US3877035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Event marker for graphic recorder
Assignee: Leeds and Northrup Co
•
Filing: 1974-02-01
•
Granted: 1975-04-08
•
Expires: 1994-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An event marker which is supported on a carriage which includes bearing structure slideable along a longitudinally fixed guide shaft and wherein a solenoid is supported by the carriage in concentric relation with the bearing structure and the guide shaft. The guide shaft is made of ferromagnetic material so that when the solenoid is energized it will produce a magnetic flux which in turn produces magnetic poles on the guide shaft which causes the solenoid and therefore the marker carriage to be drawn toward the longitudinal center of the guide shaft. Stop structure is provided to limit movement of the event marker to a fixed distance along the shaft and near an extremity thereof. Biasing means which may be a magnet or a spring urges the marker toward one position when the solenoid is deenergized. When the biasing means is a permanent magnet a cover of ferromagnetic material partially surrounds the solenoid so that the marker assembly will be attracted by the magnet when the solenoid is deenergized and repelled by the magnet when the solenoid is energized. When the biasing means is a compression spring the spring is compressed when the solenoid is energized. In different modifications of the invention the guide shaft may comprise both ferromagnetic and weak magnetic portions to minimize the amount of power needed to move the event marker along the guide shaft. This event marker may be mounted on the same guide shaft used to guide a marker driven by a servo system and both markers may be raised from and lowered into marking engagement with a chart by the same marker lifting means. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Summary of the Invention
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L Miller
- 👤 Joseph F Steelman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A graphic recorder having an event marker comprising: a longitudinally fixed guide shaft including ferromagnetic material, a marker assembly having means for supporting a marker and means to support nonmagnetic bearing structure for sliding engagement with said shaft, a coil of wire wound about the axis of said bearing structure to form a solenoid which when energized will produce a magnetic flux which in turn produces magnetic poles on said guide shaft which cause said solenoid and therefore said marker assembly to be drawn toward the longitudinal center of said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A graphic recorder having an event marker comprising: a longitudinally fixed guide shaft including ferromagnetic material, a marker assembly having means for supporting a marker and means to support nonmagnetic bearing structure for sliding engagement with said shaft, a coil of wire wound about the axis of said bearing structure to form a solenoid which when energized will produce a magnetic flux which in turn produces magnetic poles on said guide shaft which cause said solenoid and therefore said marker assembly to be drawn toward the longitudinal center of said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A graphic recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide shaft including ferromagnetic material includes stop structure for limiting the path of travel of said marker assembly, and means biasing said marker assembly toward an element of said stop structure disposed toward an end of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 2 wherein a compression spring is disposed between said marker assembly and one element of said stop structure and biases said marker assembly toward said an-element-of-said-stop-structure disposed toward an end of said shaft and wherein energization of said solenoid creates sufficient force to overcome that of said spring and effects movement of said marker assembly toward said one element of said stop structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 2 wherein said an-element-of-said-stop-structure is a permanent magnet magnetized so that a face thereof disposed toward said marker assembly is one pole and the face thereof disposed toward the end of said shaft is an opposite pole and said marker assembly carries an amount of ferromagnetic material which is attracted with sufficient force by said permanent magnet when said solenoid is deenergized to draw and hold said marker assembly adjacent said permanent magnet, and energization of said solenoid with the proper polarity creates magnetic flux of sufficient force and in a direction to cause said marker carriage to be repelled by said permanent magnet and simultaneously drawn toward the longitudinal center of said guide shaft and another element of said stop structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 2 wherein said guide shaft of ferromagnetic material has an end portion of weak magnetic material and where the juncture between said ferromagnetic and weak magnetic materials is adjacent said an-element-of-said-stop-structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 2 wherein a permanent magnet disposed near an extremity of said shaft forms a part of said stop structure, a split sleeve of ferromagnetic material substantially surrounds the major portion of said solenoid so that when said solenoid is deenergized said marker assembly is drawn to and held adjacent said permanent magnet due to the attractive force between said split sleeve and said magnet, and when said solenoid is energized by a direct current of proper polarity, a magnetic field is created which opposes that of said permanent magnet so that said marker assembly is repelled by the permanent magnet with sufficient force to move away from said magnet, said field simultaneously producing magnetic poles on said shaft which cause said solenoid and therefore said marker assembly to move away from the end of said shaft and said permanent magnet and toward the longitudinal center of said shaft until movement is arrested by another element of said stop structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinally fixed guide shaft has an end portion of weak magnetic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A graphic recorder in accordance with claim 1 wherein said guide shaft comprises two portions of different length, a longer portion which is of ferromagnetic material and a shorter end portion which is of weak magnetic material, and said stop structure and biasing means are disposed so that an end of said solenoid adjacent stop structure toward which said solenoid is biased is disposed substantially at the juncture of said ferromagnetic and weak magnetic materials and with the ferromagnetic material extending through and beyond said solenoid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
An event marker assembly for a graphic recorder, said assembly having a marker carriage for supporting a marking device, said carriage being comprised of wall structure of nonmagnetic material, portions of said wall structure projecting to form a pair of spaced-apart ear portions having aligned openings, a spool made of nonmagnetic material, said spool having a boss on the outside of each flange and the dimensions of said spool and its bosses being such that said spool is securely supported in the aligned openings of said ear portions, the internal diameter of said spool forming bearing structure for sliding engagement with a guide shaft, wire wrapped around said spool to form a solenoid which when energized effects movement of said carriage along said shaft in one direction, and a sleeve of ferromagnetic material partially surrounding said solenoid which cooperates with a stationary magnet for effecting movement of said carriage along said shaft in the opposite direction upon deenergization of said solenoid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
An event marker assembly for a graphic recorder, said assembly having a marker carriage for supporting a marking device, said carriage being comprised of wall structure of nonmagnetic material, portions of said wall structure projecting to form a pair of spaced-apart ear portions having aligned openings, a spool made of nonmagnetic material, said spool having a boss on the outside of each flange and the dimensions of said spool and its bosses being such that said spool is securely supported in the aligned openings of said ear portions, the internal diameter of said spool forming bearing structure for sliding engagement with a guide shaft, wire wrapped around said spool to form a solenoid which when energized effects movement of said carriage along said shaft in one direction, and a sleeve of ferromagnetic material partially surrounding said solenoid which cooperates with a stationary magnet for effecting movement of said carriage along said shaft in the opposite direction upon deenergization of said solenoid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A marker assembly according to claim 9 wherein a portion of said wall structure defines a cavity for the storage of a supply of ink and further includes means for receiving a snap-in rigid pen capillary extending into said supply of ink.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A marker assembly according to claim 10 wherein a portion of said wall structure projects exteriorly of said cavity for engagement with marker lifting structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
195 words
A graphic recorder having one or more servo driven marking means and one or more event marking means comprising: a guide shaft at least the major portion of which is of ferromagnetic material for guiding marking means across a chart, a servo driven marking means and an event marking means mounted on carriages slideable along said guide shaft, means disposed with respect to said shaft forming stop structure for the carriage carrying said event marking means, means disposed with respect to said guide shaft biasing the carriage carrying said event marking means toward an element of said stop structure disposed adjacent an end of said guide shaft, said carriage carrying said event marking means including bearing structure for journaling said carriage on said guide shaft, and a coil of wire surrounding the axis of said bearing structure to form a solenoid which when energized produces a magnetic flux which in turn produces magnetic poles on said guide shaft which cause said solenoid and therefore said event marker to be moved away from said an-element-of-said-stop-structure and toward the longitudinal center of said guide shaft until movement thereof is arrested by another element of said stop structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
195 words
A graphic recorder having one or more servo driven marking means and one or more event marking means comprising: a guide shaft at least the major portion of which is of ferromagnetic material for guiding marking means across a chart, a servo driven marking means and an event marking means mounted on carriages slideable along said guide shaft, means disposed with respect to said shaft forming stop structure for the carriage carrying said event marking means, means disposed with respect to said guide shaft biasing the carriage carrying said event marking means toward an element of said stop structure disposed adjacent an end of said guide shaft, said carriage carrying said event marking means including bearing structure for journaling said carriage on said guide shaft, and a coil of wire surrounding the axis of said bearing structure to form a solenoid which when energized produces a magnetic flux which in turn produces magnetic poles on said guide shaft which cause said solenoid and therefore said event marker to be moved away from said an-element-of-said-stop-structure and toward the longitudinal center of said guide shaft until movement thereof is arrested by another element of said stop structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 12 wherein said event marking means is disposed with respect to its carriage so that it records on the same time line of a recorder chart as said servo driven marking means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 12 including a circuit for energizing said solenoid, said circuit including a source of power, a control switch, and said solenoid in series and a diode in parallel with said solenoid to minimize electrical interference with low level electrical circuits associated with means controlling operation of said servo driven marking means when said solenoid is deenergized.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A graphic recorder according to claim 12 including a cross member pivoted to be moved in a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of said guide shaft from a marker lift position to a marker engaged position and each of said servo driven marking means and event marking means mounted on said guide shaft having a cross-member-engaging-portion disposed with respect to said cross member so that all of said marking means will be simultaneously lifted from and engaged with said chart as said cross member is moved to its marker lift and marker engaged positions regardless of the positions of said marking means across said chart.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |