US3964739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning and self-leveling pinch roll for magnetic card transport system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1974-12-30
•
Granted: 1976-06-22
•
Expires: 1994-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic card transport system for an electronic typewriter comprises a reversible drive roller and a coacting pinch roller which form a nip through which a magnetic card is passed. The drive roll and pinch coact to move the card in opposite directions. A guide surface is provided which is engaged by one longitudinal edge of the card, and guide springs are provided which engage the other longitudinal edge of the card to urge the card into engagement with the guide surface for registration purposes. The pinch roll is mounted in such a manner that it may freely oscillate. The oscillation is such that the pinch roll axis pivots in each direction from a line substantially perpendicular to the guide surface between 1/2° and 3° about a vertical axis normal to its axis of rotation to allow for self-alignment to maintain the card in alignment with the guide surface. With this construction, manufacturing tolerances of the pinch roll assembly for alignment are not as critical when the roller is not free to rotate about a vertical axis to self-align. The pinch roll is so mounted that it may also rock and be self-leveling to permit the full width thereof to engage the card.
Inventors
- 👤 Valentine Garcia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K13/00; G06K13/02; G06K13/06; G06K13/063; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S271/00; Y10S271/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A card transport system comprising a card support member having a top surface, stationary guide means extending along one longitudinal edge of said support member and extending above said top surface, an opening in said member extending through said top surface, a drive roll supported for rotation about an axis which is generally parallel to said top surface and having a portion thereof extending into said opening with a plane tangent to the periphery thereof being substantially coplaner with said top surface, means for driving said roll in opposite directions, a rotatable pinch roll located above said top surface opposite said drive roll and forming a card receiving nip with said drive roll, resilient means urging said pinch roll towards said drive roll, and means loosely mounting said pinch roll for pivotal movement thereof that its axis pivots between about 1/2° and 3° relative to said support member in opposite directions from a line substantially perpendicular to said guide means about a vertical axis substantially normal to its axis of rotation and substantially normal to said top surface, said means loosely mounting said pinch roll comprising a stationary bracket located above said top surface and having a pair of spaced members extending toward said surface, an opening in each of said spaced members, a shaft, said pinch roll being located between said members and rotatably connected to said shaft, said shaft extending between said spaced members and having a respective portion thereof extending into a respective one of said openings, the width of said opening being of a dimension which is larger than the width of said shaft extending therein to allow relative movement therebetween to permit said pivotal movement of said pinch roll such that its axis pivots between about 1/2° and 3° in opposite directions from a line substantially perpendicular to said guide means about said vertical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
A card transport system comprising a card support member having a top surface, stationary guide means extending along one longitudinal edge of said support member and extending above said top surface, an opening in said member extending through said top surface, a drive roll supported for rotation about an axis which is generally parallel to said top surface and having a portion thereof extending into said opening with a plane tangent to the periphery thereof being substantially coplaner with said top surface, means for driving said roll in opposite directions, a rotatable pinch roll located above said top surface opposite said drive roll and forming a card receiving nip with said drive roll, resilient means urging said pinch roll towards said drive roll, and means loosely mounting said pinch roll for pivotal movement thereof that its axis pivots between about 1/2° and 3° relative to said support member in opposite directions from a line substantially perpendicular to said guide means about a vertical axis substantially normal to its axis of rotation and substantially normal to said top surface, said means loosely mounting said pinch roll comprising a stationary bracket located above said top surface and having a pair of spaced members extending toward said surface, an opening in each of said spaced members, a shaft, said pinch roll being located between said members and rotatably connected to said shaft, said shaft extending between said spaced members and having a respective portion thereof extending into a respective one of said openings, the width of said opening being of a dimension which is larger than the width of said shaft extending therein to allow relative movement therebetween to permit said pivotal movement of said pinch roll such that its axis pivots between about 1/2° and 3° in opposite directions from a line substantially perpendicular to said guide means about said vertical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for limiting movement of said pinch roll toward said drive roll so that said pinch roll is slightly spaced from said drive roll.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein bracket support means is connected to said card support member, said bracket being mounted to said bracket support means for adjustable pivotal movement about an axis which is substantially parallel to said vertical axis to adjust the position of said pinch roll, and means for securing said bracket against pivotal movement once said pinch roll is adjusted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
The structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises a coil spring located in each said opening and compressed between a respective portion of said shaft extending into said opening and a shoulder in said opening, the length of said opening in a direction toward said top surface being of a dimension which is larger than the corresponding length of said shaft to allow relative movement therebetween to permit movement of said pinch roll about an axis which is generally parallel to said top surface and generally normal to said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
281 words
A card transport system comprising a card support member having a top surface, stationary guide means extending along one longitudinal edge of said support member and extending above said top surface, an opening in said member extending through said top surface, a drive roll supported for rotation about an axis which is generally parallel to said top surface and having a portion thereof extending into said opening with a plane tangent to the periphery thereof being substantially coplaner with said top surface, means for driving said roll in opposite directions, a pinch roll, pinch roll support means comprising a stationary bracket located above said top surface and having a pair of spaced members extending toward said surface, an opening in each of said spaced members, a shaft, said pinch roll being located between said members and rotatably connected to said shaft, said shaft extending between said spaced members and having a respective portion thereof extending into a respective one of said openings, the length of said opening in a direction toward said top surface being of a dimension, which is larger than the corresponding length of said shaft extending therein to allow relative movement therebetween to permit said movement of said pinch roll about an axis, which is generally normal to said shaft and generally parallel to said top surface, a resilient member located in each said opening and compressed between a respective portion of said shaft extending into said opening and a shoulder in said opening, said pinch roll being located above said top surface opposite said drive roll and forming a card receiving nip with said drive roll, and resilient means urging said pinch roll towards said drive roll.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
281 words
A card transport system comprising a card support member having a top surface, stationary guide means extending along one longitudinal edge of said support member and extending above said top surface, an opening in said member extending through said top surface, a drive roll supported for rotation about an axis which is generally parallel to said top surface and having a portion thereof extending into said opening with a plane tangent to the periphery thereof being substantially coplaner with said top surface, means for driving said roll in opposite directions, a pinch roll, pinch roll support means comprising a stationary bracket located above said top surface and having a pair of spaced members extending toward said surface, an opening in each of said spaced members, a shaft, said pinch roll being located between said members and rotatably connected to said shaft, said shaft extending between said spaced members and having a respective portion thereof extending into a respective one of said openings, the length of said opening in a direction toward said top surface being of a dimension, which is larger than the corresponding length of said shaft extending therein to allow relative movement therebetween to permit said movement of said pinch roll about an axis, which is generally normal to said shaft and generally parallel to said top surface, a resilient member located in each said opening and compressed between a respective portion of said shaft extending into said opening and a shoulder in said opening, said pinch roll being located above said top surface opposite said drive roll and forming a card receiving nip with said drive roll, and resilient means urging said pinch roll towards said drive roll.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure as recited in claim 5 wherein said resilient means urging said pinch roll towards said drive roll and said resilient member located in each said opening are the same.
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) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |