US3739384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-balancing recorder
Assignee: Leeds and Northrup Co
•
Filing: 1972-03-20
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1992-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A strip chart recorder of the self-balancing type characterized by a novel index mounting, pen assembly, and linear slidewire assembly which is movable about a guide shaft for the pen assembly. The pen assembly is comprised of a molded plastic body having a cavity forming an inkwell, integral mounting structure for releasably supporting and precisely positioning a pen in the well, and integral upstanding ears supporting bearings which cooperate with a guide shaft for the pen assembly. The molded plastic body additionally supports electrical contacts of spring material which engage the slidewire and trolley of the movable slidewire assembly and supply pressure for biasing the pen into engagement with the recorder chart. The slidewire contact and pen pressures are simultaneously adjusted by setting the position of the movable slidewire assembly. Means may also be provided for separate adjustment of the pen pressure. The pen assembly additionally has a part cooperating with a portion of the slidewire assembly so that the pen may be lifted regardless of its position across the chart when the slidewire assembly is swung to a pen lift position. The index is mounted on a separate loop of a pen carriage drive cable to avoid tipping the index when the pen is lifted.
Inventors
- 👤 S Harkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/24; G01D15/16; G01D15/18; G01P; G01P1/00; G01P1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A self-balancing recorder including a chart and drive means therefore and a pen assembly and guide means therefore, with the improvement comprising: a movable frame supporting a slidewire parallel to said guide means for said pen assembly, said pen assembly being rotatable with respect to its guide means and supporting spring biased slidewire contact structure for engagement with said slidewire and a pen for recording on said chart, and means to position said movable frame with said slidewire against said spring biased slidewire contact structure for developing a fixed biasing force to control slidewire contact pressure and effect rotation of said pen assembly about its guide means to move said pen to a position for recording on said chart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A self-balancing recorder including a chart and drive means therefore and a pen assembly and guide means therefore, with the improvement comprising: a movable frame supporting a slidewire parallel to said guide means for said pen assembly, said pen assembly being rotatable with respect to its guide means and supporting spring biased slidewire contact structure for engagement with said slidewire and a pen for recording on said chart, and means to position said movable frame with said slidewire against said spring biased slidewire contact structure for developing a fixed biasing force to control slidewire contact pressure and effect rotation of said pen assembly about its guide means to move said pen to a position for recording on said chart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 wherein an adjustable stop is provided to limit movement of said movable frame to control the pressure of said pen on said chart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 wherein said guide means for said pen assembly is a round shaft about the longitudinal axis of which both said pen assembly and said movable frame rotate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 wherein said pen assembly is comprised of an integral body member including: an internal cavity for the storage of a supply of ink, means to support said spring biased slidewire contact structure for engagement with said slidewire means for supporting bearing structure for cooperation with said guide means therefore, and means releasably to retain and accurately position said pen relative to said body and in ink recieving relation with said internal cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 4 wherein the integral body member of said pen assembly additionally includes spaced apart slotted structures for reception of a length of cable and cable stops for moving said pen assembly relative to said chart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 4 wherein the integral body member of said pen assembly additionally includes means to support a spring mounted slider for engagement with an element of said movable frame disposed parallel to said slidewire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 wherein said pen assembly additionally supports spring means for application of a force on said slidewire assembly in opposition to that of said spring biased slidewire contact structure for reduction of the pressure of said pen on said chart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 including a cable for moving said pen assembly along said guide means therefor and an index attached to a loop of said cable for movement in alignment and together with said pen of said pen assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 wherein said movable frame includes lip structure and said pen assembly includes means cooperating with said lip structure to oppose the spring bias of said slidewire contact structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 9 wherein said means to position said movable frame includes mean to move said movable frame in a direction causing said lip structure to push against said means cooperating with said lip structure to raise said pen from the chart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 1 wherein said pen assembly additionally supports a spring biased slider for engagement with an element of sAid movable frame supporting a slidewire parallel to said guide means for said pen assembly, said spring biased slider exerting a force in opposition to that of said spring biased slidewire contact structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
An inkwell, for recorder pen assembly, comprised of molded plastic forming wall structure of a supply of ink therein, a portion of said plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure for cooperation with guide means for limiting movement of said body member to a fixed path relative to a recorder chart, said wall structure of molded plastic including one of more portions for receiving and supporting a plug-in pen, and a portion of said molded plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure forming a resilient clamp to receive a pen portion releasably to retain and accurately position a plug-in pen relative to said body member in ink recieving relation with said internal cavity and prevent rotation of said pen with respect to said body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
An inkwell, for recorder pen assembly, comprised of molded plastic forming wall structure of a supply of ink therein, a portion of said plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure for cooperation with guide means for limiting movement of said body member to a fixed path relative to a recorder chart, said wall structure of molded plastic including one of more portions for receiving and supporting a plug-in pen, and a portion of said molded plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure forming a resilient clamp to receive a pen portion releasably to retain and accurately position a plug-in pen relative to said body member in ink recieving relation with said internal cavity and prevent rotation of said pen with respect to said body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
An inkwell, for a recorder, having means releasably to retain a plug-in pen in said well comprising support means in the top of said well in alignment with support means in a protrusion extending internally into said well, and an ear portion including a pen engaging slot securely to hold a pen in vertical alignment in said support means and against rotation about an axis defined by a line through the centers of said support means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
An inkwell, for a recorder, having means releasably to retain a plug-in pen in said well comprising support means in the top of said well in alignment with support means in a protrusion extending internally into said well, and an ear portion including a pen engaging slot securely to hold a pen in vertical alignment in said support means and against rotation about an axis defined by a line through the centers of said support means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
131 words
An inkwell, for a recorder pen assembly, comprised of molded plastic forming wall structure of a body member including an internal cavity for the storage of a supply of ink therein, portions of said plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure and forming a pair of spaced apart ear portions having aligned holes for cooperation with a guide rod for limiting movement of said body member to a fixed path relative to a recorder chart, said wall structure of molded plastic including means for supporting a plug-in pen in ink receiving relation with said internal cavity, and a portion of said molded plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure and having a pen engaging portion providing means releasably to retain and accurately position a plug-in pen relative to said body member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
131 words
An inkwell, for a recorder pen assembly, comprised of molded plastic forming wall structure of a body member including an internal cavity for the storage of a supply of ink therein, portions of said plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure and forming a pair of spaced apart ear portions having aligned holes for cooperation with a guide rod for limiting movement of said body member to a fixed path relative to a recorder chart, said wall structure of molded plastic including means for supporting a plug-in pen in ink receiving relation with said internal cavity, and a portion of said molded plastic projecting outwardly from said wall structure and having a pen engaging portion providing means releasably to retain and accurately position a plug-in pen relative to said body member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
An index member for a self-balancing recorder of the type having a cable for moving a marker assembly comprising an integral member including clip structure for fastening said index to a cable, a web portion having said clip structure associated with one edge of said web portion and a pointer portion associated with the other edge of said web portion and with the width of said web separating said clip portion and said pointer portion a distance to receive a scale.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
An index member for a self-balancing recorder of the type having a cable for moving a marker assembly comprising an integral member including clip structure for fastening said index to a cable, a web portion having said clip structure associated with one edge of said web portion and a pointer portion associated with the other edge of said web portion and with the width of said web separating said clip portion and said pointer portion a distance to receive a scale.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
An index member according to claim 15 wherein said web portion includes an upstanding portion supporting a U-shaped cable receiving element which serves to steady said index member in an upright position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
73 words
A marker assembly for a self balancing recorder of the type having a cable for moving the marker assembly, said assembly including a pair of spaced apart slotted elements for reception therebetween of an element of said cable having a pair of cable stops separated by a distance greater than that between said spaced apart slotted elements thereby to permit separation of said cable from said marker assembly without losing ends of cable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A marker assembly for a self balancing recorder of the type having a cable for moving the marker assembly, said assembly including a pair of spaced apart slotted elements for reception therebetween of an element of said cable having a pair of cable stops separated by a distance greater than that between said spaced apart slotted elements thereby to permit separation of said cable from said marker assembly without losing ends of cable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
84 words
A self-balancing recorder including a chart and drive means therefore, a marker assembly and guide means therefore, and a cable actuated by a balancing motor to move said marker assembly relative to said chart with the improvement comprising: spaced apart slotted elements supported by said marker assembly, said cable including stop structure spaced along the length thereof a distance greater than that between said spaced apart slotted elements, and cable tensioning means fo holding said cable with said stop structure against said slotted elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
84 words
A self-balancing recorder including a chart and drive means therefore, a marker assembly and guide means therefore, and a cable actuated by a balancing motor to move said marker assembly relative to said chart with the improvement comprising: spaced apart slotted elements supported by said marker assembly, said cable including stop structure spaced along the length thereof a distance greater than that between said spaced apart slotted elements, and cable tensioning means fo holding said cable with said stop structure against said slotted elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
153 words
A self-balancing recorder including a chart and drive means therefore and a marker assembly and guide means theRefore with the improvement comprising: a movable frame swingable about the guide means for said marker assembly, said movable frame supporting a slidewire parallel to said guide means, said marker assembly being rotatable with respect to said guide means and supporting; spring biased slidewire contact structure for engagement with said slidewire, marking means for recording on said chart, and a marker lift element for cooperation with said movable frame, and spring controlled marker lift means in one position applying a force to said movable frame to press said slidewire against said spring biased slidewire contact structure to bias said marker toward said chart and in another position pulling said movable frame in a direction away from said spring biased slidewire contact structure and against said marker lift element to move said marker away from said chart.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
153 words
A self-balancing recorder including a chart and drive means therefore and a marker assembly and guide means theRefore with the improvement comprising: a movable frame swingable about the guide means for said marker assembly, said movable frame supporting a slidewire parallel to said guide means, said marker assembly being rotatable with respect to said guide means and supporting; spring biased slidewire contact structure for engagement with said slidewire, marking means for recording on said chart, and a marker lift element for cooperation with said movable frame, and spring controlled marker lift means in one position applying a force to said movable frame to press said slidewire against said spring biased slidewire contact structure to bias said marker toward said chart and in another position pulling said movable frame in a direction away from said spring biased slidewire contact structure and against said marker lift element to move said marker away from said chart.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 19 wherein an adjustable stop is provided for limiting the extent of movement of said movable frame toward said spring biased slidewire contact structure for regulation of the pressure of the contacts on the slidewire and the pressure of the marker on the chart.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-balancing recorder according to claim 19 wherein an adjustable stop is provided for limiting the distance that the marker may be lifted from the chart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3146058A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |