Clutch for printing device

Claim 2

In an apparatus of the type having one or more engageable means therein for controlling the positioning of one or more printing devices, the improvement comprising a clutch means for controlling engagement of said engageable means, said clutch means comprising camming means adapted for association with at least one of said engageable means, said camming means comprising a rotatable shaft having a cam recess in its surface, contacting means associated with said recess for contacting at least one said engageable means, said camming means being moveable between a first position in which said contacting means is in contact with said at least one engageable means to permit movement of the said printing device and a second position in which said contacting means is out of contact with said at least one engageable means.

Claim 3

The apparatus specified in claim 1 wherein said contacting means is carried on said cam surface.

Claim 4

The apparatus specified in claim 2 wherein said contacting means is a spherical ball.

Claim 5

The apparatus specified in claim 1 wherein said engageable means are gears.

Claim 6

The apparatus specified in claim 1 further comprising a rotatable hollow shaft, said camming means being carried in said rotatable hollow shaft and being adapted to move between said first and second positions independently of said hollow shaft, at least one of said engageable means being mounted on said hollow shaft and covering said contacting means, said camming means upon movement from said second to said first position being adapted to wedge said contacting means against said at least one engageable means to permit the movement of said printing device.

Claim 7

The apparatus specified in claim 5 wherein there are at least two said printing devices and separate engageable means for controlling the positioning of each said printing device, said hollow shaft having an elongated slot therein for carrying said contacting means, said camming means being carried inside said hollow shaft and being rotatable with respect to said hollow shaft, said camming means being axially movable in said hollow shaft and in said slot for selectively engaging the engageable means associated with each printing device whereby each printing device is repositionable individually.

Claim 8

The apparatus specified in claim 6 wherein said camming means comprises a rotatable shaft having a cam surface thereon, and wherein said camming means is a spherical ball carried on said rotatable shaft and within said slot.

Claim 9

The apparatus specified in claim 1 wherein there are more than one engageable means and wherein said camming means is selectively movable into operative association with anyone of said engageable means.

Claim 10

A printing apparatus comprising one or more printing devices and a rotatable shaft on which said printing devices are mounted, one engageable means for each said printing device, a Second rotatable shaft, said engageable means being loosely mounted on said second shaft and in engagement with at least one printing device, clutch means, said clutch means comprising a camming means adapted for selective association with any one of said engageable means, said clutch means being mounted on said second shaft, contacting means associated with said camming means for selectively contacting one said engageable means, said camming means being moveable between a first position in which said contacting means is in contact with said at least one engageable means such that upon rotation of said second rotatable shaft said camming means is moved into engagement with a selected one of said engageable means to cause said engageable means and its associated printing device to move to a different position, said movement being limited only to the particular engageable means and its associated printing device, and a second position in which said contacting means is out of contact with any of said engageable means.

Claim 11

A printing apparatus comprising one or more printing devices and a rotatable shaft on which said printing devices are mounted, one engageable means for each said printing device, a Second rotatable shaft, said engageable means being loosely mounted on said second shaft and in engagement with at least one printing device, clutch means, said clutch means comprising a camming means adapted for selective association with any one of said engageable means, said clutch means being mounted on said second shaft, contacting means associated with said camming means for selectively contacting one said engageable means, said camming means being moveable between a first position in which said contacting means is in contact with said at least one engageable means such that upon rotation of said second rotatable shaft said camming means is moved into engagement with a selected one of said engageable means to cause said engageable means and its associated printing device to move to a different position, said movement being limited only to the particular engageable means and its associated printing device, and a second position in which said contacting means is out of contact with any of said engageable means.