Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
In a printing device having a frame and including a rotatable paper drive roller and a fixed paper guide positioned adjacent said drive roller to form a path between said drive roller and said paper guide for passing a length of paper, and a dispenser coupled to said frame for rotatably supporting a length of material wound upon a cylindrical core having first and second ends, said core plus said material having a first radius when full and a second radius when material is depleted, a paper quantity indicating system comprising: a. means coupled to said frame at a point adjacent the first end of said core at a radial position between the first radius and the second radius for transmitting a signal toward the second end of said core in a direction parallel to the axis of said core; b. means coupled to said frame at a point adjacent the second end of said core in axial alignment with said transmitting means for detecting said signal when the path between said transmitter means and said detecting means is uncovered after a predetermined amount of material remains on said core; c. a groove in said drive roller at a first position; d. an aperture in said paper guide adjacent said first position; and e. indicator means coupled to said printing device at a location adjacent said aperture and having an arm biased to a first position through said aperture into said groove when paper is absent from said path, said arm being deflected into a second position when said groove is covered by paper within said path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
In a printing device having a frame and including a rotatable paper drive roller and a fixed paper guide positioned adjacent said drive roller to form a path between said drive roller and said paper guide for passing a length of paper, and a dispenser coupled to said frame for rotatably supporting a length of material wound upon a cylindrical core having first and second ends, said core plus said material having a first radius when full and a second radius when material is depleted, a paper quantity indicating system comprising: a. means coupled to said frame at a point adjacent the first end of said core at a radial position between the first radius and the second radius for transmitting a signal toward the second end of said core in a direction parallel to the axis of said core; b. means coupled to said frame at a point adjacent the second end of said core in axial alignment with said transmitting means for detecting said signal when the path between said transmitter means and said detecting means is uncovered after a predetermined amount of material remains on said core; c. a groove in said drive roller at a first position; d. an aperture in said paper guide adjacent said first position; and e. indicator means coupled to said printing device at a location adjacent said aperture and having an arm biased to a first position through said aperture into said groove when paper is absent from said path, said arm being deflected into a second position when said groove is covered by paper within said path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said indicator means further includes a switch coupled to one end of said arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said switch includes a microswitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by said transmitting means is an optical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the signal generated by said transmitting means includes an infra red signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 further including means for indicating when said detecting means has detected the signal generated by said transmitter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said indicating means includes means for illuminating a light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said indicating means includes means for generating a visual signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said indicator means includes: a. electronic circuit means coupled to said switch for generating an output signal when said arm is in the first position; and b. means coupled to said electronic circuit means for generating a visual or aural output signal in response to the output signal from said electronic circuit means.