US3899248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfiche reader-printer
Assignee: Xidex Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-08
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An improved microfiche reader-printer includes an electromechanical control mechanism, roll paper storage and feed mechanism, paper cutter and a corona paper charger unit in the upper portion of the machine. Disposed in the lower portion of the machine are a paper developer, dryer and discharge chute, a light source, microfiche carrier and an optical lens system. The optical system includes two moveably disposed mirrors selectively operable to project one selected fiche image either forwardly onto a viewing screen or rearwardly to an exposure station where a selected size paper is momentarily retained to permit exposure. The control mechanism functions to effect sequential operation of each of the machine elements whereby a selected fiche image is read and printed. The paper cutter includes a unique cutting bar mounting arrangement which includes means for allowing pivotable movement at one end and horizontal movement only at the other end of the cutting bar to maintain it in contact with a rotary blade cam surface to provide proper cutting bladecutting bar overlap notwithstanding external torsional forces applied to the paper cutting mechanism. The corona paper charging unit includes unique corona wire support means affording a corona structure of simple construction while assuring proper corona wire tention and insulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil Tiger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:00
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26D; B26D5/00; B26D5/08; B26D5/086; B26D7/00; B26D7/26; G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/118; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/22; G03G15/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
445 words
A microfiche reader-printer comprising: a housing; a control panel on the front of said housing; a microfiche carrier operably disposed on the front of said housing to receive a microfiche therein; a viewing screen disposed across the front of said housing; an image projector disposed to project a light beam through said fiche and magnify said light beam, including a fiche image; a pair of reflecting mirrors movable to one position for reflecting the projected image to the back side of said screen to permit viewing thereof; a positioner mechanism mechanically operative to shift the positions of said mirrors to a second position; a motorized timing cam mechanically linked to effect the selective operation of the mirror positioning mechanism; a continous paper supply source within the housing; a drive mechanism to feed said paper from said source; a paper measuring means; a rotary paper cutter for cutting a piece of said paper from said paper source comprising: a frame comprising a pair of end vertical sidewalls and a horizontal support member therebetween, a rotary cutting blade having first and second ends and a traveler cam at each said end, one said cam being smaller in radius than the other and said blade mounted between said sidewalls for cutting engagement with the paper sheet above the paper sheet, a cutting bar having a cutting edge on the near end thereof, said cutting edge being disposed beneath said cutting blade for cooperative engagement with said blade to cut a paper sheet therebetween, said bar having first and second ends, said first end being mounted to one said sidewall about a pivot at the far end of said bar and arranged for arcuate movement about said pivot, and said second end being mounted at the other said sidewall and arranged for horizontal movement only, and means at each said bar end for urging said bar ends against said blade cams, said different cam radii causing said blade to overlap said bar by a desired amount; a paper corona unit to place an electrostatic charge on the surface of said paper; a conveyor to receive and move said severed piece of paper to an exposure position where the paper is exposed to the light beam from one of said mirrors; a toner developing means disposed to receive said paper after exposure; a squeegee and dryer operative to dry the paper; a discharge chute to convey said sheet of paper to an outlet on the front of said housing; and a control circuit selectively operative to initiate a reading cycle and a succeeding printing cycle whereby any selected microfiche image may be readily read and a printed copy thereof obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
445 words
A microfiche reader-printer comprising: a housing; a control panel on the front of said housing; a microfiche carrier operably disposed on the front of said housing to receive a microfiche therein; a viewing screen disposed across the front of said housing; an image projector disposed to project a light beam through said fiche and magnify said light beam, including a fiche image; a pair of reflecting mirrors movable to one position for reflecting the projected image to the back side of said screen to permit viewing thereof; a positioner mechanism mechanically operative to shift the positions of said mirrors to a second position; a motorized timing cam mechanically linked to effect the selective operation of the mirror positioning mechanism; a continous paper supply source within the housing; a drive mechanism to feed said paper from said source; a paper measuring means; a rotary paper cutter for cutting a piece of said paper from said paper source comprising: a frame comprising a pair of end vertical sidewalls and a horizontal support member therebetween, a rotary cutting blade having first and second ends and a traveler cam at each said end, one said cam being smaller in radius than the other and said blade mounted between said sidewalls for cutting engagement with the paper sheet above the paper sheet, a cutting bar having a cutting edge on the near end thereof, said cutting edge being disposed beneath said cutting blade for cooperative engagement with said blade to cut a paper sheet therebetween, said bar having first and second ends, said first end being mounted to one said sidewall about a pivot at the far end of said bar and arranged for arcuate movement about said pivot, and said second end being mounted at the other said sidewall and arranged for horizontal movement only, and means at each said bar end for urging said bar ends against said blade cams, said different cam radii causing said blade to overlap said bar by a desired amount; a paper corona unit to place an electrostatic charge on the surface of said paper; a conveyor to receive and move said severed piece of paper to an exposure position where the paper is exposed to the light beam from one of said mirrors; a toner developing means disposed to receive said paper after exposure; a squeegee and dryer operative to dry the paper; a discharge chute to convey said sheet of paper to an outlet on the front of said housing; and a control circuit selectively operative to initiate a reading cycle and a succeeding printing cycle whereby any selected microfiche image may be readily read and a printed copy thereof obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
202 words
A microfiche reader-printer in accordance with claim 1 wherein said corona unit comprises a pair of elongated housings of generally U-shaped cross-section, each said housing comprising a main cover section and a pair of sidewalls extending therebetween; a pair of spacers at each end of said unit for maintaining said housings in spaced parallel relation; a corona wire in each said housing, each said corona wire being looped to form parallel legs extending generally across each said housing; a terminating post located at one end of each said housing, each said terminating post being secured to its associated housing main cover section between said sidewalls, each said terminating post including clamping means for holding both ends of the associated corona wire in fixed relation to said main cover sections and sidewalls and for connecting operating voltages to the same; and a support post in each said housing, located at the end opposite its respective terminating post and secured to the associated housing main cover section between said sidewalls, each said support post adapted to receive the corona wire in that housing looped therearound and each said support post including an integral tensioning member for maintaining its associated corona wire under resilient tension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A microfiche reader-printer in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mirror positioning mechanism operative by said timing cam functions to move one of said mirrors rearwardly to a stationary position for the reading cycle, and which additionally comprises pins protruding inwardly from the sidewalls of said housing to provide stops for said mirror, a tension release means to ease the movement of said mirror against said stops, and a linking adjustment means to permit the mirror to be pre-adjusted whereby full engagement with said stops is insured during the reading cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
A microfiche reader-printer in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mirror positioning mechanism for effecting the simultaneous movement of said mirrors to a position required during a printing cycle includes a linkage mechanism to permit the tilting of the first of said mirrors to the required position, a tilt initiating means associated with said second mirror to assure that said mirror will tilt forwardly as the positioning mechanism operates to move said mirror away from said fixed stops in said housing and an edge stop fixedly mounted above said screen to the interior of said housing to engage the top edge of said mirror during the movement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
166 words
A microfiche reader-printer in accordance with claim 2 wherein said control circuitry includes a selector switch pre-settable to determine the size of paper which is to be used for a printing cycle, a switch to indicate the presence of paper from said paper supply at a predetermined point of travel onto said paper conveyor, a second switch operable upon contact with the leading edge of said paper upon said conveyor to indicate the length of said paper required for a short piece for printing purposes, a third switch operable upon engagement with the leading edge of said paper to indicate the length thereof required for a larger sheet for printing purposes, said second and third switches being serially connected with respective corresponding terminals in said selector switch whereby the completion of a circuit through both of said switches will serve to energize a solenoid in a manner to operate the severing device and cause the desired length of paper to be cut from the paper supply.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |