Patent US3863261A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically addressed apertured modulator for electrostatic printing
Assignee: Markem Imaje Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-11
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Granted: 1975-01-28
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Expires: 1993-05-11
Abstract
Abstract Modulated apertured non-contact electrostatic printing wherein a stream of ions is modulated by passage through one or more rows of electrically addressed apertures containing bipolar electrostatic fringing fields of force into a mist of uncharged toner particles to impinge upon such particles causing them to become charged and attracted onto a print receiving medium. Specified particle modulator constructions wherein a plurality of very small closely spaced modulating apertures are positioned on a flexible printed circuit board having printed circuit lead lines extending between each aperture and printed terminal pads. The terminal pads are arranged in straight parallel rows for attachment to conventional printed circuit card edge connectors and, thereby, to printed circuit cards carrying control circuitry. Each of the printed circuit leads joining one of the apertures to one of the terminal contact pads is comprised of a first section extending from the aperture in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rows of apertures, and a second section extending in a direction substantially parallel to the rows of apertures between the distal end of the first section and one of the terminal contact pads. The circuit board is fabricated from a flexible dielectric substrate having a continuous electrically conductive backing. The printed circuitry, including the aforementioned lead lines and terminal contact pads, appears upon the opposite side of the substrate. The terminal contact pads are positioned on a flexible flap cut in the flexible circuit board and are electrically connected to conventional circuit card edge connectors which have two rows of terminal prongs depending therefrom by wrapping the flap across an elongate filler block with the terminal contact pads facing upwardly in alignment with the terminal prongs, wedging the flap between the rows of terminal prongs and the filler block and soldering the terminal prongs to the pads.
Inventors
- 👤 Enrique J Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:58
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/385; B41J2/41; B41J2/415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for aperture modulated electrostatic printing, comprising: a substrate of dielectric material; a continuous electrode disposed on one side of said substrate; a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said continuous electrode; a plurality of closely spaced electrical devices mounted in one or more straight and parallel rows on said substrate, each of said devices abutting one of said apertures; and a plurality of electrically conductive continuous strips fixedly attached to the other side of said substrate, each strip having a first section attached at one end to one of said electrical devices and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to said row or rows of electrical devices, and a second section extending from said first section in a direction generally parallel to said row or rows, said second sections of said strips being more widely center spaced at all points than any of said first sections of said, each of said electrical devices comprising an electrode abutting an aperture formed in said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for aperture modulated electrostatic printing, comprising: a substrate of dielectric material; a continuous electrode disposed on one side of said substrate; a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said continuous electrode; a plurality of closely spaced electrical devices mounted in one or more straight and parallel rows on said substrate, each of said devices abutting one of said apertures; and a plurality of electrically conductive continuous strips fixedly attached to the other side of said substrate, each strip having a first section attached at one end to one of said electrical devices and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to said row or rows of electrical devices, and a second section extending from said first section in a direction generally parallel to said row or rows, said second sections of said strips being more widely center spaced at all points than any of said first sections of said, each of said electrical devices comprising an electrode abutting an aperture formed in said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the junctions of said first and second sections lie in a line extending generally diagonally to said row or rows of electrical devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein some of said first sections of said continuous strips include segments which extend diagonally to the row or rows of electrical devices whereby opposed ends of such first sections are laterally displaced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said second sections terminates at a terminal contact pad, said terminal contact pads being mounted on said substrate in one or more straight and parallel rows extending in directions generally perpendicular to the row or rows of electrical devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the junctions of said first and second sections lie in a line extending generally diagonally to said row or rows of electrical devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein some of said first sections of said continuous strips include segments which extend diagonally to the row or rows of electrical devices whereby the opposed ends of such first sections are laterally displaced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for aperture modulated electrostatic printing, comprising: a substrate of dielectric material; a continuous electrode disposed on one side of said substrate; a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said continuous electrode; a plurality of closely spaced electrical devices, each associated with one of said apertures; a plurality of substantially parallel electrically conductive continuous strips mounted on one side of said substrate, each strip having first and second sections, said first section extending in a generally longitudinal direction between one of said electrical devices and said second section, said second section extending between said first section and a terminal contact pad, said first and second sections intersecting and extending at an angle relative to one another; and a plurality of terminal contact pads mounted on said substrate in one or more straight and parallel rows extending in generally longitudinal directions, said pads center spaced more widely than said electrical devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for aperture modulated electrostatic printing, comprising: a substrate of dielectric material; a continuous electrode disposed on one side of said substrate; a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said continuous electrode; a plurality of closely spaced electrical devices, each associated with one of said apertures; a plurality of substantially parallel electrically conductive continuous strips mounted on one side of said substrate, each strip having first and second sections, said first section extending in a generally longitudinal direction between one of said electrical devices and said second section, said second section extending between said first section and a terminal contact pad, said first and second sections intersecting and extending at an angle relative to one another; and a plurality of terminal contact pads mounted on said substrate in one or more straight and parallel rows extending in generally longitudinal directions, said pads center spaced more widely than said electrical devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said first sections are substantially parallel to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said angle is substantially 90*.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said second sections are substantially parallel to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrical devices are arranged in at least two straight parallel rows.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrical devices are arranged in at least first and second straight parallel rows with laterally adjacent devices located in different rows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein those of said first sections associated with said first row of electrical devices lead away from said devices from the side opposite said second row of electrical devices, and wherein those of said first sections associated with Said second row of electrical devices lead away from said devices from the side opposite said first row of electrical devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrical devices are arranged in at least one straight row.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said first sections extend in a direction perpendicular to said row of electrical devices.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said row of terminal pads extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said row of electrical devices.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 14 wherein said row of terminal pads extends in a direction substantially parallel to said first sections.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the assembled substrate, continuous electrode and strips are flexible.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein said terminal portions of said strips are arranged in at least one straight row.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein a flexible flap is formed in said coated substrate in the region wherein said terminal portions are disposed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein there are at least two of said flexible flaps disposed laterally of each other on said substrate, each of said flaps associated with a separate group of said aperture - terminal pairs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein there are at least two of said flexible flaps disposed on either side of said rows of apertures, each of said flaps associated with a separate group of said aperture - terminal pairs.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for aperture modulated electrostatic printing, comprising: a substrate of dielectric material; a continuous electrode disposed on one side of said substrate; a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said continuous electrode; a plurality of closely spaced electrical devices, each associated with one of said apertures; a plurality of electrically conductive leads disposed on said insulating layer each of said leads extending between one of said electrical devices and a terminal portion, said terminal portions of said leads arranged in one or more groups on a flexible flap formed in said substrate; a frame having at least a first side for supporting siad substrate; at least one edge connector mounted on said first side of said frame, said edge connector having at least one row of terminal prongs facing said mounting means and a groove facing oppositely for receiving the edge of a circuit card; and means for wedging said flap against said prongs to provide electrical contact between said prongs and said terminal portions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for aperture modulated electrostatic printing, comprising: a substrate of dielectric material; a continuous electrode disposed on one side of said substrate; a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said continuous electrode; a plurality of closely spaced electrical devices, each associated with one of said apertures; a plurality of electrically conductive leads disposed on said insulating layer each of said leads extending between one of said electrical devices and a terminal portion, said terminal portions of said leads arranged in one or more groups on a flexible flap formed in said substrate; a frame having at least a first side for supporting siad substrate; at least one edge connector mounted on said first side of said frame, said edge connector having at least one row of terminal prongs facing said mounting means and a groove facing oppositely for receiving the edge of a circuit card; and means for wedging said flap against said prongs to provide electrical contact between said prongs and said terminal portions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 23 wherein said electrical devices are arranged in one or more parallel row(s) on said mounting means; wherein there is at least one of said terminal portion bearing flaps disposed on either side of said row(s) of electrical devices; wherein said frame is provided with a second side and a central crested portion between said first and second sides of said frame; and wherein said first and second sides of said frame support at least one of said terminal portion bearing flaps, respectively and at least one of said edge connectors mounted on said second side for electrical connection with adjacent ones of said terminal portions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 24 wherein said mounting means is flexible and shaped to the configuration of said first and second sides and said crested portion of said frame; wherein said crested portion support said row(s) of electrical devices; wherein a corona ion source is disposed in said crested portion adjacent said electrical devices; and wherein said electrical devices are ion stream modulating apertures adapted for modulated aperture electrostatic printing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein said frame is substantially rectangular in cross-section, said first and second sides of said frame lying in substantially perpendicular planes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as reCited in claim 25 wherein said frame is substantially rectangular in cross-section, said first and second sides of said frame being coplanar.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
240 words
An electrostatic printer head assembly comprising: a. a flexible circuit board comprising i. a substrate of dielectric material; ii. a continuous electrically conductive coating disposed on one side of said substrate; iii. a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said coating; and iv. a plurality of electrically conductive continuous strips mounted on the opposite side of said substrate from said coating, each of said strips having first and second sections, said first sections extending in a generally longitudinal direction between one of said apertures and said second section, said second section extending from said first section to a terminal portion, said first and second sections intersecting at an angle, said terminal portions center spaced more widely than said apertures to facilitate attachment to the terminal posts of external circuit card edge connectors, said terminal portions positioned on flexible flaps formed in said substrate; b. a frame having a first side for supporting said flexible circuit board and a second side opposite said first side provided with a slot; c. a circuit card carrying an electrical circuit disposed edgewise in said slot; and d. an edge connector mounted on said first side of said frame and attached to said flap of said circuit board to provide separate electrical connections to each of the terminals on the flap, said edge connector having a groove which receives one edge of said circuit card to provide electrical connection with said circuit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
240 words
An electrostatic printer head assembly comprising: a. a flexible circuit board comprising i. a substrate of dielectric material; ii. a continuous electrically conductive coating disposed on one side of said substrate; iii. a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said coating; and iv. a plurality of electrically conductive continuous strips mounted on the opposite side of said substrate from said coating, each of said strips having first and second sections, said first sections extending in a generally longitudinal direction between one of said apertures and said second section, said second section extending from said first section to a terminal portion, said first and second sections intersecting at an angle, said terminal portions center spaced more widely than said apertures to facilitate attachment to the terminal posts of external circuit card edge connectors, said terminal portions positioned on flexible flaps formed in said substrate; b. a frame having a first side for supporting said flexible circuit board and a second side opposite said first side provided with a slot; c. a circuit card carrying an electrical circuit disposed edgewise in said slot; and d. an edge connector mounted on said first side of said frame and attached to said flap of said circuit board to provide separate electrical connections to each of the terminals on the flap, said edge connector having a groove which receives one edge of said circuit card to provide electrical connection with said circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electrostatic printer head assembly comprising: a. a flexible circuit board having i. a flexible substrate of dielectric material; ii. a continuous flexible electrical coating disposed on one side of said substrate; iii. a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said coating; iv. a plurality of electrically conductive flexible continuous strips disposed on the opposite side of said substrate from said continuous coating, each of said strips extending between and electrically connecting one of said apertures to a terminal pad; and v. a plurality of terminal pads disposed on the same side of said substrate as said continuous strips; b. means for supporting said flexible circuit board; c. a printed circuit card carrying an electrical circuit; d. means supporting said printed circuit card with its edge adjacent said terminal pads of said flexible circuit board; e. means for forming an electrical connection between said electrical circuit on said card and said terminals.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electrostatic printer head assembly comprising: a. a flexible circuit board having i. a flexible substrate of dielectric material; ii. a continuous flexible electrical coating disposed on one side of said substrate; iii. a plurality of apertures extending through both said substrate and said coating; iv. a plurality of electrically conductive flexible continuous strips disposed on the opposite side of said substrate from said continuous coating, each of said strips extending between and electrically connecting one of said apertures to a terminal pad; and v. a plurality of terminal pads disposed on the same side of said substrate as said continuous strips; b. means for supporting said flexible circuit board; c. a printed circuit card carrying an electrical circuit; d. means supporting said printed circuit card with its edge adjacent said terminal pads of said flexible circuit board; e. means for forming an electrical connection between said electrical circuit on said card and said terminals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 29 wherein said electrical connection forming means comprises a conventional printed circuit card edge connector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 30 wherein said edge connector has two parallel rows of terminal prongs projecting from one side thereof; and, further comprising an elongate filler block disposed between said rows of terminal prongs to wedge said circuit board flap between said block and said prongs and thereby urge said terminals on said circuit board against said terminal prongs of said edge connector to provide electrical connection therebetween.
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) | 1978-01-27 | 1978-07-29 | 1979-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-27 | 1982-07-29 | 1983-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-27 | 1986-07-29 | 1987-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |