Patent US3774531A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Print chain assembly for high speed printer
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1971-06-21
•
Granted: 1973-11-27
•
Expires: 1991-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A print chain structure for a high speed printer, wherein an endless dual timing belt has a series of teeth on an inner surface thereof for engagement with a belt driving mechanism. The belt also has a series of teeth on its outer surface. A series of printing elements include interruptions which mechanically and removably cooperate with interstices of the teeth on the outer surface of the belt so that the belt-driving mechanism may efficiently drive the printing elements and the elements may be readily removed for servicing when the need arises. An improved guiding means is also provided for controlling the high speed movement of the printing elements with the belt.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hansen
- 👤 C Roshon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:27
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J1/00; B41J1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A print chain assembly for high speed chain printers comprising: a housing, a pair of sprocket wheels having teeth thereon mounted within said housing; means for rotatably supporting said wheels on spaced parallel axes; a print chain trained about said wheels; said print chain including an endless belt having uniformly spaced internal teeth on the inner surface thereof to mesh with the teeth of said wheels; said belt also having a series of external teeth on the outer surface thereof; and a plurality of printing elements spaced along the outer surface of said belt, each printing element including a base portion which meshes with at least one of said external teeth of the belt, so that the printing element engages said belt, thereby enabling said element to be driven by the belt along the belt path and yet is removable normal to the belt path; guiding means disposed within said housing adjacent said belt and essentially parallel to said belt path for maintaining the base portion of each of said printing element in engagement with said belt, and means included with said housing for permitting access to and removal of said printing elements from the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A print chain assembly for high speed chain printers comprising: a housing, a pair of sprocket wheels having teeth thereon mounted within said housing; means for rotatably supporting said wheels on spaced parallel axes; a print chain trained about said wheels; said print chain including an endless belt having uniformly spaced internal teeth on the inner surface thereof to mesh with the teeth of said wheels; said belt also having a series of external teeth on the outer surface thereof; and a plurality of printing elements spaced along the outer surface of said belt, each printing element including a base portion which meshes with at least one of said external teeth of the belt, so that the printing element engages said belt, thereby enabling said element to be driven by the belt along the belt path and yet is removable normal to the belt path; guiding means disposed within said housing adjacent said belt and essentially parallel to said belt path for maintaining the base portion of each of said printing element in engagement with said belt, and means included with said housing for permitting access to and removal of said printing elements from the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The print chain essentially described in claim 1 wherein each printing element of the print chain includes at least one resilient finger having a type slug affixed to the free end thereof, and said base portion connected to the other end of said finger, said portion including a shoe portion having a seriEs of teeth structured to mesh with the teeth of the outer surface of said belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The printer described in claim 2 wherein the teeth on the shoe portion of the printing element face in a first direction and said type slug faces in a second direction, said first and second directions being disposed in perpendicular relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a high speed printer, a print chain assembly comprising: a housing; a belt contained within said housing; driving means disposed in said housing and engageable with one side of said belt for driving said belt at high speed, the other side of the belt having a plurality of teeth; a plurality of printing elements in contact with said belt, each having a shoe portion with teeth engaging and meshing with the teeth of the belt such that the printing elements are driven in a direction along the path of the belt, but are removable normal to the belt path; loop-shaped guiding means located in said housing and adjacent said belt and essentially parallel to said belt path for maintaining said printing elements in engagement with said belt when said belt is driven by said driving means; a pair of resilient arms associated with each of said printing elements and coactable with the loop portions of said guiding means for maintaining the printing elements generally normal to the belt during movement of the belt through the loop portions; and means included with said housing for permitting access to and removal of said printing elements from the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a high speed printer, a print chain assembly comprising: a housing; a belt contained within said housing; driving means disposed in said housing and engageable with one side of said belt for driving said belt at high speed, the other side of the belt having a plurality of teeth; a plurality of printing elements in contact with said belt, each having a shoe portion with teeth engaging and meshing with the teeth of the belt such that the printing elements are driven in a direction along the path of the belt, but are removable normal to the belt path; loop-shaped guiding means located in said housing and adjacent said belt and essentially parallel to said belt path for maintaining said printing elements in engagement with said belt when said belt is driven by said driving means; a pair of resilient arms associated with each of said printing elements and coactable with the loop portions of said guiding means for maintaining the printing elements generally normal to the belt during movement of the belt through the loop portions; and means included with said housing for permitting access to and removal of said printing elements from the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
The printer described in claim 4 wherein said access and removal means housing includes a doorway located on one side of the housing in facial alignment with one of said printing elements coupled to said belt; said doorway being larger than and facing one of said printing elements when the latter is in alignment with said doorway, to facilitate the ready removal and replacement of the printing element in alignment with said doorway.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2222333A
Cited
US2643609A
Cited
US2936704A
Cited
US3209682A
Cited
US3402657A
Cited
US3379125A
Cited
US3416442A
Cited
US3577919A
Cited
US3638565A
Cited
US3621778A
Cited
US3663501A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |