-11-28 Xerox Corporation Impact printer with cartridge print wheel
US4209262A (en) * 1978-11-15 1980-06-24 Xerox Corporation Print wheel loading apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2166388B2 (de) 1976-09-30
DE2113171C3 (de) 1979-08-16
DE2166388A1 (de) 1974-01-31
NL7103727A (de) 1971-09-22
GB1344295A (en) 1974-01-16
DE2113171B2 (de) 1975-09-25
BE764576A (fr) 1971-08-16
JPS5147086B1 (de) 1976-12-13
CA923370A (en) 1973-03-27
GB1344296A (en) 1974-01-16
DE2113171A1 (de) 1971-10-07
FR2084963A5 (de) 1971-12-17

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