Patent US3750791A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3750791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Large character sign apparatus
Assignee: Dymo Industries Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A machine for printing, embossing or die cutting characters or indicia on a longitudinally extending strip of material to produce a sign or label. The strip is fed into the machine subjacent a carousel or drum in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced slugs are carried, each slug being adapted for producing a printed, embossed or die cut character on the strip upon proper actuation. The carousel is rotatably mounted to permit a selected slug to be appropriately positioned at the station whereat the character is produced on the strip. Actuation of a handle moves the selected slug downwardly and adjacent to the strip, and further handle movement forces the slug against the strip to perform the character producing operation thereon. Release of the handle frees the slug from the strip, incrementally advances the strip into position to receive a succeeding character, and raises the slug back into the carousel so that the latter may be rotated to position the next required slug character for operation.
Inventors
- 👤 B Mcreynolds
- 👤 F Haas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:18
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for producing indicia on a strip of material comprising a housing, an indicia producing station in said housing, strip feed means in said housing for incrementally advancing said strip to said station, a rotatable carousel overlying said housing, a plurality of indicia producing elements carried by said carousel, each of such elements comprising a flat element with opposed planar surfaces with indicia producing means on one surface thereof, said elements being disposed in said carousel with said surfaces generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said carousel, actuating means for first moving a selected element downwardly and generally parallel to said axis from said carousel to said station and adjacent a strip positioned thereat, and for secondly moving said element generally normal to said first movement and into indicia producing relationship against a strip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for producing indicia on a strip of material comprising a housing, an indicia producing station in said housing, strip feed means in said housing for incrementally advancing said strip to said station, a rotatable carousel overlying said housing, a plurality of indicia producing elements carried by said carousel, each of such elements comprising a flat element with opposed planar surfaces with indicia producing means on one surface thereof, said elements being disposed in said carousel with said surfaces generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said carousel, actuating means for first moving a selected element downwardly and generally parallel to said axis from said carousel to said station and adjacent a strip positioned thereat, and for secondly moving said element generally normal to said first movement and into indicia producing relationship against a strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said housing is provided with an upper member having a slot therein, said indicia producing elements being movable through said slot from and to said carousel and said station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said element moving means is in alignment with said slot and engages and supports said elements during carousel rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including carousel indexing means for rotatably positioning said carousel with a selected element overlying and aligned with said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said indicia producing elements comprises a generally planar slug, said carousel having a plurality of slug-receiving slots, each of said slugs having indicia producing means on one surface thereof, and an edge portion of each slug having means thereon engageable with said moving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said indicia producing means comprises a character defined by die cutting blades.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said Edge portion means is on the bottom edge of the slug and includes a hook-like recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which a pair of opposed plates define said station, and said actuating means moving said plates relative to each other for forcing said element against a strip at said station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a manually operable handle extending upwardly from said housing, said handle being operatively connected to said actuating means and to said strip means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which initial movement of said handle in one direction first moves an element downwardly to said station and further handle movement in said one direction forces said element against a strip, and movement of said handle in an opposite direction releases the element from strip engagement, raises the element upwardly and then actuates said strip feed means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 including means for locking said carousel against rotation upon handle actuation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 in which said locking means includes a spring loaded pin in said housing movable from a first depressed inoperative position to a second elevated operative position in engagement with said carousel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said elements are provided with a sensing means, and said strip feed means is operatively engageable with said sensing means to thereby control the amount of incremental strip advance following an indicia producing operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said sensing means includes a projection extending from said element, and said strip feed means includes a carriage freely movable along a strip in one direction and engageable with said strip in a longitudinally opposite direction of movement, said carriage having means engaging said projection for limiting movement thereof in said former direction of movement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
195 words
Apparatus for producing indicia on a strip of material comprising a housing, a member overlying said housing and having a plurality of slug receiving elements therein, a plurality of slugs receivable in said elements and each slug having means on a surface thereof for producing indicia on a strip of material when forced thereagainst, a slug receiving slot on an upper surface of said housing, a fixed plate in said housing, an opposed movable plate in said housing, each of said plates underlying said receiving slot on opposite sides thereof, an arm mounted in said housing for pivotal movement and having an end portion extending through said receiving slot supporting said slugs in one position of said arm and grasping said slug for downward movement in another position of said arm, and a handle operatively connected to said movable plate and to said arm for first moving said slug downwardly and between said plates in initial handle actuation and then moving said movable plate towards said fixed plate upon further handle actuation to press a slug against said strip to produce indicia, said plate movement being in a direction generally normal to said first movement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
195 words
Apparatus for producing indicia on a strip of material comprising a housing, a member overlying said housing and having a plurality of slug receiving elements therein, a plurality of slugs receivable in said elements and each slug having means on a surface thereof for producing indicia on a strip of material when forced thereagainst, a slug receiving slot on an upper surface of said housing, a fixed plate in said housing, an opposed movable plate in said housing, each of said plates underlying said receiving slot on opposite sides thereof, an arm mounted in said housing for pivotal movement and having an end portion extending through said receiving slot supporting said slugs in one position of said arm and grasping said slug for downward movement in another position of said arm, and a handle operatively connected to said movable plate and to said arm for first moving said slug downwardly and between said plates in initial handle actuation and then moving said movable plate towards said fixed plate upon further handle actuation to press a slug against said strip to produce indicia, said plate movement being in a direction generally normal to said first movement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 in which initial movement of said handle in a second direction moves said movable plate away from said fixed plate, and secondary movement of said handle in said second direction rocks said arm upwardly to push said slug back through said slot and into said slug receiving member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 in which said housing is provided with a strip guide extending towards and in alignment with the space between said plates.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 in which a strip advance means is provided, said strip advance means including an arm having a strip engagement element, said element being slidable past a strip positioned in said guide, during movement of said element in a direction away from said plates and biting into said strip upon movement of said element towards said plates.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set fortH in claim 18 in which connecting means are provided between said handle and said arm, said means including a cam surface operatively engageable with said arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 in which means are provided for selectively varying strip advance upon handle movement in said second direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which said last named means includes mechanism for varying the positions of said cam surface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 in which said slug receiving member is provided with indexing means for selectively registering said slug-receiving slots of said member with said housing slot.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 22 in which said member is journalled for rotation on said housing, said member in one position of rotation being freely movable onto and off from said housing, and means on said member in other rotational positions locking the same against removal while maintaining rotational relationship.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 15 including actuating means operatively connected to said movable plate and to said handle, said actuating means being adjustable to selectively vary the movement of said movable plate.
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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) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |