US3754242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotor position selection mechanism
Assignee: Novartis AG
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Filing: 1970-10-19
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Granted: 1973-08-21
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Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a rotor position selection mechanism for stopping rotary motion of one or more rotors or print wheels in a print head at desired angular positions each corresponding to a character on the rotor which is required to be printed. The rotor has a group of recesses positioned on a reference grid and located on the rotor so that as the rotor revolves,each group of recesses passes a set of feelers whose positions can be selected to correspond to any one of the patterns of recesses. In operation the positions of the feelers are set to represent a selected code word corresponding to one of the characters in the print wheel and a catch operated by all the set feelers sensing all the recesses on the rotor corresponding to the selected code word moves into a hole in the rotor to arrest its motion. Several rotors or print wheels may be provided, each with an associated group of feelers and a common setting mechanism may be used to set each group of feelers to a different selected code word so that a line of print may be formed by the print wheels being arrested at positions corresponding to the selected code words.
Inventors
- 👤 K Ehrat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:37
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J7/00; B41J7/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A rotary position selection mechanism for arresting the rotary motion of at least one rotor at selected angular positions comprising a shaft; at least one rotor mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; a plurality of groups of elements, the elements in each group being positioned to define a different code word and the groups being positioned about said rotor at different predetermined angular positions, each code word being adapted to be mechanically detected, the number of elements in each group being the same and the elements in a group being positioned on a notional grid so that each element occupies one of two predetermined positions, said grid being the same for all groups, a sensing device mounted adjacent said rotor, said sensing device comprising groups of mechanical feelers, means for setting said mechanical feelers at positions representing a selected code word for engagement with a group of elements on said rotor representing said selected code word; a catch operable by said mechanical feelers engaging that group of elements representing said selected code word to arrest rotational motion of said rotor; said mechanical feelers being deflected by corresponding ones of said elements and said catch being coupled mechanically to said feelers so that only upon delfection of all said feelers resulting from sensing those elements representing the selected code word the catch is operated to arrest motion of said rotor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A rotary position selection mechanism for arresting the rotary motion of at least one rotor at selected angular positions comprising a shaft; at least one rotor mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith; a plurality of groups of elements, the elements in each group being positioned to define a different code word and the groups being positioned about said rotor at different predetermined angular positions, each code word being adapted to be mechanically detected, the number of elements in each group being the same and the elements in a group being positioned on a notional grid so that each element occupies one of two predetermined positions, said grid being the same for all groups, a sensing device mounted adjacent said rotor, said sensing device comprising groups of mechanical feelers, means for setting said mechanical feelers at positions representing a selected code word for engagement with a group of elements on said rotor representing said selected code word; a catch operable by said mechanical feelers engaging that group of elements representing said selected code word to arrest rotational motion of said rotor; said mechanical feelers being deflected by corresponding ones of said elements and said catch being coupled mechanically to said feelers so that only upon delfection of all said feelers resulting from sensing those elements representing the selected code word the catch is operated to arrest motion of said rotor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said two predetermined positions are symmetrically located on each side of a radial reference line indicating the angular position of the rotor with reference to a datum position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said two predetermined positions are symmetrically located on each side of a circle whose centre is coincident with the axis of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said rotor is shaped to define a plurality of holes, each associated with a different one of said groups of elements and said catch includes a nib for engaging said holes to arrest motion of said Rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A mechanism according to claim 4 wherein each said mechanical feeler comprises a lever, said lever being mounted in a single plane, and said catch comprises a leaf spring one end of which is fixed and the opposite end having thereon said nib which bears against all said levers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said rotor is shaped to define recesses forming said elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said rotor is shaped to define recesses forming said elements and an extremity of each said lever has a return bent portion for engaging a corresponding recess in said rotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 including means frictionally mounting said rotor to said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 including a plurality of rotors, each having groups of elements thereon, the elements in each group being positioned to define a different code word and the groups being positioned about said rotor at different angular positions, and a plurality of groups of mechanical feelers, each group being associated with a different rotor; wherein said setting means includes a plurality of setting members, one for each member of a group of mechanical feelers and means for moving said setting means past each group of mechanical feelers to set the members in each group into predetermined positions for engaging elements on the associated rotor representing a selected code word.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mechanism accordinG to claim 9 wherein said mechanical feelers comprise levers and including means mounting said setting members to engage one end of said levers to move them from a first to a second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism according to claim 10 wherein said mounting means includes means for setting said mechanical feelers prior to them being set by said levers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A mechanism according to claim 9 including a plurality of electric solenoids, having armatures each coupled to a different one of said setting members, and means for energising said solenoids in different combinations corresponding to different code words to cause said setting members to set the mechanical feelers in a group to predetermined positions to represent a selected code word.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-20 | 1977-02-19 | 1977-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-20 | 1981-02-19 | 1981-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-20 | 1985-02-19 | 1985-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |