Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A marking device comprising, a support member, a marking wheel having a plurality of characters arranged in spaced relation to each other around the outer periphery, said marking wheel rotatably mounted on said support member, said marking wheel having a peripheral gear portion extending around the circumference thereof, a drive gear meshing with said gear portion and operable upon rotation to rotate said marking wheel, drive means connected to said drive gear and operable to rotate said drive gear, said marking wheel having a peripheral ratchet portion extending around the circumference thereof, a pawl member pivotally secured to said support member and movable into engagement with said ratchet portion for locking said marking wheel in a fixed position on said support member following rotation of said marking wheel to a preselected marking position, second drive means for moving said pawl member into and out of engagement with said ratchet portion, and control means for consecutively: actuating said drive means until said marking wheel reaches a preselected marking position; and for actuating said second drive means until said pawl member is in locking engagement with said ratchet portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A marking device comprising, a support member, a marking wheel having a plurality of characters arranged in spaced relation to each other around the outer periphery, said marking wheel rotatably mounted on said support member, said marking wheel having a peripheral gear portion extending around the circumference thereof, a drive gear meshing with said gear portion and operable upon rotation to rotate said marking wheel, drive means connected to said drive gear and operable to rotate said drive gear, said marking wheel having a peripheral ratchet portion extending around the circumference thereof, a pawl member pivotally secured to said support member and movable into engagement with said ratchet portion for locking said marking wheel in a fixed position on said support member following rotation of said marking wheel to a preselected marking position, second drive means for moving said pawl member into and out of engagement with said ratchet portion, and control means for consecutively: actuating said drive means until said marking wheel reaches a preselected marking position; and for actuating said second drive means until said pawl member is in locking engagement with said ratchet portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
A marking device as set forth in claim 1 in which said control means include, a plurality of fixed contactors positioned on said support member in nonrotatable relation to said marking wheel, and a movable contactor secured to said marking wheel and rotatable therewith, said movable contactor operable upon rotation to abut said fixed contactors and provide a current path therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A marking device as set forth in claim 2 which includes, a conductor ring on said marking wheel periphery, a fixed conductor secured to said support member and positioned in current conducting relation with said conductor ring, said movable contactor connected to said conductor ring to provide a current path from said fixed conductor through said conductor ring to said movable contactor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
A marking device as set forth in claim 3 which includes, a housing member fixedly secured to said support member and forming a part thereof, said housing member having an annular surface positioned coaxially with said marking wheel, said fixed contactors embedded in said annular surface in spaced relation therearound, each contactor having an arcuate surface portion forming a portion of said annular surface, said movable contactor comprising an arm member pivotally connected at one end to said marking wheel and having a wheel member rotatably secured to the other end, and resilient means urging said contactor wheel member into abutting relation with said annular surface so that said movable contactor upon rotation of said marking wheel sequentially moves into conducting relation with said fixed contactors.