US3675753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-speed printer
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1970-04-23
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A high-speed printer comprising at least one type-bearing element on which there is arranged at least one series of characters, means adapted to move the type-bearing element continuously in a substantially horizontal plane so as to cause each character to travel along a closed path, a hammer adapted to effect the printing of the characters of the element on the fly and means for shifting the type-bearing element and the hammer with respect to a paper support for a distance corresponding to a character space while the first said means moves the series of characters past the hammer, which prints a character on the passage of each of the series of characters when there are more than one series.
Inventors
- 👤 Vincenzo Perucca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:26
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A high-speed printer comprising at least one type-bearing element on which is arranged a plurality of characters organized into at least one first series of characters and at least two identical second series of characters, said second series of characters appearing on said type-bearing element a plurality of times for each appearance of said first series of characters, means to move said type-bearing element continuously in a substantially horizontal plane so as to cause each of said characters to travel a closed path, a hammer to effect the printing of said characters on the fly, a paper support for holding paper upon which said characters will be printed interposed between said hammer and said typebearing element, means for shifting said type-bearing element and said hammer with respect to said paper support throughout a printing zone a distance corresponding to a character space during the interval in which successive selected characters on said type-bearing element are positioned in front of said hammer, means for varying the ratio of the rate of movement of said shifting means to the rate of movement of said type-bearing element and said hammer between a first ratio used when printing said characters of said first series of characters and a second ratio used when printing said characters of said second series of characters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A high-speed printer comprising at least one type-bearing element on which is arranged a plurality of characters organized into at least one first series of characters and at least two identical second series of characters, said second series of characters appearing on said type-bearing element a plurality of times for each appearance of said first series of characters, means to move said type-bearing element continuously in a substantially horizontal plane so as to cause each of said characters to travel a closed path, a hammer to effect the printing of said characters on the fly, a paper support for holding paper upon which said characters will be printed interposed between said hammer and said typebearing element, means for shifting said type-bearing element and said hammer with respect to said paper support throughout a printing zone a distance corresponding to a character space during the interval in which successive selected characters on said type-bearing element are positioned in front of said hammer, means for varying the ratio of the rate of movement of said shifting means to the rate of movement of said type-bearing element and said hammer between a first ratio used when printing said characters of said first series of characters and a second ratio used when printing said characters of said second series of characters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printer according to claim 1 wherein said first ratio and said second ratio are dependent upon the number of times said first series of characters and said second series of characters appear on said type-bearing element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A printer according to claim 2 wherein said type-bearing element and said hammer are mounted in spaced relationship upon a carriage, and wherein said means for varying the ratio of the rate of movement of said shifting means to the rate of movement of said type-bearing element and said hammer acts on said carriage, operating said carriage at a first rate for printing said first series of characters and at a second rate for printing said second series of characters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A printer according to claim 1 wherein for each appearance of said first series of characters on said type-bearing element, said second series of characters makes a first appearance centrally disposed in each of said series of characters and a second appearance diametrically opposite thereto, and wherein said type-bearing element includes portions devoid of said characters to provide intervals for recocking said hammer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
A printer according to claim 4 wherein said type-bearing element and said hammer are mounted in spaced relationship upon a carriage and wherein said means for varying the ratio of the rate of movement of said shifting means to the rate of movement of said type-bearing element and said hammer acts on said carriage, said carriage moving at a first rate for printing said first series of characters and a second rate for printing said second series of characters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A printer according to claim 5 wherein said means for shiftIng said type-bearing element and said hammer comprises a first electromagnetic clutch selectively connecting said carriage to a means for driving said carriage at said first rate, and a second electromagnetic clutch selectively connecting said carriage to a means for driving said carriage at said second rate, and means for selectively engaging said first clutch or said second clutch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A printer according to claim 6 wherein said means for shifting said type-bearing element and said hammer further comprises a rotatable cam driven by said selected clutch and having a camming surface engaging a connecting link attached to said carriage, said cam causing said carriage to move with a uniform motion throughout said printing zone at a rate dependent upon said selected clutch driving said cam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A printer according to claim 7 wherein said cam is rotatable in two opposite directions and said carriage is transversely movable in two directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A printer according to claim 8 further comprising means for synchronizing the printing action of said hammer with the arrival of said selected one of said characters in front of said hammer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
A printer according to claim 9 wherein said type-bearing element comprises a type wheel rotatable on a substantially vertical shaft, and wherein said means for synchronizing comprises a disc having a plurality of openings therein corresponding to said characters and rotatable in synchronism with said type wheel, and hammer control means activating said hammer upon the passage of a predetermined nUmber of openings, whereby the presence of said selected character is sensed in front of said hammer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A printer according to claim 10 wherein said openings are so phased with said characters to which said openings correspond that said hammer prints said characters on one line vertically adjacent with said characters of another line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A printer according to claim 10 further comprising a plurality of type wheels and a plurality of hammers shifted together by said means for shifting, the axes of said type wheels being slightly inclined and disposed apart a distance less than the diameter of said wheels whereby adjacent wheels partially overlap, each of said wheels printing said characters for a portion of said printing zone, said characters being inclined on said wheels opposite and equal to the inclination of said axes whereby said characters are printed substantially vertically.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A printer according to claim 12 further comprising an inclined ribbon mounted in a frame and interposed between said hammers and said paper.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |