US3731318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Paper transport structure for recorder comprising foldable face plate
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-25
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Granted: 1973-05-01
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Expires: 1992-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A recorder utilizing a recording medium such as paper threaded over a front face plate where the recorded signals may be viewed, the front face plate being formed by two separate plate sections which may be folded at a central region to produce an opening in the front of the recorder for loading and unloading the paper supply roll. The mechanical linkage for moveably supporting the face plate sections on the recorder chassis also carries a moveable paper supply support structure, the support structure moving forwardly as the front plate is folded such that the access to the supply roll support is substantially enhanced. The threading path for the paper is extremely simple with the two face plate sections in the folded condition, the unfolding operation of the face plate sections serving to carry the paper into engagement with the paper drive mechanism. The paper drive mechanism remains in engagement with the main drive train during the paper loading operation.
Inventors
- 👤 K Dickey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A paper feed apparatus comprising: a pair of side walls; a face plate including a top plate section and a bottom plate section, said two sections being pivotally coupled together at a central junction region at the lower edge of said top section and the upper edge of said bottom section; mechanical linkage means for movably mounting said face plate sections on said side walls with said two face plate sections forming a substantially plane surface normal to said side walls in a first position, said two sections being foldable at said central junction region by movement of said mechanical linkage such that the upper edge of the top plate section and the lower edge of the bottom plate section move outwardly from the plane surface of the face plate, and two face plate sections folding toward each other to expose the region behind the face plate; means for supporting a supply of paper in the region behind the foldable face plate, the paper being threaded over the top edge of the top plate section and down over the front surface of the face plate sections; and paper drive means at the lower edge region of the bottom plate section for engaging and driving said paper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A paper feed apparatus comprising: a pair of side walls; a face plate including a top plate section and a bottom plate section, said two sections being pivotally coupled together at a central junction region at the lower edge of said top section and the upper edge of said bottom section; mechanical linkage means for movably mounting said face plate sections on said side walls with said two face plate sections forming a substantially plane surface normal to said side walls in a first position, said two sections being foldable at said central junction region by movement of said mechanical linkage such that the upper edge of the top plate section and the lower edge of the bottom plate section move outwardly from the plane surface of the face plate, and two face plate sections folding toward each other to expose the region behind the face plate; means for supporting a supply of paper in the region behind the foldable face plate, the paper being threaded over the top edge of the top plate section and down over the front surface of the face plate sections; and paper drive means at the lower edge region of the bottom plate section for engaging and driving said paper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said paper drive means includes a drive roller rotatably mounted on said mechanical linkage means, a pressure roller mounted on said bottom plate section for pressing the paper against said drive roller when said two plate sections are moved to form the face plate in the first position, and motor driven means coupled to said drive roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mechanical linkage means includes a pair of arms, one on each side of the face plate, said arms being pivotally coupled at one end to the sides of the bottom plate section and pivotally mounted at the other end to the side walls, said drive roller being rotatably mounted on said pair of arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including a pair of support legs carried on said pair of arms and supporting said paper supply, said support legs being moved in a forwardly direction by said arms as the bottom and top plate sections are folded together to thereby carry the paper supply forward, said support legs being moved in a rearward direction by said arms as the two plate sections are returned to the normal position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said paper drive means includes drive roller means rotatably mounted on said mechanical linkage and motor drive means engaging said drive roller means for driving said roller, said drive roller means remaining engaged with said motor drive means as said mechanical linkage moves during movement of said face plate sections from said normal position to said folded position and return.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said dRive roller means includes a drive gear and wherein said motor drive means includes a main gear meshing with said drive gear, said gears remaining meshed during said mechanical linkage movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said drive means includes a pressure roller mounted on said bottom plate section for pressing the paper against said drive roller when said two plate sections are moved to form the face plate in said first position, said pressure roller moving away from said drive roller when said two plate sections are moved to the folded position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said bottom plate section is longer than said top plate section such that the lower edge portion of said bottom plate section extends beyond the upper edge portion of said top plate section when the two plate sections are folded together, said pressure roller being mounted in the extended lower edge portion of said bottom plate section whereby the paper threaded over the upper edge of said top plate section is also threaded behind said pressure roller when the two plate sections are in the folded position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said mechanical linkage means includes a pair of arms, one on each side of the face plate, said arms being pivotally coupled at one end to the sides of the bottom plate section and pivotally mounted at the other end to the side walls, said drive roller being rotatably mounted on said pair of arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including a pair of support legs carried on said pair of arms and supporting said paper supply, said support legs being moved in a forwardly direction by said arms as the bottom and top plate sections are folded together to thereby carry the paper supply forward, said support legs being moved in a rearward direction by said arms as the two plate sections are returned to the normal position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mechanical linkage means comprises arm assemblies on either side of said face plate, each arm assembly comprising; a first arm pivotally mounted at one end to a first pivot point in the associated side wall and pivotally coupled to said central junction region of said top and bottom plate sections; a second arm pivotally mounted at one end to a second pivot point in said associated side wall and pivotally coupled to the side of said top plate section; and a third arm pivotally mounted at one end to a third pivot point in said associated side wall and pivotally coupled to the side of said bottom plate section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said paper drive means includes a drive roller rotatably mounted on said third arm, a pressure roller mounted on said bottom plate section for pressing the paper against said drive roller when said two plate sections are moved to form the face plate in the first position, and motor driven means coupled to said drive roller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including support legs carried on each of said third arms and supporting said paper supply, said support legs being moved in a forwardly direction by said arms as the bottom and top plate sections are folded together to thereby carry the paper supply forward, said support legs being moved in a rearward direction by said arms as the two plate sections are returned to the normal position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said paper drive means includes drive roller means rotatably mounted on said third arms and motor drive means engaging said drive roller means for driving said roller, said drive roller means remaining engaged with said motor drive means as said third arms move during movement of said bottom face plate section from said normal position to said folded position and return.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said drive roller means includes a drive gear and wherein said Motor drive means includes a main gear meshing with said drive gear, said gears remaining meshed during said mechanical linkage movement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said drive means includes a pressure roller mounted on said bottom plate section for pressing the paper against said drive roller when said two plate sections are moved to form the face plate in said first position, said pressure roller moving away from said drive roller when said two plate sections are moved to the folded position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said bottom plate section is longer than said top plate section such that the lower edge portion of said bottom plate section extends beyond the upper edge portion of said top plate section when the two plate sections are folded together, said pressure roller being mounted in the extended lower edge portion of said bottom plate section whereby the paper threaded over the upper edge of said top plate section is also threaded behind said pressure roller when the two plate sections are in the folded position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
A paper feed apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including a pair of support legs carried on said third arms and supporting said paper supply, said support legs being moved in a forwardly direction by said arms as the bottom and top plate sections are folded together to thereby carry the paper supply forward, said support legs being moved in a rearward direction by said arms as the two plate sections are returned to the normal position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3389402A
Cited
US3611431A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |