Single print element print carrier with self-contained selection function

Claim 2

A selection mechanism for a printer of the single element type, having a single print element carried by a print carrier, comprising: a multicam surfaced rotational barrel cam rotationally and slideably supported for rotational movement and axial movement with respect to said carrier; at least one selectably operable follower means spacially fixed with respect to said carrier for selective engagement with one of said surfaces; means for creating motion between said selected follower means and said selected cam surface to create cam controlled motion of said cam with respect to said carrier; said motion comprising an axial translation and reverse axial translation from and to a predesignated position; first means for transmitting said motion of said cam to a second means cooperating with said print element for converting said cam controlled motion of said cam into a selected directional rotational motion of said type element, thereby producing the selected rotation of said element in one of two selectable directions from an original at rest position, said selected rotation resulting from a single axial directional motion of said cam with respect to said follower means.

Claim 3

The selection mechanism of claim 1 wherein said second means for converting said controlled motion into a selected directional rotational motion further comprise: a pinion drivingly associated with said element, and a bifurcated rack means switchable between alternate engagement of each of the rack portions thereon, to produce alternatively two directions of rotation of said pinion from otherwise identical axial displacement of said cam.

Claim 4

The selection mechanism of claim 2 wherein said mechanism further comprises: means to effect the disengagement of one portion of said bifurcated rack means and the engagement of the other portion thereof.

Claim 5

The selection mechanism of claim 3 wherein said means to effect the disengagement, further comprise meAns controlled by said cam to effect said disengagement and for causing engaging of said other portion of said rack at a point where said rack is displaced axially with said cam to its most extreme point of travel, thereby effecting an additional rotation of said pinion during said reverse axial translation, to position said element at its home row position one-half revolution from said predesignated position.

Claim 6

A rotate selection mechanism for selection of characters on a single element print member comprising: a multisurfaced barrel cam; a cam selector mechanism for selective engagement with a selected one of said surfaces of said cam to effect an axial displacement of said cam and translation with respect to said selector mechanism, said displacement for each of said surfaces being proportional to the rotation of said print member required to position a column of characters thereon in a position to print one of said characters; a follower means to pick up and transmit to rack means the axial translational motion of said cam said follower drivingly associated with said rack means, said rack means having two racks; a pinion drivingly connected to said print member; said rack means associated with said pinion and adapted to be shifted to engage one of said racks with said pinion for transmitting said follower motion to said pinion to cause rotation thereof up to a maximum of about one-forth of a revolution of said pinion and said print member during the maximum displacement of said cam follower means, and racks; selectively activatable means for engaging a selected one of said racks with said pinion to produce selective directions of rotation of said print member from identical axial displacement of said cam.

Claim 7

A rotate selection mechanism for selection of characters on a single element print member comprising: a multisurfaced barrel cam; a cam selector mechanism for selective engagement with a selected one of said surfaces of said cam to effect an axial displacement of said cam and translation with respect to said selector mechanism, said displacement for each of said surfaces being proportional to the rotation of said print member required to position a column of characters thereon in a position to print one of said characters; a follower means to pick up and transmit to rack means the axial translational motion of said cam said follower drivingly associated with said rack means, said rack means having two racks; a pinion drivingly connected to said print member; said rack means associated with said pinion and adapted to be shifted to engage one of said racks with said pinion for transmitting said follower motion to said pinion to cause rotation thereof up to a maximum of about one-forth of a revolution of said pinion and said print member during the maximum displacement of said cam follower means, and racks; selectively activatable means for engaging a selected one of said racks with said pinion to produce selective directions of rotation of said print member from identical axial displacement of said cam.

Claim 8

The selection mechanism of claim 5 further comprising rack switching means for shifting said rack engagement to the other of said racks in timed relation to the movement of said cam and at a point in the rotation of said cam where said cam has been displaced to its maximum axial displacement, and after having caused the print member to rotate in one preselected direction, thereby causing continued rotation of said element in said direction during restoration of said cam to its nominal position, producing a complete one-half revolution of said element thus effecting case shift.

Claim 9

A selection device for a single element printer having a single print element, comprising: a multichannel barrel cam supported for rotation about and translation along its axis; a plurality of fixed selection pins each selectively engageable with one of said channels; a cam follower to transmit the axial translation of said cam; a pinion; a switchable member having two racks for alternative engagement with said pinion and engaged with said follower for movement therewith, for converting said translation to controlled rotary motion of said pinion, said pinion drivingly engaged with said element to effect rotation thereof; a selectively actuable switching member or selectively switching said rack for reversing the direction of rotation of said pinion in response to the translation of said cam; means for restoring said switchable member to a first condition of engagement upon the completion of a complete rotation of said cam; and cam profile and follower means to effect the restoring of said switchable member to said first condition at a point where said cam has translated the maximum distance capable and where said switchable member was in other than said first condition during said cam translation.

Claim 10

A selection device for a single element printer having a single print element, comprising: a multichannel barrel cam supported for rotation about and translation along its axis; a plurality of fixed selection pins each selectively engageable with one of said channels; a cam follower to transmit the axial translation of said cam; a pinion; a switchable member having two racks for alternative engagement with said pinion and engaged with said follower for movement therewith, for converting said translation to controlled rotary motion of said pinion, said pinion drivingly engaged with said element to effect rotation thereof; a selectively actuable switching member or selectively switching said rack for reversing the direction of rotation of said pinion in response to the translation of said cam; means for restoring said switchable member to a first condition of engagement upon the completion of a complete rotation of said cam; and cam profile and follower means to effect the restoring of said switchable member to said first condition at a point where said cam has translated the maximum distance capable and where said switchable member was in other than said first condition during said cam translation.