Easy-loading chart transport arrangement

Claim 2

In a chart recorder, the combination of, a back tension roller, a substantially horizontal writing table positioned above said back tension roller, a recording device adapted to engage a chart positioned on said writing table, a chart supply positioned beneath said back tension roller, and means pivotally mounting both said writing table and said back tension roller so that they may be moved to a position which provides access to said chart supply from a point above the operating position of said writing table, thereby to facilitate initial threading of a chart over said writing table without damaging said recording device.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1, wherein said writing table is pivotally mounted for downwardly tilting movement from a horizontal position.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1, wherein said back tension roller is pivotally mounted for movement away from a pair of spaced-apart guide rollers to provide access space between said back tension roller and said guide rollers for said initial threading operation.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1, wherein both said writing table and said back tension roller may be moved to said access position by means of a common control lever.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 1, wherein a guide bar is provided between said back tension roller and said chart supply which is arranged to be moved with said back tension roller to said access position.

Claim 7

In a chart recorder of the type which includes a chart supply, a guide bar positioned above said chart supply, a back tension roller positioned above said chart supply, a pair of guide members positioned adjacent said back tension roller, a writing table positioned above said back tension roller, a recording device adapted to engage a chart positioned on said writing table, and a pressure roller positioned beyond said writing table, the chart extending from said supply over said guide bar, between said back tension roller and said pair of guide members and over said writing table to said pressure roller, the improvement which comprises means for pivotally mounting said writing table, said back tension roller and said guide bar so that they may be moved as a unit to provide access to said chart supply from a point above said writing table, thereby to facilitate initial threading of the chart around said guide bar between said back tension roller and said pair of guide members and over said writing table to said pressure roller.

Claim 8

In a chart recorder of the type which includes a chart supply, a guide bar positioned above said chart supply, a back tension roller positioned above said chart supply, a pair of guide members positioned adjacent said back tension roller, a writing table positioned above said back tension roller, a recording device adapted to engage a chart positioned on said writing table, and a pressure roller positioned beyond said writing table, the chart extending from said supply over said guide bar, between said back tension roller and said pair of guide members and over said writing table to said pressure roller, the improvement which comprises means for pivotally mounting said writing table, said back tension roller and said guide bar so that they may be moved as a unit to provide access to said chart supply from a point above said writing table, thereby to facilitate initial threading of the chart around said guide bar between said back tension roller and said pair of guide members and over said writing table to said pressure roller.

Claim 9

In a chart recorder, the combination of, a writing table, a recording device adapted to engage a chart on said writing table near one end thereof, means pivotally mounting said table for movement from a horizontal position to a threading position in which said one end of said table is tilted downwardly and away from said recording device to provide a substantial opening between said one end of said table and said recording device, thereby to facilitate initial threading of a chart upwardly between said writing table and said recording device without damaging said recording device and wherein there is provided a drive link shaft extending transversely of said writing table, a drive link connected to said drive link shafT, a table-coupler link pivotally connected to said table and to said drive link, and stop means carried by said drive link and adapted to engage said table-coupler link so that said drive link and said table-coupler link act as an over-center toggle mechanism to hold said table in a horizontal position.

Claim 10

In a chart recorder, the combination of, a writing table, a recording device adapted to engage a chart on said writing table near one end thereof, means pivotally mounting said table for movement from a horizontal position to a threading position in which said one end of said table is tilted downwardly and away from said recording device to provide a substantial opening between said one end of said table and said recording device, thereby to facilitate initial threading of a chart upwardly between said writing table and said recording device without damaging said recording device and wherein there is provided a drive link shaft extending transversely of said writing table, a drive link connected to said drive link shafT, a table-coupler link pivotally connected to said table and to said drive link, and stop means carried by said drive link and adapted to engage said table-coupler link so that said drive link and said table-coupler link act as an over-center toggle mechanism to hold said table in a horizontal position.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7, wherein said drive link is positioned in the middle of said drive link shaft and said drive link shaft has sufficient flexure to permit said drive link and said table-coupler link to be moved to the over-center position.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8, wherein means are provided for adjusting the effective length of said drive-coupler link, thereby to provide an adjustment of the flexure of said drive link shaft when said over-center toggle mechanism is in locked position.

Claim 13

In a chart recorder, the combination of, a chart supply, a back tension roller positioned above said chart supply, a pair of guide members positioned adjacent said back tension roller so that the chart is held in engagement with said back tension roller over a predetermined area, and means pivotally mounting said back tension roller for movement to a threading position on which said back tension roller is positioned a substantial distance away from said pair of guide members to facilitate threading of the chart therebetween and wherein there is provided a pair of side support members, said roller-mounting means includes a pair of links pivotally connected to said side support members and connected to the ends of said roller, a link shaft extending between said side members, a drive link connected to said shaft, and a roller-coupling link connected to said drive link and said pair of links, said drive link and said roller-coupling link acting as an over-center toggle mechanism for holding said back tension roller in locked position adjacent said pair of guide members.

Claim 14

In a chart recorder, the combination of, a chart supply, a back tension roller positioned above said chart supply, a pair of guide members positioned adjacent said back tension roller so that the chart is held in engagement with said back tension roller over a predetermined area, and means pivotally mounting said back tension roller for movement to a threading position on which said back tension roller is positioned a substantial distance away from said pair of guide members to facilitate threading of the chart therebetween and wherein there is provided a pair of side support members, said roller-mounting means includes a pair of links pivotally connected to said side support members and connected to the ends of said roller, a link shaft extending between said side members, a drive link connected to said shaft, and a roller-coupling link connected to said drive link and said pair of links, said drive link and said roller-coupling link acting as an over-center toggle mechanism for holding said back tension roller in locked position adjacent said pair of guide members.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 10, wherein said roller-coupling link is mounted on a separator bar connected between said pair of links, said separator bar having sufficient flexure to permit said drive link and said roller-coupling link to be moved to the over-center toggle position.

Claim 16

The combination of claim 11, wherein adjustable stop means are provided for said pair of links, thereby to permit adjustment of the locking force of said over-center toggle mechanism.