Patent US4105341A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4105341A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Print element having flexible characters
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1977-08-10
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Granted: 1978-08-08
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Expires: 1997-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A print element for use in high speed printing machines, having a plurality of metallic print characters which are substantially flat and are flexible. The characters are struck by a hammer surface which is curved so as to conform to the curvature of the platen upon which the characters strike. The characters are struck by the curved hammer surface and thereby temporarily deformed to conform to the curvature of the platen, thus producing a character of uniform density on the printing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Chivens
- 👤 Edward C. Kelm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:04
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J1/00; B41J1/22; B41J1/24; B41J1/28; B41J1/30; B41J9/00; B41J9/02; B41J9/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An improvement in high speed printing devices comprising a type character and a hammer cooperative with a platen having a curved surface; said type character having a normally flat printing surface and being sufficiently thin to permit resilient deformation; said hammer having an impact surface configured such that as the printing surface of the type character comes into contact with the platen the impact surface of the hammer contacts the back side of said type character at two points, near the top and near the bottom, of the type character; said hammer being operative to propel said flat type character against the curved surface of the platen; and said curved platen and said hammer being cooperative to deform said flat type character only during printing so as to provide it with a curved printing surface which conforms to the curvature of the platen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
An improvement in high speed printing devices comprising a type character and a hammer cooperative with a platen having a curved surface; said type character having a normally flat printing surface and being sufficiently thin to permit resilient deformation; said hammer having an impact surface configured such that as the printing surface of the type character comes into contact with the platen the impact surface of the hammer contacts the back side of said type character at two points, near the top and near the bottom, of the type character; said hammer being operative to propel said flat type character against the curved surface of the platen; and said curved platen and said hammer being cooperative to deform said flat type character only during printing so as to provide it with a curved printing surface which conforms to the curvature of the platen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the type character is formed of metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein the metal is a titanium alloy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein the metal is stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
175 words
A hammer and print wheel for use in high speed printing devices having a curved platen; said print wheel being a metal disc provided with a plurality of radial slots on its circumference so as to form a plurality of spokes of unitary construction with said disc; said spokes bearing a type character having a normally flat printing surface and being sufficiently thin to permit resilient deformation; said hammer having an impact surface such that as the printing surface of the type character comes into contact with the platen the impact surface of the hammer contacts the back side of said spoke at substantially two points, near the top and near the bottom of the type character; said hammer being operative to propel said spoke and flat type character against the curved surface of the platen; and said curved platen and said hammer being cooperative to deform said flat type character and spoke during printing so as to provide the type character with a curved printing surface which conforms to the curvature of the platen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
A hammer and print wheel for use in high speed printing devices having a curved platen; said print wheel being a metal disc provided with a plurality of radial slots on its circumference so as to form a plurality of spokes of unitary construction with said disc; said spokes bearing a type character having a normally flat printing surface and being sufficiently thin to permit resilient deformation; said hammer having an impact surface such that as the printing surface of the type character comes into contact with the platen the impact surface of the hammer contacts the back side of said spoke at substantially two points, near the top and near the bottom of the type character; said hammer being operative to propel said spoke and flat type character against the curved surface of the platen; and said curved platen and said hammer being cooperative to deform said flat type character and spoke during printing so as to provide the type character with a curved printing surface which conforms to the curvature of the platen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hammer and print wheel of claim 5 wherein the print wheel and type character are constructed of a titanium alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hammer and print wheel of claim 5 wherein the print wheel and type character are constructed of stainless steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The hammer and print wheel of claim 5 wherein the type characters are formed by etching.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hammer and print wheel of claim 5 wherein the type characters are formed by depositing a metal upon the spokes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-07 | 1982-02-06 | 1982-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-07 | 1986-02-06 | 1986-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-07 | 1990-02-06 | 1990-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |