US3742846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wire printer with print head moved in figure eight pattern
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-31
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A printer for generating a dot matrix has a single print element that sweeps out a dot matrix for a character position, row by row with respect to a continuously moving document. A single print head which is motion synchronized with the document guides a series of such print elements through a closed curved path to sweep out the matrix as a series of rows of dots at each character position. Interrelating the adjoining character positions to generate a continuous matrix of dot positions also enables the printer to be used to print graphics or as an XY plotter.
Inventors
- 👤 L Knappe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:25
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/22; B41J2/23; B41J2/235; B41J2/24; B41J19/00; B41J19/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for forming a character on a moving document comprising a longitudinally moveable stylus element; support means for supporting the terminal end of said stylus element adjacent said document and confining said stylus element in directions perpendicular to the direction of longitudiNal motion; document moving means for imparting motion to said document; drive means for moving said support means through a continuous closed path including two intersecting sequences of print positions, during each of which said support means moves in unison with said document in the direction of document travel and relative to said document in a direction traverse to the direction of document travel; selectively operable means for driving said stylus element toward said document; means for imparting an image on said document upon actuation of said selectively operable means; and interconnecting means connected to said drive means and to said document moving means to interrelate motion of said support means and motion of said document.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for forming a character on a moving document comprising a longitudinally moveable stylus element; support means for supporting the terminal end of said stylus element adjacent said document and confining said stylus element in directions perpendicular to the direction of longitudiNal motion; document moving means for imparting motion to said document; drive means for moving said support means through a continuous closed path including two intersecting sequences of print positions, during each of which said support means moves in unison with said document in the direction of document travel and relative to said document in a direction traverse to the direction of document travel; selectively operable means for driving said stylus element toward said document; means for imparting an image on said document upon actuation of said selectively operable means; and interconnecting means connected to said drive means and to said document moving means to interrelate motion of said support means and motion of said document.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stylus element is a wire print element and said selectively operable means is an electro magnetic means including an electro magnet and armature connected to said wire print element to impart an axial motion thereto upon actuation of said electro magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for imparting an image comprises an ink transfer means interposed between the print surface of said stylus element and said document.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a print head for guiding the terminal portion of said stylus element in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said stylus element at said print head, said stylus element being moveable axially with respect to said print head under control of said selectively operable means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for identifying said sequence of print positions along said closed path and wherein said drive means comprises first cam means for imparting a first motion component to said print head and a second cam means for imaprting a second motion component to said print head and means interrelating the motion of said first cam means and said second cam means, said second cam means imparting a motion component in the direction of document travel with a velocity equivalent to the document velocity at each of said sequence of print positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
A printer for printing data on a moving document using selected dots from a matrix pattern comprising a moveable print head adjacent said document; print means having a print element guided by said print head for printing a dot on said document upon actuation thereof; first drive means for moving said print head through a continuous closed path including two intersecting sequences of print positions, during each of which said print head moves in unison with said document in the direction of document travel and relative to said document in a direction traverse to the direction of document travel; second drive means for moving said document; and interconnecting means connecting said first and second drive means, said first and second drive means being interconnected to synchronize the movement of said print head with motion of said document.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
137 words
A printer for printing data on a moving document using selected dots from a matrix pattern comprising a moveable print head adjacent said document; print means having a print element guided by said print head for printing a dot on said document upon actuation thereof; first drive means for moving said print head through a continuous closed path including two intersecting sequences of print positions, during each of which said print head moves in unison with said document in the direction of document travel and relative to said document in a direction traverse to the direction of document travel; second drive means for moving said document; and interconnecting means connecting said first and second drive means, said first and second drive means being interconnected to synchronize the movement of said print head with motion of said document.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The printer of claim 6 wherein said print means comprises a series of wire print assemblies having the print elements thereof in spaced positions along siad print head and disposed in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of document travel and wherein each said print wire element is disposed to sweep out a dot matrix for one character position along a document print line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The printer of claim 7 wherein said print elements of said series of wire print assemblies are aligned and guided by said print head to produce uniformly spaced continuous dot matrix print positions across said document print line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The printer of claim 6 wherein said first drive means comprises first cam means having a rise and fall which imparts a motion to said print head in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel to said document and second cam means having a rise and fall which imparts motion to said print head paralLel to the direction of document travel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
The printer of claim 9 wherein said first and second cam means cooperate to drive said print head through said continuous closed path with said sequence of print positions respectively occurring during two linear portions when said motion imparted by said second cam means is in unison with the motion of said document whereby said print element may be actuated to print two parallel rows of dots in a direction perpendicular to the direction of document travel during each cycle of print head motion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The printer of claim 10 further comprising an electric motor; and timing belt means operatively connected to said first and second cam means and said electric motor for synchronizing rotary motion of said motor, said first cam means and said second cam means.
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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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |