US3757922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printer carrier drive
Assignee: Singer Co
•
Filing: 1971-08-30
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved technique and device is disclosed for selectively coupling a print wheel carrier with a constantly rotating lead screw. The engaging device comprises a rotatable engaging member which is in rolling engagement with the lead screw. This relationship reduces the friction and wear between the members. The technique also facilitates rapid decoupling and minimizes carrier over-travel.
Inventors
- 👤 D Sweeney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/18; B41J19/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
In an on the fly printer: a print wheel having alphanumeric characters and symbols arranged helically on the periphery of said print wheel and with a pitch of one letter space, for sequentially presenting any one of said alphanumeric characters and symbols at successive letter space positions along a print line; a carrier for supporting said print wheel and including means for rotating said print wheel; a lead screw having a predetermined pitch along the length thereof and constantly rotating in time relation with said print wheel; an engaging mechanism supported on said carrier for selective engagement with said lead screw; said engaging mechanism comprising: a rotatable disc selectively engageable and disengageable with said lead screw anywhere along the length thereof for advancing said carrier and said print wheel from one letter space position to successive letter space positions when said rotatable disc is engaged with said lead screw; and control means responsive to the relative angular positions of rotation of said lead screw and said means for rotating said print wheel for selectively moving said rotatable disc into engagemenT with said lead screw only when the instantaneous angular position of said lead screw will result in a noninterferring engagement with the thread of said lead screw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
In an on the fly printer: a print wheel having alphanumeric characters and symbols arranged helically on the periphery of said print wheel and with a pitch of one letter space, for sequentially presenting any one of said alphanumeric characters and symbols at successive letter space positions along a print line; a carrier for supporting said print wheel and including means for rotating said print wheel; a lead screw having a predetermined pitch along the length thereof and constantly rotating in time relation with said print wheel; an engaging mechanism supported on said carrier for selective engagement with said lead screw; said engaging mechanism comprising: a rotatable disc selectively engageable and disengageable with said lead screw anywhere along the length thereof for advancing said carrier and said print wheel from one letter space position to successive letter space positions when said rotatable disc is engaged with said lead screw; and control means responsive to the relative angular positions of rotation of said lead screw and said means for rotating said print wheel for selectively moving said rotatable disc into engagemenT with said lead screw only when the instantaneous angular position of said lead screw will result in a noninterferring engagement with the thread of said lead screw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: detecting means for detecting the instantaneous angular position of said lead screw and for generating a command signal when said lead screw is at a predetermined angular position; and electromagnetic means for urging said disc into engagement with said lead screw in response to said command signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said rotatable disc is mounted on a shaft whose axis is at right angles to the angle of lead of the thread of said lead screw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said control means comprises electromechanical means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 further including: an escapement rack parallel to said lead screw and having teeth separated by a pitch distance which has a fixed relationship with the thread pitch of said lead screw; said carrier coupled to said escapement rack and mounted for reciprocal motion parallel to the axis of said lead screw; first bias means for urging said carrier to move in a first direction; a selectively pivoted escapement pawl coupled to said carrier and for engagement with any of the teeth of said escapement rack to prevent the motion of said carrier in said first direction when said escapement pawl is engaged with any of the teeth of said escapement rack and to enable movement of said carrier in said first direction when said escapement pawl is disengaged to provide a back space or a carriage return function.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
129 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 further including: pawl bias means for urging said escapement pawl towards engagement with the teeth of said escapement rack; electromagnetic means for pivoting said escapement pawl away from engagement with the teeth of said escapement rack; said first bias means coacting with said carrier for moving said carrier in said first direction an amount equal to said pitch distance in response to the pivoting of said escapement pawl out of engagement with said escapement rack by said electromagnetic means followed by the pivoting of said escapement pawl towards engagement with said escapement rack in response to the urging of said pawl bias means when said electromagnetic means is de-activated before said carrier has moved an amount equal to said pitch distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said alphanumeric characters arranged on the periphery of said print wheel in a helical arrangement are such that when said disc is engaged with said lead screw to move said carrier, the combined motion of said carrier and the rotation of said print wheel causes each of said alphanumeric characters on said print wheel to be sequentially presented one time with their approximate midpoints at approximately the same point with respect to a reference point along the length of said escapement rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said control means comprises electromagnetic means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said electromagnetic means is energized to affect engagement between said disc and said lead screw and including second bias means for urging said disc away from engagement with said lead screw when said electromagnetic means is de-energized.
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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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |