Mosaic print head

Claim 2

A mosaic printing head, comprising at least one elongated printing needle, needle guide means for holding said needle substantially vertically and permitting substantial vertical axial movement thereof for printing, an electromagnet including a pole core, an armature having a first end movable toward and away from said pole core and an opposite second end, means pivotally supporting the opposite second end of said armature, and a leaf spring having a first end supported between said first end of said armature and said pole core and having a second end engaged with said needle to displace said needle upon movement of said armature.

Claim 3

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of needles arranged in spaced circumferential locations, said needles each having an armature, said leaf spring comprising a comb-like member having comb fingers disposed between the armature and the associated needle.

Claim 4

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein said leaf spring is made of a non-ferromagnetic material.

Claim 5

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein said needle is joined to said leaf spring by a weld.

Claim 6

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein said leaf spring includes a tongue portion having a hole therethrough for the passage of the needle therethrough, and a hat engaged over the hole for holding the needle in position.

Claim 7

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein said needles have a carbide tip secured thereto.

Claim 8

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein said printing needle is made of titanium having a tip made at least partially of titanium caribde.

Claim 9

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, wherein said printing needle is made of one of the following: tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, vanadium and chromium, and wherein the needle has a point comprising a carbide material.

Claim 10

A mosaic print head, according to claim 1, including a ferromagnetic laminar secured to said armature adjacent its pivotal mounting and covering at least a portion of said pole core.

Claim 11

A mosaic print head comprising a housing having a needle guide with a lower print head guide and an upper guide portion, a plurality of needles engaged with said lower print head guide and said upper guide portion and being disposed for vertical axial movement, a plurality of electromagnets arranged around said needles each having a pole core and an armature movable relative to said pole core having a first end movable toward and away from said pole core and an opposite second end, means pivotally supporting said opposite second end of said armature located radially outwardly of said core, and a leaf spring having a first end supported between said first end of said armature and said pole core and having a second end engaged with a respective needle, said leaf spring comprising a continuous member having comb-like fingers with a respective finger engaging respective needle.

Claim 12

A mosaic print head comprising a housing having a needle guide with a lower print head guide and an upper guide portion, a plurality of needles engaged with said lower print head guide and said upper guide portion and being disposed for vertical axial movement, a plurality of electromagnets arranged around said needles each having a pole core and an armature movable relative to said pole core having a first end movable toward and away from said pole core and an opposite second end, means pivotally supporting said opposite second end of said armature located radially outwardly of said core, and a leaf spring having a first end supported between said first end of said armature and said pole core and having a second end engaged with a respective needle, said leaf spring comprising a continuous member having comb-like fingers with a respective finger engaging respective needle.