US3889594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-held self-adhesive-label applicators
Assignee: Norprint Ltd
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Filing: 1973-07-10
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-07-10
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable facet print mechanism includes a plurality of print-facet carrying bands, each having a plurality of printfacets, a corresponding plurality of first wheels arranged on a common axis, each wheel having an internal array of projections and carrying a series of characters corresponding to those of a related print band, a corresponding plurality of second wheels arranged on a common axis parallel to the axis of the first wheels and each serving in part to support one band, means serving additionally to support the bands and providing backing surfaces for the print-facets of the bands operative at any given time, means drivingly connecting corresponding first and second wheels, a threaded member rotatable on the common axis of the first wheels and lying within these wheels, a nut member carried by the threaded member and having an array of projections on its periphery, a rotatable spider member having a plurality of arms interdigitating with at least some of the projections of the nut member, means for preventing rotation of the spider member, and a single actuating member operative selectively to drive the threaded member, with the means for preventing rotation of the spider operative, whereby to move the nut member to a position whereat the projections thereof mesh with the internal projections of a selected first wheel and to drive the screwed member, with the means for preventing rotation of the spider inoperative, whereby to rotate the nut member and spider together to index the selected first wheel and associated print band to a required operative print facet.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Nicholson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:09
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41K; B41K1/00; B41K1/08; B41K1/10; B41K1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
359 words
In an adjustable facet print mechanism, a plurality of printfacet carrying bands, each said band having a plurality of printfacets, selected ones of which are operative at any given time; a plurality of first wheels arranged on a common axis, each wheel having an internal array of projections and carrying a series of characters each corresponding to a respective print-facet of a related print band and providing an indication by display of the character corresponding to the then operative print-facet of said related print band; a plurality of second wheels arranged on a common axis parallel to the axis of the first wheels and each serving in part to support a respective print band; means supporting said bands at a position spaced from said second wheels and providing backing surfaces for the print-facets of the bands operative at any given time; means drivingly connecting corresponding first and second wheels; a screw-threaded member rotatable on a common axis of said first wheels and lying within said first wheels; stationary means rotatably supporting said screw-threaded member; a nut member carried by the screw-threaded member and having an array of projections on its periphery; a rotatable spider member coaxial with said screw-threaded member and having a plurality of arms extending axially of said screwthreaded member and interdigitating with at least some of said projections of said nut member; means operable to prevent rotation of said spider member; and a single rotatable actuating member, movable axially of said screw-threaded member over a distance substantially less than the axial length of said plurality of first wheels, operative selectively, in a first axial position, to drive said screw-threaded member with the means operable to prevent rotation of said spider meMber operative, whereby to move said nut member to a position whereat the projections thereof mesh with the internal projections of a selected first wheel and, in a second axial position, to drive said screw-threaded member with the means operable to prevent rotation of said spider inoperative, whereby to rotate said nut member and spider together to index the selected first wheel and associated print band to bring a required print facet to an operative position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
359 words
In an adjustable facet print mechanism, a plurality of printfacet carrying bands, each said band having a plurality of printfacets, selected ones of which are operative at any given time; a plurality of first wheels arranged on a common axis, each wheel having an internal array of projections and carrying a series of characters each corresponding to a respective print-facet of a related print band and providing an indication by display of the character corresponding to the then operative print-facet of said related print band; a plurality of second wheels arranged on a common axis parallel to the axis of the first wheels and each serving in part to support a respective print band; means supporting said bands at a position spaced from said second wheels and providing backing surfaces for the print-facets of the bands operative at any given time; means drivingly connecting corresponding first and second wheels; a screw-threaded member rotatable on a common axis of said first wheels and lying within said first wheels; stationary means rotatably supporting said screw-threaded member; a nut member carried by the screw-threaded member and having an array of projections on its periphery; a rotatable spider member coaxial with said screw-threaded member and having a plurality of arms extending axially of said screwthreaded member and interdigitating with at least some of said projections of said nut member; means operable to prevent rotation of said spider member; and a single rotatable actuating member, movable axially of said screw-threaded member over a distance substantially less than the axial length of said plurality of first wheels, operative selectively, in a first axial position, to drive said screw-threaded member with the means operable to prevent rotation of said spider meMber operative, whereby to move said nut member to a position whereat the projections thereof mesh with the internal projections of a selected first wheel and, in a second axial position, to drive said screw-threaded member with the means operable to prevent rotation of said spider inoperative, whereby to rotate said nut member and spider together to index the selected first wheel and associated print band to bring a required print facet to an operative position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A print mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the means serving to support said bands at a position spaced from said second wheels comprises a plurality of third wheels arranged on a common axis parallel to the axis of said first wheels, each said third wheel having a polygonal periphery, the flats of which serve as said backing surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A print mechanism according to claim 2, wherein each said print band has a plurality of regularly-spaced internal projections and wherein each said second wheel has complementary spaced recesses engageable by the internal projections of the associated print band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A print mechanism according to claim 2, wherein each said print band has a plurality of regularly-spaced internal projections and each said third wheel has corresponding recesses each disposed at mid-length of a flat of the wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A print mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said means operable to prevent rotation of said spider member comprises a first array of dog members on said stationary means; a second array of dog members on said spider member and rotatable therewith; said first and second arrays of dog members being selectively interengageable to prevent rotation of said spider member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A print mechanism according to claim 5, in which said stationary means comprises a casing carrying said first array of dog members; said spider member being movable axially to effect engagement and disengagement of said first and second arrays of dog members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A print mechanism according to claim 6, comprising clutch means controlled by said single actuating member, and serving to couple said screw-threaded member to the actuating member and to effect engagement of said first and second arrays of dog members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A print mechanism according to claim 7, comprising spring means biasing said arrays of dog members to a disengaged relation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A print mechanism according to claim 7, comprising overload means interposed between the actuating member and the clutch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
A print mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said clutch means comprises means defining an internal polygonal surface with an even number of flat sides; said actuating member comprising a knob carrying two elongate members, each of limited flexibility, extending transversely to the axis of rotation thereof and engaging parts of the polygonal surface, the length of each said elongate member being greater than the distance across the flat sides of the polygonal member but less than the distance between opposite corners thereof; said elongate members engaging the polygonal surface at their ends whereby to transmit rotation until, under overload conditions, the members flex to an effective length equal to the distance across the flat sides and thus slip relative to those flat sides and transmit zero torque.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
146 words
A print mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said clutch means comprises a disc having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the number of arms of said spider member, said disc being rigid with said screw threaded member and each aperture receiving an end portion of one arm of said spider member; and further comprising a clutch member carrying a plurality of teeth corresponding to the apertures of said disc and each partially engageable in a corresponding one of the said apertures; said second array of dog members being remote from said disc; axial movement of said single actuating member serving to engage ends of the teeth of said clutch member with ends of the arms of said spiDer member and thereby to engage said second array of dog members, carried by said spider member, with said first array of dog members carried by said casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
A print mechanism according to claim 1, comprising shim members, one shim member being interposed between each pair of adjacent second wheels, and each shim member having regularly-spaced projections on opposite faces thereof; each of said second wheels having a plurality of regularly-spaced recesses on one face thereof and an annular groove on the other face thereof; the projections on one face of each shim member engaging in the annular groove of one adjacent second wheel and the projections on the other face of each shim member engaging in the recesses of the other adjacent second wheel; the projections on said one face of each shim member engaging in the corresponding annular groove of an adjacent second wheel serving to align the second wheels and shim members, and the projections on the other face of each shim member engaging in said recesses of an adjacent second wheel serving both to align the second wheels and shim members and angularly to locate the second wheels and their corresponding print bands.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |