Far side plotter

Claim 2

In combination with thermal plotting and display apparatus having a stylus with heating means for plotting points on a thermally sensitive film and with means for the contact positioning of said stylus with a recording field and along a contacting axis, the improvement comprising: a recording sheet occupying said field, said sheet being adapted to pass light and having a heat sensitive film on a first side yielding visibly distinct points when contacted by said heated stylus; means within said heating means for emitting a beam of light incident on said sheet so as to indicate the position of said stylus from a second side of said sheet; and means coupled to said apparatus for framing said sheet sufficiently taut in said recording field so as to allow said first side of said sheet to be contacted by said stylus and so as to produce sufficient stiffness aLong said contacting axis for returning said sheet to said field upon its deflection therefrom upon said contact by said stylus.

Claim 3

Thermal plotting and display apparatus in accord with claim 1 wherein said framing means comprises a first frame mounted on said apparatus having an inner rim and grooves just outside said rim, said first frame supporting said sheet with said sheet overlaying said grooves, and a clamping frame having protruding ribs matched for entry into said grooves whereupon said entry said ribs draw said overlaying portions of said sheet into said grooves sufficiently to produce said tautness in said sheet, and means for clamping said frames together to cause said entry of said ribs into said grooves.

Claim 4

Thermal plotting and display apparatus as set out in claim 2 wherein said sheet has a carrier of poly(ethylene terepthalate) material.

Claim 5

In combination with data recording and display apparatus having a plotting stylus and means for the contact positioning of said stylus with a recording field within the recording area of said apparatus according to coordinates to be plotted, the improvement comprising; framing means with an inner border defining said recording area, said framing means for holding a recording sheet taut in said recording field so as to yield sufficient diaphragmatic characteristics in said sheet as to maintain said sheet in said field upon repeated contact by said stylus, and wherein said stylus includes means for directing a beam of light on said sheet so as to be visible through said recording area.

Claim 6

In combination with data recording and display apparatus having a plotting stylus and means for the contact positioning of said stylus with a recording field within the recording area of said apparatus according to coordinates to be plotted, the improvement comprising; framing means with an inner border defining said recording area, said framing means for holding a recording sheet taut in said recording field so as to yield sufficient diaphragmatic characteristics in said sheet as to maintain said sheet in said field upon repeated contact by said stylus, and wherein said stylus includes means for directing a beam of light on said sheet so as to be visible through said recording area.

Claim 7

Data recording and display apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said framing means comprises a first frame mounted on said apparatus with an inner rim and grooves outside said rim, and a second frame mounted on said first frame and having ribs matched for partial entry into said grooves of said first frame, and means for clamping said frames together to cause said ribs to enter said grooves.

Claim 8

Data recording and display apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said clamping means comprises first and second pairs of latch pins mounted on opposite sides of said first frame and a pair of locking clamps mounted on said second frame so that each mechanically communicates with a latch pin pair, each clamp comprising first and second pivotally joined arms each mechanically linked with a locking jaw pivotally mounted on said second frame, each jaw having an inclined lip for forceably sliding under one of said pins of said communicating latch pin pair, said first arm being linked with its corresponding jaw through telescoping means allowing translational flexibility of said jaw along said arm and including a spring for limiting the force of said first arm against said corresponding jaw upon said translation, said locking clamp being positioned on said second frame with relation to said latch pin pair of said first frame so that the depression of said pivotal junction of said first and second arms causes said arms to be substantially straightly aligned, said jaws pivoting and forcing said inclined lips to slide under said latch pin pair thereby clamping said first and second frames together.

Claim 9

A clamping frame for tautly supporting a recording sheet in the recording field of a recorder comprising; a first frame having an inner rim and grooves outside said rim, a second frame adapted for mounting on said first frame and including protruding ribs matched for partial entry into said grooves upon said mounting of said second frame on said first frame, first and second pairs of latch pins mounted on opposite sides of said first frame, a pair of locking clamps mounted on said second frame so that each communicates mechanically with one of said first and second pairs of latch pins of said first frame, and wherein each of said clamps comprises, first and second pivotally joined arms each arm mechanically linked with a locking jaw pivotally mounted on said second frame, each jaw having an incliNed lip for forceably sliding under one of said pins of said communicating pair of latch pins, said first arm being linked with its corresponding jaw through telescoping means allowing translation of said jaw along said first arm and including a spring for coupling and limiting the force of said first arm upon said jaw upon said translation, said locking clamp being positioned with relation to said communicating latch pin pair so that the depression of said pivotal junction of said first and second arms causes said arms to move into straight alignment with said jaws pivoting and forcing said inclined lips to slide under said latch pin pair thereby clamping said first and second frames together.

Claim 10

A clamping frame for tautly supporting a recording sheet in the recording field of a recorder comprising; a first frame having an inner rim and grooves outside said rim, a second frame adapted for mounting on said first frame and including protruding ribs matched for partial entry into said grooves upon said mounting of said second frame on said first frame, first and second pairs of latch pins mounted on opposite sides of said first frame, a pair of locking clamps mounted on said second frame so that each communicates mechanically with one of said first and second pairs of latch pins of said first frame, and wherein each of said clamps comprises, first and second pivotally joined arms each arm mechanically linked with a locking jaw pivotally mounted on said second frame, each jaw having an incliNed lip for forceably sliding under one of said pins of said communicating pair of latch pins, said first arm being linked with its corresponding jaw through telescoping means allowing translation of said jaw along said first arm and including a spring for coupling and limiting the force of said first arm upon said jaw upon said translation, said locking clamp being positioned with relation to said communicating latch pin pair so that the depression of said pivotal junction of said first and second arms causes said arms to move into straight alignment with said jaws pivoting and forcing said inclined lips to slide under said latch pin pair thereby clamping said first and second frames together.